THE GREAT VOLCANIC ERUPTION

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5648, 18 June 1886, Page 3

THE GREAT VOLCANIC ERUPTION

■ ♦ ■ ■ THE REPORT OF OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. BOTOKUA, Junj 18. Yesterday, Mr Johnston, Government agent, distributed a number of blankets to the Natives gathered in the village He handed the blankets over _to the chief, Keepa, saying they were an instalment of Government love to the Maoris, who had lost everything at Walroa. There are upwards of four hundred Natives now gathered in the village at Ohinemutu. The big meeting-houße presents an animated &oene, Maoris of all ages and both Bexea packing it to ite utmost capacity. Some Natives who were not sufferers by the calamity have come up from the Coast to condole with their friends and consume the food collected for the benefit of unfortunates. Like an Irish wake, the great tangi ia ending in a great gorge. The village iB quiet during the night, but lively hj day. The blankets and clothingprovided by the Auckland people stopped at Oxford, but will come on by dray today. THB WAIEOA NATIVBS are now practically landless, and there has been some tali among the Kotorua tribes of giving land. It has so far come to nothing, and in the end Government will doubtlesß be left to provide for them. If they continue in their present mood, however, there will be no trouble. No one, bo far, has been able to reach the Native settlement on the hill between Wairoa and Waitangi, where six Natives are reported to be. Smith's party tried to get there when they went in search of the old woman who escaped from Wairoa, but the mud was too much. Smith, Baker and party start for Auckland on Friday morning. Smith has made sketches of the country covered by the eruption of Taratrerft. I find he agrees with the opinion that the bulk of the mud on land having a slope of forty-five degrees will become incorporated with the strata. Morgan, who crossed from Galatea, says THB 6BXIT FISSUBX in the earth before mentioned extends up by Okaro Lake, and the earthquake shocks there are so extensive that it is almost impossible to cross between that Lake and Rotomahana. i. party (including Hean) who made an excursion to Botomahana returned after a hard day*B ride. They succeeded in reaching Botomahana, and obtained a splendid view of the country. Mr Boscowen, an artist in the head office •f the Survey Department at Wellington, arrived to-day under orders from the Government, to make sketches of the country. " Mr Smith has arranged for the establishment of his camp beyond Kaitiriria, and he expects to bo engaged on the hills behind Botomahana for a week. Another large party went out yesterday. ALAEMED NATIVKB. News has been received that the Natives of Orahokorako are alarmed at the activity of the springs there, and hearing of the fate of the Tarawera Natives, are clearing out. This district is in a state of perpetual ferment. From Paeroa the overflow of the hot water springs has produced a warm river. The whole of the country beyond Karamea mountain, at the head of Lake Okaro, for miles is of such a character that it would not be surprising to hear of another eruption in that direction. There was a distinct diminution in the size of the steam-cloud over Botomahana on Thursday night, and it was divided into two columnß. The moon roae behind ft, and a very peculiar effect was produced. Before the discovery of the cause, some thought another eruption was impending. Those who visited the spot yesterday say the volcano is still very active.