EPIDEMIC FEARED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 154, 1 June 1937, Page 7

EPIDEMIC FEARED.

SEQUEL TO ERUPTION. ’ FOOD AND WATER LACKING. Received June I, 11 a.m. SYDNEY, June 1. Rabaul. is slowly being buried under showers of pumice, ash and dust, which continues to pour from the two volcanoes. The refugees at Kokopo are faced with a shortage of water and food, with the possibility of a resulting epidemic. Supplies of food and water are being unloaded from the Montoro. These supplies, however, are sufficient for only two days and it will be four days before any other vessel can reach Kokopo. VOLCANIC ERUPTION. RABAULSTREETS BLOCKED. QUAGMIRES EVERYAVHERE. SYDNEY, May 31. There was considerable anxiety in Sydney at a message from Rabaul that a tidal wave had struck the town following the volcanic eruption on the north side of the harbour. The message, however, was later reported to be without foundation. The radio station 'at Rabaul, which is almost on the waterfront, reported to-night that there was no sign of a tidal wave. “AVe would not be here if one came,” was the comment. Radio messages from Rabaul to-day state that the streets of the town are blocked with pumice and mud and have become a quagmire. Trees/ were broken by the weight of mud hurled from the volcanoes on Vulcan and Ma'tupi Islands. The Federal Cabinet has received an urgent request for provisions and bedding for Kokopo refugees, whose rations are estimated to be sufficient to last only two days. The Government immediately arranged for the island steamer Malaita, which was at Brisbane, to load food and water and leave at once. The vessel is expected to arrive .at Kokopo in five days. • Sulphur fumes forced the radio operators from the Rabaul wireless station, but the men returned to their posts late yesterday. They are now able to provide only an emergency radio service, which is being relayed to Sydney by vessels at sea.