VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS. IN SAMOA AND TONGA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13544, 17 March 1906, Page 11

VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS. IN SAMOA AND TONGA.

DEVASTATING KESULTS.

Some further particulars in regard tt> flio disastrous volcanic eruptions at Samoa which.occurred during the early portion of the year, ami l>y which a large amount of damage was done to the mission stations and property of the Methodist. London, and P.oman Catholic Societies, have been supplied liy Drs Moulton and Brown. who wero eye-wit uc-hs of the outbreak, to the Sydney JJorniiig iferakl.

L)r Moulton described the eruption as one of the west disastrous that had ever taken place in Samoa. He was not at the tune at the island, but was- a passenger by the Union Steam Ship Company's vessel Aiannpouri, from the deck of which steamer lie had a splendid view of the eruption. The appalling though magnificent picture •was heightened bv the fact that it was Been at night. l)r" Moulton said: "Jl was certainly a most marvellous sight as we saw it from the sea, the mountain forming the centre of an awful picture of fire, lava, and smoke. The flames ascended to an enormous height above the crater, and at frequent intervals huge streams of lava at, white heat would be belched forth, to lind their way down the sides of the mountain until they reached the lower-lying grounds and ravines, when they would spread in all directions, carrying devastation and ruin to many a native home or mission station. Prior to the eruption the ]ip of the crater was only some 200fi above sea ievel, but the outpour of heated mas-e s raised the crater to a height of 2500 ft in a remarkably short, space of time. As the lava flowed over the edges of the crater it could be distinctly'traced throughout its whole course to the rivers below, and lwing at white heat it h.nl a weird appearance to ilie spectacle. Tlie illumination from the burning mountain bathed the whole district in light, and from his point of vision it was romariuiblo how distinctly tlie natural features of the country were distinguished."

Continuing, Dr Moulton said thai Jie also witnesK'd fruni the (leek of thesamc'sleamer another volcano outbreak in the Tongan Group, where the monr.lain on Tofua was in active eruption. For 40 years this mountain lias liven considered to have passed its aclive volcanic slate, the old and extinct crater being (Hied with water, and forming a beautiful lake. At a distance of about 30 miles from the shore the rumblings and outburus of llame and smoke were strongly in evidence, and with (lie «reaf streams of lava running in all directions formed a magnificent sight There are no mission Stations at Tofva. the only inhabitants at the time being a few lonviels, who were removed in safety. There was also an eruption on the island of J-'onnalaei. pome 80 miles north of the Tongan vroun: in fact, the volcanic activity was noticeable all along the group, :,:m appeared to embrace the whole SO volcanoes in New Britain. The sight was oi:> rarely to lie seen, and would remain ir.delilily fixed on his memory.

Dr T.rown. ivho was also present, added tint I Ik; Diillirdtk at Ramon was the more Biarllim; frum the fait that tln> mountain was always looked upon as oxtincl. there "b.'iiiji no signs of volcanic action, no hot springs, or other evidences of recent out-hrcak.i—-as a matter of fuel, there was a strong ai-OH-th of trees and a total absence of all Ihofe signs of destructive eruptions 1o he found in region? where volcanic aclivitv is to lie expected at any time. There was even no tradition off lip previous eruptions, tiie natives had no rememhranco of former outpourings; in fact, there, was no record, and conscoueiitli- no living soul had any idea, of the wsibililv of the dreadful experience just, passed through, and still continuing. The activilv was yet verv pro. Jiouiiced, anil there was no saying; when it woii.'d once more, sink into the harmless condition which would permit the work of the missions to lie tarried on without further obstruction. Later letters received l.v the Itev. IS. Bank, describe the effects of the outbreak a.s appalling, th" lava lying in some places; 1,-j a depth of from 2Oft to 16ft. completely covering many houses. At Saleaula. Toapaipai. Salago, and oiler places the Ilia ns responsible for much alarm and <ir.:r. r er, and in some instances its progress only stayed a few hundred yanls from the teachers' quarters. Pome grave anxiety ir. still felt for the ppon.e at Salago. and further nous is onxitmsiy looked for.