THE ERUPTION AT TARAWERA.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1879, 14 June 1886, Page 2

THE ERUPTION AT TARAWERA.

NARRATIVE BY AN EYE-WITNESS.

[Per United Press Association.] Auckland, June 12. The following is a special to the Herald from Rotorua dated late oa Thursday . “ We have passed through a most terrible time. Tarawera mountain, cone Ruawhia. which many peraons classed as an extinct volcano, suddenly burst into activity between one and two o’clock this morning Seen from this place the spectacle wa9 fearful. It reminds one of Bulwer Lytton’s “ Last Days of Pompeii,” and of Martin’s picture of “ The Last Day ” From the time named until about five o’clock there was a constant succession of earthquakes, but after that they eased off considerably. Immense volumes of flame were projected to a great height, and dense clouds of smoke, steam, mud, and ash»B covered the" sky. Thunder and lightning was almost incessant. Flashes of lightning played through the pall of smoke in all directions, the effect of the coruscation being simply indescribable. Shortly before six o’clock showers of ashes reached here, but fortunately for this place the wind shifted round to the S.W. and blew for a time with almost huricare some, completely turning the dense Clouds btfore mueh damage was done. When the grit began falling many persons who had passed the night in fear and trembling thought they were about to be overwhelmed ; others began a stampede half dressed. Children were to be seen flying for their lives along the Tauranga road towards Terwhau to seek shelter in the native schoolhouses there. Some did not think themse ves safe even there, and continued their flight towards Oxford. Ta awera Lake rose considerably and a great many springs burst up which added to their fear of being engulphed. Shortly after daylight Mr Edwin Robertson started out towirds Wairoa to endeavour to ascertain the pisitioo of matters there, and was shortly afterwards fo lowed by Mr Marchesson. When near the I’ikitapu Bush they met a number of fugitives who gavo a harrowing description. The two eldest Misses Uaszurd were brought in and it was then thought they were the only survivors of the family. Mrs Humphries and servants from Mo Rue’s hotel were also brought in. They reported that all the buildings at Wairoa had been demolished, and in addition the Native schoolhouse an I resilenoe had been ignited by one of the balls of fire, which had been flying about in all directions Several families wished coaches to go away to Tauranga, but Mr Robertson thought that duty oal ed him to go back on the Wairoa r ad, to, if possible. reach the scene of the disaster, so as to render any assistance in his power. Accordingly he refused Jail offers to go in tile opposite direction, and in response to hiii call for volunteers Mr Johnson, Government agent, and Mr Roche, railway surveyor, immediately signified their willingness to go, and the trio started straightaway. Constable M >roney had paevious'y started ont on horseback. The scene amongst the hills on the Wairoa was awfully weird-looking. Mud was Still flying in all directions in light showers and heavy clouds obscured the sky. Vivid flashes of lightning and crashing peals of thunder were very frequent. A strong S. E wind was then blowing, and it was then terribly cold. On arrival at Tikitapii Bush it was found necessary to fasten up the horses and leive the buagy, and the remainder of the journey had to be performed on foot. The whole country was covered several feet with clayey mud, which made walking very heavy. Natives were met from timed time, and all gave the same account of the terrible catastrophe. All vegetation along the route, after passing the sumtni. between Rotarua 3ml Tikitapu was found to be completely buried, and the aspect of the landscape was entirely ehaoged. It resembled very much the appearance of an English landscape after a heavy suowstonn, but was of a dull grey color instead of being white. The beautiful Tikitapu Bush is a thing of the past. The weight of the mii-l and force of the wind have stripped off branches and uprooted immense trees in all directions. Blue Lake Rotokahi is simply mu Land water which will take some time to clear. The outlet of the latter lake has been blocked up and the bridges are covered with tjiav and mud nearly up to the top rail. On nrriv. ing at the village the full < xtent of the damage done was p'ainly visible* Nearly every building had been crushed by falling mud. The Temperance Hall is completely flattened and of the Terrace and Rotomahana Hotels only the outer walls are standing, in a