VOLCANO SIGHTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 286, 2 December 1936, Page 5

VOLCANO SIGHTED.

MATUA PASSENGERS. UNDER-WATER ERUPTION. MOTOR SHIP'S FRUIT CARGO. Apart from the sighting of a submarine volcano which had been previously considered extinct, an uneventful voyage was reported by the Matua when she arrived in Auckland this afternoon. Situated at Honga Tonga, about 20 miles from Nukualofa, the volcano was last known to be active in 1911. Since then no signs of activity have been noted until this year. Although the Matua was not near enough to see any disturbance on the surface of the water, smoke from the eruption was visible from her deck at Nukualofa.

The vessel carried her usual quota of Island produce, a notable feature of which was the large cargo of bananas. She brought 21,000 cases of this fruit from Fiji and Samoa, 1000 cases of pineapples, as well as kumaras, melons, pumpkins and coconuts.

On her outward trip the Matua landed Sir Arthur Richards, the new Governor of Fiji, at Suva on November 28. Among the passengers who landed at Auckland to-day was the Hon. XV. G. Bagnall, Treasurer of the 'f'ongan Government, who intends to spend a week in Auckland before going to Sydney by the Awatea. Air. Bagnall was born in Piako, Thames, and makes periodical trips to the Dominion; lie was last here three years ago. He is accompanied by his wife and son, and intends to return from Sydney in April.

The Matua brought a total of 40 pas sengers to Auckland.