THE VOLCANIC ERUPTION.
'.DESTRUCTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY. morning week news was received in Wellington of a terrible volcanic eruption of Meant* Tarawera —a volcano which has probabTv for many ages been inactive. The was received by telegraph by the Secretarv to the Post Office, who kindly comKunicated the information. As fresh messages came in, it became known that there waa a serious loss of li f e, and that the utmost diamav and consternation prevailed over a fir— eVent of country. Although Wednescav nio-ht in Wellington was extremely wild and boisterous, a good deal of rambling noise resembling distant thunder was heard, of which little was thought at the time. In the early imo-n ; n<r, distant flashing lights were seen to th“ north ward, as if there were distant lightning. jtV.r be seen from telegrams that in many n’ac-s* remote from the scene of outbreak aounde of loud explosions resembling the £ric r ’ of guns weie heard. Even at Fe itbe> ston'snch noises were heard early yeste-day week. The reports heard at Auckland were believe I to be distress guns from the -Russian man-of-war Vestnik, in the Manukan. G-ita* 2, following mersTges were received early w the* Pest and Telegraph Department : Tauranga, June 10, 8.15 a m. L-nd reports and heavy earthquakes began j." a nd continued until 5 a.ra. Tauranga is in darkness, and thick ciouds of. sulphurous crypsum, &c., in the air, JVlcunls and Rotomahana are reported to have broken out, and eruptions are going on continually. Rotorua, June 10. Most of the people have fled in their nightp S : from here. The Postmaster has sent Js own* family away, but has reman el at his post, but is unable to say how long he will do ; ' Taupo, June 10, 9.40 a.m. At 2 o’clock this morning a terrific report - v.T’"e everybody here, when an immense flare wa~ and a continuous shower of meteors”shot through the air. Heavy shocks o 1 earthquake followed in quick succession. ' aii ia-- has been going on ever since, and we * o ' w learn that Mount Tarawera, at Rotorua, has broken out in active eruption. Ohinejiutu, June 10. We have all passed a fearful night here, ryo has been in a continual quake since nvdm-rht At 2.10 a.m. there was a heavy ‘ *- e = then a fearful roar, which made everyo—rua out of their houses ; and a grand yet terrible sfoht, for those so near aB we were, presented Itself. Mount Tarawera, close, to Rotomahana, became suddenly an active volcano, bslching out fire and lava to a great The eruption appears to have extended itself to several places southwards. A cen=e mass of ashes came pouring down here A 4 a m , accompanied by a suffocating ameU from the lower region? This immense black cloud extended in line •from to Paerca. The mountain one continual mass of electricity n“ n ijht and is still the same. Between. the roar of the thunder, the roaring cf three or four different craters, and the atencii and tlie continual quaking of the earth, left their homes in their nlohtdrtsses with whatever they could seize ;JV c o burry, and made for Tauranga, others w | lo were lucky got horses and left for Oxford. Jud'in'? from the quantity of ashe3 and dußt here" 1 fear serious results to the people at VJViroa and all Natives round Tarawera Lake. Tk- * fearful aspect cf affairs is just as bad {•' a.m.) as they were all night. I have sent civ family away to Oxford this morning U --neeial buggy, and if matters don’t imcrovi’ curing the day shall follow them for a cr two. Hundreds of new boiling springs . jL broken out all round here, some in the middle of the road. ' Wairoa, June 10. The scene here is terrible. Macrae’s Hotel is completely wrecked. Mr Hazard, the schoolmaster, with his wife and family, except tW o children, have been killed, and great loss of life is believed to have taken place among the Natives. . , , The following telegrams were received by finp Association : Auckland, June, 10,10 a.m. TL* 13 tar early this morning despatched a special "reporter to the Manukau to make A QV ?-iec but he discovered no trace of any vessel in distress on the coast. It turns out that the explosions are caused by fe srful volcanic action now going on at Rotorua. . The disturbances are said to exceed anything of the kind previously experienced in New Zealand. The whole country from Like Taupo to is covered with thick smoke, dark ' The Maoris and Europeans are rrabm o, about in great excitement. Property nfVi kinds is completely destroyed. FJashes of ffie s-e plainly visible in Auckland and suburbs proving the gigantic nature of the o:^riV e °flavor of Auckland has received a telegram from the Mayor of Tauranga, asking a steamer should bi teat to takeoff the Private telegrams state that was in total darkness at 9 o’clock ♦M," morning, and the town covered with - *VhQ Mavor has replied thao be will the best of his ability. Vibrations of eartbouaks are felt in Auckland, ana futures In the l earth are observed. GISBORNK, June 10. * *. c SO this rooming the inhabitants of Gi-hcrue were startled out of sleep by a , i—*mhl:‘ng noise accompanied by ebooks, {'“-■-■•■iiz ~ houses to shake and windows to ~u' 5 ” a 3 there seemed no likelihood of the rl-TUc—nou stopping, a number of people got ,'k,Tu i paraded the town in a state o: exci.fceLA ” 'qit-ntion was drawn in the direction ? S Eot;rua from W. to W.S.W., by volumes - qVk Vhoot-icg up in the air cut ot an umC.yW shsned cloud. The sight was a mag-":"-=cen*~ one, the clouds spread out over toe “R: “Ev and the rumbling continued till Utbi, Lining, when a sharp shock of e-'-theuske was feifc, followed quickly by a *At 8 another slight shock occurred. Th- town up to the present is nearly in utter a = and shops are nearly all lit up. rj-T.-.;, a distinct smell pervading the air, has had a most peculiar effect on many
inhabitants. It is supposed to be from a volcano in the direction of Rotorua, The affair has caused great excitement. The birdß this morning were flying about in a helpless fashion. Up to 2.30 the night was clear, but intensely cold. At present it is raining hard. New Plymouth, June 10. Curious noises like explosions or the firing of a man-of-wai’s gnnß at pea were heard about three this morning, lasting over an hour. Christchurch, June 9. A good many persons who happened to be about at an early hour this morning, heard some explosions, which they were much puzzled to account for. The following telegrams were also received by Government during the day : Thames, June 10, 9.55 a.m. Hon Commissioner AC., Wellington : A heavy stiock of earthquake was felt early this morning at Tauranga, which town is enveloped in darkness. Mount Tarawera, by Lake Tarawera, is in active eruption. Township all right.— S. GoODALL, Major. Rotorua, June 10, 8.12 a.m.
To the Under-Secretary of Crown. Lands Department, Wellington : We are in the midst of a terrible convulsion of nature. The extinct volcano cones at Tarawera and Ruatohia burst into activity between 1 and 2 this morning. A continual succession of earthquakes was felt until about 5 o’clock, and now slight thunder and lightning are almost i incessant and still continuing. Immense volumes of fl ones and smoke from the cones, and steam from the locality of the White Terrace are pouring forth. Showers of du3t ana grit reached here a little before 6 o clock, but a fortunate shift .of wind has Bince diverted them. It is an awfully grand eight, and resembles Martin’s picture of “ The Last Day.’’ The people are greatly excited Many have cleared out for Oxford and Tauranga. The lake has risen considerably. Many new springs have burst out. There is a small geyser just below my house. No serious damage has been done here so far, Messengers have gone out to Te Wsiroi to try and ascertain the position of affairs there I will let you know further particulars as soon as possible. I have already sent you a copy of the foregoing by a party going to Oxford, as the telegraphist here had no hope that the line would be workable. JL am informed he has received communications. I think it desirable to let you know the true state of the case, so as to prevent the spread of unduly exaggerated reports. —H, Dunbar Johnson, Government Agenfci 9.18 a.m. A buggy has just returned from Te Wairoa, There has been a terrible catastrophe there. The Native echoolhouse was struck by lightning, and while burning was overwhelmed with torrents of hot mud and stone. - Mr Hazard and family are all dead excepting the two eldest girls, who were saved by Mr Lundon pulling them through the window. Mcßae’s Hotel is demolished. One tourist staying there is missing. The servants and also Mrs Humphries have coma in, and state that falling mud nearly knocked them down. Mcßae and Humphries are still out there. Buggies cannot get- past Tikatapu Bush, Several Natives are known to be killed. . I think there is no hope for those at Te Arika and Moera. I am going out with a relief party to Bee what can be done.—H. Dunbar Johnson, Native Agent. Auckland, June 10. No trace of Mr Hazard and his family have been found, and the worst is feared, as their residence is near the centre of volcanic activity. In response to the appeals from Tauranga, the s.s. Wellington is just leaving to take off the refugees. - Woodville, June 10. The inhabitants were aroused at 3 this morning by a senes of loud explosions, accompanied by a rumbling noise after each discharge and violent shaking of the earth. Various surmises were ventured as to the causes, Some thought that a bombardment of Napier by the Russian man-of-war was taking place. Otherp, again, attributed the noise to an eruption of longaiiro, or a volcano in the Ruahine Ranges. Others thought that the conjunction of Mars with the moon last night had probably something to do with it. On looking round, flashes of light were seen in a direction nearly due north before each discharge. Tongariro is about 85 miles distant. It is expected here that the explosions, which lasted two hours, are due to an eruption of that mountain. Napier, June 10. At 2 30 a.m. an earthquake was felt here, and from that hour long rumblings, broken by explosions as from the heaviest artillery, continued till daylight. The utmost alarm was manifested by many, who feared a coming earthquake or that some dreadful disaster had occurred in the interior of the island. Blenheim, June 10. Loud reports like gun-firing were heard at Blenheim, Picton, and places further south, between 3 and 4 this morning. They were supposed to be distress signals of a ship ia Cloudy Bay. The news of the volcanic eruption created a profound excitement here. The reports were accompanied by reverberation and rattling of windows. The following te’egram was received yesterday evening by Mr W. Kelly, proprietor of the Palace Hotel, Rotorua, who is now staying in Wellington, from his manager at Rotorua: —“Volcano subsiding. Everything quiet now. Mrs Hazard has been rescued alive from debris. The others already reported still missing. No danger now.” The Secretary of the Post Office received the following in the afternoon : Rotorua, June 10. Some surveyors from Wairoa have arrived. They look as though they had been through a lime-kiln. Wairoa is covered with ten feet of mud, stones, and ashes, though six miles distant, as the crow flies, from the craters. At Ngae, one mile, thirty feet of mud is reported. No hopes are entertained of the Native settlements at Ariki and Tepahoro. 12 noon. Mrs Hazard has been rescued, but injured. Four of her children were dead alongside her. The ho! els are in ruins. Two of the family were luckily away. Fourteen bodies of na 1 . i?es have been recovered at Wairoa only. Mr H. W. Harrington, officer-in-charge, Napier telegraph station, telegraphed to Sir Julius Vogel as follows :—“Following just received from Mr Dansey, Rotorua : ‘ Man just arrived from TeNgae, reports three poles down about six miles north from here. Says whole
road aud country ronud covered with blue mud three feet deep. At Wairoa it ia ten feet deep. Houses all buried, or up to eaves.’ ” . The Premier made a statement in the House in reference to the matter yesterday week. He read several telegrams which the Government had received, and said taat the people of Tauranga, being auxious to know whether it was safe to remain iu the township, he had consulted with Dr Hector, and telegraphed that, in the opinion of that gentleman, it was eafe. He had telegraphed to the Mayor of TauraDga to give every assistance, and the Government would be responsible. (Hear, hear.) Police Inspectors had been sent from the Thames and Waikato, aud everything that could be done should be done. The Hinemoa would leave that night, taking Dr Hector, who would report at once. (Hear, hear.)
