Eruption of Tongariro.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8617, 22 December 1896, Page 2

Eruption of Tongariro.

A GERMAN SCIENTIST'S OBSERVATIONS. " (BY mEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT.) - Auckland, December 21. The Taupo correspondent of the Herald telegraphs:—Te Mare continues active, with irregular force, At times only pure steam is seen, while at others large: quantities of ashes, pebbles, and dark smoke are' emitted. Dr. Friedlaender, a German scientist, has been exploring Tongariro and its surroundings for the last fortnight. He returned to Taupo sfroii Tokoanu last evening. , 1e is accompanied by his valet. During his stay at Tokaani he asceuded Tongariro mountain on several different oicasions accompanied by a. local guide, camping out on the mountain, taking 1 - observations, sketches, and photographs of the different cones • and; neighbourhood, He reports having witnessed a bril* liant midnight eruption of Te Mars on the night of .the 15th,' whtn the ' scene was one of grandeur, "Immense volumes of smoke, accompanied by ashes, were erupted, also fire of. a bright blue' tinge with fork- ' like lightning flashes every minute, This lasted for some time. On another ascent they, were accompanied by Father Kreymborg, the'local Roman Catholic priest, and; a:native; guide. During the afternoon the party got accidentally separated, losing their way, with darkness setting,in. They • had tok spend the night without their food or tent, but. were, re-united allright next morning without mishap,-. except hunger. - They have collected a quantity of ashes, stones, (fee, emitted by Te Mare. The ascent to the summit of Ngauruhoe \v(is also safely accomplished. The edge of the crater of this mountain is very interesting. Photographs • and sketches were taken of this. ; Ketetahi was also visited, well as all the craters and crater lakes ' on the summit of Tongariro. On other occasions they witnessed' 1 daylight eruptions of Te Mare,, which were generally of such a'nature as'toindicate the presnnce of fire,,but Dr. Friedlaender considers the midnight one \far surpassing, anything he had previously seen, and that ,it was quite • sufficient of itself to amply repay him for the time and trouble expended in visiting the locality. The data ho has' recorded should prove not only interesting but useful. Time and'circumstances did not permit his ascending ■ Ruapehu, as he intended. The doctor - is visiting the immediate neighborhood of Taupo to-day (Saturday), going 'fcf Wairakei to visit the geysers there tomorrow, proceeding to Auckland by, Monday's .coaoh, probably visiting Orakeikorako en; route if his engage* ments permit. ' ' ,