Another Quick Move.

At this stage, owing to the lack of telegraph or telephone communication with the stricken area, few details of the extent of the disaster were available, but news and information were slowly trickling in, indicating that the upheaval had been of great magnitude. It was considered wise, therefore, to make further arrangements for the dispatch of men and material to Hawke's Bay, and a second work train was made up and fully equipped to deal with the more urgent engineering requirements. This train left Wellington at 1 p.m., 2 hours 10 minutes after receipt of the first advice.

The Inspecting Engineers and District Engineers meantime had left for Napier, and were speedily on the spot to give whatever expert direction might be required.