RABAUL ERUPTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22743, 1 June 1937, Page 11

RABAUL ERUPTION

I FLIGHT FROM TOWN NO LOSS OF LIFE PLIGHT OF REFUGEES SHORTAGE OF SUPPLIES By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (.Received June 1, 12.15 a.m.) SYDNEY. May 31 As a tidal wave was expected at Rabaul, Now Guinea, following the volcanic eruption which began on Friday, all of the population of 4500 were evacuated except lor 20 white men and some native police, who remained to send on what food was available. A message received to-night, however, stated that there was no sign of a tidal wave. Earlier radio messages from Rabaul to-day stated that the streets of the / town were blocked with pumice and mud and had become a quagmire, and trees had been broken by the weight of mud thrown from the volcanoes on Vulcan and Matupi Islands. The Federal Cabinet received an urgent request for provisions and bedding for the refugees at Kokopo, whose rations were estimated to last only two days. Steamer Being Despatched The Government immediately arranged for the Islands steamer Malaita, which is at present at Brisbane, to load food and water and leave immediately. She is expected to arrive at Kokopo in tive days. Sulphur fumes forced the radio operators to leave the Rabaul station, but the men returned to their posts late ; yesterday and now are able to provide ■ an emergency radio service, which is ' being relayed to Sydney by vessels at 1 sea. The two volcanoes were in active . eruption yesterday, and thick sulphur i fumes swept the town. According to! information received, by the Defence I Department in Melbourne one island has i disappeared and a new island has been forced up as a result of a submarine : disturbance. Landslides Block Roads So far no loss of life is reported. I Landslides blocked the roads to ' Kokopo and the evacuation was accom- 1 plished by sea. The survey sloop ; Moresby, with food and medical supplies, will arrive at Habaul in three or j four days. The two active eruptions occurring \ are at Vulcan Island, in Blanche Bay, j and Matupi crater, on the north side of Rabaul Harbour. Vulcan Island was thrown up out of the sea in one night about 60 years ago - by subterranean volcanic disturbance. The evacuation of Rabaul was ordered by the New Guinea Administration as a safety measure. The Administrator, Brigadier-General MeNicoll, is at preseut absent from Habaul, being on a visit of inspection to the Morobe goldfields.