VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS IN JAVA,

Colonist, Volume VII, Issue 676, 19 April 1864, Page 3

VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS IN JAVA,

GREAT DESTRUCTION OP LIFE AND PROPERTY,

The Otago Daily News of the othinstant says:By the s.s. Phoebe we have Java papers via Sydney up to the 28 th January. They contain intelligence of the devastation caused by the eruption of the volcanoes in Middle and East Java. The effects were felt over a space comprehending the eastern districts of the Preangar regencies to the western limits of Probolingo residency. The whole of the country within this space has been covered with ashes.. The most fatal influence of the eruption was felt in two of the eastern districts of the Rediri residency. There the devastation is complete and the loss of life and property most frightful; it is most probable that this fertile district will be unfit for culture for many years to come. The quantity of matter thrown out by the different volcanoes in eruption, which now includes the Slamat—is suprisingly large. Some idea of the quantity may be formed from the fact that the ashes and sand spread over the single residency of Madioeu is estimated at a volume of 1,74-1,522,418 cubic feet; and that the quantity of sand deposited on a piece of ground at Bilitar of about four acres in extent is reckoned to be seven million of pounds in weight. The Java Times of 14th January says : Advices from Bilitar report two villages in in the district of Srengat, containing 5 373 souls, as having been destroyed by the burning mud and sand. How many have lost their lives is not known, as only 16 of the inhabitants have been met with as yet and nothing had been heard of the others! The wants of the sufferers had been attended' to. At Solo the fall of ashes lasted till the afternoon of the 4th; the ground was covered with a layer of ashes four Netherlands inches df e P-, o'as0 'as well as at Magelang, streaks o± light like rockets were observed in an easterly direction. At the last named .placethe fall of ashes lasted till one o'clock on Mon> day afternoon.

The Ljttelton Tva 3 , to leave Blenheim vested™ afternoon at two o'clock, haying been detSSTS some purpose by the agents there, cletamed fo^. BdM&ffS of the Permanent Society held tost evening about 80 sbaw. woredispo^d of varying from | 3 £ to