STATE OF OPOTIKI AND WHAKATANE

Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 23, 14 June 1886, Page 2

STATE OF OPOTIKI AND WHAKATANE

STOCK STARVING. THE WELLINGTON STILL AGROUND. |By Telegraph. I (.UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. | - Tatjranoa, 12th June. The 8.8. Douglas has just arrivod' from Opotiki and the coast. The captain repovts that showerSWidust and pnmico »ro very ■ thick at Opotof^and Whakatane, covering tho ground to a depth of several inclicH. The feed for the time being in completely destroyed, and ia not expected to recover for many months. The settlers are at their wits' ends to know wbat to do. .The cattle are reported to be roaming about bellowing in a state of star ration. The Rangiuru and Te Puke settlors have fared badly from the same cause.'' The forn and tutu in tbeso places are completely levelled, and the feed is gone. From Bangiuru Mr. Vorcoe has arrived with a mob of cattle, and many of tho Te Fnko settlers are said to be preparing to shift their stock to Tanranga and elsewhere further down the coast. Arrangements, I hear, are being mode to remove the stock by a steamer. The settlors who have not a large supply of hay will have a hard straggle to keep their stock alive. The atmosphere hero is clear, but round the horizon a heavy haze still hangs. It is thought to be caused by tho wind blowing dust from the bush and surrounding hills. There is no appearance' of farther disturbance at Hotorna. Tho s.s. Wellington is still fast on tho beach opposite the pilot station. Tho Clansman and Douglas have just been despatched to tow her off. Sho grounded* on Friday morning in the dark. INQUEST ON ME. BAINBRIDGE. Auckland, 13th June. An inquest has been held on tho body of Mr. Bainbridge, tho tourist, and a verdict returned of " Accidentally killed by the falling of a verandah of tho Rotomahana Hotel, occasioned by the eruption of Tarawera." The latest news from Rotorna states that Messrs. Blythe and Burt have arrived and report seeing an immense volcanic crater belching between the peak first in eruption and'Gafatea. The whole country is still in a state of eruption, and mud continues to belch from Ohinemutu. If the wind goes round to the east it is not known what the conseqnences will be. To-day the Maoris are burying their dead, and the picture is a sad one. A tangi is being held; A party have tried to get to Rotomahana, and found it impossible to proceed, the debrit being up to the horses' girths.