Letter, M M Devine
Maker
Devine, Monnie
Object detail
Brief Description
A five-page letter titled: The Napier Earthquake 3.2.1931, written by a Technical College survivor, M M Devine, nee Mary Carter.
Mary writes of being in the Home Science room at the Technical College at the time the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake struck. She recalls the building shaking so violently that it was impossible to walk or stand, and that the dust was so thick, she felt she was being suffocated. She describes the scenes of the girls trying to exit the building, and she herself had to make her way over a pile of bricks, that had been the front of the building.
Sheltering under trees outside the Catholic Church opposite the college, and seeing dust and smoke rising in the city, Mary went back to the school to see if she could help. She writes of seeing the principal of the college, Mr McLaren, holding a girl in his arms, and of Miss Rockstrow, the home science teacher telling her to go away. She felt another heavy jolt which completely destroyed the building, and understands that the principal escaped, but that nine boys and one girl, Rose Leverett, were killed.
Mary then went to Clive Square and was wondering how she would get home to Clive, when she ran into her friend Mabel McArthur, whose family offered to take her home with them. Her friend Mabel's father, an army captain ordered Mary to go with them, but as they reached the Miller Street crossing, he grabbed Mary's and Mabel's hand and then fell down dead, face down on the ground. Two men who had come to assist, carried his body home to Hall Street.
Mabel, her mother and Mary, joined others at the junction of Wellesley Road, Munro Street and McGrath Street. A Fargo truck arrived, and as he knew the college in Palmerston North where Mabel's sister was, was asked to tell her about Mr McArthur. The driver agreed to take Mary home and she writes that the driver firstly wanted to make sure his girlfriend on the hill was alright. She describes the difficulties they had getting through the town due to the rubble and the fires. She writes that twenty-three people spent the night on a friend's lawn behind the Whakatu Freezing Works before an uncle in Carterton came up and took the five children to the Wairarapa for two weeks. Mary celebrated her 15 birthday there. Her mother remained at home to help the men.
Mary writes of being in the Home Science room at the Technical College at the time the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake struck. She recalls the building shaking so violently that it was impossible to walk or stand, and that the dust was so thick, she felt she was being suffocated. She describes the scenes of the girls trying to exit the building, and she herself had to make her way over a pile of bricks, that had been the front of the building.
Sheltering under trees outside the Catholic Church opposite the college, and seeing dust and smoke rising in the city, Mary went back to the school to see if she could help. She writes of seeing the principal of the college, Mr McLaren, holding a girl in his arms, and of Miss Rockstrow, the home science teacher telling her to go away. She felt another heavy jolt which completely destroyed the building, and understands that the principal escaped, but that nine boys and one girl, Rose Leverett, were killed.
Mary then went to Clive Square and was wondering how she would get home to Clive, when she ran into her friend Mabel McArthur, whose family offered to take her home with them. Her friend Mabel's father, an army captain ordered Mary to go with them, but as they reached the Miller Street crossing, he grabbed Mary's and Mabel's hand and then fell down dead, face down on the ground. Two men who had come to assist, carried his body home to Hall Street.
Mabel, her mother and Mary, joined others at the junction of Wellesley Road, Munro Street and McGrath Street. A Fargo truck arrived, and as he knew the college in Palmerston North where Mabel's sister was, was asked to tell her about Mr McArthur. The driver agreed to take Mary home and she writes that the driver firstly wanted to make sure his girlfriend on the hill was alright. She describes the difficulties they had getting through the town due to the rubble and the fires. She writes that twenty-three people spent the night on a friend's lawn behind the Whakatu Freezing Works before an uncle in Carterton came up and took the five children to the Wairarapa for two weeks. Mary celebrated her 15 birthday there. Her mother remained at home to help the men.
Production period
Production technique
Media/Materials description
Handwritten in green ink on lined paper.
Measurements
Height x Width: 222 x 160mm
Classification terms
Subject person
Subject date
03 Feb 1931
Post 03 Feb 1931
Post 03 Feb 1931
Other number(s)
73475
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