MOUNT ETNA ERUPTION.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15273, 25 June 1923, Page 5

MOUNT ETNA ERUPTION.

VOLCANO NOW CALM. NO LOSS OF LIFE REPORTED. SALVATION "OF LINGUAGLOSSA. Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. ROME, June 23. The rate of the flow of lava from Mount Etna has decreased, and some rivulets have become sationary. The advance during the past 15 hours has been at the rate of only 15 metres an hour. At this rate it would take the lava stream two weeks to reach Liuguaglossa. Telegraphic and telephonic services have been resumed, new lines having been laid in the last two days. Givil engineers estimate that the lava has been streawn over an area of six square kilometres.

Signor Barbagallo, who was in charge of the Etna Observatory, was reluctantly compelled to abandon his post. He succeeded in cimbing up to the crater two days ago and noticed that one of the cones which had been inactive since 1918 was violently eruptive. A section of the cone was transformed into a huge crack, which was incessantly emitting flames 50 feet high. A correspondent of Lloyd's News telegraphs from Catania that the lava has stopped within a mile of Linguaglossa, whither the inhabitants are returning and calmly resuming their normal life. During the night a picture of the town's patron saint, St.- Egidio, hangs from the facade of the Church, illuminated with electric light, keeping watch while the people sleep. Experts believe that the eruption has now calmed down. There is hardly a man or woman in the devastated area who is not convinced that the dcorease of the volcano's fury is due to a miracle. King Victor, on returning to Rome, said that the eruption, although serious, was not likely to be a catastrophe. Its effeots are limited to destruction of property, there having been no loss of life. Signor Mussolini is taking a deep personal interest in the Eeeds of tho sufferers.- He twice visited the scene of the lava advance. The small towns through which he passed were beflagged in his honour, and he was affeotionately greeted by the inhablants. He declared that the Government would help to repay the damage immediately. Genoa and Milan have each voted £SOOO for relief. Signor Mussolini severely . denounced the Italian Press, declaring that many of its alarmist accounts were greatly exaggerated.