SULPHUR LAKE GONE

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 12, 14 July 1922, Page 3

SULPHUR LAKE GONE

VISIT TO WHITE ISLAND.

White Island was recently visit©^ bj-a party from Kutarere, in, the 'Bay 'of Plenty, find one ofthe'visitors'," Mr^'Wi E. Knight, of Wainui, Ku.tarere,'supplies some interesting- details" of> the present condition of that weird .'place to the New Zealand Herald, i He says there is ,no sign of the sulphur lake, thati prior to the disinter eight years ago, -formed such a feature of the gully that occupies twothirds of the island. This gully is filled with a number of small conical mounds of sand of various sizes and an amazing variety of colours. About' half-way .up the gully is the main blowhole of the island, and the visitors were fortunate-in being there on 5 quiet day,'as there were hardly any steam or sulphur fumes, with the result that a really good view was obtained. ■''.'■

The blowhole is a large round depression about 15ft across and 6ft deep, with a hole in one corner about 3ft across, where there is a continual roar, so loud that it is impossible to hear anybody speaking. There are also round the Bides a, number of small holes, from which, fumes are pouring out. Higher up th» gully are the sulphur columns—three, or four pillars of pure sulphur, varying in, height from lft to 12ft, caused by -th« sulphur cooling on coming into contact with the air. On passing the sulphur columns, the party had to climb a, ridge and ascend about 100 ft. On top of this rise i they Paw the other blowhole, bub it was very quiet The fumes from the sulphur columns blowing on the party were so strong that they had,to,breathe through their handkerchiefs, , and ,sc» could not remain there long. • Mr. Knight gays that if the wind is blowing up the gully it is impossible to go far on. ■ account of the fumes, so that fully half of those who visit the island never sea the sulphur columns or the second blowhole. Mr. Knight concludes: "It wan reported a short time ago tha+ » newblowhole had broken out op the' island, but that report is not correct. What vn>uld give that impression is the fact that the wind from one direction blows the fumes down the gully and that they rise when they reach the opening where the old hut was."