ISLAND ERUPTION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 734, 6 August 1929, Page 16

ISLAND ERUPTION

DAMAGE AT NIUAFOOU SEEN FROM TOFUA’S DECK Passengers on tne Tofua felt no effect of the eruption and earthquake on the island of Niaufoou, in the Tongan group. The first they knew of the disaster was when some natives swam out to the ship with mail and messages. On the night of July 25 there were several eruptions on the island, and the natives all made for safety in the bush. Mr. A. Sutherland, Island representative for John Burns and Co., Ltd., said that from the deck of the Tofua some idea of the damage could be gained. The coconut plantations looked as though they had been devastated by a fire. This was the result of the streams of lava pouring among the trees. These lava streams were from 15 feet to 100 feet wide. They completely destroyed the village of Fatu, and caused a great deal of damage to the village of Agata. It is estimated that between £3,000 and £4,000 worth of damage had been done to plantations and property, and relief will have to be given to a large number of natives who are dependent on the plantation areas for their food supplies. On the day the Tofua arrived off the island the weather was beautifully fine. Passengers could see the steaming craters, but they did not go near enough to obtain any good photographs. Later messages to Suva, Fiji, state that the first erupion took place on July 5, between three and five o’clock in the morning. 'Quakes and rumblings had warned the inhabitants, so that when the craters began to pour out their streams of lava they were prepared for any emergency. Lava was thrown from six or eight of the craters, but the others, numbering about 20, remained quiet, otherwise the damage would have been much greater. Two copra sheds, one belonging to Burns, Phiip, and Co., and the other to Morris Hedstrom were destroyed. The natives described the eruptions as “a great sight.” The island was first discovered in 1791. In 1853 there was a violent eruptilon, when many lives were lost. Other eruptions occurred in 1867 and in 1886.