A "SAFETY VALVE"

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 59, 11 March 1909, Page 7

A "SAFETY VALVE"

NGAURUHOE IN ACTION. , "AWESOME AND ALARMING.'^ ' HUGE FLAMES OF PIRE. fßr Tewobaph.— Special to The Post^ AUCKLAND, This Day. On the journey from Wellington your correspondent was afforded an opportunity of gleaning from travellers who had made the journey between Tokaana and Waiouru further particulars concerning the eruption of Ngauruhoe. It appears that prior to the eruption on Monday evening there was a peculiar stillness noticeable. Then there was a quivering of the earth in the neighbourhood of the mountain, foHowed by hmd reports as of the discharge of cannon. Steam began to issue in huge columns from the crater, and it was at onco presumed that something untoward was. about to happen. A MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE. As the shades of darkness fell, huge flames of fire shot into the heavens, \nd created a magnificent spectacle. It was not until Tuesday, however, that the eruption was at its fullness. Throughout that day the crater belched forth great volumes of scoria and pumice. The sight of the fiery matter, projected to a height of several thousand feet above the crater, and then expanding umbrella shape, was awesome and alarming to those in the neighbourhood. NATIVES IN A STATE OF TERROR. Many natives living in the vicinity of the mountain left thoir homes in a state of terror, and proceeded to Tokaanu. Molten lava poured out of the lioa of the crater throughout the day, and added interest to the scene, which was viewed from the hotel at Taupo and the surrounding country with intense interest. Old settlers state that an eruption of such magnitude had not been witnessed for many years. _ The natives at Taupo, where a sibting of the Native Land Court is being held, were exceedingly anxious, fearing that Tongariro would become active. For miles to the north-west of Ngauruhoe the sky is obscured with dusfc, and the air is permeated^ with sulphur. The road between Ngauruhoe and Waiouru is covered with dust to a depth of nearly an inch. Mount Ruapehu, •'ten_ miles distant from the scene of the ! aotivity, is so completely covered with ashes that the snow on Wednesday was invisible excepting on the ridges. Tho dust was carried miles across the Waimarino Plains, and it is said even found its way to the Wanganui River and- as far south as Taihape. | NOW QUIETER. It was noticeable at Tokaanu that pools which had been quiescent for years were agitated to boiln\g-point. By Wednesday morning ilia activity h^td partially ceased, and the emissions of steam were intermittent, indicating that quies- | cence was not far distant. EXAGGERATED REPORTS. ! All sorts of wild reports are in circu.'lation along tho line about damage alleged to have been done, and as to the blocking of roads. An officer of the Rcuds Department at Waiuun», hearing thab the road was covered to a depth of three feet with ashes, was despatched to the mountain on Wednesday afternoon, only to find the reports exaggerated. No great damage had been done to the road. > NOT UNEXPECTED. Te Heubeu Tukino, son of the late Te Heuheu, who presented Ngauruhoe, Tongariro, and Ruapehu to the Government as a domain, and who lives at Tolfeanu, states that the outbreak was not unexpected, though the immensity of the eruption was surprising to him. He was of opinion that there is a connection between White Island and the volcanic base. Tongariio rhows n.j signs of activity. As the mail train passed over the W.aimarino Plain last right Ruajpehu, N*ga-i j uruhoe, and Tongariro wea-e distinctly ! visible, but beyond a slight haze over ! Ngauruhop and a mantl^. of black over J Ruapehu there was noting to indicate that the eruption had /taken place.