THE VANISHED TERRACES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14302, 23 February 1910, Page 7

THE VANISHED TERRACES.

POSSIBILITY OF RECOVERY.

THE MINISTER INTERESTED.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN" CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Tuesday. The question of the probable existence of the pink and white terraces, despite their disappearance after tho Tarawera eruption in 1886, was brought under, the notice of the Hon. T. -Mackenzie, Minister in charge;of Tourist Resorts, by a reporter to-day.

•Atked if he had done anything in the matter, .the Minister said; "Yes, I have taken a keen-interest in the subject. I have never been satisfied that the terraces were destroyed, and the matter'-'was gone into as soon as I became Minister, Some months ago I requested the Departmental officers in the district to report on the subject, arid. valuable information in connection therewith was obtained from Mr. Birks, engineer in charge at Rotorua, who supplied data regarding levels, outlet's, costs, etc. On receipt of that report I deemed it advisable to widen the scope of the investigation. . That is now being done, and on my trip to Rotorua tin's week I propose devoting attention to it.*'

As to the probability of the terraces being still in existence,.-. and only covered by volcanic deposit, the Minister remarked : "It is too early to give anything, like a definite opinion on this point. Regard' ing the white terrace, this may be gono, but there is just a, possibility of the pink terrace existing, as the: same thermal action is still going on above the spot where that '-.terrace was."

: ... Asked if he was familiar with the district before the Tarawera outburst, ine Minister replied that some years prior to that unfortunate "occurrence ho walked from the coast all over the lakes district, and was for some weeks in the vicinity -A the terraces.

As to the way's and means for carrying out the project now contemplated, Mr. Mackenzie said that; he . had already had estimates prepared,.-and owing to a new system of rovenuo raising, which he had just adopted, there .would be ample means available for undertaking the work without touching at all upon the public puree.

"An interesting speculation, but without scientific support," is the criticism passed by Mr. T. F. Cheescman, curator of the Auckland Museum, on the proposal to excavate for the terraces. Mr. Cheesenmn says that investigations '.. made at the ' time proved beyond reasonable doubt that the terraces were not covered up, but were blown to pieces. In a report prepared for tho Government by Mr. P. Smith, then Assistant-Surveyor-General, it was stated that the floor of Rotomahana was absolutely blown out and the level of the locality ■• of the terraces reduced by 100 ft. V Guide Warbrick 'argues that the ten-aces were not blown up from tho fact that he has not been able to find portions of them, but Mr. Smith states in his. report that fragments of the White Terrace had been found scattered all round the northern side of the new crater, and ; Mr. Cheeseman thinks some pieces are now in the Auckland .Museum. .Professor A. P. W. Thomas also contends in his. writings that the terraces and' a considerable depth under them were blown out. Even were the terraces there, Mr. Cheeseman doubts if they would not be discoloured—a good deal would depend on what they were covered with and to what extent they were exposed to steam. .';,..;