terribly wrecked state. The party were very glad to learn that Mrs Haszard had been dug out alive and comparatively uninjured. She has certainly had a most miraculous escape. Falling beams lodged on the cheffioneer an! allowed just sufficient room to save her from being crushed to death. Two of her children were found dead beside her her arm being around one of them. Mr Blyth, Government Road Surveyor, is eue of the survivors ami he and Constable Moroney were found digging for the bodies of Mr Haszard and the other children. As there was then no hope of finding them alive it was decided to leave operations and start at once for Rotorua with Mrs Haszvrd so as to get medical aid at once and proper nursing as soon as possible. A stretcher was procured and the parly started, taking turn about with their somewhat heavy load, on a five mile trump, to the other side of the Tikitapu, where the buggy had been left. Fortunately some Natives and Europeans wers met and pressed into the service, and the party arrived at sundown. Dr Giuders returned with t.hem, and immediately took steps to ascertain the nature of- Mrs II szard’s injuries. Mr- Blyth informs me that he considers that the eldest Miss . Haa2ard owes her escape to Mr Lundens, assistant surveyor. The other Miss Haszard was saved by the exertions of a native woman who kept clearing away mud with her hands so as to secure breathing.space, and afterwards to get her out, till the surveyors arrived. All unite in according the highest praise to Mr Mcßae who was indefatigable in his exertions to save lift*, and who did not leave the ground until persuaded it was useless to remain longer sad tlta*'. by leaving he could better serve the living, Fortunately Mr* Mcßae and family are all away, so nUo arc Mr stud Mrs Way and family. The pretry old Mission station at Te Muti is of course included in the general devastation. Several natives are known to be killed but the number is not known and it is supposed to be about a dozen. Some were struck and killed by falling stones or lumps of mud, and others were still untouched. The eruption smashed up their wharea. 1 think that there is very lit’le hope that any of the natives in MoreaandTeAriki settlements near Tarawera Mountain could po.-sibly have escaped.' Of course no person cm risk going there until the eruption has completely subsided. Tnis evening we have had two or three heavy shocks of earthquake, and we cannot tell what more Is in store. The Government agent has received instructions from Wellington to do all that is necessary to relieve cases of distress. Parties will start in the morning under Mr Blythe to clear the road for vehicles and resume the search for bodies A tourist who was stopping at Mcßae’s, -named Bambridgc, is guppoeedto hare

knocked down and covered up with falling mud. Mr Blythe and others describe the scene as being most appalling. The whole side of the mountain was a sheet of flame but he saja until the roof fell they did not fully realise the p»ril. I hear that Te Ngae farm is ruined for some months to come. Very little damage has been done at Takehe although I hear that somo of the dust was carried as fat as Tauranga, I trust the worst is over- As soon as .possible efforts will be made to asoertain what effect the eruption has had upon the Terraces. Two shocks were experienced at Maketu within intervals of three hours Inst night. A disaster has taken place at Whabatana. A telegraphist has gone to open up c mmuuication if possib'e with Opotiki. While the distriot round Maketu is enveloped in ashes, there is no feed for cattle. It is reparted that the Pink Terraces are safe but the White are ssid to begone, Five tourists returned to Auckland to-day from Rotorua, amongst them being Mr Holland, merchant, Christchurch. Tauranga. June 12, The excitement here has almost, subsided. Heavy showers of dust aud pumice fell at Opitiki and Whakatana, covering the ground to a depth of several inches, tb* feed for the time being completely destroyed, and not expected to recover for many months. The settlers are at their wit’s end to know what to do. Cattle are reported as roaming about bellowing, in a state of starvation. The Rangiora and Tepuke settlers fared badly from the same cause, the fern and tutu in these places being completely gone. Many of the settlers are preparing to shift their stock fu ther down the coast. There is no appearance of further disturbance at Rotorua. The Wellington is still fast on the beach opposite the pilot station. The Clansman and Douglas have gone to attempt to tow her off. Mr Burt states that the Terraces are destroyed. Mount