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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7693, 19 July 1886, Page 4

We are glad to be able to give to-day, as it is our summary issue for the English mail, the opinions of Professors Hutton and Brown on the recent eruptions at Rotomahana. The catastrophe was a great and startling one, and was much to be deplored for the loss of life occasioned, and the at least temporary detriment to a large extent of country, by being covered by volcanic ash. But there is reason to apprehend that the cablegrams sent to England at the time of the eruption gave an exaggerated idea of the destruction which had taken place, and of the permanent damage caused. Professor Hutton is Professor of Biology in Canterbury College, he is a Fellow of the Geological Society, and is considered the best authority on geology, and especially ou the whole subject of volcanic phenomena in the colony. Professor Brown is the Professor of Chemistry in Auckland University College, while Professor Thomas is Professor of Natural Science in the same institution. These gentlemen were authorised by the Government to make an examination of the whole district, and to report. Their visit to the locality extended over a considerable time, and they inspected all the spots where exceptional phenomena had manifested themselves. The statement of Professor Hutton is to the efiect that all danger was over when the first violence of the eruption had spent itself, and that all symptoms of violent volcanic action are dying away. There is no probability of further disturbance at Paeroa or Orakei-korako, which were thought to be the places most in danger, as the pressure had been relieved by the eruption of Tarawera. As to the important question of the effect of the volcanic ash on the soil, Professor Hutton's verdict is that "it may improve bad land, but will not improve good land much." The question will be fully tested in a short time, and confident statements are made that in many parts the deposit will greatly increase the capabilities of the land. It is anticipated that in the forthcoming summer there will be a large accession to the number of tourists who usually visit the Rotorua district from Australia and Europe. Although some pleasing features have been destroyed by the eruption, other and grander sights have been added, and preparations are being made to open up roads to places where there are beautiful and remarkable terraces which have hitherto remained almost unvisited.