VOLCANIC ERUPTION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 153, 31 May 1937, Page 7

VOLCANIC ERUPTION

NEW GUIN EA SHAKEN. EVACUATION OF RABAUL. APPEAL FOR FOODSHIP. (United Press Association—By Electric 4 Telegraph—Copyright.) SYDIsEI, May 29. A big volcanic eruption, probably a submarine one, is in progress in New Guinea. Heavy earthquake shocks shook the island all day on Saturday. They began on Friday.

The wireless station was abandoned on Saturday night as the volcanic fumes were too much for the operators. A Sydney resident received a message ou Saturday night from a relative in Rabaul stating that a tremendous explosion had occurred in the harbour, from which mud and stones had been hurled high into the air. The blast was followed by a great movement of water, which receded 200 yards . from the shore. Local residents fled, fearing the water would return iu a tidal wave. Prior to that a wireless message from Rabaul said : “A eruption in Blanche Bay adjacent to Vulcan Island occurred at 2.30 p.m. to-day, following continual earth tremors since dawn. Great excitement is prevailing in the township and district.” Intermittent messages, sent obviously under terrifying conditions, said the seafront was undergoing startling change. The water level dropped eight feet in 10 minutes, and returned, without, however, the expected tidal wave. The extent of the property damage is not known. There have been no reports of loss of life. A radio message received to-night says that the whole white population, upwards of 3000, has evacuated Rabaul and gone to the coastal resort of Kokopo, 50 miles away. A large number of Asiatics and natives have also -The evacuation was accompl’shed bv the steamers Montoro, which arrived to-day, and Golden Bear. An appeal has been sent out for a. foodship and the naval survey vessel Moresby which is at present in the Gulf of Carpentaria is hurrying to New Guinea. . There is difficulty in obtaining details of the latest position in regard to the disturbance owing to the breakdown of the wireless apparatus.