DR. HECTOR'S ARRIVAL.

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

DR. HECTOR'S ARRIVAL.

SETTLERS IN DESPAIB ABOUT THEIE STOCK. Taxjbakoa, 13th June. The Government steamer Hinetnoa arrived in port on Saturday afternoon, bringing Dr. Hector and party, who report having experienced heavy weather on the way np. On his arrival the Doctor was met by t he Mayor, who posted him np in the experiences Tauranga had been undergoing during the last few days. In the coarse of the afternoon I had an interview with him, and particularly brought under his notice the volcanic dnat which has caused so much uneasiness here. He gives as his opinion that the deposit, so far from doing any harm, will ultimately Srove a great benefit to the district. The ust is heavy, which is just what the light soil of Tauranga requires, and a few days' rain will wash almost all traces of it away, and possibly add an element of clay to the light loamy country forming this portion of the province. Dr. Hector has collected a quantity of the deposits for future analysis, and until he has made a careful examination of this in the laboratory he refrains from any positive assurance that the effects will not be injurious, but the opinion given above is his present impression. There has been a great feeling of relief since the above has become known. At 6 o'clook on Saturday night a mob of 70 horses arrived from Te Fake «n route for Waikato. Tho drivers report the feed for the time being all down the coast completely gone, and the settlers are in despair over the hopeless outlook. The coming winter, ( they fancy, will have to' be faced with little ' or no feed, and rain is fervently prayed for. j Large numbers of cattle and horses are expected to arrive within the next few days. Dr. Hector and party .left far the Lakes at an early hour this morning, * * ' », 9.30 p.m: , A number of people just in from, Te Puke -and the coast report that the whole district presents a desolate appearance. Tho dnst covers the ground to" a depth of from two to three inches, All the. feed is completely

ruined until noxt spriajj. Durincr tho onlu-w day herds of cattle and flocks of snoop havo boen arriving from those districts. The Clansman, which left this ovening, took away a full complement of shocp and cattle. Government wired this morning to Captain Fairchild to rordor all assistance to tho settlors in tho inattor of removing stock by steamer, wh.'cii is sorely needed. Tho road between here and Te Pukoia strewn w4fch dead sheep and horses. Most of tho former perished by being poisoned with tutu. The latter were Hwwnpod. A further mob of horses camo through this afternoon, and all the stook aro now said to be sliifted from Te Puko. The dust thoro foil accompiuiiocl by rain. A large volume of btcaui was pivinlv visible in tbo neighbourhood of tho eruptions during the 1 day, and nppears, if anything, to" havo increased this evening. A Maori just arrived at Whakatano from inio-nij reports having seen tho complete distraction of the sottlumont ol To Ariki, where it i* believed that Mr. Sainuot Brown and bis faniilV, with upward* of 40 nativop, porished by tho orifptions.