ROTOMAHANA ERUPTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 50, 28 February 1901, Page 5

ROTOMAHANA ERUPTION.

NEW ATTRACTION FOR TOURISTS,

The. manifold sights of the Thermal Regions are now augmented by a remarkable outbreak which has occurred in the vicinity of Lake Rotomahana. A Government track has been cut to the scene of the thermal outburst, and as this district, thought by many to be dead for the last few years, abounds in remarkable sights, it is expected that .a favourite tourist trip of the immediate future wiU be to^ the Rotomahana lake and its strange surroundings. Mr Humphrey Haines and Mrs Haines were round Rotomahana way lately and witnessed a most remarkable explosion there. The scene was the region between the Echo Crater and the "Inferno," nearly south of Rotomahana. in the old line of activity from Tarawera. About one acre of country here suddenly burst forth with a great noise, and the immense steam forces pent up below threw n great column of muddy water and stones to a height of about six hundred feet. A vast cloud of steam ascended to the estimated height of two thousand feet, and the mud thrown up was bespattered for a considerable distance around. Several snapshots taken half a mile away by Mr Haines show the immense size of the steam cloud and the column of muddy water. This blow out is still very active, and it is reported that it is throwing up water in geyser form daily and emitting great quantities of steam. The Echo lake, close by, is also very active. Mr Matthews, chief forester, has been cutting a track to these sights from Pareheru, and a very convenient route will be from Waiotapu to the Rotomahana region. The trip can be done comfortably in a day to the Echo crater and the other sight's and back to the Waiotapu Hotel. It is considered that if the Government take steps to properly develop the route and give facilities to travellers this trip round Rotomahana, so famous in bygone years because of the Terraces, will again become a very popular one.