THE RABAUL UPHEAVAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23221, 19 June 1937, Page 16

THE RABAUL UPHEAVAL

TERRIFYING CONDITIONS WOMAN REFUSES TO LEAVE (From Our Own Correspondent) SYDNEY, June 4. Stories of courage and tragedyhave been wirelessed from Rabaul, where the eruption of three volcanoes has necessitated the almost complete evacuation of the capital and caused huge losses. Officials, who include the Administrator (Brigadier-general M'Nicoll), wireless operators, who are keeping Rabaul in touch with the world, and police, native and European, are sticking to their posts in the stricken town under terrifying conditions.

Only one woman remains there. She is Mrs C. R. Bignell. manageress of the Rabaul Hotel. She refused point blank to desert her post when all the other women were taken to Kokopo. Mrs Bignell did not remain in the danger zone out of any false sense of heroism; she knew that if the men in Rabaul were to cart stores and do their other duties efficiently, they would require good food, and she spends the days cooking meals. Mrs Bignell is noted for her pluck and endurance. For many years she lived on a plantation with her husband in the Solomon Islands. When ill-health made it necessary for Mr Bignell to go away, she carried on alone. The Administrator and other white men have been deeply impressed with the bravery and calmness of the natives. It was expected that superstition would make them panicstricken, but they have accepted the eruntions philosophically and their good behaviour and help greatly facilitated the evacuation.

When lava and stones from Vesuvius overwhelmed Pompeii, the people were engaged in their everyday tasks. In a moment, the sky was black and death was walking abroad. Last week Rabaul was celebrating the Coronation. Hundreds of gaily-clothed natives paraded in the streets and flags flew from buildings and houses. The lawns were green and the palm trees reared their green heads to the sky. The picture theatres were full, there were gay receptions at the clubs and hotels, and everyone was happy. Then began those ominous rumblings that preceded the eruptions. At first none took much notice of them, but they grew stronger. The residents who had motor cars went out of the small city to see what was happening. They saw ash and stones falling from Vulcan Island. The wind changed, and ash settled over Rabaul, Soon, Government House and other residences were coated in ash. People were covered in ash; it got into their eyes and into their hair. The white villas that glittered among the green foliage could not now be seen. Ash and mud had seeped into every corner of Rabaul. To-day Rabaul presents a scene of extraordinary desolation. One correspondent sent the following message:—“The film of pumice and volcanic ash which is settling over the city makes it seem like a buried city just revealed by excavation.” A graphic description was given of the loss of the steamer Durour. which was on the slipway when the eruptions began and had been shaken by several earthquakes. “ The scene in the harbour was amazing,” said an eye-witness. “ The side of Vulcan Island had been rising, and the officers of the Durour

left the ship in a launch in the hope that they would be able to secure some remarkable photographs. Suddenly there was a loud report at ■- sea, and the men thought it wiser to return. The men jumped ashore and raced for the Durour in the hope that they would be able to save some of their belongings, but _ they were too late for the Durour had sunk. Some of the officers and crew, seeking to escape from the shower of mud and pumice, raced a mile on foot over hot pumice. Their plight*was noticed by Fred Hay, manager of the slip, and he gallantly went to their asistance with his car." Another small steamer, the Duris, dragged her moorings and disappeared.

A vivid pen picture of the destruction and desolation has been given by Brigadier-general M‘Nicoll. He says that the present bad situation will be intensified when rain comes, as the roofs of all houses are thickly covered with volcanic dust which will become thick mud directly it becomes wet. The roads are covered with pumice and the branches of trees.

The general manager of Amalgamated Wireless in New Guinea, Mr L. A. Hooke, has revealed the Conditions under which his assistants have worked during the past few days. “ The operators have carried on the traditions of their calling by remaining at their posts in the face of danger and difficulties,” he said. “ Showers of pumice stone and mud drove them temporarily from the station at Rabaul, cut off the electricity supply upon which they depended, and rendered their typewriters useless. New circuits have been arranged so that, whatever happens, the service cannot break down completely.”

Meanwhile, ships are racing to the stricken area with food and clothes. The Malaita is carrying a cargo of bedding, camping equipment, clothing, cooking utensils, tooth brushes, shoes, towels, hurricane lamps, vegetables, other food, and medical supplies for the refugees at Kokopo. H.M.A.S. Moresby is also steaming to Rabaul from Thursday Island with supplies. There are newspaper men on the Malaita representing metropolitan newspapers through the country. “ Descriptions of the effect of the eruptions and the plight of the refugees have been filling many columns in the papers during the week. Discussing the cause of the eruptions, Professor Cotton, who is professor of geology at Sydney University, said it was fortunate for Rabaul that they took place over a period of days. “If it had happened suddenly—if the violence had been confined to a few hours — Rabaul would probably have been completely blotted out,” he said. “ If the seabed at Rabaul had. risen, there would have been a violent earthquake.” Early in the week wild rumours were circulating in Sydney that Rabaul had been overwhelmed by a tidal wave, but thev were soon disproved by reassuring wireless messages.

It is difficult at the moment to assess losses, but since the Territory was taken over the Commonwealth has spent nearly £500,000 in the erection of administrative buildings in Rabaul alone. Mr H. H. Page, Government Secretary at Rabaul, who is visiting Sydney, said that, in addition, buildings belonging to various firms were very valuable. He said it was too early to speak of possible new capitals until it was known what would happfen to Rabaul, but Wau, in his opinion, would be hopeless as a capital.