THE EARTHQUAKE AT TAURANGA.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 135, 11 June 1886, Page 2

THE EARTHQUAKE AT TAURANGA.

An Immense Dnst Cloud causes Total

Darkness.

THE TOWN COVERED WITH DUST.

/ The alarm in Tauranga has completely \ subsided. It originated through the drift of immense dust clouds from Tarawera. The noise of the eruption here was totally different from that heard in Auckland. It consisted of a series of deep rumblings and earthquake shocks. About 3 o'clock yesteiday morning the heavens in the direction of Tarawera were illuminated with electricity. The appearance, as ?een from here, was of lightning, the heavens blazing up with vivid flashes of sheet lightning intermingled with brilliant forked lightning. The electric disturbances were greater than a severe thunder storm although without other sign of storm. The rumblings made the buildings rattle. About seven o'clock on Thursday morning the great dust cloud began to make its appearance, drifting up on the south-east wind. It thickened until by eleven o'clock Tauranga was enveloped in total darkness. Tho people believed that the eruption must be nearer than Ohinemutu, and the greatest alarm prevailed. The, streets in Tauranga are now covered with tine dust to the depth of one inch, and in some places the drift is three inches. The paddocks were so completely covered that cattle were unable to get a blade of grass, and came lowing in distress to the farm buildings. Such complete darkness prevailed for some hours that lights had to be lit. About two o'clock, however, it had cleared away and the panic subsided. Last night the heavens in the direction of Tarawera were lit up with a brilliant glow for half-in-hour after sunset, but after that there was no indication of any unusual disturbance. The sky was beautifully clear, but throughout earthquake or electric phenomena which was accepted as a pleasing indication that Tarawera had expendod itself in its great outburst, and is now quiet. No refugees from Kotorua had reached Tauranga on Thursday night ; it is believed that they stopped at Oropi. During the prevalence of the dust cloud at Tauranga, a shower of rain fell, which reached the earth like mud. Tho dust is almost wholly pumice and sulphur, and when wet turns black, and has a sulphureous smell. Careful measurement of the dust deposit shows that it does not exceed a quarterof-nn-inch, although in places the drift shows a depth of three inches. THE PANIC DENIED. Many jxxiplo here deny that thoro was auy panic, ilnd say it was nonsensical to t-end to Auckland for a steamer. They have boon deluged with telegrams, asking if Tanranga is sore, and ure rather indignant at tho idea of it over being in danger having pono forth. It (is reported hero that the White Terrace, tho marvel of the Lake region, has beon destroyed. If this should provo true, it will bo a sad blow to the Rotorua district. Hazard's house was completely overwhelmed with showers of mud and stones. Tho mail road, via To Puke, is also blocked up at To Ngao with debris said to bo 10 feet .thick. When the great distance of these places from Tarawera is considered, the force of tho eruption may bo estimated. Hazard's house at Wairoa stood on tho opposite sido of Lake Tarawera, at least seven miles distant from the mountain, in a direct lino, and To Nga-3 is at least soventeon milas. Tarawera has three cones, but novor within the records of native tradition has it been in eruption before. Tho tradition relating to the lake fires describes tho conveyanco of the tiros underground from White Island to tho summit of Tougariro, heating tho water and making it bubble up all along the way. From this record it would appear that the natives had never known tho district to bo materially different from what it has been since tho Europeans came, and tho tradition ignores any idea of an active volcano between White Island and Tongariro. The outbreak, therefore, is of the most remarkable character, affording, like Vesuvius, another evidence that it is impossible to say when a volcano is absolutely extinct. Still although not nctive itself, Tarawera was in the centre of a volcanic region which is in a continuous state of ferment. Rotomahuna with its wondors and its treacherous crust of earth, lies at the base of tho huge mountain, and the renewal of volcanic fires within the mountain itsolf is not so very remarkable. Its situation is totally different from that of the volcanoes of tho Auckland Isthmus where there is no trace of volcanic energy. PREMONITION OF THI! CATASTROPHE The natives say that there have been many signs of extra disturbanco lately, not merely the outbreak of new springs, but a rise in the waters of the Lake and a change in its colour. No one, however, declared that the numerous escape valves all over the country would not have been sufficient to relieve any oxtra pressure. An outbreak of Tarawera was as far from the thoughts of the people as an eruption of Vesuvius was to the people of Pompeii and Herculaneum, who had traditions of seven hundred years as their guarantee of afety. Fears were enteitained of the safety of Taheke on Lake Rotoiti, but the news received here shows no damage was done there. The other East Coast districts are reported safe. I started for Kotorua via Oropi and Bush road at six o'clock this morning.