UNPLEASANT SURPRISE

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18795, 17 November 1932, Page 7

UNPLEASANT SURPRISE

BLOW-OUT AT ROTORUA. terrifying experience. FLED FOR HER LIFE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) ROTORUA, Thursday. When Mrs Maro Hicks, of Ohinemutu, wont to got a kettle from tha family thermal cooking hole at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, she met with an unpleasant surprise. As che stooped for the kettle she heard an ominous rumbling beneath her feet, and fled for her life, Just In time, for a few seconds later the afternoon tea and evening dinner went up 30 foet In the air. Not only did Mrs Hicks have a lucky escape, but It was fortunate that none of her children was In the immediate vicinity at the time of the blow-out. Two steam holes/are situated in a garden In the midst of a group of cottages, Mrs Hicks’ home and another being quite close to the spot. They served not only for cooking purposes hut also supplied beautiful clear hot water for three baths, where there were conveniences for bathing and washing clothes. Now all connection witii tiie baths has been severed, and the hole on Mrs Hicks’ property lias been filled with liquid mud. Although the water an‘d steam rose fully 30 feet in the air practically no debris was ejected and no damage was done to the garden, cottages, or bath adjoining; but where clear boiling water once welled up and clean steam provided heat for cooking there are now but two gaping boles in the rock, about two feet in diameter, with muddy, boiling water at the bottom.