THE ERUPTIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 7926, 31 July 1886, Page 6

THE ERUPTIONS.

[Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, July 30. Yesterday two bodies (those of a Native woman and girl) were recovered from the volcanic mud at Wairoa. Attention was first drawn to the spot by the action of a dog, and on digging the bodies were found. They were identified as those of Wirata and Driti, mother and daughter, the bodies being pretty well preserved. It appeared that the girl had been ill for some time before the eruption, and .when escaping with her mother got /tired, and had to rest on the way. Wirata might have saved herself by leaving her daughter, but she did not do so, and stayed with her, fie sequel being eloquently told by the attitude in which the bodies were found, the mother sitting clasping the girl in her arms for support, while the girl held close to her mother's breast. Mr Lundon has just come from the Eotomahana volcanoes to Rotorua. He has been engaged with Assistant Surveyor-General Percy Smith for the last few days in taking altitudes, the weather being highly favourable. They camped one night at the foot of Tarawera mountain, with a tent fly only over their heads, and the bare tand as a bed. They found plenty of good rain water in pools, but not a stick of firewood to cook anything. Next morning they ascended Tarawera mountain, and succeeded in getting to the utmost summit of Ruawahia, the very highest point of all, where no one haa yet been. They found that mountain was split right in two, the gap measuring in some places about five chains across. A long continuous line of this extended right from Wahanga to Okoro Lake, and broken only by a few chains between Ruawahia and Rotomahana. The volcanic action was very feeble, but the fumes proceeding from this chasm were very pungent, and stifling. A good view of Ohinemutu was obtained from this point. Mr Spencer, a photographer, accompanied the party, and succeeded in obtaining some excellent and valuable negatives, one of which will show the great rift on the extreme summit of Ruawahia. i