A contact in the New Zealand capital , Wellington , sent details about the effect of the recent earthquake on the city. Of particular note was the fact that she had worked for 12 years in a large building , near the distinctive beehive parliament house and cathedral , which has been abandoned and condemned because of damage caused by the quake . Torrential rain and a high tide had added to the chaos on the waterfront and roads . An unusual event involved an overwound grandfather clock , which had not worked for 10 years, jolted into action , three minutes slow , but not corrected in case it stops .
