ERUPTION OF TONGARIRO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10320, 21 December 1896, Page 5

ERUPTION OF TONGARIRO.

ASCENT BY DR. FRIEULAENDHR, A GRAND SPECTACLE. LOST ON THE MOUNTAIN. [BY tbwkjraph— OWN correspondent.] Taupo, Saturday. Te Mars continues active, with irregular force. Alt times only pure steam is seen, while at others large quantities of ashes, pebbles, and dark smoke are emitted. Dr. Friedlnender, a German scientist, has been exploring Tongariro and its surround, ings for the last fortnight). He returned to Taupo from Tokaanu last evening, He is accompanied by his valet. During his stay at Tokaanu he asoended Tongariro mountain on several different occasions accompanied by a local guide, camping oub on the mountain, taking observations, sketches, and photographs of the different conoa and neighbourhood. Ho reports having witnessed a brilliant midnight eruption of Te Mare on the night of the 15th, when the scene was t one of grandeur. Immense volumes of smoke, accompanied by ashes, were erupted, also fire of a bright blue tinge with forklike lightning flashes every minut-j. This lasted for soma time. On another ascent they were accompanied by Father Kreymborg, the local Roman Catholic priest, and a native guide. During the afternoon the party got accidentally separated, losing their way, with darkness setting in. They had to spend the night without their food or tout, but wore ro-united all right next morning without mishap, oxcopb hunger. They havo collected a quantity of asiies, stones, etc., emitted by Te Mare. The ascent to the summit of Mgauruhoe was also safely accomplished. The edge of the crater of this mountain is very interesting. Photographs and sketches were taken of this. KeJetahi was also visited, as well as all the craters and orator lakes on the summit of Tongariro. On other occasions they witneoMd daylight eruptions of Te Mare, which wore jjeaa? ."''■■ of such a nature as to indicate the prase of firo, but Dr. Friedlaonder considers tho midnight one far surpassing anything ho had previously seen, and that it was quite sufficient, of itself to amply repay him for the time and trouble expended in visiting the locality. The data he has recorded should prove not only interesting but useful, Time and circumstances did nob permit his ascending Ruapehu as he intended. The doctor is visiting the immediate neighbourhood of Taupo today, going to Wairakei to-night, to visit the geysers there tomorrow, proceeding to Auckland by Monday's coach, probably visiting Orakeikorako en route if his engagements permit.