IN ERUPTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 128, 1 June 1937, Page 7

IN ERUPTION.

VOLCANOES ACTIVE.

Rabau] Slowly Being Buried Under Ash and Dust. NEW GUINEA DISASTER. United Press Association. —Copyright. (Received 2 p.m.) SYDNEY, this day. Rabaul, on New Britain Island, New Guinea, is slowly being buried under showers of pumice ash and dust, which continue to pour from the two volcanoes on Vulcan and Matupi Islands. Refugees at Kokopo are faced with a shortage of water and food, with the possibility of a resulting epidemic.

Communication by sea with Rabaul has been cut off owing to Vulcan Island rising 000 feet and closing the entrance to Rabaul Harbour. Dry land now extends from Vulcan Island to Matupi Island.

.lvli . **. x\. Laijit'iiiei iias receiveu j advice that his company's town-Wharf j and foreshore buildings have collapsed, ' apparently owing to «;artli subsidence. Burns. Philp, Ltd.. have been advised that Matupi Island is again erupting and that the position of Kabaul is I becoming dangerous. Supplies of food and water are being unloaded from Montoro. These supplies, however, are sufficient for only two days, and it will be four days before any other vessel can reach Kokopo. A message received last night stated that there was no sign of a tidal wave. j Earlier radio messages from Rabaul yesterday stated that the streets of j the town were blocked with pumice and I mud and had become a quagmire, and i trees had been broken by the weight of mud thrown from the volcanoes. I The Federal Cabinet received an urgent request for provisions and bedding for the refugees at Kokopo, whose

Mr. W. R. Carpenter has received advice that his company's town-Wharf and foreshore buildings have collapsed, apparently owing to earth subsidence.

Burns, Philp. Ltd.. have been advised that Matupi Island is again erupting and that the position of Rabaul is becoming dangerous.

Supplies of food and water are being unloaded from Montoro. These supplies, however, are sufficient for only two days, and it will be four days before any other vessel can reach Kokopo.

A message received last night stated that there was no sign of a tidal wave.

The Federal Cabinet received an urgent request for provisions and bedding for the refugees at Kokopo, whose rations "were estimated to last only two days.

The Government immediately arranged for the Islands steamer Malaita, which is at present at Brisbane, to load food and water and leave immediately. She is expected to arrive at Kokopo in five days.

Sulphur fumes forced the radio operators to leave the Rabaul station, but the men returned to their posts late ojx Sunday and now are able to provide an emergency radio service, which is being relayed to Sydney by vessels at sea.