ERUPTION IN CALIFORNIA

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 146, 22 June 1915, Page 8

ERUPTION IN CALIFORNIA

(FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) SAN FRANCISCO, 25th May. About a year ago what was supposed to be an extinct volcano in Northern California began to belch smoke and ashes. There were numerous minor eruptions, but little damage resulted. And now, within the last ten days, Mount Lassen has been pouring out streams of lava and mud. Already a considerable area of valuable settled land has been practically destroyed, and its occupants forced to flee; and those well posted in _ the action of volcanoes believe there is every probability of much greater losses. Hat Creek Valley, on the slopes of the mountain, a fertile stretch of land, has been rendered virtually valueless. There is water every' where in the valley, but not a drop that stock will drink, so surcharged is it with chalky mud and pumice stone. Ordinarily, Hat Creek is a stream of purest, 'clearest water. For a distance of fifteen miles, once fruitful farms in the valley are buried in mud from one to three feet thick. Three homes were destroyed in one night of eruption, live stock perished, bridges vanished, roads were wiped off the map. That no lives were lost was due to the foresight of a forest ranger, who, riding a swift horse, sped through the valley before break of day, rousing the sleeping farmers and spreading the alarm. This outbreak occurred on the night of the 21st. Farmers who have since ventured back on their almost ruined places have plucked some consolation out of the hope that the tide of mud which has poured out of Mount Lassen is a rich soil that may act as a fertiliser. Besides mud and lava, vast boulders havp been hurled out of the seething crater. These hot stones have also wrought much damage, particularly to the tree growth. The forest ranger reports that one eruption destroyed at least 5,000,000 ft of standing timber. Great trees were ripped off at the butt, giant trunks were mowed down before the red hot boulders. The size of the boulders varies. A remarkable sped* men was found close to a lake abnost five miles from the crater. It is nearly and almost 10ft in diameter. The spherical, and almost 10ft in diameter. The rest on it for more than a moment, so hot was it. It is reported that in Hat Creek, which was one of the best fishing streams in the State, all the fish ha-ve been killed by the hot Water and mud.

At a meeting of tho Lower Hutt Court yesterday, beforo Mr. Jamos, J.P., George Wyllie was charged with boing drunk while in charge of a horso and trap. Ho was" fined 10s, in default, ordered to spend forty-eight hours in gaol. Mr. C. A. L. Troadwell, associate to his Honour Mr. Justice Sim (son of Mr. C. H. Treadwell, of Wellington) has been appointed a lieutenant in the Bth Reinforcements. He leaves Dunedin this week for Wellington, and will then go into camp at Trentham. All- who desire a high-grade motorcycle should visit Fitzgerald's Motor Depot, who has obtained the agency of three of the world's best motor-cycles (all British). I have tho following second-hand motor-cycles for immediate delivery:— Two Rovers with side-cars, 2 7-9 h.p. Indians, 2 5 h.p. Indians, 1 Calthorpe, 3 Triumphs, 1 A.J.S. (1913 model), 1 A.J.S. (1914 model), 1 2| h.p. A.J.S., 2 6 h.p. Royal Enfields, 2 B.S.A. two-speed. Also 2 Humberette cyclecars, 1 Darracq car, 2-seater; all in good order ; genuine bargains. Terms arranged. J. E. Fitzgerald, 111-113, Lambton-quay, Wellington. — Advt. Applicants are notified by advertisement that the position of caretaker at tho Berbamporo School has boon filled.