EARLIER DISASTERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15719, 21 September 1914, Page 5

EARLIER DISASTERS.

TARAWERA ERUPTION.

GREAT LOSS OF LIFE.

The disaster at White Island recalls the terrible Mount Tarawera eruption, which occurred on the morning of June 10,1886. So great was the eruption that for miles the whole country in the vicinity of the mountain was completely altered by deposits of mud. As the mountain belched forth mud and lava the sounds of the explosions could be heard even in Auckland, and at night vivid flashes, as from the firing of guns, were also witnessed in Auckland.

As a result of the eruption 101 lives ■were lost, for little warning was given that a great upheaval was to occur. The scene of the mountain, belching forth flame to a great height, was described by spectators as being grand, yet terrible in the extreme.

The Hot Lakes district was completely altered by tho eruption, and the famous pink and white terraces, which attracted tourists from all parts of the world, were among the irreparable losses occasioned by the disaster^

WAIMANGU CATASTROPHE.

FOUR PERSONS KILLED.

A startling and shocking catastrophe, resulting in the loss of four lives, occurred at, the Waimangu geyser in the Hot Lakes district ou Sunday afternoon, August 30, 1903. As a result of an unusua-Uv violent eruption, two ladies, the Misses "Nicholls, of North Canterbury, Mr. Joseph Warbrick, brother of the well-known Government guide, and Mr. McNaughton, a resident of Ponaonby lost their lives. Members of a coach party to Waimangu from Rotoraa on the Sunday afternoon, the four victims were watching the action of the geyser from the hill. In thei'.r desire to obtain photographs of the scene, the young ladies approached too near the treacherous geyser with their companions. Suddenly there was an appalling eruption, and the victims were instantly swept off their feet by the water and precipitated into the seething cauldron forming the overflow of the geyser below. From here they were carried along in the boiling water for a long distance towards Lake R-otomahana. Others, including Mrs. Nicholls, mother of the young ladies who were lost, were fortunato enough to reach places of safety and so escaped the horrible fate of their relatives and companions.