BIG SPECTACLE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20484, 10 December 1934, Page 7

BIG SPECTACLE.

Mt. Ngauruhoe In Eruption. terrifying burst. FIRST CINEMA RECORDS OBTAINED. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON. This Day. Ngauruhoe in eruption presented an amazing spectacle on Sunday morning when there was a magnificent but terrifying burst which is estimated to have reached a height of 10,000 feet, the violence of the eruptions rocking the ground at The Chateau. This big burst was far and away greater and higher than anything recorded in the 1926 eruption, according to residents of Raetihi who observed both phenomena. Volcanic ash is spreading over a wide area of country. Ash has been observed considerably more than sixteen miles away from the mountain right down to the Taupo Road in one direction and over to Desert Road in another. At times the mountain trembled and the noise of the explosions was like big-gun fire. Very complete photographic records of the eruptions have been obtained bv Mr Cobbe, the manager of The Chateau. A moving picture plant was procured from Rotorua and numerous shots were taken, thus securing the first cinema record of Ngauruhoe in eruption.

Mr Cobbe declares that the burst on Sunday* was one of the most wonderful sights in the world, and he has been advised that it was witnessed in places far distant from the immediate localitv.

On Wednesday last one of The Chateau guides, who is a capable photographer. visited the crater and _ took some photographs. All was quiet on the mountain at that time, but the guide noticed that a good deal of the lip of the crater had fallen in, partially blocking the vent. It is possible that this subsidence caused the trouble. Guide’s Narrow Escape.

Eruptions commenced on Thursday night and reached their maximum on Sunday morning. The guide again visited the top of the mountain on Saturday morning and observed that a new and smaller crater had formed in the centre of the old one. He prepared to take a photograph, but had just time to press the button on the camera and run for his life when an explosion occurred.

Reports received to-day from The Chateau state that the eruption has calmed down, though at seven o’clock this morning smoke was ascending to 3000 feet. The crater appeared to be throwing out clouds of white steam with an edging of yellow sulphurous fumes. The atmosphere is cloudy and observation of the eruption is difficult from a distance.

FORCED TO SHELTER.

Climbers Have Exciting Experience. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, This Day. A party of climbers led by Guide L. Jones, who attempted to climb Ngauruhoe, had an exciting experience. They had ascended some distance when there was a deafening roar and a column of dense smoke shot from the crater. Immediately afterwards boulders hurtled down the mountainside and the climbers were forced to shelter behind rocks to avoid being hit. One member of the party was cut on one hand by flying rocks and another was struck on the feet. When the immediate danger had passed the climbers lost no time in returning to safety. A they were descending another shotA>ccurr<*d and boulders were flung dowM the side of the volcano to the base. M