Alarm and Flight of Natives.

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

Alarm and Flight of Natives.

Thoy Escapo Miraculously.

Levuka, September SO. The French war vessel Decios, which came into Lovuka on Sunday, roports that whilo on her way from Samoa to Tonga they passed closo to the Island of Niuafiu, which was in a terrific state of eruption. Thoy did not try to land to see if any of the inhabitants remained alive. On reaching Tonga, they reported the mattor to tho Tongan Government, which at once chartored the s.s. Suva to proceed to tho scene of the disaster.

On arriving thero Captain Dodd found nboul-threo parts of the Island gone and from a kko in tho contre a mountain about 200 feet high was thrown up.

The eruption commenced with a vory hoavy thunderstorm, which frightened tho natives ond made them all run to one ond of the island. Fortunately it was the only safo place in the island. All tho other villages woro destroyed, as would also have boon tho inhabitants had thoy remained in thoir own village?. The remainder of tho island was covered with volcanic sand and dust similar to Tarawera, to a depth from two to 20 feet.

Tho a s. Suva connects with the Arawata next trip to take visiters to the scene of the eruption.

(from the tongan correspondent of the

FIJI " TIMES.")

Those the French war steamer Decres state that on passing the island of Nina Soon in tho Tongan group tho whole island seemed to bo one vast volcano. Littlo could bo seen owing to clouds of vapour and smoke, and so they did not attempt a landing.

There were hundreds of people on that

island.

Tho Premier had boen there a few weeks

ago, whon severe earthquakes woro ex perienced.

On receipt of tho nows, the Tongan Government at once chartered tho steamer Suva to ascertain tho nature of catastrophe and render aid if required. Sho has since returned, and states that no lives were lost.