ERUPTION SLACKENS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 64, Issue 140, 24 March 1944, Page 3

ERUPTION SLACKENS.

DANGER CONSIDERED PAST. CITY PLUNGED IN DARKNESS (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright.) (Rec. 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, Mar. 23. The eruption of Vesuvius shows signs of slackening. Reuter’s correspondent at Naples reports that the flood of lava now stands stagnant several hundred yards from the centre of Cercola.

An Allied Provincial Public Safety officer said: “Unless something unpredictable happens the remains of San Sebastiano, Cercola and Bortiei are now out of danger.” Another account states that a tremendous cloud of smoke which ascended two to three miles accompanied a new outbreak of lava from Vesuvius this afternoon, but fear of further damage from about 10 v streams of lava that are moving down the slopes has lessened.

Cardinal Ascolesi ordered three days special prayers in Naples Cathedral for protection by St. Janarius the Neapolitan patron saint. Vast clouds of volcanic ash, hurled from Vesuvius, threw the entire city of Bari, 120 miles away, into darkness this morning. Electric lights had to be turned on. Chickens went to roost. The air cleared half an hour later.

SHOWERS FROM THE SKY. VILLAGE PARTLY DESTROYED. (Rec. 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, Mar. 22. Allied troops in the Salerno urea are wearing steel helmets for protection against burning lava, which is raining down from the sky. The village of Pollena, two miles north west of San Sebastiano, reported partly destroyed, is being evacuated. Arrangements have been made for the immediate evacuation of about 17,000 people from the Naples plain. The main stream of lavh is flowing toward Cercola.

The Associated Press correspondent at Pompeii says that the eruption of Vesuvius covered a wide strip of countryside near there with a coating of ashes more than two feet deep. Showers of hot ashes iare still falling, immobilising transport and hampering the evacuation of the inhabitants.