Alarming Outbreak at Tonga.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 234, 5 October 1886, Page 2

Alarming Outbreak at Tonga.

TWO-THIRDS OF AN ISLAND

BLOWN AWAY,

(FROM our own correspondent.)

Therl: has boon another violent volcanic ertiption at tho Tongan Group. Tho Island of Niuafu has broken out ac an active volcano. Tho s.s. Suva, which was chartered by tho Tongan Government to visit the scene, reports that two-thirds of the island have disappeared. No lives are lost. The island is covored with volcanic dust, Niuafu lios to the northward of Tonpmtabti, in tho Haabai division of tho Tonga or Friendly groiip of islands, in a district which has been celebrated in tho paßt for volcanic activity, and not very distant-ftom tho now volcanic island that was foroiod last year, and still remains an active volcano. The northernmost island of the group, which is called [Amargura or Fanounlio, was dostroyed by a volcanic eruption in August, 1847, and simultaneously with that disturbance banks woro raised abovo tho level of the sea to the eastward of Tongatabu. In 1878 H.M.S. Sapphire reported having scon smoko and stoam issuing from a small island in tho same vicinity — the land being coverod with sulphur A little to the southward is tho activo volcanic island of Tofoa, which is about five miles in diameter, while the cono is nearly 2,800 foet high. The island of Niuafu is one of some importance, from tho fact that it is referred to in Tonga State papers as being divided into two oleotoratos for the return of representatives to the Legislative Assembly of Tonga. The total number of electorates in the Kingdom of Tonga is 30, and the native popula tion of the islands is estimated at about 22,000, and a good deal of trade passes through its port, Lifuka.