THE VOLCANIC DISTURBANCE.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1846, 18 June 1886, Page 2

THE VOLCANIC DISTURBANCE.

Two sharp earthquake shocks were felt at Ohinemutu shortly after miduigbt of Tuesday last. The second, succeeding the first at an interval of half an hour, was very severe. The undulating motion proceeded from the direction of Tarawera (says the corrcspou dent of the Post), and caused windows to shake and water-jugs to rattle iu the basins. At 11 o’clock on Wednesday another shock was felt. Heavy rain also fell and it was bitterly cold similar to the weather we had in the Wairarapa on the same day. The rain will be the saving of thousands of sheep and cattle in tbe northern districts covered by volcanic dust.

At Morea village, where 45 Maoris are buried, the mud in a liquid state is running into the lake with rapidity. The whole site of the village has been shot bodily into the lake. The large grove of karaka trees which grew there was found floating a mile off in the lake. At Ariki there are 40 natives covered 30 feet deep. The excavations at Wairoa village are practically abandoned, as the goods are not worth the cost of getting out. All the buried natives who were in their whares have been recovered: the others missing are known to have died outside. It is believed that altogether 97 natives have perished. News Irom the East Coast states that the districts beyond Tologo Bay are more or less affected by the eruption. Waiapu, Rotokautakua, Waiomatatini, Waiporo, and other places are covered with sand to depths varying from three quarters of an inch to eight inches. In many of the districts cattle and sheep are dying for want of food, not a vestige of which is to be found. Mobs of sheep, cattle, and horses are wandering about in a bewildered condition. The settlers are feeding stock on what hard food they have got, but this must shortly run out. On Colonel Whitmore’s run the sheep are wandering about for food. Stretches of country are devastated. The damage dune must be serious.

Rotosua, Thursday. There {9 little further news of importance. Extensive land and mud slips are taking place. It is still doubtful whether notomahaoa Lake is completely filled up. The Government, though Sir Julius Vogel, have recorded them admiration of the courage of the telegraph operators at Rotorua in remaining at their duty when everyone else were fleeing for their lives. Mr Dansey was the officer in charge, and bo was assisted by Messrs Macauley and Gardener (the latter a brother of Mr George M. Gardener, of Carterton). A curious point of insurance law has arisen in the pase of M'ltae’s Hotel, Wairoa. It was insured lor £I2SO in the Union Company, but doubts have been entertained as to whether the company is liable, as the destruction was caused by a volcanic eruption. To-day Mr M‘Hae received the Allowing telegram trom Tauranga “J. M‘Rae, Rotorua, Insurance Company not liable. Matter, however, will be fully oodsidered by Directors. Awfully sorry for you. Wu. Common*.” The Rotorua residents sympathise with Mr ATKae, and regard his case as a bard one. During the progress of tlie eruption ho was repeatedly successful in putting out flres caused by red hot cinders coming through the windows into the hotel. I‘orcy Smith, assistant Surveyor General, says lie Bpeiu ’Sunday and Monday at the south end of the

'-Motion near Okaro. The southern crater is volcanic u.., ' u « r ««ie. Will He 200 yards long, £»0 found examined the hack ot the pink terrace . that both it and the whde terrace are hlo»u up aim there is only a crater remiuumg. Ihe « 'intn is shelviii ir in te tfie c; at eras it eats down to thefootof the lake ami the eouutrv round Luke Uotoimhaua is all in motion to tlm lake, as some scum volcanoes cat out its holtoin. lie believes the ram now falling wi clear the hills of mini, make them accessible, but wul practically destroy Tarawera hake, and still further alter its appearance, Not a living thing is now in Wairoa.