Ma&gakakariho is in violent action and the eruption is spreading 80 Native are killed The funeral of Mr Haszard takes place „o-morrow. Rot >rua, June 12. The party of natives in search of relalives supposed to bo in the buried pahs returned to llotoiti after an unsuccessful day’s operations. They now require a boat and intend to take it overiamt for 10 miles and cross Rotonuhana L>kc. They pu'pose getting across at the back of the ioea ity. They report that they c >uld see no bush or living tiling in the viciui'y of where the pain are si uated Au expedition has started to determine the fate of the beautiful piuk and white terraces. The party consists of 20, including M ssrs Stewart (Rotorua), Firth, Fairbro her, and Hopkins. Dr Hector is expected to follow the party equipped with tents, &c., for several dt.ys The party will t ike tlie track which leaves Wairoa road a mile from Waiioa, a winding rouie round Ivaitaria Lake to Rot ikahai, ten nnles from Rotoinahana. Mr Fairbroth r determined to make the ascent to-day of the high range over o iking the Terraco. A native name 1 Metiaka and his wife arrived from Morea on the night of the eruption and so escaped. They have brought a daughter, who was burned, to be treated by the doctor at Rotorua. The natives say the settlement must be completely destroyed with 20 Maoris and their chief. He thinks the settlement of Te Ariki with 40 men and the head chief Rangi Hena are destroyed, with an Englishman named Brown, a baker from tne Waikato. The no, ives were the remnant of a once powerful tribe. Duly one of their number escaped torough being near Rotorua. He laments the destruction of his people. The shock has now subsided, and ashes have ceased blowing about. No efforts are being made to penetrate the country as yet, as in the country injured or where actual settlements have been destroyed the tracks are obliterated, It is considered that the G - verument are showing disgraceful apathy in not sending succour, if possible, to the survivors of the native tribes in and about Rotomahana, where a whole tribe is supposed to be buried, with a European named Brown and his family. Great auxiety ii felt and it is conjectured that some natives may be still surviving. In the case of all boats being destroyed and the country buried in ashes connection should he effected. The residents are willing to go out. but me Government Imve not authorised any expenditure. Green Like is sti■ 1 smoking, and Rotorua Lake is rising this morning. Dr (Hinders reports that the springs are uninjured, bir- the sm iko an i steam rolling al mg in Madame Rachel's and the Priests Baths in the greatest quantities are indications not generally so favorable as yesterday. Men are hard at work at Wairoa. There is no sijn of Bainbiidge and no more Maoris Inve been dug out. Four cats and a dug have been exhumed alive, aud two pigs. T . Later. The island of Mokoi, Lake Rotorua, is reported to be softeoiug through au eruption of steam taking place. A volcanic eruption is feired. A cutter has taken Native! away. Mr Burt, surveyor, has just arrived and brings news that the Terraces are destroyed. Rotomah ma mountain is half 11 iwii away, while Lake Rotokokahoka and Kakaramea are one seething mass. There are stiil tremb ings of earthquake. The damage to the country is much greater than previously reporte I. Titikere, opposite Like Rotorua, lias broken into eruption, it being a mudhole no'able for violent intermittent spouting and smell. Wellington - , June 13. The following telegrams were received by Mr Ballance “ Have just ascertained that old Tuhato, a civil list pensioner of Te Wairoa, is missing. There is no hope of finding him alive. Mehane, the native mentioned in the last tele gram as Having left Te Ariki on Tuesday has enumerated 59 persons known to he there, and 23 at Moura ; 82 in all.~S. D. Johnson, Government.” “ Re urned from Wairoa late last evening. Brought in the bodie- of Mr Haszard, three children, aud nephew, five in ail. An inquest will be held this afternoon by Mr Brabant R.M., and the imerment will take place 10-morrow. H*d a large parly out to get the road opened through the bush sufficiently to allow the passage of vehicles. Mr Mclotosh, road overseer, ha? arrived and is to-day engaged improving it bo as to enable waggons to bring in salvage goods. A party of eight have gone out this morning to assist the Natives in searching for bodies. We got out the body of an old woman yesterday. An old man named Rawiri, who was not missed during the excitement was found emerging from his house, out of which he managed to dig his way. An old man named Piko died