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Star (Christchurch), Issue 5643, 12 June 1886, Page 3

AUCKLAND, June 12. M'Eae, the hotelkeeper, states that at about 12.30 the earth began to shake, and shook continuously for an hour before the eruption broke out. When this was first seen, it was just like a small cloud on a mountain, with flashes of lightning of great brilliancy. All were got out of bed, and they went up to the old Mission station to ascertain the cause of the occurrence. We saw a sight there that no man who saw it can ever forget. Apparently the mountain had three craters, and the flames were shooting up fully a thousand feet high. There seemed to be a continuous shower of b_lls of fire for miles around. As a storm appeared to be coming on we returned to the hotel, and shortly afterward what seemed to be heavy hailstones came pouring on the roof, which continued about a quarter of an hour. This was succeeded by a fall of heavy stones, fire-balls, and mud lava, falling after the manner of rain. The weight of these substances upon the roof soon began to tell upon it. The first portion to give way was the detached kitchen and pantry, and then all collected in the smoking room. Those present were Mr and Mrs Humphries, and Minett, Mr Stubbs, gentleman, Mr Bainbridge, a young tourist; Fallon, storekeeper ; George Baker, cook; Mary Kean, Mary Bridan, John and William Bird, and my brother-in-law, one of whom arrived the previous night from Botorua with a waggon load of goods for the store, also some Maoris. The roof of the hotel gave way about half-past four with a loud smash, and the whole of the uppf-r storey collapsed, the ddbris falling into the rooms below. Wo left the smoking room and went into the drawingroom, which, as it was the newest part of the house, we thought would stand longest, but it was with the greatest difficulty that we got there, going through the falling Btones and mud, which impeded us when we went outside. Everybody without exception was cool and self-possessed. The back part of the house, in which was the dining-room, gave way next, and all of a sudden we heard a fearful crash and roar, as if thousands of tons of stuff were falling, and we heard the balcony come down. The danger of our position was now fearfully apparent. Baiabridge suggested we should engage in religious service, and he remarked with awful calmness that he expected to be before his Maker in an hour or so. We acquiesced, and Bainbridge read a portion of Scripture and said a prayer, in which we all fervently joined. At the same time it was agreed that we should make an effort to save ourselves, and with this object we determined to leave the hotel and make for the first Maori whare we saw standing. At this time there was a terrific gale, and hot stones and mud still descended incessantly. We agreed to stick together. Mr and Mrs Humphries and Bainbridge went out first, I and the two girls followed with the reßt. It was so dark we could not see a hand before us, and directed our way by instinct, calling to one another frequently to ascertain our relative positions. One of the men, myself, and two girls arrived at Sophie's whar6, but Mr and Mrs Humphries, Minett, Stubbs, Bainbridge, and Baker were missing. I went out to try and find where they were. I found Baker stuck against a tree, took him to the whar£ and went back to the hotel to find the others. Found Stubbs and Minett, after having groped about for some time, and returned to the drawingroom. I directed them to the whar6, and then went towards Wharepuni, and my delight was great when I heard the voice of Humphries answering my shout. He and wife were making for the carved house, and they reached there and remained all night. I went back to the wharo looking for Bainbridge, but could get no answer, and have not seen him since. My belief is he was stunned by a falling stone, and buried under the mud, which now lies five feet deep all over the settlement, covering everything up. At half-past 01 got a candle in a bottle, and went np to the residence of Haszard and family. It was still pouring mud and stones, and I was knocked down three or four times; I had previously been struck down many times when looking after others. When I reached the school residence I found the two eldest daughters, a Maori girl, Blythe, Government surveyor; and assistant Lundon. Some were sheltering in the fowlhouse, and others nnder part of tho houso wall, which was still standing. Tho house was in ruins and flames, and I could see no sign of Mr or Mrß Haszard and the other children. I sent a party down to Sophia's whar<s, and then as soon as a glimpse of daylight came, which was about 8 o'clock, all tho party, with tho exception of John Bird and myßelf, Btarted for Botorua. We looked again for Bainbridgo, and made search for Mr and Mrs Haszard, but were unsuccessful, and then wo collected tho horses and started for Ohinemutu. When we got a couple of miles on the road, wo met Humphries, Minnett, and Blythe returning with Douglas and Constable Moroney, who had ridden from Botorua. We all returned to Wairoa and commenced to dig for the bodies of tho Haszards, and to our great astonishment discovered Mrs Haszard alive. Two of the children were found dead be3ido her, but sho was not greatly injured. We continued operations until quite exhausted, but found no more bodies. We carried Mr 3 Haszard to Sophie's whare, and applied as restoratives brandy and port wine, which were the only things we could get. A relief party, headed by Dunbar Johnston, Gove»r-.ujent agent, and E. Eobertson, coach proprietor, haa arrived.