View of the Outbreak From the South.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 159, 3 July 1886, Page 6

View of the Outbreak From the South.

A correspondent furnishes the " flawko's Bay Herald " with the following description ot the scene of the eruptions from a new point of view :— " On Tuesday laot a party j of four, consistingof Messrs ,Munro,.McB6tt6, Dame?, and Francis, left^Opipi, conducted by Mr Scrouthcr, of the Opipi Hotel, to obtain if possible a view of the recent outbreak at Rotoniahana from the south aide. The route taken was aa nearly as possible in a direct lino across the Kaingaroa Plain. That night they camped oh a branch oi the Waiotupu, forty miles from Opipi, and about nine miles from the scene of the eruption. Tho following day they left 1he camp early in tho morning, an d after tiding six miles had to dismount, the white dust lying so thick on tho ground that the horses could get no further. They then proceeded on foot ; but, owing to the great depth of the dust, travelling was extremely difficult, and, in fact, was only made poesiblo by the recent rains having somewhat solidified the deposit. Even as it was, they frequently went thigh-deep, and at places were compelled to crawl on their hands and knees. The depth of the deposit in some places must have been from 20 to 35 feet, and 18 inches below tho surface wa8 quite hot. After crosfing five ridges, involving threo hours' hard work, they reached the sixth and final summit. From this ridge a splendid view of the southernmost of the active volcanoes of the lake was obtained. Looking from the elevation where they stood, an almost perpendicular cliff descended into the volcano which was the last to break out, and which Dr. Hector christened tho ' Baby ' volcano. It was throwing up stones and black mud, accompanied by dense clouds of yellowish smoke ; but fortunately the wind was from the west, and carried tho smoke a way to their right, and so gave them a clear view of the crater. Below, where the Terraces used to be, the whole face ot the lake and approaches were changed, and many geysers were throwing up boiling mud 4 and 5 feet high, each geyser being capped by a long ascending column of steam. The ground all round where they stood was covered with huge boulders, some weighing many tons, which had been thrown out from some crater. The ground was also left in a state of continuous tremble, owing to tho activity of the 'Baby, warning the party that their standpoint was not of the safest, and might disappear any moment into the water. They therefore did not stay long ; after rolling large stones into the crater they retraced their steps to a safer point on some ridge, where they stuck a stick in the ground, surmounted by at» empty bottle, and a handkerchief with their names. Mr Francis says that reports as to the disappearance of the southern end of Tarawera mountain are incorrect, as from where they stood they obtained an excellent view of the mountain. They were in a south east direction, and could not have failed to see any peak had there been one. The southerly portion may have been blown away, but not the south siope. Vast clefts or rent3 were seen in three minor hills to the left of the party, steam ascending from each. Ir» the evening they returned to camp, and next morning started again for Opipi, minus two horses, which had gone j I to swell the mobs of wild horses depasturing ! on theplaing." Rotorua, June 30. Natives from Rotoiti who are fleeing to Maketu and the sea coast report seveie shocks at short intervals for the last few nights in that locality ; also that Lake Rotoma, lying 20 miles north-east of here, is quite warm. A body of steam was seen over Lake Rotorua by the Rev. Mr Goodyear when returning to Maketu. Rotorua Lake has been rising and falliDg four inches daily. At 7 o'clock last night a severe shock was felt here, tho direction being from east to west. Professor Hutton returned from Rotomahana volcano last evening. It is understood that he does not think there is a Ukehhood of the renewal ot the eruption... (Jeysers at Whakarewarewa aie very active, The residents remaining here liavo settled down to their usual occupations. The action of tho Education Board in returning all tenders for the District School building is severely criticised. If the Education Board con&ider the erection of a District School building too great a risk at present, what will private individuals think? It is hoped they will locjnsidcr their decision. It simply stamps the place as being unsafe. Considering the severe shaking-up Rotorua has had for tli3 last fortnight, a pretty good test has been given that there is something j substantial between us and the lower ' regions. j A native named Penetito, who lost two of his children at Wairoa on the night of tho ' eruption, was errested and brought beforo ' the Bench for having in his possession a quantity of goods and wearing apparel, looted from the ruined stores at Te Wairoa. He was remanded to Tauivinga. The wholesale looting of Messrs McRae's, Humphrey's, and Minnnett's goods by natives ia simply disgraceful after the kindnesa and generosty shown to them. Chkistciiurcu, Tuesday.— TheCommittee of the St John's Ambulance Association, at a meeting this afternoon, decided to present a cross to Mr McR/io, of Wairoa, in recognition of his gallantry during the late volcanic eruption in the Hot Springs district.