LAVA STREAM

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 12 November 1928, Page 7

LAVA STREAM

FROM MT. ETNA

WIDESPREAD HAVOC

NUNS' TERRIBLE END

United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—(Jonyrignt Australian Press Association

HOME, 9th November

The main lava stream has been responsible for widespread havoc, but it appears to' bo slowing down. A new eruptive crater, however, lias opened in the neighbourhood of Maga/./eni, emitting an abundant flow of liquid lava at ;i considerable initial speed. Experts liesitato to forecast, the new strength of the (low, hut confidence has been infused into the victims of the Catastrophe.

If is announced that work on the reconstruction of Maseali will commence! forthwith at the expense of the Fascist Government. Signor .Mussolini has ordered that the moment the flow ceases a start shall be made in rebuilding three thousand houses, the nucleus of a new Maseali, thereby avoiding a repetition of the housing of the Messina victims, many of the huts for which, erected twenty-one years, arc still in existence. Damaged wafer supplies will also be repaired. Thus far the loss of land is over two thousand acres, of a value of more than a quarter of a milium pounds.

Santa. Venera, situated in one of the most fertile valleys, has now been destroyed, an ancient tower 65ft high being the only thing visible, and this is swaying dangerously.

Two nuns were isolated on rocks, and their rescue was impossible. The whole population knelt within sight, praying fervently throughout their last agony, the nuns joining in until they disappeared henyath a molten mass. Two branches of lava are now surrounding the town of Carabba, the centre of a prosperous agricultural and industrial district. The one hope of salvation is that the lava will reach the sea, and thus exhaust its deslructiveness in a single channel. The Pope has forwarded £'3oo to the relief fund, together with a telegram expressing grief at the disaster, and conveying the Apostolic Benediction as a comfort for the unfortunates.

Signor Mussolini banned Mt. Etna relief subscriptions oh the ground that they were degrading and the Government was undertaking necessary measures.

During the first 72 hours of the eruption the lava stream covered nine miles and is now advancing at the rate of 300 feet daily over flatter land in the vicinity of the sea.

The Government started a boat service occupying five hours between Messina and Catania, as the railway is cut. Engineers are exploding a series of mines, thus forming huge channels to the sea. NO SIGN OF CESSATION (Received 12th November, 11.15 a.m.) ROME, 11th November. There is no sign of cessation in the Mount Etna eruption, already described as the worst since the seventeenth century, as the lava streams are now all making their way seaward. It is hoped tiiat this will circumscribe the damage. An urea of eighteen square miles is completely devastated. The molten stream is slowly swallowing up every tree and building en route. The troops worked marvels in widening roads and reducing the congestion of refugees. The lava has caused intense heat and even in Messina, Catania and Taormihe the people are sleeping in the open air. The whole neighbourhood is impregnated with the odour of petroleum.