during Thursday night owing to the shock to his system. Have not yet distributed about any food or clothine, as the Natives here entertain the Tnhinaranga survivors for a day or two, and will lend them blankets, etc., durine that time. A deputation from Ngatihakane asked this morning for one ton of flour, and three bags of sugar to the food they can provide, to be charged against the rents. The Ngatiwahias, a seclion of the Tuhorangis, have just come in and wish to take the survivors to their settlement at Te Whakarewarewa. I think that is the better plan. I will then ascertain their exact wants and relieve them. I do not wish to launch *ut extravagantly. There is no danger at present of starvation, but they will require relief on a considerable sralc during the whoie of the winter and spring months, until they can start cultivations somewhere and thereby raise food.l should be glad if a section of the railway here could be put in hand at sees to enable t

them to earn something towards their support, or that the road towarls Paeroa could be formed. No further news yet about the The natives did not get within seven miles of them, so we omnot place very much reliance oil their report. Mr Jsb. Stewart, C.E., has just started out with a party, and intends, if possible', ascertaining the exa’t state of afiairs before the teturn. They expect to be away two or three days, and are going by way of Rotokakahi and Pariheru. Mr arrived list ctci ring from Rokiti sawmill, and repoits that the roofs of the blacksmith’s shop and small buildings are crushed in, but the mill and main buildings hare saved by scrap- i ing off the deposit. Mr Mcßory reports] that his Raupo Accommodation House was crushed, but there is no chaage in the springs at Tikitere. Mr Harvey, of Tenga, has just informed me that tho deposit is only about six inches deep on the slopes, and he hopes to be able to pull qhrough, There is a proposal to take out a boat to try to reach M*ura and Teariki. There was a European named Brown living at the latter place. A native, who left there oil Tuesday, thinks there is rot the slightest chance of finding any survivors. All the roads eastward of this place are in a frightful mess, rendering travelling difficult. I will report further as particulars are ascertained. H. . Johnson, Government.” Dr Lemon has reoeived the following : —“Napier June 11.—The wires are OK. south of Rotorua. The Tauranga man was started yesterday to repair the Opotiki line which was interrupted between Maketu and Whakatane.” The following is the report from Mr Dansey, Rotorua Following just received from Fraser (lineman statiound at Rotorua) at Taheke On arriving at Roukawa found three poles down, embed led in three feet of mud. I heard of a break further on and found six spans of wire down at Matawera Arms, and the wire smashed further on at Reed's. I found the wire broken and the arm of the pole, and again heard of a break ahead, so I thought it advisable to go over the line and ascertain what material I wou d require for repairs. I found two poles down at Taheke. croßsiag of the lake and all the wires in the water* (Natives are at work digging out holes past here. I hea - that there is a big break so I "’ill proceed in the morning. All the poles between there aril Rotorua will have to be cleared of mud ns there is over 50ibs of mud on the tops and insulators of every pole, and the wires are as thick as a c udle with mud ” The following is from Mr Benner. Maketu, dated last night “ D-mitn, the stableman, reported to Mr C» r r.nnton today that seven poles were down at Taheke. Mr Bird, who arrived from Tepuke, informs me that Mr Fraser, the Rotorua lineman, told him he expected to bo finished to-night. The line is right 13 miles from here. A cattle driver just arrived here states that the line is right between Maketu aud Natata.” Auckland, June 13. An inquest, has been held on the body of Bimbiidge, the tourist, and a verdict returned of aooi lentally killed by a falling verandah at Rotoinahana Hotel, occisi nd by the eruptiou at Tariwera. The latest news from Rotorua states that Blytli aud Burt have arrived and report seeing an immense volcanic cra’er, belching between the paake of the first eruption aud Ga ateu The whole country is still in a state of eruption and mud continues to belch from Ohinemetu. If the wind goes round to ihe east it is not known what the consequences will bo. To-day the Maoris arc burying their dead, and tile picture is a sad one. A tangi is b-ing liehl. A party have tried to net to R t mail nvi.but it Was impossi ale toproeiel, the debris being up to the hors ’a girths.