FEARS RELIEVED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19339, 1 June 1937, Page 5

FEARS RELIEVED

TIDAL WAVE MENACE PASSING AT RABAUL ERUPTION AFTI-: EM ATH MUD STREAMS IN TOWN (Elec. Tel. Copyright —United Tress Assn.) ISYDNFjY, June 1. A brief message received yesterday from Rabaul, capital of New Guinea, aroused fears that a iidal wave had swept tbe town causing extensive damage. There was considerable anxiety in Sydney concerning the fate of those who had not been evacuated. Later reports, however, indicated that the suggestion of a tidal wave striking Rabaul, which was received in Sydney by the Burns, Philp Company, was without foundation. The radio station at Rabaul, which is almost on the waterfront, reported last night that there had been no sign of a tidal wave. We would not he here if one came, stated the “message'.' The sulphur fumes forced the radio operators from the Rabaul wireless station, hut the men returned to their posts late yesterday. They are now only able to provide an emergency radio service which is being relayed to Sydney by vessels at sea. It is reported that the streets of Rabaul yesterday were blocked with pumice and mud and had become a quagmire. Trees have broken by the weight of the mud discharged from the volcanoes on Vulcan and Matupi Islands. The Federal Cabinet has received an urgent request for provisions and bedding for the refugees at Kokopu, 50 miles from Rabaul, whose rations, it is estimated, will last only two days. The Government immediately arranged for the island steamer Malaita, which is at Brisbane, to load food and water and leave at once. The vessel is expected to arrive at Kokopu in five days.

WELL-SHELTERED PORT

ONE OF WORLD’S WONDERS

Rabaul nestles at the foot of one of three volcanic peajes, these being known as the Mother and Daughters. Blanche Bay gives every indication of having been at one time the crater of a volcano.

The town of Rabaul was established as recently as 1910, when a German shipping firm received from the German Government every encouragement to make Rabaul a port of call on -the Sydncy-Hong Kong run of its steamers.

The streets of the town before the eruptions are described as being well laid out, and smooth roads about the town stretch underneath the cool greenness of the poinciana trees. Bungalows, erected on cement piles, with wide, cool verandas, stand in their own grounds, wit if picturesque borders of crotons and sweet-smelling frangipnnni. There are three hotels in the town and two clubs, three general stores run by white men, and in Chinatown, which has been laid out 'to the north of Ralmiil proper, there are shops that cater for all tastes.

Tho harbour of Rabaul has" been described as one of the wonders of the world. It is well sheltered, and the largest steamers can lie us close as 25 vards from the shore.