ETNA’S ERUPTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 June 1923, Page 2

ETNA’S ERUPTION

THE WORST OVER. (Australian and N.Z. Cable, Association.) ROME, June 22. The emissions from Mt. Etna have diminished, and the progress of the lava streams is slower. It is expected that this lull precludes a final outburst, though the other symptoms of a volcanic paroxysm are unabated. The outpourings of evil vapour, the subterranean roarings and rumblings, and explosions, and the raining of volcanic sands and ashes, are not diminishing. Nevertheless, the hopes of the inhabitants are high, and many who fled are returning. This naturally complicates the elaborate measures adopted to organise relief. Thebe is hardly a man or woman in the devastated area who is not convinced that the decrease in the volcanic fury is due to a miracle. The King of Italy, on returning to Rome, said that the eruption, although serious, is not likely to be a catastrophe. The results are so far limited to the detraction of property, without the loss of life. RENEWED OUTBREAKS. ROME, June 23. . Later reports state that Mt. Etna’s reduced output was of only short duration. The eruption has since resumed with its original intensity. The lava streams are now spreading over a wider their progress is more rapid. Tlie seaplanes flying over the locality report that the lava flow is now thirty yards per hour, which is more than double the rate of the last two days. The eruption orifices show a tendency to increase. Owing to the accelerated flow of lava, the town of Linguagrossa, which hitherto has been shielded by a small hillock, is again threatened. The residents have removed most of their valuable household' furniture, even to the doors and windows. Many people, despite the threatened danger, hold to the belief in an eleventh hour miracle. “The greater the danger, the greater the miracle,” is the maxim. Premier Mussolini shows a remarkable personal interest in the needs of the sufferers. ' He has twice visited the scene of the lava’s advance, and was deeply impressed, by the sight. The whole of the small towns were beflagged for him, and great enthusiasm was shown. Covered with dust, and hrs rice black with soot, he smiled at thu peasants’ greeting. He declared that the Government of Italy would help to repair the damage iriimediately. Genoa and Milan cities have voted £5OO each. Mussolini severely denounced the Italian press, declaring that many of its alarmists’ accounts of the eruption are greatly exaggerated. LAVA FLO AV STOPPING. ' ROME, June 23. The speed of lava flowing from Etna, has decreased, .and some rivulets have become stationary. The advance during the past fifteen hours has been only at the rate of fifteen metres an hour. At the present rate it would take the lava streain two weeks to reach Linguaglossa. Telegraphic service has been resumed and new lines laid (Turing the last two days. The civil engineers estimate the lava has been strewn over an area of six square kilometres. Signor Barbagalda in' charge of the Etna observatory was reluctantly coin, polled to abandon the post, but succeeded in climbing up the crater two days ago. He noticed that one of the cones, which had been inactive since 1918, was violently eruptive. A section of the cone was transformed into a huge crack, incessantly emitting flames fifty metres high. PICTURE GUARDS TOWN. LONDON, June 24. A message from Catania to “Lloyds News” states that the lava has stopped within a mile of Linguaglossa where the inhabitants are returning and calmly resuming their normal life. Daring the night a picture of the town patron saint, St. Egidio, hangs on the facade of the Church illuminated by electric light,, keeping watch while people sleep. Experts believe the eruption has now calmed down. REPORTS EXAGGERATED. LONDON, June 24. Tlie “Morning Post’s” Rome correspondent says it is now realised how absurdly exaggerated . have been file accounts of the eruption of Etna. The net results is that none were killed and only four hundred are homeless. The total damage is seventy million lire. Many owners of destroyed property are multi-millionaires. The lava stream is diminishing in intensity and the eruption is drawing to a close.