THE ERUPTIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 7927, 2 August 1886, Page 5

THE ERUPTIONS.

[Peb Fbxss Association.J AUCKLAND, Jupt 81. The following fuller particulars of the ascent of Tarawera by Percy Smith’s survey party, who reached the top of Tarawera about mid-day on July 28, are to hand;—The party, consisting of eight garsons, left the main camp at Pareharu ush at 8 o’clock on the morning of July 27, carrying blankets and a tent fly for camping out. They crossed the mud to the foot of the hapu of Torea, and then skirting round on the north side of the eruption, reached the lake above what use to be Te AriM, of which no trace was to be seen, everything being buried by the mud. All about Te Ariki the mud was very soft, and the party had great difficulty i- 11 crossing. Two of them here -diverged, and visited the point reached by the Star expedition, and saw their mark. They then proceeded to the foot of Tarawera, but finding it too late to ascend the mountain that day, the party decided to camp. The rest of the day was spent in examining a large rent in the earth from the foot of Tarawera to where the White Terrace was. Considering that the party slept on the mud, and had no fire, the night was passed very comfortably. Next morning, at 8 o’clock, the ascent was taken. It was about 700 ft up, and Professor Thomas' mark was reached. The ascent was rather steep, but good walking. Jets of steam were met with here and there which were highly charged with hydrochloric acid. The top of Tarawera was reached by 10 o’clock, and tt«n it was seen that the three mountains, Tarawera, Euawahia, and Wahanga were split in. two from end to end by an enormous cbasm almost 10 chains wide and 12 -deep. The way in which the solid rocks are split and rent is very remarkable. The mountain has also added to its height 100 ft or more. After staying an hour on the top, the party descended, and reached the main track at Pareharu hush by 5.30 in the evening. _______________