FURTHER PARTICULARS. THE SCENE AT TAURANGA AND ROTORUA. THE PANIC. (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Tauranga, June 10, 12.20 a.m. About 4.30 a.m. the inhabitants were startled by severe shocks of earthquake, following each other with quick succession. The sky toward the-South-east was brilliantly illuminated by flashes of lightning, which continued all morning. Towards 7 o’clock dense clouds began slowly to descend from the direction of Rotorua, and shortly afterwards completely enveloped the town and district. From 8 to 10 a.m. pitch darkness prevailed, all business being suspended. For the time being, people found their way about with lanterns. The ground was covered an inch deep by a coating of sulphurous dust, with a disagreeable smell. News from Rotorua reports that the inhabitants of that place spent a fearful night, the earth trembling and shaking in the most dreadful way, accompanied by rumbling noise?. About 1 this morning, Mount Tarawera could be distinctly seen from Rotorua belching forth great volumes of flames, and giving out loud explosions. A large and densely black cloud appeared on the top of the mountain, and drifted in north-easterly and southerly directions, gradually increasing in size and volume. Out of this cloud came repeated and vivid flashes of lightning until morning. Later news from Rotorua reports that the people were leaving the township in a panic, many not waiting to put on their clothes. Rotomahana and the surrounding country are reported to be one vast volcano. Rotorua is said to be in a state of violent eruption with boiling spring?, and steam holes breaking out in the streets. The place is completely enve’oped in dust. The telegraph with difficulty can be worked. At Wairoa, tbiee children of Mr Hazird, schoolmaster, have been suffocated. All the inhabitants left Wairoa for Rotorua. From the latter place most of the people have taken their departure for either Tauranga or Oxford. From the former place conveyances are being sent to meet the unfortunate people. The telegraphic operator wires that he has sent his family away, and may leave himself if things do not improve. The utmost excitement prevails here. As I write, the atfoosphere is becoming clear. The sulphurous dust is clearing away. The sun is not visible, but there is sufficient light to enable people to get about and pursue their ordinary avocations. The latest news states that at Utabiki there are four craters going ahead. Only two of the Hazards are alive. There is 10 feet of mud and stones at Wairoa. The Titikapu bush is ail uprooted. There is four feet of mud and ashes at Ngae. Tauranga, 4.58 p.m. The latest news from Rotorua reports that the disturbance is quieter. The inhabitants have decided to remain. Buggies and conveyances are in readiness to bring these away, but they are not required. A message from Rotorua (12.1 p.m ) says Ruawabia and Tarawera hills quieter ; Okora tremendous.” Napier, June 10. A special correspondent at Taupo sends the following to the Hawkes Bay Herald :—So far as we can learn here, three seemingly extinct volcanos near Wairoa, Lake Tarawera, called Ruawahia, Tarawera, and Naihanga, suddenly burst into eruption this morning about 2.15, sending numerous showers of mud, and throwing lava and hurling large burning rocks around to coasiderab’e distances. The shocks were very severe. At Rotorua the inhabitants and visitors were greatly alarmed, and many left at once for Oxford. Messengers who were despatched from Rotorua to the scene, have returned aud report great loss of life. Only two of Mr Hazard’s family being known as yet to have escaped. The school and teachers house are completely submerged. Mcßae’s Hotel and other houses at Wairoa are all destroyed. The dead bodies of fourteen Natives have been found, but it is feared that many more have suffered, and that many Native settlements along the line of eruption are also destroyed. If the wind changes to the east it is also feared that Rotorua will suffer. We have not heard from there since 10 a.m., up to which time the eruptions were going on, bat we can still hear occasional rumblings indicating that the volcanoes are still active. From here the first intimation was a continuous rumbling, followed by a sharp report. A large ball of fire wa3 seen to be ejected to an immense height and burst, sending out showers of sparks and dense volumes of smoke. This was followed by a cloud rising above our horizon, mushroom shape, densely thick on top and lighter toward the hor r z n, aud sciotillating" and sending out sparks of apparently electric matter in every direction. The lower part occasionally opened into flame, but the whole mass was in incessant fiery agitation. Up to 5 a.m. we had about a dozm shocks of earthquake, the beginning very slight, but much sharper toward the end. The morning was piercingly cold, with clear starlight except the one cloud over Tarawera, which spread gradually to the eastward. It was perfectly calm till about 4 o’clock, when a sharp southerly wind spraug up, dying away about 5 o’clock, the glass rising steadily but quickly during the tirns. ToDgaiico is perfectly quiet. A fire is reported on Paerka Mountain, on this side of Rotorua. Hundreds of people turned, out in Napier at the.
uoiss of the explosions. The red glare ia the sky to the northward enabled them to guess what caused them, though at first it was believed they were the signals of a ship in distress. The following telegram, though dated from Tauranga, has evidently been sent originally from Rotorua „ Rotorua, June 10A dreadful night has just been experienced, every man, woman, aud child thought their end had com?. The sensation was fearful and indescribable, it commenced about 1 o’clock this morning by several severe shocks of earthquake. The vibrations were strong and frequent. The windows in the houses rattled violently, the feeling being similar to that on board of a vessel in a storm. When the vibrations of the earth were first felt, people got up out of their beds, thinking a spring of some sort had broken out close to their dwelling, and after searching about outside to discover the cause, it became clear that some wonderful element was unusually disturbed. Peopls were running about frantically, when all at once a great roar was heard, which was accepted at first as that of an earthquake, and a great glare appeared on the horizon. The scene was grand, but awful towards Rotomahana, a 3 that seemed a ma 33 of fire. The fl imes were distinct with huge volumes of smoke, with sparks of electricity illuminating the whole sky, and it appeared as if hundreds of blight stars were chasing one another. When this was at first seen by those who were outside they rushed about calling people up, when males aDd females of all age 3 left their home?, and a general rush was made for Ngatataka Mountain for safety. Many of them left their houses in their nightdresses with shawls round them, mothers carrying their babes or young children running with one aim to flee from this devouring element, which was expected every moment to engulf the entire community, so great was the terror of the people. This wa* about 2 a.m. The was wet and dark, and the road in a muddy state. On reaching the echoolhouse, which is on the road, as . the peop’e were betaking themselves to Ngatataba Mountain, Major Clark was on_ the wayside, and advised the women to go inside and take shelter, as they were a 3 likely to be a 3 safe there as in any part they might reach. Many accepted the invitation, and were made very comfortable by Mrs Clarke and family, but others refused, and hastened on to get as far away as possible. Some are supposed to have gone on, intending to reach Tauranga or Cambridge. On the approach of daylight this morning, the vibrations lessened, but they have by no meacs ceased, and many who had gone about seven miles from here returned about 4 o'clock. There was a shower of ashes similar to 3and, supposed to be lava. Major Clarke conducted divine service during the night in Mrs Morrison’s hotel. The Maoris did not rush so frantically about as did the Europeans. Comparatively few of the former left the settlement. It is not known yet where the disturbance is, which is supposed to be a volcano that has broken out some where about Rotomahana. There has been no communication yet with Te Wairoa, but many have gone out from here to see if any assistance can be rendered to the people, should danger have overtaken 'them, a 3 they are nearer to the supposed volcano. Rotorua Lake has risen considerably, and many of the springs are very disturbed, aud fresh ones have°broken ont. The thuuder still roars, and the horizon in the e&3t is black with smoke. The sun is invisible now at 9 o’clock. Lamps are burning in the telegraph office, with the sky clear to the westward. The people are sauntering about discussing the dreadful r-rdeal which they have experienced, but confidence is being restored. The stores are closed, and work is at a standstill, no one feeling inclined to do anything. How to get away from Rotorua is exercising the minds of many, aud some are arranging to cake their departure at once. Two buggies have just returned from Wairoa with some of the inhabitant?, who report the place as being destroyed with lava. Tarawera Mountain has broken out into a volcano, throwing lava down upon Te Wairoa, six miles away smothering Mcßae’s hotel and other houses. Mr and Mrs Hazard .and three children are said to be lost, also many Natives, Mr Mcßae and hia servants have escaped, but one tourist named Bainbridge is reported missing. Mr Mcßae’s conduct during the time is spoken of in the highest praise. He had called everyone in his house before going out. Had he not done so many more woufd have been lo3t. Those who have come in from Wairoa are females. They present a sad appearance, looking pale and ghastly, and their dresses being smeared with. lava. No doubt the Terraces will be destroyed. How the whole thing will finish, and wheQ, is quite perplexing. Since the intelligence has reached here regarding Te Wairoa, the excitement is very great^ Auckland, June 10, 11 p.m. Telegraphic communication is interrupted toward Opitiki and Whakatane. The latest news from Rotorua is more reassuring ; the darkness is now clearing away, and it is hoped the worst is over. The Taupo. telegraphist reports : -‘'.There is no sign of any eruption from Tongariro. Telegraphic communication is interrupted north of here, and for about six miles north of Te Awamutu. The whole of the roads and surrounding country ia covered with blue mud three feet deep. At Wairoa it is 10 feet deep, and the houses are all buried up to the eaves.” Mr Benner, postmaster at Maketu, reports that the atmospheric disturbances caused darkness there until 10 a.m. The earthquakes iasted from halLpast 2 a.m. till a quarter-past 8, with very strong lightning aud earth currents. The office haß not suffered any damage. Heavy thunder and lightning, with sharp earthquakes took place from, half* past 3 to half-past 11 a.m. to-day. About 5 a.m. fine dust fell, and about 8 o’clock pumice of the size of pearl barley. The dust is still falling (two minutes to 1 a.m.) It was pitch dark till a quarter to 10 a.m. There is still a haze, and a dust deposit of over an mob. Rotomahana is reported to have broken out one active volcano. Ins nkitips bush has beeu uprooted, aud the two small lakes destroyed. Fresh eruptions are reported to be taking place. The latest is that the terraces have all gone. Twenty-six Dodies have been recovered. Auckland, June 11, 1 a.m. Telegraphic communication with Rotorua i?, now stopped. The line is down between there and Maketu. The last news received was that four volcanoes are still active, and
that everything in the vicinity is totally wrecked.
Mount Tarawera is throwing lava down on the Wairoa, six miles distant. Rotorua Lake has risen considerably, many springs breaking out. The latest report gives the loss of lives among Europeans at forty. The excitement in town last Friday and the anxiety for news from the scene of the volcanic eruptions was very great. The New Zealand Tisie3 Office was fairly rushed, and a large number of extra copies had to be struck off to supply t’ e demand. During the greater part of the day the telegraph wires were working badly, aud information came through very slowly. When the House of Representatives met in the afternoon, Sir Robert Stout gave the latest news received np to then by the Government, that the nurt-bir cf Natives believed to be lost was very gievt. He also stated, in answer to Mr Beetbam, that the famous pink and white terraces were believed to be safe. A. message of con- , dolence was received last Friday by His Excellency the Governor from Lord Carington, Governor of New South Wales. From messages published elsewhere, it will be seen that Mr Burt, a tourist who was visiting the district, and who was believed to have perished, has turned up safe, Mr Mcßae, the well-known hotelkeeper, whose house has been destroyed, proposes, with characteristic energy, to begin at once to rebuild it. Possibly to many people the volcanic region may ! now have an additional charm, as news has been received that five tourists have already reached Rotorua. (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. ) Christchurch, June 11. This afternoon the Mayor of Christchurch sent the following telegram to the Mayor of Tauranga :—Citizens of Christchurch express deepest sympathy with inhabitants of your district in terrible disaster which has befallen them. Should extraneous aid for sufferers be required, kindly let me know, and I will da my best to help.”—A. Ayers, Mayor. Professor Hutton telegraphed to Govenmenfc offering to go to the disturbed district to make scientific observation?, and report the occurrence. The Government, however, have declined the offer, Rotorua, June H. At Rotorua there was a loud and continued roar, as of a furnace, yet culminating in a terrific volcanic outbreak in the region of Rotomahana which was something grand and awful to behold, striking terror into all the inhabitaffis,. many of whom fled from the houses in what they stood up in, The _ Natives clustered in groups frightened to death, and held religious services all over the place. Even in this region it presented a magnificent spectac’e, a lurid glare of lightning, and the flashing of various colored fires, with the volcano belching smoke and flame for the core of the gigantic pyrotechnic display, formed a picture of surpassing grandeur. This state of things continued till daylight, the phenomenon being accompanied by a heavy thunderstorm. Auckland, Jane 11. The Lake District, the scene of this appalling catastrophe is situated the southern portion of the Auckland province, and extends into Wellington and Hawkes Bay respectively. It may roughly be taken to cover an area of 120 miles north and south, aud 20 miles eaßfc and west,, the whole of which contains the varied characteristics of volcanic systems, volcanos, cones, boiling springs, fumeroles, and sulphur deposits. There are also found lakes to the depth of 4000 feet, and the Te Kopiha geyser, one of the grandsst of its kind, is situated in this district. From the treacnerous nature of the soil, it is very difficult of access. Streams of hot water, one of the dimensions of a small river—the Ofcumakokori —flow from the Paeroa range of mountains. The land at its foot, and many of the slopes of the hills, are soft boiling mud. It has long been foreseen that in time, probably in the near future, the disintegration going on at the foot of therarrge?, would lead to a thorough collapse,, when the result of these gigantic masses being thrown, ia a state of; boiling pulp, over theadjacent country, would be disastrous in theextreme. The effect of a collapse of Paeroa would be to hurl a flood of liquid mud, by way of the Kotoraka valley, and between the hills between the Turnini aud Moerangi, on to the village of Wairoa, aud would thus account for the ten feet of mud which now covers that village. , , , Mr Hazard, who is reported f;o have perished with several of his family, was teacher of Ihe-Native school at Wairoa. He was originally a printer by trade, and was on the staff of the Otago Daily Times when Sir Julius Vogel was editor. . Mr FaqjeoD, the well-known author, was head of the commercial departmtnt of the paper. Mr Hazard was overseer printer, and made up the first issue of the Otago Daily Times. He took charge of the Maori school in the beginning of 1877, and set to work in an earnest manner to clear and plant a home for fcimself aud family. In that be succeeded admirably, and he had made a very nice place of it. He member of the Blue Ribbon Army, and did invaluable service- in the district in inducing a large number of Maoris to become total abstainers. Ho was about 60 vears of age. Gisborne, June 11. Thirty miles out from Gisborne there is a thin layer of ashes from the volcanic eruption. The phenomenon has had a curious effect on cattle, stnpifying them. Auckland, June 11. Messrs Robinson and MarchmaD, who went out to rescue the fugitives at Wairoa, returned to Rotorua last night. They brought in Mrs, Humphries and two servants, savsxl from Mcßae’s Hotel, and report all the buildings demolished, and ia addition the Native school-hou-e and residence. They had been ignited by one of the innumerable balls of fire which have been fining about in all detections. In response to a sail: for volunteers, Mr Johnson, Government Agent, aud Mr Roche, railway surveyor, 1-anaeJiatfcly 3:gtiiS ; ed tceir wipingto Jo, and they started straight away. Constable Moroney previously startea out on horseback. The scans- amongst the mils on the Wairoa-road was awfully weird looking ; c«t was at ill falling In. light showers, dense clouds obscured the sky, and vivid fiasfiis or lightning and clashing peals of thunder were very frequent. A strong S B. wind was blowing terribly cold,. On arrival at Titikapu Busn they found it, necessary to Saaten np their ; korees and Rave the buggy. The remainder 1 at the joui-usy wa3 performed og foot. i.n§
whole country was covered several fee 1 ; deep with clay and mad, which made walking very heavy. The Natives were met from time to time. All gave the same account of the terrible catastrophe. All vegetation along the route, after passing the summit between Rotorua and Titikapu, was found to be completely destroyed, and the aspect of the landscape entirely changed. It resembled very much the appearance of an English landscape after a heavy snowstorm, but was of a dull, gray color, instead of being white. The beautiful Titikapu Bush is a thing of the past. The weight of superincumbent mud, and the force of the wind have stripped -off the leaves, broken off the branches, and uprooted immense trees in all directions. The blue lake and Rotokakahi are simply mud ; and water, which will take some time to clear. The outlet of the latter lake has been blocked up, and the bridges covered with clay and mud nearly up to the top rail. On arriving at the village the fnl. extent of damage done was plainly Nearly every building was crushed in by the falling mud. The Temperance Hall is com pletely flattened, and of the Terrace and Rotomahana Hotels only the outside walls are standing in a terribly wrecked state. Ihe party were very glad to learn that Mrs Hazard had been dug out alive and comparatively uninjured. She certainly had a most miraculous escape. Mr Blythe, Government Road Surveyor, one of the survivors, and Constable Moronev, were found digging for the bodies of Mr Hazard and the other children. As there was then no hope of find ing them alive, it was decided to cease operations and start at once for Rotorua with Mrs Hazard, so as to get medical aid and proper nursing as soon as possible. A stretcher was procured, and the party started, taking turn about, to carry her. Fortunately a Native was met, and impressed in the service. The party arrived at sundown. Dr Ginders returned with them. Mr Blythe informs me that he considers he and the eldest Miss Hazard owe their escape to the exertion of Mr Harry Lundies, assistant surveyor. The other Mis 3 Hazard was saved by the exertions of a Native woman, who kept clearing away the mud with her haud so as to secure breathing space, and afterwards got her out. All the survivors ucdte in according the highest praise to Mr Mcßae, who was indefatigable in his exertions to save life, and who did not leave the ground until persuaded it was useless to remain any longer. Mrs Mcßae and family were all away, and so also were Mr and Mrs Way. The mission station at Tenni is included in the general devastation. Some Natives were struck and killed by falling stones or lumps of mud, and others are still untouched dead in their smashed-up whares. Little hope is felt that any Natives in Morea and Teariki settlement could possibly have escaped. No person could risk going there until the eruption has completely subsided. This evening we had two or three heavy shocks of earthquake. Mr Blythe and others describe the scene as being most appalling. The whole side of the mountain was a sheet of flame, but he says that until the roof retl in they did not realise their awful peril. Midnight.
