NEW ERUPTIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 267, 10 November 1928, Page 10

NEW ERUPTIONS.

MENACE AT MT. ETNA.

Lava Stream Slows Up But Other Crater Becomes Active. . KEBUDLDING iMASOALI. (Australian and N.Z. Press: Association.) ' (Received 2 p.m.) "'.'-. . ' - . - ROME, November 0. ■-.-The main iaval stream, which has beenresponsible for widespread havoc in the vicinity, of Mount Etna, appears to be^ slowing.down, but on the contrary a new' eruptive crater has opened in. the'neighbourhood of Magazzeni and is emitting 'abundant liquid, lava at cdnsiderable initial speed. Experts hesitate to' forecast its' newstrength.••'.■ . .'"•-. Confidence has been infused into the victims ■'of tho 'catastrophe by the announcement that the work of ■ recoil-'j structihg Mascali will commence forthwith afithe expense of the Fascist Government; 1 - Si'gnor Mussolini 1 , has ordered that the moment .the flow of lava ceases a. start is, to be made with the building of 3000 houses, which will be the nucleus of the new Mascali, thereby avoiding a repetition of the housing of the Messina victims in huts 21 years ago. ' Many of those huts-are still in existence. The damaged water supplies will bo repaired. So far tho loss of land U over 2000 acres and the value more than £250,000.- - '■ '•■',.'., Santa Vcncra, which is situated in one of the' most fertile valleys, is now destroyed. The ancient tower, 65ft high, is the only thing visible and it is staying dangerously. Two nun's were isolated m°the rocks and their rescue was impossible.. The whole population knelt .within isight praying!fervently throughout of last agony of the nuns, who joined in until they disapepared beneath the molten mass. '' •„. . , f . Two. branches of lava are .surrounding the town'of Carabba, ■>-which is the centre of ■a' prosperous agriculture and industrial 1 district. ' One hope of salvation is that the lava may reach the sea and.'-thus exhaust its destructiveness in. a single channel. ; /•' '•'.'■ .„•;/' The Pope has forwarded "£3oofor. the relief fund, together with a telegram expressing grief at the disaster ' .and conveying an Apostolic benediction of comfort to the unfortunate sufferers.