THREAT TO RABAUL BY WAKE AND ERUPTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 127, 31 May 1937, Page 7

THREAT TO RABAUL BY WAKE AND ERUPTION.

EVACUATION ORDER.

Island Disappears While

Another Arises.

TERROR-STRICKEN RESIDENTS.

United Press Association.—Copyright.

(Received 12.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, this day. Rabaul, on New Britain Island, New Guinea, is threatened by one of the most severe volcanic disturbances in the history of the territory. As a tidal wave is feared the population of 4500 has been evacuated except for 20 white men and some native police, who remain to send on what food is available. Two volcanoes were in active eruption yesterday, and Rabaul is inches deep in pumice dust, and thick sulphur fumes also swept the town. According to information received by the Defence Department in Melbourne one island has disappeared and a new island has been forced up as a result of a submarine disturbance. So far no loss of life is reported, but it is feared a tidal wave may wipe out the town. Landslides blocked the roads to Kokopo and evacuation was accomplished by sea. The Moresby, with food and medical supplies, will arrive at Rabaul in three or four days. The two active eruptions occurring are at Vulcan Island, in Blanche Bay, and Matupi crater, on the north side of Habaul Harbour. Vulcan Island was thrown up out of the sea in one night about 00 years ago by subterranean volcanic disturbance. The evacuation of Rabaul was ordered by the New Guinea Administration as a safety measure. The Administrator, Brigadier-General McNicoll, is at present absent from Rabaul, being on a visit of inspection to the Morobe goldfields. The wireless station was abandoned, states an earlier message, as the volcanic fumes were too much for the operators.

A resident of Sydney received a message from a relative at Rabaul stating that a tremendous explosion had occurred in the harbour, from which mud and stones had been hurled high into the air. The explosion was followed by a great movement of the water whicji receded 200 yards from the shore. Local residents fled, fearing that the water would return in a tidal wave. Prior to that a wireless message from Ramaul had stated: "A great eruption in Blanche Bay, adjacent to Vulcan Island, occurred at 2.30 p.m. after continual earth tremors since dawn. Great excitement prevails in the township and district." Intermittent messages sent obviously under terrifying conditions stated that the sea front was undergoing a startling change and that the water level had dropped eight feet and 10 minutes- later had returned—without a tidal wave, however. The extent of damage to property is not known. There had been no reports of loss of life.