The following is a special message to the New Zealand Herald from Rotorua, late on Thursday. We have passed through a most terrible time. On Tarawera Mountain the cone Ruawhaia, which many persons classed as an extinct volcano, suddenly burst into activity between one and two o’clock this morning. Seen from this place the spectacle was fearful, and it reminded one of Bulwer Lytton’s description of “The Last Days of Pompeii,” and of Martin’s celebrated picture of the last day. From the time named until about 5 o’clock there was a constant succession of earthquakes, but after that they eased off considerably. Immense volumes of flame were projected to a great height, and dense clouds of smoke and steam with mud and ashe3 oovered the sky. The thunder and lightning were almost incessant. The flashes of lightning played through the pall of smoke in all directions. The effect of the corruscation was simply indescribable. Shortly befoie 6 showers of aßhes reached here, but fortunately for this place the wind shifted round to the S.W., and blew for a time with almost hurricane force, completely turning the dense clouas before much damage was done. When the <mt began falling, many persons who had passed the night in fear and trembling thought they were about to be overwhelmed, and then began a stampede. Half dressed women and children were to be seen flying for their lives along the Tauranga-road toward Te Awbau to seek shelter in the Native schoolhouses. Even there some did not think themselves safe, and continued their fight toward _ Oxford and Tauranga. The lake rose considerably, and a great many springs burst up which added to their fear of being engulfed. Shortly after daylight Mr Edwin Robertson started out to wards Wairoa to endeavor to ascertain th 6 position of matters there, and was shortly afterward followed by Mr Marcherseau. When near Tikitapu bush they met a number of fugitives, who gave a barrowing description. The eldest two Misses Hazard were brought in, and it was then thought they were the sole survivors of the late respected school teacher’s family. Mrs Humphries and the servants from Mcßae’s Hotel were also brought in. They reported that all the buildings at Wairoa had been demolished, and in addition the Native echoolhouse and the schoolmaster’s residence had been ignited by one of the innumerable balls of fire which had been flying about in all directions. Several families wished to engage coaches to go away to Tauranga, but Mr Robertson thought that duty called him to go back on the Wairoa-road, and, if possible, reach the scene of the disaster, so as to render any assistance iu bi 3 power. Accordingly, he refused all offers to go in the opposite direction. I hear that Te Ngae farm is ruined for some months to come. Very little damage has been done at Tabeke, although I hear that some of the dust was carried as far as iauranga. I trust the worst is over. As soon as possible efforts will be made to ascertain what effect the eruption has had upon the Terraces. Two shocks were experienced at . Maketu within intervals of three hours last night. It is feared that a disaster has taken place at Whakatane. A telegraph lineman has gone to open up communication, if possible, with Opotiki. The whole district round Maketu is enveloped in ashe3. There is no feed for cattle. It is reported that Pink Terraces are afe, but the White are said to be gone. Five
tourists returned to day to Auckland from Rotorua, amongst them Mr Holland, merchant, of Christchurch. Mr Mcßae, hotelkeeper, states About 12.30 the ground began to shake, and shook continually for an hour before the eruption broke out. When this was first seen it was just like a small cloud on the mountain, with flashes of lightning of great brilliancy. All were got out of bed, and went up to the old mission station to ascertain the cause of the occurrence. We then saw a sight that no man who saw it can ever forget. Apparently the mountain had three craters, and flames were Bhooting np fully a thousand feet high. There seemed to be a continuous shower of balls of fire for miles around. As the storm appeared to be coming on we returned ti the hotel, and shortly afterwards what seemed to be heavy hailstones camepouring on to the roof, which continued about a quarter of an hour. This was succeeded by a fall of heavy stones, fireballs and mud, lava falling after the manner of rain. The weight of these substances upon the roof soon began to tell upon it. The first portion that gave way wa3 the detached kitchen and pantry, and then all collected in the smoking-room. Those present were Mr and Mrs Humphries, Mr Minnett (of the Terrace Hotel), Mr Stubbs (a gentleman staying at the Terrace Hotel), Mr Bainbridge (a tourist), Mr Fallon (the storekeeper), George Baker (cook), Kean, Mary Bridan, John and William Bird, my brother-iu-law (the last of whom had arrived the previous night from Rotorua with a waggon load of goods for the store). There were also some Maoris in the bouse. The roof of the hotel gave way about halfpast 4, and with a loud smash the whole of the upper Story collapsed, the debris falling into the rooms below. We left the smoking - room and went into the drawingroom, which, as it was the newest part of the house, we thought would stand longest, but it was with the greatest difficulty that we got there, going through falling stones and mud, which impeded us when we went outside. Everybody, without exception, was cool and self- possessed. The back part of the house, in which was the diningroom, gav-e way next, and all of a sudden we beard a fearful crash and roar, as if a thousand tons of stuff were falling, and we heard the balcony come down. The danger of our position was now fearfully apparent. Mr Bainbridge remarked bn the fact, and suggested we sheuld engage in religious service. He remarked with awful calmness that he expected to be before his Maker in an hour or so. We acquiesced, and Mr Bainbridge read a portion of Scripture and Baid a prayer, in which we all fervently joined. At the same time it was agreed we should make an effort to save ourselves, and with this object we determined to leave the hotel and make for the first Maori whare we saw standing. Rotorua, June 12.
Sophia, the well-known Maori guide has been interviewed, and said she had distributed clothing in her store to Natives who escaped almost naked. She lost two wooden homes and a store at Wairoa. The whare where she lived is the only dwelling left standing in the once prosperous settlement, and is half buried in mud. She wept copiously and said that “ Wairoa was gone.” She could tell nothing definite about the fate of the Te Ariki and Moura settlements, but said there was little hope that they were saved. A party of Natives, in search of their relatives supposed to be in three buried pahs, returned from Rotoiti after an unsuccessful day’a operations. They now require a boat, which they intend to take overland ten miles to Rotomahana Lake for the purpose of getting across at the back of the locality. They report they could see no bush or living thing in the vicinity of where the pahs were situated. An important expedition has started to determine the fate of the beautiful Pink and White Terraces. The party consists of 20, including Messrs Stewart (engineer of the Rotorua railway), Firth, Fairbrother, and Hopkins. Dr Hector is expected to follow. The party is equipped with tents, &e., for several days. The party will take the track which leaves Wairoa Road a mile from Wairoa, winding round Kaitaria Lake to Rotokakahi, tea miles from Rotomahana. Mr Fairbrother determined to make the ascent to-day of the high range overlooking the terraces. A Native named Makaka and his wife arrived from Morea on the night of the eruption, and so escaped They had brought a daughter who was burned to be treated by the doctor at Rotorua. The Natives Bay the settlement must be completely destroyed, with 20 Maoris and tbeir chief. He thinks the settlement of Te Ariki, with 40 men and the head chief, Rangi Hena, are destroyed, with an Englishman named Mr Brown, baker, from the Waikato. The Natives were the remnant of a once powerful tribe. Only one of their number escaped, through being near Rotorua. He laments the destruction of his people. The shocks are now subsided, and the ashes have ceased blowing about. Efforts are being made to penetrate the country, as little is known yet as to the country injured or the actual settlements destroyed, the tracks being obliterated for miles. It is considered that the Government are showing disgraceful apathy in not sending succour to possible survivors of the Native tribes in and about Rotomahana, where a whole tribe are supposed to be buried, with a European named Brown and his family. Great anxiety is felt. It is conjectured that soma Natives may be still surviving. In case of all the boats being destroyed and the country buried in ashes communication should be effected. The residents are willing to go out, but Government have not authorised the expenditure. The Green Lake 13 still smoking, and Rotorua Lake was rising this morning. Dr Ginders reports that the springs are uninjured. Smoke and steam are rolling aloeg in Madame Rachel’s and the Priest’s Baths in great quantities. The indications, generally, are not so favorable as yesterday. Men are hard at work at Wairoa. There is no sign of P>ainbridge. No more Maoris have been dug out. Four cats and a dog have been exhumed alive, and two pigs. Later.
The Island of Mokoia, on Lake Rotorua, is reported to be softening, and eruptions of steam are taking place. A volcanic eruption is feared. A cutter has taken the Natives away. Mr Burt, the surveyor, has just arrived. He brings news that the terraces are destroyed. Rotomahana Mountain is half blown away, while Lakes Rotokokahoka and Kakaramea are one seething mass. The ground is still trembling with earthquake. The damage to the country is much greater
than previously reported. Tikitere, opposite Lake Rotorua, has broken into eruption, it being a mudhole notable for violent iutermittent spouting and smell. . Mr B S. Douglas has j ist arrived from Opotiki and the coast. He reports that showers of dust and pumice are very thick at Opotiki and Whakatane, covering the ground to a depth of several inches. The feed for the time being i 3 completely destroyed, and is not expected to recover for maoy months, lne settlers are at their wits’ ends to know what to do. The cattle are reported to be roaming about bellowing in a Btate of starvation. The RaDgiuru and Tepuke settlers have fared badly from the same cause. The fern and tutu in these places are completely levelled and the feed 1b gone. . From Rangiuru Mr Vercoe has arrived with a mob of cattle, and many of the Tepuke. settlers are said to be preparing to shift their stock to Taurangi and elsewhere further down the coast. Arrangements, I hear, are being made to remove the stock by a steamer. The settlers who have not a large supply of hay will have a bard struggle to keep their stock alive. The atmosphere here is clear, but • round the horiz m a heavy haze still hanos. It is thought to be caused by the wind blowing dust from the bush and eurrounding hills. There is no appearance of further disturbance at Rotorua. Ihe s.s. Wellington is still fast on the beach opposite the pilot station. The Clansman and Douglas have just been despatched to tow her off. She grounded on Friday morning in the dark. 5 . 2.30 p.m.
Mr Burt has turned up. He says that dotomahana is a seething mass of boiling water and mud. It is a terrific sight. The Terrace is destroyed. Mount Maungakakarahini is in violent action. The eruption is spreading. Eighty Natives have been killed. The funeral of the Hazards takes place to-morrow. „ . „ 3.15 p.m. Mr Bainbridge's body has been recovered. All the Natives have left the of Mokoia, which shows signs of eruption. Things are looking worse. Several families have left. Tauranga, June 12.
