ERUPTION AT TAURANGA.

« A Submerged Volcano. Plate Island Aflame. [Special to the " Star."] TAUEANGA, Nov. 21. On Thursday afternoon a couple of Blight shocks of earthquake were felt here and along the coast, and at 1.50 o'clock yesterday niorning a terribly severe shock waß experienced, which awakened the whole of the inhabitants at Tauranga, Tepuke, and as far down the coast as Opotiki. The people turned out of their housea in their nightdresses to ascertain if there were any signs of an eruption, but nothing unusual was to be seen. At Tepuke a lot of goods on the shelves in the stores were thrown on to the floor. Again a few slight shocks were felt ; and then all was quiet until about 8.50 a.m. yesterday, when another severe quake came. At Tepuke again the shock was felt the heaviest, and the chimneys of several of the houses were cracked, and will have to be pulled down. A man who was ploughing had the plough thrown out of the furrow, and several ladies fainted dead away. Another severe shock was felt about 10.45 a.m., and all was quiet until about five o'clock yesterday afternoon, when some Natives on the hills at Tepuke observed a black cloud rise from behind Maketu, and shortly afterwards A BURST OF FLAME wa9 plainly seen. The report spread that another eruption was taking place, and it was thought at first that it was at White Island. The Natives rode over to j Maketu, whore they found the Natives resident there also had observed the phenomena, and it was then ascertained that Plate Island, known by the natives as Matutigatuana, had become a volcano. Plate Island lies about nine miles to the eastward of Motiki, ia about seventy feet' high, and half-an-acre in extent. So far as I can learn, there has never been any signs of hot springs either on Motiki or Plate Island. The eruption was observed after dark from here by Mr London (Mayor), who says there can be no doubt tbat Plate Island is now a volcano. Unless one gots back on the hills Plate Island cannot be seen from here, as the high land hides it ; but there are CLOUDS OF STEAM in the eky now over the place. Captain Stein, of the steamer Katikati, which left Maketu for Tauranga at 9.30 last night, reports that he saw VOLUMES OF FLAME ascending from Plate Island, and that the island is still blazing this morning. The Eatikati was close to the Plate Island the day previously, but there were no signs of volcanic agency at work at that time. A party of natives left Motiki for Plate Island on Thursday, on a fishing ; excursion, and as there is no regular com- \ munication with Motiki it is not known whether they have returned or not. The Katikati has been chartered to convey a party to Plate Island to-night. Igo with : her.

[Per Pebss Association.] AUCKLAND, Nov. 21. The Auckland Star's correspondent at Tauranga telegraphs that Captain Steen, of the steam-tender Katikati, reports that Plate Island, in the Bay of Plenty, burst out at five o'clock yesterday, and when he passed last night the island was throwing up fireballs and smoke. It was a grand sight. Plate Island is situated ten miles from the entrance to Maketu, is half a mile in extent, and believed to be the top of a submerged volcano. It has not been previously active co far as is known. There were four earthquakes at Eotorua from Wednesday till noon yesterday. It is believed that these are connected with the outburst. TAURANGA, Nov. 21. Rumours have been set afloat of a volcanic eruption at Plate Island, a detached rock, not an acre in extent, near Maketu. The rumours are probably due to a few earth tremors ifelt in the Bay o! Plenty during the last day or two, and a fire on the rock kindled by a fishing and mutton-bird catchingnparty of [Natives who wont there on Thursday. There is not the slightest apparent foundation for the statement, and no visible indication whatever of an eruption. A Bmall steamer leaves to-night to investigate. The earth tremorß appear to have originated in the usual sources, the Hot Lakes district. A chimney craoked at Tepuko yesterday, and a little crockery was smashed. No serious damage has been done.