LEVITY IN HOUSE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 257, 28 September 1945, Page 3

LEVITY IN HOUSE

RUAPEHU'S BEHAVIOUR

RAISING OF LAKE LEVEL

(Press Assn.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 27 Unusual merriment convulsed the House of Representatives for a tew minutes this afternoon during the asking and answering of a question concerning Mount Kuapehu. Mr W. J. Broadfoot (Nat., Waitomo) in an urgent question asked the Minister in charge of Scientific and Industrial Research (Mr Sullivan) whether consideration had been given to the possibility of the raising of the level of Lake 'laupo being responsible for the recent abnormal activity of Ruapehu. Mr Broadfoot asked if it were not a fact that since the lake level had been raised the hot pools on the -lake roadside had risen, to the hillside among the houses of the Maori people. Had the Minister's attention been drawn to the recent statement of Mr A. C. Beck, of the Geological Survey, that the activity of the mountain was increasing? Mr Broadfoot also asked the Minister to have the possibility referred to investigated without delay. "In the first place I wish to apologise on behalf of .the Government for the misbehaviour of the mountain," said Mr Sullivan, rising to reply. Mr W. J. Poison (Nat., Stratford): It is showing its utter contempt for Government control.

Mr Sullivan said the Secretary of Scientific and Industrial Research advised that an investigation of the relationship between the raising of the level of Lake Taupo and the eruption of Ruapehu had been made and was being studied by the staff of the Geological Survey Office. From the investigations carried out on the spot, the relationship was regarded as .being remote. Nevertheless the possibility could not be entirely ruled out, even though it was considered most unlikely. The Prime Minister (Mr Eraser): All we have to do is to. lower the lake and the mountain will stop. Mr J. Thorn (Lab., Thames): Open the sluice gates.

HOT SPRINGS INVESTIGATED.' Mr Sullivan said that since *the level of the lake was raised and the eruption of Ruapehu commenced officers of the Geological Survey, in association with others with long experience in the district, had examined the location and activity of hot springs in the districts immediately surrounding Lake Taupo. Ihese investigations indicated no rise in the leveis or activities of the hot springs in this region.

"Volcanic eruptions occur in spasms, periods of activity and quiescence succeeding each other fairly rapidly," continued Mr Sullivan.

Mr Poison: Could not the honourable member substitute the word "convulsions"?

Mr Speaker: The honourable membei is in order.

When the laughter subsided, Mr Sullivan said that Ruapehu's eruptions had followed the course mentioned, and, as officers of the Geological Survey furnished periodical bulletins concerning the eruption, they reported day-to-day changes. The activity ol Riiapehu,' and all influences likely to be assochrted with it, were at present under continuous investigation by the Geological Survey. Mr Fraser: They are being kept steadily in view. ■Mr Sullivan said special instruments were now being assembled and very shortly would be installed in appropriate locations in the district to provide further information concerning any earth movements which might occur. From observations on, the spot, and from instrumental recordings already being made in the district, there was nothing to indicate any reason for expecting a marked increasb in volcanic activity in the region.