THE EXTINCT CRATERS OF THE AUCKLAND ISTHMUS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 35, 30 August 1890, Page 9

THE EXTINCT CRATERS OF THE AUCKLAND ISTHMUS.

(Sec illustrations. jtages 7, 6. 7.)

HE isthmus of Auckland is one of the most remarkable volcanic districts on the earth. <x It is characterised by a large number of extinct volcanic cones with craters,* in a more or less distinct state of preservation, and with lava streams forming extensive stone fields at the foot of the hills, or with tuft* craters surrounding like an artificial wall the cones of eruption piled up of scoria and volcanic ashes. The first outbursts were probably submarine, and took place at the bottom of a shallow muddy bay little exposed to the waves and wind. With the beginning of the volcanic action, by which these tuft’ cones were formed, the gradual upheaving of the whole isthmus seems to have taken place; and thereafter the second period was characterised by ejection of glowing masses of scoria and cinders, and finally great overflowings of lava took place, rolling like rivers of fire through the valleys. Most abounding in lava, and probably the latest of the eruptive points, is the Rangitoto Mountain, 920 feet, rising on the eastern side of the entrance to.W aitemata Harbour, and here the lava streams have built up a regular cone rising at an angle of four to five degrees, and bearing at its top two steep cones of scoria and cinders, of which the upper one, with a funnel-shaped crater, appears set in the crater of the lower. The Maori name ‘ Rangitoto,’ according to its literal signification ‘ Bloody Sky,’ seems to point to the supposition that the Auckland volcanoes had not ceased to be active till within the latest historical period. This, however, seems to me improbable, since there are nowhere traces of solfataras, fumaroles, or hot springs on the isthmus.

The terraced appearance of these hills—Mount Smart, Mount Eden, and others—were effected by the Maoris in the early days in building stockades, and the heaps of sea shells and other remains proclaim the permanent residence of these warriors on the hills, while the lava caves at the Three Kings, Mount Smart, and Mount Wellington were crammed with the skeletons of the unhappy victims who perished during the second decade of this century in the murderous wars with the terrible Hongi. We give a number of sketches of the more prominent cones and craters as they appear to the visitor of to-day. The altered aspect of Mount Smart is the result of the practical effort of the colonists to ballast a road through the Waikato for the iron horse, a by no means inconsiderable undertaking, as will be seen by the large portion of this mountain that has been removed for this purpose. Perhaps the most remarkable of the craters near Auckland is that of Mount St. John, with the small lagoon at its bottom (vide sketch). In a future issue a larger illustration of the Rangitoto Mountain will be given—the Vesuvius of the Southern Hemisphere. The view of Mount Eden is shown as looking down from above the Geodesical station, fixed by the present SurveyorGeneral of the colony (Mr S. Percy Smith) as an imcial station for the larger triangles carried over the Auckland provincial district. There can be no doubt but that the crater of Mount Eden is entirely unique in its way, and with the carriage drive to the summit is largely visited by travellers through the colony and the general public of the surrounding city. ’ Some 63 points of eruption were detected by Dr. Hochstetter within a radius of ten miles of the City of Auckland.