ERUPTION OF TARAWERA

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1281, 6 July 1886, Page 2

ERUPTION OF TARAWERA

Dr Hector’s Report.

Wellington, July 5,

Dr Hector’u report on the recent eruptions was laid on the table of the House this evening. Ho recapi> slates the wellknown features of the outburst already fully described, and gives the resu'ts of what be t rrms a rapid inspection, under thh headings of (I) forces, (2) vents, (3) the great fissure, (4) matter ejected during eruption, (5) revolution, (6) propagation of earthquake tremor, (7) the sounds, (8) premonitory symptoms. Dr Hector states that complete geological examination of the district h.a been deferred to a better season for field work, when volcanic ectivity has subsided. His report is based on the lines of the address te'egraphed list week, and the conclusions are the same in an extended form. fie combats the idea that the mud deposit which caused so much destruction was blown off Rotomahana, as if so it must have leapt over five miles of country. He thinks it was dust in the air tnrned Into mui by condensation i f the steam. The conclusion of the report is as follows :—For some time to come great variations must be expected in the ao ivity of the newly-formed craters according to the manner in which changes occur in the atmospheric pressure, but unless it can be shown that any local change in the barometer is experienced, which is not shared by the surrounding districts, the barometer affords no indication as to whether an eruption is or ia not imminent. One of the n oat unfortunate results of the eruption, in addition to the disastrous loss of life and r?eat ruction of the omntry, ia the disturbance of the sense of security which has grown np among those and 1 believe that many persons are so thoroughly shaken by the homra experienced on the morning of the 10. h that they will not recover their equ nimity until they have been for some time resident away from the sounds, smells and shocks that characterise the district.