The First News of the Eruption.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XX, Issue 144, 18 June 1886, Page 1

The First News of the Eruption.

Wellington. The following telegram has been received from Tauranga by the Secretary of the Post Office :— Tauranga, June 10. At 21 5 a.m. loud reports and heavy earthquakes began here, and continued until 5 a.m. Tauranga is in darkness, and thick clouds of sulphurous matter, gypsum, &c, fill the air. Mount Tarawera at Rotomahana is reported to have broken out, and eruptions are going on continually. The Postmaster at Rotorua telegraphs—" All the people here fled in their night clothes. I have sent my family away, and remain at my post, but cannot say how long I can do this." Auckland, June 10. Last night c instant explosions were heard in Auckland, which were thought to proceed from the direction of Manukau. As tbe sounds were like distress signals, it was thought that a war vessel had gone ashore on the Manukau bar. Tbe ' Evening Star ' despatched a special reporter to make enquiries, who discovered no trace of any vessel in distress on the coast. The cause of the explosions was found to be that during last night a tremendous outburst of volcanic activity occurred in Rotorua district, surpassing anything hitherto experienced in New Zealand. Violent eruptions took place, accompanied by loud reverberativc explosions. The people are fleeing from the districts but know not where to turn as the whole country from Lake Taupo to Tauranga is covered with thick smoke, and is dark as midnight. Maoris and Europeans are rushing about in great excitement. Property of all kinds is completely destroyed. Flashes of fire wore plainly visible in Auckland and suburbs, proving the gigantic nature of the eruption. Wellington, Juue 10. The Secretary of tbe Post Oflien has received the following telegram :— " Wo have all passed a fejrful night here. The earth has been in a continual quake tince midnight. At 2 a.m. there was a heavy quake, and then a fearful roar, which made everyone run out of their hou?e=, and a grand yet terrible eight for those so near ns we were presented itself. Mount Tarawera, close to Rotomahan », became suddenly an active volcano, belching out fire aud lava to a great height. The eruption appeared to have extended itself to several pl-.ces southward. A dense mass of asbes came pjuring down here at _ a.m. , nccompaui d by a suffocating smell from tbe lower regions. This immense black cloud oxterded iv a lir.e from Taheke to l\ireroa. The mountain was one continued mass of elecuiory all night, and is still the same. What between the roar of tbe thunder, the ru.-.rmg of two or three difforent, ora'.eiv, nul the Btench and con inual quiking of tho earth, the alarm was tenible, Mid sbwral families left their home- iv tb- ir night dresses with whatever they could seize in the hurry and made for Tauranga. Others more lucky, got horses and left for Oxford, Judging from the quantity of ashes and dust here, I fear serious results to the people at Wairoa and all the natives round Tarawera Lake. The fearful aspect of affairs is just as bad now (8 a.m.) as it was all night. I have sent my family to Oxford this morning, and if matters don't improve during the day I shall follow them for a day or two. Hundreds of new boiling springs have broken out all round here, some in the middle of the road." (Signed) R. D. Dansej , Postmaster, Rotorua. Noon. The Native Minister has received a telegram to the effect that the house of Mr Haszard, schoolmaster at Wairoa, near Tarawera, was struck by lightning and the whole family killed except the two eldest daughters who were rescued by Mr Linden. Blue mud is boiling up everywhere. Mcßae's hotel is completely wrecked, and one tourist is missing. Several natives have lost their lives, hut the exact number is not known.