LAYER OF DUST.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 268, 23 August 1945, Page 4

LAYER OF DUST.

RUAPEHU STILL ACTIVE. SMOKE MAKES DAY GLOOMY. (P.A.) WANGANUI, August 22. Wanganui at nightfall to-day was covered by a thin layer of silica, and streets, footpaths, and buildings looked as if there had been a light fall of feathery snow. It was dust from Ruapehu, which is maintaining its recent activity. There were lavo explosions in the crater to-day, according to, residents of Ohakune. The first, Avhich Avas the more severe, was at 3 p.m. A column of black smoke rose to a height estimated at 10,000 feet. This outburst. avrs folloAved by another less poAverful at 4.10 p.m. The first explosion could bo heard over the whole of Ohakune. All day long the mountain has been emitting columns of black smoke, steam and’ash. The wind Avas from the north-east, and it appeared as though .smoke from the crater, after being forced up to a great height, tended to drift dowmvards toAvard the earth. Very dull (Conditions came over Wanganui shortly before mid-day, when;the first signs Of. A'olcanic dust were noticed. Conditions brightened for a time, but by mid-afternoon dust began falling like fine rain, and the whole area between the coast and the mountain became coated in white. The distance by air from Wanganui to the mountain is approximately 50 miles. Residents of Ohakune say that conditions there looked Aveird, as seen through the thick, fog-like dust. Cars Raise the Dust. Jn Wanganui, tjie AA r ar memorial toAver on Durie Hill and the water toAA'er on Bastia Ilill could not be seen from Gonville through the thick A'olcanic haze. Motor-ears in the streets raised the dust to almost the sfime extent as though travelling on an unsealed highway. The dust is A r ery fine, but is of very hard particles which, if rubbed on to the mqdguard of a car, remoA'e the paint in the same way as emery paper would. This type of dust has fallen over a Avide area eA r er since Ruapehu began erupting, and many vegetable crops in the Ohakune and Raetihi districts are suffering, and it is probable that when shearing starts in Taihape and adjacent districts, much of the grit-like volcanic material will 'be found in the wool. If it does not affect the quality of the wool it will certainly not be popular Avith shearers, because of its effect on combs and cutters in the shearing sheds. Although the dark and gloomy conditions prevailing to-day in areas between Wanganui and the mountain caused some persons to become a little more apprehensWe than usual, there is no foundation for any story of evacuation. Naturally, people haA'e explored means of quickly leaA'ing the district should the need arise, but that has only been precautionary. At present it is* true to say that those nearest the mountain show the least concern at ' its rumbling, flashing moods. Explosions at night are very spectacular. One burst on Tuesday night was particularly vivid. It was described by a resident of Ohakune as a continual display of fireworks.