Earthquake

N. Solomons and Morobe Coast Are Shaken

THERE was a very severe earthquake, in the earthquake belt between New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, on January 31.

Faisi, in the Northern Solomons, got a violent shaking and a tidal wave. Some damage was done to wharves and old buildings, but nothing serious has been reported. Residents in most of the Solomon Islands were a little startled by the tremors: and natives, in a num ber of places, fled howling into the bush.

The Morobe coast of New Guinea, di rectly opposite the Northern Solomons, was shaken in an alarming way. and some minor damage was reported in Salamaua. Residents of the latter place prepared themselves for the usual tidal wave: but, on this occasion, the sea re mained quiet.

Captain G. E. Warner and Mrs. War ner left Auckland on their return to Rarotonga by the “Matua’’ on February 1, after spending two months in New Zealand.