The excitement here has almost subsided. As yet nr one has arrived from the Lakes, although many have left here for that district. There is a great feeling of relief that the Terraces have been preserved.
Auckland, June 13. An inquest has been held on the body of Mr Bainbridge, the tourist, and a verdict rereturned of “ Accidentally killed by the falling of a verandah of the Rotomahana Hotel, occasioned by the eruption of Tarawera. The latest news from Rotorua Btates that Messrs Blythe and Burt have arrived and report seeing an immense volcanic crater belching between the peak first in eruption and Galatea. The whole country is still in a state of eruption, and mud continues to belch from Ohinemutu. If the wind goes round to the east it is not known what the consequences will be. To-day the Maoris are burying their dead, and the picture Is a sad one. A tangi is being held. A party have tried to get to Rotomahana and found it impossible to proceed, the debris being up to the horses’ girths. Tauranga, June 13.
The Government steamer Hinemoa arrived in port on Saturday afternoon, bringing D.r Hectir and party, who report having experienced heavy weather on the passage up. On his arrival the Doctor was met by the Mayor, who posted him up in the experiences Tauranga had been undergoing during the last few days. In the course of the afternoon I had an interview with him, and particularly brought under his notice, the volcanic dust which has caused so much uneasiness here. He gives as his opinion that the deposit, so far from doing any harm, will ultimately prove a great benefit to the district. The dust is heavy, which is just what the light soil of Tauranga requires, and a few days’ rain will wash almost all traces of it away, and possibly add an element of clay to the light loamy country forming this portion of the province. Dr Hector has collected a quantity of the deposits for future analysis, and until he has made a careful examination of this in the laboratory he refrains from any positive assurance that the (ff.cts will not be injurious, but the opinion given above is his present impression. There has been a great feeling of relief since the above has become known. At 6 o’clock on Saturday night a mob of 70 horses arrived from Tepuke en route for Waikato. The drivers report the feed for the time being all down the coast completely gone, and the settiers are in despair over the hopeless outlook. The coming winter, they fancy, will have to be faced with little or no feed, and rain is fervently preyed for. At present the atmosphereis beautifully clear, with no sign of moisture. Large numbers of cattle and horses are expected to arrive within the next few days. At Tepuke the settlers applied to Government for assistance in the shape of hay to enable them to hold on till feed returns, and have received an answer of a very encouraging kind. In fact, inquiries are now being made by them on Government account whether a large quantity of hay could be provided here, and the probable cost. Great consternation was felt when a message arrived from Rotorua stating that Mokoaia had shown symptons of eruption, but this was quickly dispelled on receipt of a report later on contradict ng the former intelligence. Dr Hector and party left for the Lake® at an early hour this morning. Telegraphic communication between Lere and Opotiki is open. A rumor was afloat on Friday that Mount Maunganni had shown symptoms of a break out, but this was utterly without foundation. At no time has this hill given the slightest indication of joining in the eruption. The ss. Douglas, which arrived on Saturday afternoon, reported that White Island showed unusual signs of activity while she was passing. 9 30 p. m.
A number of people just in from Tepuke and the coast report that the whole district presents a desolate appearance. The dust covers the ground to a depth of from two to three inches. All the feed is completely ruined until next spring. During the entire day herds of cattle and flocks of sheep have been arriving from these districts. The Clansman, which left this evening, took away a full complement of sheep, and cattle. Government wired this morniDg to Captain Fairchild to render all assistance to the settlers in the matter of removiug stock by steamer, which isßorely needed. The road
between here and Tepuke is strewn with dead sheep and horses. Most of the former perished by being poisoned with tutu. The latter were swamped. A further mob off horses came through this afternoon, and all the stock are now said to be shifted from Jepuke. J he dust there fell accompanied by rain. A large volume of Bteam was plainly visible in the neighborhood of the eruptions during the day, and appears, if anything, to have increased this evening. A Maori just arrived at Whakatane from inland, reports having seen the complete destrubtiau of the settlement of Teariki, where it is believed that Mr Samnel Brown and his family, with upwards of forty Natives, perished by the eruptions. The same Native reports that . Lake Tarawera has risen 30ft. This, however, is discredited. It is also feared that Whakatane River may flood. Wanganui, June 14, 12.20 p.m. : Mr Lawrence Onssen, of the Survey Department, who returned to Wanganui yesterday with Messrs Battler and Stevens, Land Purchase Commissioners, reports that three weeks ago he was at the top of Ruapehu, when he saw steam issuing from the crater. A few days later he saw a column of steam fully 200 feet high. The Natives Btated they had never known anything of the kind to happen before, Ruapehu always being deemed extinct. Mr Cussen makes a report to the Government on the matter. Napier, Jane 14. Yesterday and to-day clouds of smoke over Tarawera were visible from Napier hills. Auckland, June 14. The Northern Steamship Company are putting on all available steamers to bring up cattle from the districts in the Bay of Plenty affected by the eruption. A benefit performance bv Rignold’s dramatic company at the Opera House resulted in £BB being banded to the Mayor for the relief fund. The excitement in the city is quieting, but still great interest in shown to know definitely whether the Terraces are gone. White Island is reported to be showing increased activity, and Whakatane is threatened in consequence. < >■- THE CONDITION OF THE NATIVES. MAORI PROPHECY. AN EXPLORING PARTY. THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY. (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Rotorua, June 15, 8.30 p m. A Maori woman rescued from Waibangi has told a Wairoa Native that she and her husband were in a large house at Waitangi. The house fell, and her husband wasjtilled. In the morning she tried to get to Karara. She was struck badly by falling mud, but staggered on in a dazed state in the direction of Wairoa till found by some Natives, but has no recollection where. She is in a very weak state, and fears are entertained that she will not survive. The Natives will try and get her to Rotorua Hospital by way of Kaitereria. The Maori Tohunga Tohoto is getting on well at the Hospital, and can now sit up and talk. The heavy _ rug he had on when entombed kept him warm and as he lay, there was no waste of tissue, which accounts for his being found, after his long captivity in such good condition. Mr Fairbrother had a conversation with him at the Hospital to-day. He said he prayed earnestly and continuously to be delivered. Mr Fairbrother asked him if to Atua of the Maoris. He said, “ No, to Atua (God) of the Pakehas.” The Natives at the Hospital will have nothing to do with him, being frightened of him as a wizard. Mr Fairbrother changed his clothes for him to make, him comfortable, the Natives refusing any assistance. The Natives from different settlements are coming in daily to hold a tangi over the loss of the Tuhuoranga people. A number came to day from Wai-iti, bringing drays with potatoes and a quantity of beef. To morrow another hapu will come in. Mr Johnson, Government Agent, saw the Tuhorangi survivors to-day as to any relief which might be needed. They are at present supplied with food by the Rotorua Natives being their guests. As their land at Paeroa and Oraki is not in cultivation they will require Government aid, and will no doubt get it till crops can come in. Mr Fairbrother telegraphed to the Tabernacle. people of Auckland, representing the condition of the survivors from Wairoa as fco clothing. He has received a telegram from Mr. Knight, stating that clothing and blankets will be forwarded to-day by the Oxford route. The contractor for the Rotorua Waterworks, Mr Cullen, has reported to Mr C. Malfroy, Government Inspector of Works, that there appeared to be a larger volume of water in the Puarenga stream than formerly, and as there was no rain, he was unable to account for the phenomenon. There is no appearance of hot springs or mud holes. There are only about half a dozen men on the works, the rest having cleared out since the eruption. . The Ngatipiko have a tongarua or priest, who came up to Taheka the day before, the eruptioD. He made a remark to the Natives, it may be by way of banter, that so many lies had been told at Taheka Land Court by Tuhorangi that it was likely an eaithquake would swallow them. up. Tohunga’s. reputation has increased since, as by a curious coincidence his prediction came off. Sergeant Cahill came through at an early hour this morning from Wairoa, being one of the boating party. A horse had been left tied to a tree there for him to get through to Rotorua if the boat got back. The horse had no food as none could be got. He reached Wairoa at 10 last night, and rode through, being the last man to come through by Like Tikitetaou and the fresh route. He was advised to go by Kaitereria, but his horse would have died had he done so. It was his intention had he not got through the flat at the lake to have fallen back to Wairoa to the boating party. Sergeant Cahill brought a despatch from Captain Mair for Dr Hector, who in the morning started with a party for Kaitereria. They have a photographer with them to photograph the volcanoes in the vicinity of the back of Rotomahana if they get up there. The party have not returned yet. Captain Mair got into Rotorua via Kaitereria late this afternoon with his boat’s crew. He was met by Judge Mair, who had been holding a Native Lands Court at Taheke, and adjudged the great Takeke block in favor of the Ngatipikira, giving the claimants two days to make oat a list of ap-
plicants. I interviewed Captain Mair on bis return, and he gave a graphic narrative of the experiences of the expedition. 3he complete boat’s crew consisted of himself, Messts B. Edwards (interpreter), Alfred Arthur Warbrick Ansley, of Tauranga; Black, of Rotorua; Gannell, C. Taylor, Hurrell, of Auckland,and Sergeant Cahill. On leaving Wairoa a rope was tied to a tree and throwj down the cliff to enable them to climb up the cliff,, down which they lowered themselvei to the boat, but the fissures in the cliff gave little hops of getting back that way. After starting; from the landiug place at Wairoa for Monra,.. a Native settlement, they were accompanied by avalanches of land falling from the cliffs on the right, which fell into the lake with terrible velocity, the weight causirg the lake to make a series of pulsations. '1 hey reached the site of Moura village, where 45 Maoris are •buried. Here the mud- in a liquid state is running into the lake with rapidity. The j whole site of the village bad been shot bodily.' I into the lake. The large grove of karaka trees which grew there was found floating a mile off in the lake. All the rocky points abouthere appear to have been battered or shaken topieces. They floundered through the mud' over the site of the village, and finding no 3ign of life, went on to Ariki. Between Moura and Ariki the stone where the deityof the lake was wont to be propitiated has disappeared. They reached Ariki at 3 p.m. The whole front of Tarawera on this side had. been changed by the earthquakes. At the base of the mount are va-t mounds of volcanic grit which was piled up half across. Ariki inlet, between Tarawera proper and Rukuica, is completely filled up, altering the contour of the country. South of Tarawera a mount is blown clean off, making an indentation like knocking in the front of a felt hat. This has formed a large crater, which is still astir. The upper lip seems hundreds of feet deep. Immediately behind Ariki in the direction of Rotomahana, is a very large steam hole near I the White Terrace, in violent action, andfrom it are springing immense elouds of black steam laden with dust. A chain of steam jets or craters appeared to run from near Okaro through Rotomahana to Tarawera., and along it to the north end, the last being at the N.E. end of Watanga, just above Tapahoro. The fluff or volcanic dust appears to have been dislodged by the crater at the end of Tarawera Mountains ; it varies from 10 to 30 feet in depth. At Ariki there are 40 > Natives covered 30 feet deep. Kairaki Creek from Rotomahana was dry. Captain Mair decided to go up it, - with walls of hot dust on either side, 20 to 30 feet high. They penetrated, up it till they found it became too hot to go further. Then they got over the walls in the direction of the site of the village, . struggling up to their knees. From this point they cou'd see steam jets steaming, forming a circle on the southern horiz >n. Thsy tried to proceed over the top of the wall, but found the stiff mud too deep, and had to return to the boat. They then cruised round the eastern side of the lake, and found a search party of nine Natives, of Ngatirongitiki, who had come from Matata, They had been two days struggling through from Tapohoro in the endeavor to reach Ariki. They were exhausted, and the explorers supplied them with ■ most of their stores of provisions, and then, took them by boat to a place near the outlet of Tarawera, from which they, could return safely to their homes. Captain Mair then headed back for Wairoa, but was unable to get ashore at the landing place, owing to the fissures in the cliff where the rope was suspended. He put into Pomparoma, one mi-le-from Wairoa Village, and abandoned the boat. It took two hours and a half to get over a mile of ground, struggling through muds which was slipping down the side of the hill. Some of the party were completely exhausted, and had to lie down in the mud track. They arrived at Wairoa at 11 o’clock at night. Fortunately the light rain at Rotorua at that hour did not extend to Wairoa. The party had decided, if rain set in, that their only chance of escape, as they could not land from the boat, was to pull down to the outlet cf Tarawera Lake and push through, if possible,, by Rangitikei on the East Coa3t. The party, with the exception o£ Sergeant Cahill, slept at Wairoa. During the night they experienced three earthquakes, which shook the wreck of Mcßae’s house, where they were