INCREASED THERMAL ACTIVITY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13891, 1 May 1907, Page 5

INCREASED THERMAL ACTIVITY.

ANOTHER GEYSER IN' ACTION.

(Pir United Phess Association.)

WELLINGTON, April 3d I hero can be little doubt that the vol. canio belt in New Zealand lias recently manifested, and slill is experiencing, n period of incieased 'thermal or volcanic activity in common with other parts of the world, There .have l:cen tho supposed outbursts from the old crater, on Ruapehu,' and a marked activity on tho more energetic volcano of Nguartilioe. Quito recently a dormant geyser at Tokaanu burst forth again, sending steam and boiling water to a height of over a hundred feet. Then there was an explosion on the lYyingpan l'lat, near the now dormant Waimangu, and finally Waikiti, formerly one ol tho most notable geysers in tho llolorua district, has burst forth with all its old splendour. Waikiti !V« at the foot of n great bluff behind Whakarewarewa, but has not played for many years. Formerly it was so conspicuous an object in the landscape, pending its steam and showers of water right and oft, that when the town of Eotorua was laul out the lino broad roud leadim; from Rotorua to Whal cnrewarcwiv was planned so that Waikiti could be seen playing just beyond its terminus. About tho time that VII . V into Rotorua, however, Waikiti suddenly went out of action, and has remained dormant all these years. Last year, when Mr Donno roturncd from his trip abroad, he coinmehced operations, with a view to making AVaikiti play again, plugging up certain vents and fissures in the locality through which steam was issuing. In a little while the whole of the lower ground about Whakarewarewa com. mcnced to throb in an ominous manner, and hoi. springs began to appear undor 601110. of the Maori "wliares"; but still Waikiti refused to play. Tho Maoris, howkooariiG alarmed, and sent a message aekingr Mr, Donne to give them an audiencc.' iiie meeting was duly held, and the Native orators, waliiug up and down in tho meeting-house / with taiahas in hand, vehemently urged Mr Donno to .cease from his machinations. This ho agreed to do, but so great an impression had been made on the Maori mind that that same night every Maori in tho village cleared out. They remained away lour days, and when they found that the place did not blow up they came back. Now all of a sudden, without any assistance from man, i i° i Keyso F , own accord has sud. denly burst into action onco more, A, telegram received by the Tourist Departnient to-day says that Waikiti began to play at 1.10 a.m. to-day, and at 10 o'clock, when a later message was sent, it waa still playing. «