Tremors taking their toll

Christchurch residents just want the shaking to stop, as dozens of aftershocks further damage not only the community's fragile emotional state but buildings and infrastructure as well.

Residents around the region were kept awake by a series of strong aftershocks on Monday night, including one of magnitude 5.2 and two of 5.4.

And, while the tremors were milder yesterday, Civil Defence has warned the area could be hit by another big aftershock.

The latest tremors closed at least two major public buildings after new cracks appeared, cracks in streets and homes widened and residents fled buildings and jumped out of bed and stood under doorways as the area shook again.

The blows to Christchurch, three days after Saturday's big quake, were softened a little yesterday when the Government announced an emergency $350-a-week subsidy for workers not being paid because of the Canterbury earthquake.

Prime Minister John Key says the move could cost up to $100 million.

More people have been turning to the welfare centres for help, too afraid to stay in their homes during the aftershocks, and some are wondering whether to stay in the city.

In Keller St, Avonside, where gangs of contractors were starting a major clean-up yesterday, residents said the aftershocks were the worst thing about the disaster.

John Buchanan said his ill wife had increased the number of tranquilisers she was taking in an attempt to relax sufficiently to be able to sleep.

Everyone expected the aftershocks, but it was still a "bit hard" to sleep.

"You're always wondering if it's going to get worse."Poorna Beri hoped the aftershocks would stop soon.

"It's scary, really scary. We can't sleep at all. On one tremor last night we jumped out of bed and stood under the door, because we don't know, is it going to get worse? It is absolutely terrifying."

Another neighbour said she and her partner now slept with torches in their hands.

They left the doors open while they were in the house because they had learned that doors jam shut in quakes, and had their bags permanently packed ready to run if necessary.

They had not considered running on Monday, but had a sleepless night, probably much like the rest of the city, she said.

While dozens of people from the street had been out clearing away silt on Monday, there were a lot fewer yesterday.

"I think everyone is just getting so tired."

Even emergency professionals found Monday night's aftershocks unnerving.

"I seriously thought about getting out of bed and getting my socks and pants on, and then it stopped," senior Dunedin firefighter Jason Hill said.