sleeping, and woke the party up. The started for Lake Rotokata, and crossed to Kaiteri in canoes and got in to Rotorua, arriving as above. Great credit is due to all the members of the party for their courage and self-devotion, especially to the two Warbricks and Mr Black, who got the bo it overland from Rotorua to Wairoa, Among other changes at Lake Tarawera, the grove of acacias at Karari is completely gone. Tha beautiful kotutakas round the lake are ail smashed. Tarawera River is blocked with sand, and is running at random over the sandflats near the base of Mount Edgecombe. At the back of Okataka the lake seems to be intact, but everywhere else it is utterly destroyed. Ninety-five Maoris died at the settlemants on Ariki. Among them Mr Samuel Brown, baker, formerly of Ohinemutu, aud his Maori wife and five children peii-shed. At Teriki four Taupo Natives, on a visit to Kararo, the Roman Catholic catechist of the Rangetikitiki tribe, were also lost. Whikiparf, chief of Ngatoibapu, of Tuboranga, was lost at Moura with four sons and their wives aud children. Captain Mair says it is evident that the first outburst was at the south end off Tarawera, from which came all the dust. Then came a top dressing of mud from the steam volcanoes round Rotomahana. Ihe whole country looks like a vast bush clearing except that there is grey ash instead o! black, and the natural features of the country are completely altered. The volcanic action as far as Tarawera appears to be rapidly exhausting itself, but at Rotomahana Captain Mair says the volcanoes show every indication of being permanent, and will have iu future to be the attractions for tourists, instead of the Terraces. Wairoa road, past Lake Taupo, is now closed. The waggons buried on the fiat near Titikipu Lake were extricated to-day. The road is strewn with tools thrown away. The last two Europeans who held out at Lake Takapou (Messrs Butler aud Gregory) left to-night ; and Constable Cavanagh, by direction of Inspectors Kiely aud Goodall, took old Rawiri, who refused to abandon Wairoa, and brought him on by force to Lake Rotakak&kr, where he was taken on to the Katerika Caves. The only practicable method of getting out the property of the survivors at Wairoa will, Captain Mair states, be by canoing from Rotakakohe by Katereria. One thousand pounds’ worth of property still remains he-
longing to the Mcßaes and Humphnee. The future road, when Wairoa, is abandoned, will be by Whakareatea to Kateria, andonto Okaro The whole ot the land, Captain Mair ' says, which was f° rm « rl y bt for -Mtivation, is owned by Tuhohuranga. Ngatirangffiki is covered deep witn mud and spoiled. Mr Johnson, Government agent, is .arranging for the relief of any present stress. Latest. At dusk, there could be seen from the top of Piikeroa Reserve what appeared to be white clouds from hotaprmcrs or geysers at the southeast end of Paeroa. They continued for some time. As they are in the line of volcanic ac-ioD, which Captain Mair says is 9 miles long, with over a dozen volcanoes, it is probable the thermal system at Paeroa has become more active. About 6 o’clock, two flashes in the sky m tha direction were seen like lightning. On e Waikato side appeared a lunar rainbow. At the same period an earth tremor or slight earthquake took place. At the Government baths at Rotorua the attendant ran outside the building in alarm, but nothing further occurred. Lake Rotorua still fluctuates. Since dusk the Tarawera volcanoes have been tolerably quiet, but Rotomahana has been more active. It is belching piles of white steam clouds thousands of feet in lhe air, forming grand Mont Blancs, with ledges and ravines and peaks of curious and grotesque forms, making with the sheen of the moonlight playing upon the serial craig ravines a magnificent sight. A. party of six who left for Rotomahana by Galatea-road have just returned. They advanced to a hill at the back of the Pink Terraces, being the most accessible side. Smoke was blowing up the valley at a quarter of a mile from the crater at the back of the Terrace. .Borne of the party declined to go further, but a son of Captain Steel and Messrs Hamilton and Bloomfield, of the Auckland Herald, pushed on to the very edge of the crater, and peered down. The signt of the crater:and the volcanoes in eruption in Rotomahana -were unspeakably grand. They watched one mud volcano, and counted four seconds till the mud fell. Mr Bloom--field started a sketch, when Mr Steel called him back, and they had only retired 30 yards, when the place where they had beeD, slipped into the crater, the whole slope appearing to have a sliding motion, which succeeded an earth tremor there experienced. They succeeded in getting back, and in returning met Dr Hector and party. The photographer with them had then been successful in getting viewß of the whole of the scene of volcanic eruption. In return'jog a shower of rain fell> preventing them from getting in till late. Major Mair leaves for Wellington to morrow. Dr Hector’s movements are undecided. Inspector Kiely has gone hack to Wfaakato, but Inspector Goodall remains to await developments. As Wairpa is hopelessly gone, nothing more can be done. The visitors from Waikato and Auckland are leaving. Mr Percy •Smith, Assistant Surveyor-General, who has been upatthe terraces with Mr Blythe, District Surveyor, is expected at Rotorua to-morrow. "Messrs Braithwaifce aud Griffiths, from Auckland, and Mr McDonald, of Cambridge, of the telegraph staff, arrived here this afternoon from Oxford by special coach to assist the local staff. They have come too late, as the pressure of Press telegrams—2o.ooo to 40,003 words a day from a dozen Press correspondents—is now over. When the local staff was overworked at the early stage their assistance would have been invaluable. Auckland, June 15. Lake Taupo yesterday afternoon rose to an alarming height very suddenly, but subsided gradually, without doiDg any damage. The Tongariro mountain at the same time showed increased activity. This morning Tongariro was enveloped in thick smoke, and loud explosions proceeded from it, a severe shock or earthquake beiDg felt simultaneously at Rotorua. There were two shocks of earthquake this morning. An old Maori was dug out yesterday at Wairoa, after being burie 1 four days. _He says he had no food, but prayed _ all the time. The Natives will not speak to him, believing him to be a wizard and causing the eruption. A constable has arrived from Rotorua and reports there i 3 no hope of saving life at Aiiki and Moea settlements. The former is buried 20 feet deep in mud and ashes. The latter has disappeared, and it 13 believed to have been swallowed up by Laze Tarawera. ... . It is believed no further eruptions will take place at Rotorua, but Tongariro 13 considered very threa'ening. A special from Taupo, received at 4 o clock yesterday, states that loud explosions have been heard in the direction of Tongariro, followed by a muffled rumbling noi e _ The watars ©f Lake Taupa were greatly agitated, and rose considerably, rushing up the beaches in tremendous surf, aad pouring through the outlet at the head of the Waikato River in a deafening roar. Tongariro was hidden by clouds yesterday, but showed signs of unusual activity, emitting large and intermittent volumes of steam. Kar&fcatiti and Ngawhao on the shore adjacent are unusually active. There are greater volumes of steam on the shores of Taupo Lake now than known at any glime preceding bhe eruptioa. Tongariro is roaring aDgrilv, and at interval loud thundering reports, like cannouading frightened the shepherds at the foot of the cccuntain, who waited terror-strikes for daylight, .and escaped to Tokano. , There saems now tao intermedia-vCjflhance ot the cattle and sheep starving in Whakatane and Opolibi districts, .as grass is -springing .through the fail of dust. (SgSBOBNE. JSSEC 10. News from the Bast Ccasi; states the* the districts beyond Toioga Bay are or les3 affected by the eruption. Waiapu, Rotcsiautakas, Waiomatatini, Wotgoro, and G-tner places are covered with sand to depths varying Srom three-quarters of an. inch to eig&t inches. In many of the districts cattle and sheep are dying for want of food, not a ves- : tige of which 13 to be found. A number of birds are also lying about dead. Mobs of sheep, cattie, and horses are wandering about in a bewildered condition. The settlers ere feeding stock on what hard food they have got, but this nonet shortly run out. On Colonel Whitmore’s run the sheep are wandering about tor food. Stretches of country ar a completely devastated. The damage done must be serious. [Taupo, June, 15. A rather severe shook of earthquake, succeeded by 3- \om d report, felt at 3.30
I this morning, coming from Tongariro. It was raining at the time. Tongariro continues m- \ Tieible * Tauranga, June 15, 8 pm. 1 Government are shipping fodder from here for the sustenance of stock at Maketu. x arrangements have as yet been contemplated for the relief of Matata and Whakatane where affairs are very bad. Electrical discharges from the vapour cloud over the lakes are visible from here to night. Might ram fell to night. There is a greatly improved appearance of the pasturage in the immediate vicinity of Tauranga. THE CONDITION OF THE VOLCANOES. Rotorua, June 16. Several severe shocks of earthquakes took place about 1 a.m. Visitors and inhabitants were slightly alarmed, bat there was no fresh outbreak. An attsmpt was made to-day by Messrs Bird and Crimmin3 to bring a waggon of goods from Tikirapu bush, but °T Ing , fc ? the dreadfully muddy Bfcate of road, they had to leave it there. No Europeans have ventured to Wairoa to day. The following are the estimated losses by Europeans -.-Mcßae £4OOO ; Humphreys, £2OOO ; Rogers, £SOO ; Captain Way, £2OO , W. Bird, £IOO. A ourious point or insurance loss has arisen in the case of Mcßae’s Hotel, Wairoa. It was insured for £I2BO in the Union Company, but doubts have been entertained as to whether the Company is liable, as the destruction was caused by a volcanic eruption. To-dav Mr Mcßae received the following telegram from Tauranga :— “ J. Mcßae, Rotorua. Insurance Company not liable. Matter, however, will be fully considered by Directors. Awfully sorry for you. Wm. The Rotorua residents sympathise with Mr Mcßae, and regard his case as a hard one. During the progress of the eruption he was repeatedly successful in putting out fires caused by red hot cinders coming through the windows into the hotel. There were four earth tremors at Rotorua just after midnight —one being heavy, awakening the sleepers, and some people got up and went outside. At 10 o’clock in the forenoon there was another. The volcano on Tarawera is not particularly active, but Rotomahana is playing as usual. Heavy rain has put a stop partially to observing. The steam from the eruptions at Lake Rotorua appeared to be much higher to-dav. The barometer fell onetenth of an inch in the morning, and is still falling. The Hot Springs are not particularly active. , , , Mrs Hazard was removed to-day to Uxtorci in charge of Mr Lundis, who saved the lives of her daughters ; the Misses Hazard accompany them. She will be taken (by stages) to Auckland. Her removal will be favorable to her recovery, much being hoped for from removal from the scenes of horror through which she has passed. Dr Hector left this morning for Napier, via Taupo, accompanied by Messrs Vaux, Sladden, and Pope# Sergeant Cahill for Maketu to see aa to the state of the district, and arrange for the distribution of forage for cattle. Inspector Goodall proposes leaving tomorrow for Tauranga to perform the same mission in the adjacent districts, where the cattle are starving. Inspector sent Constable Cavanagh to-day to Kaitereria to bring in old Rawiri and the Native women rescued from "Waitangi to Rotorua Hospital, They will be brought in to-morrow. Old Tuhioto, who was dug out, is recovering fast. Mr Blythe leaves for Galatea to morrow to bring in Mrs Blythe and Mr and Mrs Soper from Galatea. This is necessary, as owing to the blockade of the roads with volcanic mud no supplies cau be got in. They will go to Auckland by Taupo and Lichfield. Mr Morgan, Mr Blythe’s overseer at Galatea, arrived to-night. He states that Mrs Blythe had tried first to get through alone, as the Natives would not assist. Not being able to do so, she went back fifteen miles to his place, and he took her on to Preece’d old mission station. He states that the Kaingaroa plains are covered with volcanic mud. The volcanoes had not extended to them. The third volcano north from Okaro was very active, throwing up boulders. Mr Percy Smith, Assistant Surveyor-General, arrived at Rotorua to-night* He informs me that he spent Sunday and Monday at the Boufch end of the volcanic eruption, near Okaro. The southern crater is 200yds long, 250yds wide, and 350 ft deep. He examined the back of the Pink Terrace, and found that both it and the White Terrace are blown up, and that there is only a crater. The country is shelving into the crater as it eats down into the lake, and the country round Lake Rotomahana is all in motion to the lake, as some seven volcanoes eat out its bottom. IMr Percy Smith came back to Kaitereria, and went on to Wairoa, There he found that the Maori who had discovered the woman coming from Waitangi had abandoned her, and that the Natives had not gone ont to bring her in. He started with a party of Europeans and Natives on the tracks on the mud of the Natives who discovered her, and found her at a point three miles north of Wairoa. She had then been six days without food or water, and was wandering in her mind. Messrs Smith, Baker, and Blyth, _ aided by some Natives, carried her to Xaiteria. Constable Cavanagh, who saw her to-day, says she will recover.
Mr Smith leaves for Auckland on Friday, but hopes to return when the weather is better to examine the Tarawera mountain ranges, especially at the back. He believes that the rain now going on will clear the hills of mud and make them accessible, but will practically destroy Tarawera Lake and still further alter its appearance. Mr Mcßae sent out to-day seven horses to try and get out a wagon having a piano in it. The drivers could not get to Tiki Tapu Bush even, and had to go back by the flat at the lake, through which I struggled on Sunday. It is all buried. The volcanic slush from the mountains at Lake Rotokaikahi, has newfound its way to the lake, obliterating this section of the road. Not a living thing is now in Wairoa, but it is believed that the Maoris of the adjacent settlements will peril their lives to reach and plunder Mcßae’s store. The last Europeans who came out state that some cf Mr Humphries’ gauds have been taken, though this is denied. From the appearances the weather at Tarawera is cold and rainy. Most of the visitors and Press representatives are clearing out on Saturday unless anything important iDtars'enes In the interval.
