ETNA'S FURY ABATES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 148, 23 June 1923, Page 7

ETNA'S FURY ABATES.

LAVA FLOW REDUCED. _ CRATERS STILL SMOKINGCONTRASTS ON MOUNTAIN. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) ROME, June 22. The latest reports indicate that the eruption of Etna is abating, as the flow of lava at Beveral points has been reduced to a crawl, although the craters are smoking and emitting cinders and dust. The residents naturally are seep- j tical, remembering how last night's expectations were not fulfilled. The power- : house at the Alcantara River, which supI plies the whole of Sicily, was saved by j the stream diverting. The Premier, Signor Mussolini, arrived to-day, and set to work organising relief I with characteristic energy. He sum- ' moned local officials to a conference, and ascertained the immediate needs, and within a few hours had a scheme actually in operation to meet the needs of the homeless. I i The "Daily Telegraph's" special cor- I respondent at Rome states that when ' for the first time since Sunday Etna was ■ clear of clouds, two-thirds of the mountain was a picture of peace and tranquility, and appeared in striking contrast to the belt below, where numerous fissures had opened, whence dense white steam and ominous black smoke was issuing. Meanwhile hundreds of thousands of people were mutely gazing at the black lava streams, which crept , slowly into every little depression. Only ' a few actual inhabitants remained, most havinjr prone away sadly. The spectators comprised people from distant villages and tourists, all gazinff fixedly at the desolate scene. All fear has subsided at Lingualosa. It is remarkable how rapidly the inhabitants recover their silent composure, and no longer seem to heed danger. A communinue states that the GovI ernment, while thanking foreign coun- ! tries for offers of assistance in sucenur- | intr the victims of the Etna eruption, I must decline the same on the ground ; that the Itnlinn people are fully capable ; of taking nil measures to alleviate eufferinjr. The only acceptable foreijm I offers of help will be from Italians? abroad.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) LINGTJALOSA RUINED. VINEYARDS DESTROYED. j , I (Received 11 a.m.) ROME, June 22. Even if Lingualosa be tepared, its ! ] economic destruction is accomplished, as ' the lava-strewn vineyards and orchards are permanently sterilised. The population will be forced to migrate.— (A. and i N.Z. Cable.)