Hi Mike Most of the older Christchurch houses are one-storey and made of wood (overlapping weatherboard cladding). This usually withstands the twisting effect of an earthquake more readily than bricks and mortar. Some of the really old Church halls used diagonal dressed timber lining (like slightly thinner butted floor-boards) to further defy earthquake damage. Although all loose objects are subject to the tossing around effect, the wooden structure usually withstands all but the very worst earthquakes. Apart from landslides undermining properties or crushing them from above, it sounds as though most suburban injuries were of a less serious nature to those incurred within the Christchurch City Centre. A number of schools had sent their pupils home early as the teachers were at a stop-work meeting (for higher wages). Living much of my life in Wellington (one of the more earthquake prone areas in New Zealand - built right over a well known earthquake line) we experienced earthquakes regularly. In most cases we were wary as to how strong they would develop and if particularly strong we would get under a solid table or stand in the smallest room in the house (usually the 'Loo!") The smaller the room, the more structural support the walls had. We were told not to run outside in case of bricks falling off chimneys. Much of Central Wellington was rebuilt in the 1960/70s to meet some of the most stringent earthquake regulations in the World. Christchurch too has fairly strict building regulations and yet the two worst effected buildings were of recent erection. I imagine an enquiry will be held as to why they collapsed so easily. In the 1870s, my Great-Grandfather's (John James Boyd) younger brother (both were born in Hull, England) settled in Littleton, which is the Port of Christchurch. Here he started a Christchurch based sub-branch of the Boyd Clan, with whom I have been in contact, but not on a regular or close basis. There are many other Boyd families living in that vicinity. We can but pray that they rescue more live bodies from the central Business District of what was a quiet and picturesque City, previously thought to be off the main direct earthquake line.. regards Brian Boyd ----- Original Message ----- From: Mike Boyd To: BOYD-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 10:13 AM Subject: [BOYD] Boyds in Christchurch New Zealand I am aware that part of the Boyd family from Rowallan Mill, Fenwick lives in Christchurch, New Zealand. I have not been in contact with them for over a decade, so I can't advise you how they faired in yesterdays earthquake. I assume that they are not the only Boyd family in this Zone. I was planning to ask some people that lived across the road from me, who returned to Christchurch in October last year, if they could do a look up in the phone book for me this week, so that I could ask them to organise a Boyd meeting in May when I return from the USA. That will have to wait a few weeks now. The husband was out in in car and went straight home to find his dog comforting his wife amidst a sea of shattered crockery and tipped-over furniture. So I assume that their house is safe. Mike Boyd Historical Committee, HBS Brisbane, Aust. _______________________________________ House of Boyd Society's (HBS) Annual General Meeting (AGM) & Gathering of the Clan 2011 will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA in conjunction with The Highland Games and Celtic Gathering April 16-17, 2011. Mike will be returning to America to join us! 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