Mr Edwards, Native interpreter, one of the boating party, has made;aa excedenv series of rough pencil sketches, shewing “ a _ D / features of the volcanic action on the aa* awera Ranges and the altered state of the country. As neither Dr Hector nor the photographers git a view of the larawera side of the volcano system, these sketches will be especially interesting and valuable I have seen a telegram from Mr Gray, Secretary of the Post and Telegrah Departments, in which Mr Montgomery, M.H.R., has asked the Commissioner of Telegraphs to convey to Mr Dansey, officer in charge of the telegraph station at Rotorua, the feelings of admiration of the Mayor and Council of Akaroa for the way in which he stuck to his duties during the terrible voleame disturbance reminding them of the Roman so dier at Pompeii. Sir J. Vogel, in reply, .stated he would cause the Mayor’s telegram to be con . veyed to Mr Dansey. He stated : ID f^ hardly add I am much gratified to find the service of an officer so highly extolled. Sir Julius made the following minute in th < telecram as an instruction for Mr Gray Uommunicate this, and add that I greatly admire the heroism and endurance Mr Dansey and his officers, Messrs Gardiner and Macanley, have displayed, and that I believe the same fueling is held throughout the Colony.” Mr Gray has also addeeT his expression of satisfaction at the conduct of the officers. Latest, 930 p.m. - A slight shock of earthquake has just occurred. Rotomahana is moderately active, and a long whole line of banks of clouds, through a change of wind, is pouring over Tarawera Lake. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Rotorua, June 12. The term “ lava,” commonly applied for want of a better word to debris thrown out by the volcano, is misleading. Tarawera Mount has not yet been reached, and the general character of the eruption there remains to be determined, but the stuff iu which Hazard a house was, and which baa covered the country for 100 square miles, consists almost exclusively of ’ fine dust apparently - pumice. At Wairoa hard lumps were mixed with this, and showers of red-hot stones were seen, some of which fell at Wairoa, but bo far as can be ascertained at no greater distance. At Taheke and Ngae there has been nothing but dust. The great weight of thi*, together with the violence of the wind, was enough to bear down buildings. The residents of Rotorua described the noises heard as similar to those experienced at Tauranga—rumblings and tremors —but nothing resembling the cannonading heard in Auckland. noise probably arose from the discharges in the upper atmosphere, and was deadened to these nearer tho scene by the rumblings and vibra tions in the lower atmosphere. At Ohinemutu the first signs were felt at an early hour, and were taken for earthquakes. continued without intermission. On looking out a dense black cloud was seen in the direction of Tarawera, but it as close as if it were hanging over Ohinemutu itself. In this occurred the wonderful . electric phenomena, like most brilliant lightning, but terrible beyond description. Nearly the whole population lushed from their houses terror-stricken, and ran down the street apparently under an impulse to get away from the black eanopy, which seem id as if about to seal up the history of the village and involve all inhabitants in one common grave. Some declared that the day of judgment had come, and the feeling experienced was such as we may suppose would be felt by inhabitants of the earth on that awful day. None of those I have spoken to wish to repeat the experience of that terrible night. Tauranga, June 12. The reports of the damage caused by the eruption are exaggerated, but the Te Wairoa shore of the Tarawera Lake has been destroyed. The hotels have been levelled, and tho ruins are still smouldering. The bodies of Mr Hazard, the schoolmaster, and his children, and of four Natives have been recovered. The wonders of Tarawera, Ruawahia,and Okaro, active volcanoes, will attract crowds of tourists to the already far-famed Wonderland of New Zealand. Te Wairoa and the country round are covered by ten feet of volcanic mud and stones. Ohinemutu is safe, but fresh springs have broken out. The geysers are very active. At Tenga, 9 miles from Ohinemutu, the residents are safe, though the ground is three feet deep in volcanic mud. The Rotoiti Natives have taken refuge at Taheke. The Taheke bush has been in flames, which were extinguished by falling mud and dust. The vegetation has been stripped and levelled. The wires are down and telegraph poles broken. At Te Puke the farms are covered with three inches of volcanic dust. It is the opinion of many that this will cause an increase in the fertility of the land, bat for the present all stock must be removed. The settlements on the Coast are safe. The land is in the same state as Te Puke. Tauranga is all right. There is volcanic matter one quarter of an inch thick. The stock are getting feed dow. From 8 a.m, till 11 a.m. on Thursday the district wa3 enveloped in total darkness. The volcanic matter was thick, but there was no panic, as reported. The people were cool, and were only anxious for the Lake district. Precautionary measures for the safety of the residents were adopted by the Mayor. The loss of life is probably confined to the inhabitants of the settlements on the shore of Tarawera Lake, who are chiefly Natives. 1 p.m.
The steamer just arrived frarn Whakatane, reports that the volcanic deposit there is much coarser and heavier. The boat 3 and deck of the steamer are four inches thick. At Te Teko warm stones fell. The residents left for Whakatane. Arrangements are being made for saving the stock. None can remain there unless heavy rain falls. Tauranga, June 14, 8.20 p.m. Immense columns of vapor, rising from the volcanoes, are plainly visible from here. White I-jland has been particularly active during the day. The effects of the eruptions are now fully felt by the Bay of Plenty settlers. Four steamers have left laden with stock. Two more are to sail to-morrow. Mobs of cattle, chiefly from Whakatane are beiDg driven overland to Waikato. The coast is affected as far east as Oreti. At Te Puke the volcanic deposit is from one to two inches in thickness. At Rangiriri there is ae much as three inches, and at Whakatane about the same, but much coarser, fflssi of Tauranga the farms are
j but slightly affected, and are available, for a ■t limited quantity of stock. Many sheep have already died. Onesettler alone has lost over 100. The local bodies as well as private individuals are urging Government to grant assistance. An amount of £IOO has been promised by Sir Robert Stoat. Messrs vVilliams and Walker have generouely placed their run at Waihou, Thames Valley, at the disposal of settlers free of charge. Arrivals at Whakatane, from inland, report that Tarawera Lake is rising. The general opinion is that, the deposit is fertilising, and that heavy rain will release a large area of pasturage where the coating of dust is Blight. (government and other telegrams. )
The following telegrams were received at 8.30 last evening week by Mr Grace, M.H.R., and were courteously placed by him at our disposal. The first is from Inspector Scarraell, who, telegraphing from Taupo, says:—“ Eruption confined to country about Wairoa and Like Tarawera, hence toward KaiDgawa, large track of country in action, probably over 60 square miles, detached, not continuous, but impossible to say with certainty, on account of the dense smoke. To appearance, as seen from Waipuwerawera Hill, all the country from Lake Tarawera to the K>ringawa plains is more or le-s . active. Have not heard of any Taupo Natives Being there. Certain to have heard, if any. Believe loss of life and destruction of property very great at Wairoa and’-Mourea settlements about the scene of eruption. Nothing heard from Rotorua Bince 10 a.m. Sharp earthquake here, but no dsmige.” The second telegram is from Rotorua, as follows :—" Terrible night. Ruawahia is in eruptioD. Wairoa is covered 10ft in mud and ashes, and Ngae 3ft. The echoolhouse, Wairoa, was fired by lightning, then smothered in ashes. All hotels and houses in ruins. Hazard’s missing, four children dead. Mrs Hszird just arrived injured with dead baby in her arms. Te Ariki, Mourea, and Tapaharo, Natives, reported all lost. Fourteen Natives’ bodies have been found at Wairoa. The Tikitapu Bush is level with the ground. Rotomahana is reported as having disappeared. ’* The following telegram was received last night week by the Hon Mr Ballance : Rotorua, June 10, 5.30 p.m. Have just returned from Te Wairoa, and brought in Mrs Hazard, who has had a miraculous escape, Ths falling beams rested on a cheffonier. She was dug out by Messrs Mcßae, Blythe, and others, comparatively uninjured. Two children beside her were dead. Mr Hazard and the other children not yet dag out. It is proposed to put on men first thing to-morrow to dig out the bodies and clear the fallen trees on the Tikitapu Bush road, to enable vehicles to pass. VTe had to carry Mrs Hazard on a stretcher about five miles, as a buggy could not get through. About a dozen Natives are supposed to be killed. Will forward full particulars to-morrow. A tourist Staying there is missing, but his name is not yet ascertained. Mcßae got him, out but lost sight of him in the darkness. It is supposed he was struck by falling mud or a fireball, and covered by mud. All the survivors unite in according the highest praise to Mr Mcßae, who did his best to look after all hands. I found him working with Constable Moroney and Wm, Blythe, and had difficulty in persuading him to leave the place. Everything at Wairoa is ruined. The whole surface of the country is changed. It is covered with mud about five feet deep, as also the surrounding country for miles, at varying depths according to distance. Te Ngae farm has two or three feet deep of ashes or dry mud, and the whole district is of a greyish white color. A fortunate shift of wind, which blew with hurricane force, saved the township and western portion of the district from all but a slight sprinkling. I propose to engage Mr Blythe, Government road surveyor, who had just come in from Galatea, and is one of the survivors, to la’»-e charge of working parties, if no objection. The eruption appears to have spent its force, but dense volumes of smoke and steam are still Issuing and enveloping the whole eastern horizon. There was an awful gloom nearly all day. Mr Roche, railway surveyor, says he counted twenty-eight distinct shocks of earthquake this morning besides continuous vibration. There is no seismometer here. I think one would be a desirable addition to Dr Ginder’d meteorological apparatus. We have good cause to recollect the conjunction of Mars and the Moon. It has been a terribly anxious time. Large numbers stampeded, but some are now returning. . The following telegram was received last 1 nday by Mr Wi Pere, M.H.R. —“Rotorua, June 11, 1886.—Te Keepa and his bapu, who lived at Te Wairoa, are safe.. There were only nine persons killed and • ?) six Europeans, but we suppose the greater part of Tubaurangi and Ngatirangitihi hapu are all lost, because no fugitives, have yet arrived, lhe number of persons missing is over 100. Rangiheuea is the chief ©f the Kaingas which have been destroyed by the fire and boiling springs in that part where the country is on fire. Te Arika and Moera are the names of the kaingas immediately under Tarawera mountain,° and also the Wairoa, but the other places which suffered are further off. The streams and the houses are all buried with earth and stones. All the eastern side of Rotorua is buried with the earth of Terawera mountain, which wa3 lifted up between heaven and earth, and which, when it descended, covered the country. Later on we will know which places have suffered.—From Rotoriko Haupapa.” , _ . The following message was received last Friday evening by Mr Kelly, proprietor of the Palace Hotel. Botorua, from his manager, Mr R King, Mrs Kelly and family, have returned from Awahao. They spent a miserable night. Everything is quiec here. Mcßae, speaks of building again. House full last night, principally with Wairoa people. Five tourists arrived yesterday. . The following telegrams have been received by the Government : BOTORUA, June 11, 10.45 a.m. Hon John Ballance, Wellington.—Beautiful morning, and everything all right here. Families returning to their homes. Volcano still throwing out dense volumes of smoke and steam. ° Roaring can be heard occasionally. Mr Edwards got glimpse through glass, and states mountain appears to be about 300 feet hgher. Could see two distinct craters, from which flames issuing. Native sent out by Mr Kera reports Terraces uninjured, but Koto-
mahar.a Lake subsided, and now body ot--1 mingled fire and water. Also states that bill at hack of Pink Terrace showing signs activity. Consider that there is no hope that anybody could _have survived at Te Ariki aud Morea settlements, bat could not venture there yet to -ascertain : definitely. Xt is rnp* posed there were about 40 Natives at Te Ariki and . 30 at Mhura, and two at Waitangu. Eight Natives were billed at Tarawera, namely, a man named Te Mata, three women named Maritf, Te Uriti, and Miriama Ngakarauna, also a child of latter and two children of Penetito Hswea. The Europeans billed are Mr C. A. Hazard, two children and a young nephew. The tourist is still missing, and no hopes is entertained of finding him alive. His came was E. A Bambridge, of Newcastle-oa-Tyne, England. He was a friend of the Messrs McArthur and Co., of Auckland. Working parties unde* Mr Blythe have gone out, and I shall follow aa soon as bread baked. The Tuhauranga are left utterly destitute, and many of them have not sufficient clothes. Theirs, is a truly pitiable case. Wi Repate RaDgipuawhi be'haved like a true chief. His weather-hoard house was destroyed by a fire-ball, but he remained with bis people, and saw them all away before leaving himself.—H. Dunbar. .Johnson. ' - "> Te AroHa, Jane XL x , Under Secretary "for Lands, Welling- . ton.—Ea-rthquakes and volcanic eruptions at ; Tarawera have-Dot:affected the Te Aroba HotSprings. — H. Dunbar Johnson, Government: Agent. The Government received a telegram last Friday to the effect that the whole of Tikitere has burst into fire. Tikitere i 3 about nine miles N.E. of Rotorua, some four or five miles from the Ngae settlement. It stands on the other side of Rotorua, opposite Ohinemutu, and it is remarkable for a large violent cauldron and boiling springs in its vicinity. The following telegrams were received lastFriday by the Secretary to the Post Office from the telegraphist at Rotorua:—News just to hand. No hope for Tapahoro, Te Ariki, and Meura, Native settlements. Seventy known to be at two latter places. I expect deaths of Natives will exceed 100. 1 fear that Mr H. R. Burt, who is supposed to have camped near the foot of Mount Tarawera that night on his way to Galatea, has perished.;; Hia two horses have found their way home- The craters on Ruawahia and its twiu-cone emitting volumes of dense smoke. Rotomahana Labe is a Betbing roaring mass of water, the clouds of steam from which are several thousandfeet high. A number of willing hands are digging for bodies at Wairoa to-day. An attempt will, however, be made to examine the Native settlements, I have mentioned. Mcßae informs me that he extinguished at least ten balls of fire, which came crashing through his roof during the night, igniting everything they came In contact, with. The Tihourangi tribe are quite destitute of clothing, food, and whares, Tikitere is as usual, but some burning trees ia the adjoining bush on the hill were struck by lightning. The holies of Mr Hazard aud children have been dug up, covered by 4ft of mud and very much crushed. Soma Nativeadag them up ; and a fello v who bad been scratching hard for the last 48 hours popped his he*d through the mud this afternoon none the worse. Mr Burt is safe. Mr Bainbridge is not found. The other settlements are unapproachable yet. _ The following telegram has been received by his Excellency the Governor from Lord Carrington, Governor of Now South Wales:—“To Sir W. Jervois, Governor. Deeply regret to hear the awful catastrophe this morning’s papers. Great sympathy felt by all here.— Carrington. Sydney, 11th June, 1886 ” The following messages have been received by Dr Lemon : , Napier, June 11. Wires are O.K. south of Rotorua. The Tauranga man was started yesterday to repair the Opotiki line, which was interrupted between Maketu and Whakatane. Following report from Mr Dansey, Rotorua : —“ Following just received from Frase? (lineman stationed at Rotorua) at Taheke. On arriving at Rookawa found three poles down, embedded in three feet of mud. Heard of a break further on, and found, six spans of wire down at Matawera, arms and wire smashed. Further on, at Reed’s I found wire broken and arm pole, and again heard of a break ahead, so I thought it advisable to go over the line aud ascertain what material I would require for repairs. Found two poles down at Taheke crossing of lake, and all wires in water. Natives at work digging. holes past here. I hear that there is a big break, so I will proceed in the morning. All poles between there and Rotorua will have to be cleared of mud, as there is over 50ibs of mud on the tops and insulators of every pole, and the wires are as thick as a candle with mud.” Maketu, June 12. Following from Mr Benner, Maketu, dated last night “ Devon, stablemao, re- • ported Mr Carraghan to-day that seven poles were down at Taheke, Bird, who arrived • Te Puke, informs me Mr Fraser, the Rotorua lineman, told him expected fco be finished to— . night. Line right 13 miles from here. Cattledriver just arrived here states line right between Maketu and Nafcata.” The following messages were received by Mr Ballance on Saturday evening Rotorua, June 12. The body of Mr Bainbridge has just been brought in, also those of two Native women and a child. Mr Harry Burt has arrived from, the neighborhood of Galatea, and states the whole, in a circle from Tarawera Mountain to Lake Kerewhakatu, thence to Lake Okaro, thence round to mountain enclosing Rotomahana, say diameter of ten miles, tm subsided and is now a seething mass. lhe country adjac nt is vent m all directions. He had a terrible time coming through. He went round by Paeroa and got a Native named Aporo Apratia to accompany him thence Have Been the latter, who corroborates Mr Bart’s btatemenfc, and says that flames, smoke and steam are being constantly projected to an immense height. Tne wind nas chauged to the southward, and the clouds are now coming this way, but there is no debris falling. Mr Percy Smith, Assistant Surveyor-General, has arrived. —H. Dunbar Johnson, G.A. Returned from Wairoa late last evening. Brought in the bodies of Mr Hazard, three children, and nephew, five in all. Icquest will be held this afternoon, by Mr Brabant, R.M., and interment will take place to-mor-row. Had large -party out to get the road
opened through the bush sufficiently to allow , passage of vehicles. Mr Mclntosh, road overseer* has arrived, and is to-day engaged improving it so as to enable waggons to bring in salvage goods. Party of eight have gone out this morning to assist Natives searching for bodies.! Got out body of old woman yesterday. One old man, named Rawiri, who was not -missed during the excitement, was found emerging from his house, out of which he had managed to dig his way. Old man named Piko died during Thursday night, owing to shook to system. Have not yet distributed any food or clothing, as Natives here will entertain the Tuhouarangi siuvivors for day or two, and will lend blankets, &c., during that time. Deputation from Ngatihakane asked this morning for one ton flour and three bags sugar to add to food they can provide, to be charged against rents Ngafjiwahias. A section of the Tuhuoarangis have just come in, and wish to take the survivors to their settlement at Te Wbakarewarewa. _ Tbink this is better plan. Will then ascertain exact wan's and relieve them. Do not wish to launch out extravagantly. There is no danger at present of starvation, but they will require relief on considerable scale during whole of winter and spring until they can start cultivations somewhere, and raise food for themselves, fahould. be glad if a section of the railway here could be put in hand at once to enable them to earn something towards their support, or. that the road from here towards Paeroa could be formed. No further news about Tefraces. Natives did not get within seven miles of them, so we cannot place very much reliance on their report. Mr James Stewart, C.E. has just started out with a party, and intends, if P°_ 3 * sible, ascertaining the exact state of affairs before their return. They expect to be away two or three days, and are going by way of Rotokakahi and Parireru. Mr McCausland arrived last evening from Rotoiti sawmill and reports roofs of blacksmith’s shop and small buildings crushed in, but the mill and main buildings have been saved by scraping off the deposit. Mcßory reports his raupo accommodation house crushed, but no change in the springs at Tikitere. Mr Harvey, of Te Ngae, has just informed me that the deposit is only about six inches deep on the slopes, and hopes to be able to pull through. There is a proposal to take out a boat to try aud reach Moura and Te Ariki. There was a European named Brown living at the latter place. A Native who left there Tuesday thinks not slightest chance finding any survivors. All roads eastward of this place in frightful mess, rendering travelling difficult. Will report further as particulars ascertained. —H. D. Johnson, Government Agent. Have just ascertained that old Tuhoto, a Civil List pensioner, of Te Wairoa. is missing. No hope of finding him alive. Mehaka, the Native mentioned in last telegram as having left Te Arika on Tuesday, has enumerated 59’ persons known to be there, and 23 at Moura, 82 in all.—H. D. Johnson, Governmeat Agent. Hon. Commissioner A.C., Wellington.— The fisst inquest is over. ‘Verdict, that Charles Albert Hazard and three of his children aud his nephew accidentally came to their deaths by the falling in of the roof of a house upon which had accumulated a quantity of volcanic earth, thrown up by an eruption on the morning of the 10th instant at Wairoa, Lake Tarawera. —W. A. Riley, In*P<The following message received by the Secretary to the Post Office has been kindly communicated to us by Sir Julius Vogel : Rotorua, June 13, 7.30 p.m. The Postmaster, Whakatane has just reported the following “ At 11 a.m.,a Native who escaped from Ruawahia, on the Whakaeane side of Lake Tarawera, that from where he was be cotilci see the settlement of Teariki, between Rotomahana and Wairoa, destroyed, killing Samuel Brown and about 40 Natives. Another Native warned Mr McPherson, Matata, and George Creek, Whakatane, that Lake Tarawera has ■ risen about 30 or 40 feet, and also that before the late eruption it rose. This last information was received by Mr Gordon, from Mr Creek, at 3.30 p.m., but I canuot find out if the rising occurred to day. M!n Gordon also states that Whakatane settlers intend watching to-night for flood or other disturbance. The Native who warned Creek left immediately for other settlements. Please instruct.” The XJnder-Secretary for Crown Lands, Wellington, has received the following : Rotorua, June 13, 6.40 p.m. Slight shock of earthquake was felt, here at five minutes past eleven this morning, and shortly afterward volumes of smoke aud steam were seen rising from a new crater. The Natives think the eruption is at Owhaki, southward of Paeroa range. The disturbance appears to be spreading toward Taupo. There was less activity at Tarawera to-day, and a clearer view could be obtained. There are numerous centres of activity. Two boats were taken out to-day, and an attempt will be made to-morrow to reach Morea and Te Ariki. Some of Mr Stewart’s party have returned. X am told they got within about ten chains of Rotomahana, and could see that all the country between it and Lake Okaro is in commotion. They could not see the Terraces. Mr Stewart is stopping at Kaiteriria to night, and will probably.return to-morrow. Mr Pope and Captain Miair have arrived. The bodies of the Hazard family and Mr Bainbridge were interred this afternoon. Mr McArthur, and others came from Auckland to attend the funeral. —R. H. Dunbar Johnson. The following was received Sunday night from Dr Hector by Mr Larnach and kindly communicated to us : Rotorua, June 13, 8.15 p.m. Road here through bush in good order. Got fine view of disturbances. Top of Tarawera shows fumaroles, but greatest outburst of steam is from between Pink Terrace and Wairoa, a new warm lake forming there. I am off at daylight with Captain Mair to Tarawera zone, where many N"atives are still missing. Sending party by land to south of Wairoa. Eruption seems to have been quite local, and now subsided. Hope to send amount of news to-morrow evening if back in time.— James Hector The Native Minister informs us that he telegrahed to Mr Johnson, the Government agent at Rotorua, informing him that telegrams \ had appeared as from the Natives complaining the action of the Government in not providing them with food, &c,, and doing sufficient to meet their distress. In a telegram to the Minister in reply, Mr Johnson says : “ Since receipt of your telegram I visited the •
Tuhurangi hapu at Tamo Takapau, and told them about the complaint that had been made. They stated that there was no truth in it ; they were perfectly satisfied with vonr arrangement. Mr Mcßae.has been instructed by me to supply necessary food out of salvage stock to the few Natives at the Wairoa, and have appointed Kawana Hemara, who is a reliable man, to act as my almoner here when required. At present the Tuhurangi survivors are guests of the Ngatiwhakane. Wi Kepa, the principal chief of the Tuhnrangi hapu, starts for Paeroa this morning. I communicated the contents of your sympathetic telegram to the Natives generally.” The Native Minister has received the following telegrams, which he has kindly placed at our disposal : Rotorua, June 13.
The body of Edwin Bainbridge was found covered up by debris underneath the fallen verandah of Mcßae’s Hotel. He was a native of Newcastle-on-Tyne, where his parents still reside. He had evidently met with instant death. Mr Stewart and his survey party, accompanied by Constable Cavanagb, left for Rotomahana this morning. An eiuption supposed to be still going on, but not so violent. We cannot, however, see it for smoke, but there are frequent rumblings. The following messages were received on Wednesday by Sir Julius Vogel : Rotorua, June 16, 10 a.m. Four severe shocks between 12 and 12 30 last night, and several smaller ones during the night, producing a general feeling of uneasiness. Saw several people wrapped up in blankets wandering about not knowing where to go. Geysers and volcanoes same as yesterday. Springs are very active about here, and temperature much increased. —R. O. Dansey, Postmaster. 12.10 p.m. The shocks last night, which were pretty severe, and several others this morning, have caused a greater feeling of insecurity tha.n. X expected, I now learn that several families are leaving.— R. C. Dansey. The following were received on Monday by Dr Lemon :—■ Napier, June 13, 6 44 p.m. Arrived here this morning. Lines have suffered most between here aud Te Takeke, 12 miles north, where the wires are said to be like ropes of mud. I start with a party of men to-morrow north, and am sending M'Kenzie south towards Taupo. All wires south of this are now clear. Lineman is working at fault, but owing to depth of mud h not able to do much. June 13, 6.54 p.m. Tongariro has been unusually active to-day, emitting large and intermittent' columns of steam. The steam hole 3 about Taupo have also been unusually active. A report has come round from the south end of Lake Taupo that during the day preceding, and the night of the eiuption, Tongariro was rumbling angrily, and making thundering noises. The shepherds at the foot of the mountain were greatly alarmed, and sat up all night. We have not heard noises here. June 14. Mr Elliott, the Opotiki lineman, _ reports that he found the plates of both lightning guards at that office fused. Wire had also been down in river, and had been repaired temporarily by Mr Gordon. Mr Somerville, the lineman from Tauranga, reports that ho had great trouble in travelling, dust from Rotorua having blinded him and horte. He found the wire fused at insulators one mile north of WhaKatane. Rotorua, June 12, 9.45 a.m. Honorable Commissioner Armed Constabulary, Wellington.—Stewart’s party could not reach Rotomahana Native settlement, it being shrouded by sulphur vapour, and several places close by in dangerous violent eruption. The Rink Terrace has subsided, and its site is apparently a lake. The police hope to reach Morea settlement by land to-day. A boat also attempts both places. Another European, Samuel BrowD, is supposed to have perished at Morea.—W. A. Kiely. The XJnder-Secretary for Crown Lands received the following this afternoon : —Rotorua Springs increased in temperature and volume Several new eprings at Ohineruutu and Mokoia. Crowded with visitors. Tarawera quiescent. —A. Gindebs. Mr McKerrow on Monday received a telegram from Mr Percy Smith, from Rotorua, dated Saturday. He was on the point of starting out on an expedition through the disturbed district. He will be back at Rotorua within about three days from the date of his telegram, and will then report fully. He states bis belief that Rotomahana is the centre of the convulsion. Mr Boscawen, of the Survey Department, will soon be on the ground. He i 3 well known for bis artistic skill, and he will make a number of drawings in the volcanic region. The following was received by Sir Julius "Vogel on Tuesday : Rotorua, June 15. Everything was quiet during the night. Nothing is to be seen this morning as there's a thick fog. A little rain fell during the night. It is believed that rain would cause the mud to slip from the sides of the mountain and fill up some of the lakes and block up the road to a great depth, thereby proving a greater source of danger to the people than an eruption of the volcano. It is quite a decided fact that the Terraces exist no longer.—R. C. Dansey. The Colonial Treasurer announced in the House on Tuesday afternoon that he had received the following telegram from the telegraph operator at Taupo :—“ Rather severe shock earthquake, succeeded by loud report from Tongariro, at 3.30 this morning. Raining at the time. Tongariro still ccntinuea invisible.” EXPEDITION TO THE TERRACES. Rotorua, June 14. We were exceedingly anxious to know if the terraces, those wonders of the world, with their baths and their beauty, had survived the terrible upheaval. I need not say that the walk up the hills and down into the valleys, over fields of dust as fine as flour, over the expanse of rough stones, over hillsides which had been washed with showers of hot water from the volcanoes, was terrible ; but at length we gained a point of advantage from which we looked down upon an awful scene. All the ground about the Pink Terrace had fallen in. We looked down upon some thirteen or fourteen craters, all belching forth stones and ashes.
We could not count the separate craters exactly, owing to the smoke and steam ; but it seemed to me that the whole area which had been occupied by the White and Pink Terraces, and the Lake Rotomahana, was now occupied with vast craters, all roaring, and belching forth stones and cinders. We were on a much higher level, and could see all these craters working away below us. On returning, we got on to a hill from whence we hoped to see Tarawera mountain, which was said to be in eruption. The wind changed a little, and let us have a view of part of the mountain, and so far as we could see there had been no eruption there But it must be remembered that we did not see all the mountain ; our idea was incorrect. We stopped on our way back to camp. I had a good look at the black crater or craters, which were playing in a most fearful manner. Mr Steward's expedition to the Terraces left Ohinemutu about 9 o’clock on Saturday morning, in a buggy with four horses. The party, bent on reaching Rotomahana, set out by the Wairoa-road. The deposit of volcanic mud, which covers the whole of this road and the adjacent country for miles, commence 3 about two miles out from Rotorua, and averages four inches thick to its extreme boundary on this side. The traffic on the Wairoa-road has ploughed it it into an adhesive clay. Leaving the trap at the Rotokaha bridge, where the Kaiteria track breaks round the hill saddle, we placed our tents and heavy luggage on the back of a horse and our guide proceeded to guess his way along the hill side. This was ticklish work, as the track was completely obliterated with mud. The hill descends abruptly to the lake, so that a slip would have sent the horse and its burden headlong into the lake 100 ft below. We followed in single file along this tickilsh way, stepping into the tracks made by the horses. The track, after leaving Kaiteria, became comparatively easy. As we neared the vicinity of the lake, the mud gave way to pebbles the size of marbles, of the same material as the mud and. intermingled with ground ash, and several deep earthquake cracks also crossed the path. It was decided to camp on the margin of a little patch of bush. Here tents were pitched, a roaring fire w. s lit, and we made ourselves as comfortable as possible. The night passed with no further excitement than three slight earthquake shocks, aud the disturbing sounds of distant concussions, like the rattling of musketry, and the roar of the escaping steam. To discover whence these wild noises proceeded was to be our mission on the morrow, and having breakfasted we set out upon our uncertain and adventurous expedition.. It was at once seen that Lake Okaroa, and Kakaramea Mountain at its head, were in a normal condition. The white line which marked the du3t deposit, also stopped half-way up Kakaramea Mountain, and the fern was green beyond. From that mountain to Rotomahana aud Tarawera is an unbroken line of white hills. Jets of steam and black smoke marked the number of points of eruption between Okaroa and Rotomahana, and we were soon plunging across the hills of grey dust, which, in appearance and texture, resembled hydraulic lime. At every step our boots went ankle deep, and sometimes we sank to the knee. Four new craters, similar in character to the one first noticed, had broken into eruption. The largest of these volcanoes displayed great energy. Its side was torn out, and from several points of activity within the crater explosions occurred every few minutes, driving stones high into the air. Heavy masses of steam and black smoke directed the way unmistakeabiy to the high hill overlooking Rotomahana, aud poshing forward, we toon surmounted the last peak, and stood looking down upon the most extraordinary spectacle imagination can conceive. Where the lake existed there was nothing now visible but a series of geysers in full activity, and belching out stones every few minutes. I counted eleven. of these craters on the side of the lake, imimmediately below our feet, and heavy masses of smoke and steam hindered any further vision of the lake ; but there is no doubt that other craters were in play further toward the centre, and that if the waters were not entirely driven out of the lake, it had become a great boiling cauldron. A telegram to Mr Gray, the Secretary of the Postal Department, received a telegram from the Postmaster at Rotorua Sunday night, in which it was stated, “ The Terraces are no more, as was surmised some days ago.” The Premier received from Mr W, M. Berry, at Rotorua, Sunday night, the following telegram:—“Have just returned from Rotomahana. Party penetrated by way of Kakaramea ; got to back of windward of the volcano. The Terraces are gone. The whole ba«e occupied by them and by Rotomahana is now a series of great volcanoes, and a grand and terrible spectacle. Huge boulders and showers of ashes are being thrown up by them. Tarawera, as far aB we could see it, was free from volcanic disturbance. W e could not see the site of the White Terrace for smoke and steam, but it cannot exist. The Pink Terrace looks as if it had fa.ien in. fior forty miles round the country is covered with stones and ashes thrown out. All the Natives about Rotomahana must have perished.”
THE SCENE FROM NEW PLYMOUTH The following information has been telegraphed to Mr McKerrow, Surveyor-General, by Mr T. Humphries, Chief Surveyor at New Plymouth, who is a particularly accurate observer :—“ Th 9 eruption at Tarawera was a fine all day yesterday (Sunday). The column at 4 p.m., when I saw it, w»3 by computation from observation with 6-inch transit theodolite 24,000 feet high above sea level. It had all day a rose colored tinge, but with deep red glare near my hor’zon rolling and heaving. None of this was visible on Saturday, though equally a clear sky. The height of Tarawera Mountain being 1964 ft, the above shows that the column which we saw reached vertically four miles above the mountain. PROFESSOR HUTTON'S VIEWS. A Christchurch Press representative waited on Professor Hutton with regard to the outbreak at Tarawera, “ Of course,” he said, “nobody imagined for a moment that any such outbreak would ever occur at Tarawera, There are no traditions among the Maoris of its ever having been an active volcano. It is a flat-topped mountain, and certainly when I saw it it did not give one the idea that there was any possibility of its becoming the scene
of volcanic activity. We should rather have ex- ' pected an outbreak farther north, say at Rangitoto. We always looked upon the Hot Springs district as one where the volcanic energy was dying out ; the solfataras were regarded as evidence in support of that theory.' You will find that was the view taken by Hochstetter in 1851, and that is theviewwbich other scientific men have taken ever eince then. You remember that a few weeks ago there was a report that Ruapehu was believed to be smoking. Well, that, of course, looks rather significant now in the light of what has occurred since.” The interviewer asked whether, supposing Ruapehu to have been in eruption when the smoke was supposed to have been seen, this ought not to have afforded a kind of safety-valve, and rendered tbs chance of an eruption at Tarawera le3s probable. To this Professor Hutton replied : “ Well, no ; I think it is very possible this outbreak at Tarawera has proved a safety-valve for Ruapehu. You must remember there is a great difference of level between the two mountains. It may be that the matter, seeking an outlet, found itself unable to ascend a point so high as Ruapehu, and so burst through the earth at Tarawera. This is very much like what occurs at the Hawaiian mountain Kilauea. Appearances point to an eruption of the higher mountain, but the eruption really occurs at the smaller volcano.” In the course of some further conversation, Professor Hutton urged that it would be a thousand pities if competent scientific men were not sent at once to the district, in order to make proper observation of the ph inomena. Professor Hutton further remarked that no detailed scientific examination of the Hot Lakes district had been made since the days of Hochstecter, whose work is still the standard authority on the subject. “You have no idea,” he added, “how they will look down upon us at Home if we allow such an opportunity as this for original scientific observation to pass by without taking advantage of it. The following letter from Professor Hutton appeared in the Lyttelton Times on Tuesday : —A volcanic eruption is heralded by earthquake shocks and subterranean explosions ; springs and ponds often dry up in the vicinity. The eruption commences with an explosion which tears up the top of the volcano, and breaking it up into fragmentr, hurls it up into the air as fine dust or ash ; steam escapes in enormous quantities, and this condensing, it falls as heavy as rain. The rain collects the dust in the air and forms mad. Sometimes, on the slope of a mountain, mud streams rush down with terrific velocity. This volcanic mud is called “ moya ” in South America, aud I think we could not use a better term for our volcanic mud. It i-t the lava d’aqua, or “ mud lava,” of the Italians. The friction between the particles of rock hurled up from the crater gives rise to electricity, which shows as lightning flashes. Liquid lava rises in the pipe oE the volcano, and Overflows. This marks the crisis of the eruption. The explosions decrease in violence, but the lava may be poured out quietly for months. If no lava appears, the first eruption may or may not be followed by others. Usually, if the eruption is small it is not followed by another, but a large eruption without lava rarely sinks into quiescence at once. No complete explanation, that will stand criticism, has as yet been given of the cause of volcanic eruptions. Undoubtedly the first paroxysmal explosion is due to heated lava forcing its way into surface water collected in the interior of the volcano. This gives rise to the first earthquakes and subterranean explosions, and these may open fissures through the earth and admit to the heated mck other bodies of water, which are at once flashed into steam. But what causes the lava to force its way toward the surface waters we do not know. The present volcanic disturbances are situated almost exactly in the centre of the fissure that extends from Ruapehu to White Island, which is so well marktd by numerous hot springs. It i 3 exceptional, inasmuch a 3 it is situated iu a legion of lakes, which probably occupy the craters of old volcanoes. And (his abundance of water in the neighborhood gives a dangerous aspect to the present di-turb-ances. The probability >, however, are much against such gigantic fissures being opened as would be necessary to admit the waters of Lake Tarawera to the heated rocks below. Unfortunately the Government have never made a geological survey of the district, and our scientific knowledge of it rests entirely on the survey made by Dr von Hochstetter for the Provincial Government of Auckland in 1859. No geologist has ever visited Mount Tarawera, but, from its shape, it does not seem likely to have been a volcanic cone. Volcanoes are not necessarily mountains — they may be holes ; but no one can say where an eruption will take place. THE VOLCANIC COUNTRY. Rotorua by rough measurement is as the crow flies about 120 mile 3 south east from Auckland, and about 240 miles to the northward of Wellington. It is about 54 miles nearly due north of Taupo, and about 38 miles by coach from Rotorua. Of Mount Tarawera the following description was given a number of years ago in the Otago Daily Times by its special reporter : background of the S.E. shore of LakeTarawera. It may be described as a high sloping terrace base from which spring three mounts, that to the left a perfectly truncated cone rising to a height of nearly ’3oooft above sea level, and named Te WhaDga. The centre one,Ruawahia, 3000 ft above sea level, and the one to the right, Tarawera, three or four hundred feet lower, and sloping very decidedly to the South. Ruawahia inaccessible, though it appears is a Maori place of sepulture that is a final resting place, where, after having been scraped, bones are deposited. This noble mountain also overlooks Lake Rotomahana. At the foot of Tarawera is. a remarkable conical mount, which tradition says was an active volcano not many centimes ago.” This is separated from the White Terrace by only a gully. Wairoa lies 10 miles S.S.E. of Rotorua by road, and 10 miles from Tarawera across country, and 12 by the lake. Te Ariki is a Maori settlement at the landing place on the shore of Lake Tarawera, where the stream that drains Lake Rotomahana joins it. Ngae is an old Church of England mission station, about eight miles from the township of Ohinemutu round the S.E. shore of Lake Rotorua toward Tikitere. At one time the Peninsula at Ohinemutu was nearly double its present size, aud nearly alt the tribe Ngatiwhakavvae lived there ; but during one memorable night the outer end
suddenly collapsed and sank Into the lake, and scoies of Natives perished, only one woman being saved. About two years ago Roto Sakahi, a small lake in the neighborhood, rose to a boiling point, but the temperature afterwards fell, and has remained as usual since. Lately there. have been certain signs of volcanic activity in various parts, especially in White Island, where the men accustomed to get sulphur have been unable to work from the showers of stones and dust. Lake Rotorua has been lower than has been known before. Ihe hot springs also have been extremely low. Close to the hotel a bath which has been closed for five or six years has recently been opened again on account of the water once more flowing freely. The volcanic district of New Zealand is well defined, and the present disturbances are at the most probable Bpot for eruptions.
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New Zealand Mail, Issue 746, 18 June 1886, Page 11
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20,965THE VOLCANIC ERUPTION. New Zealand Mail, Issue 746, 18 June 1886, Page 11
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