The Ownership of Vesuvius.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIII, Issue XXIV, 10 December 1904, Page 47

The Ownership of Vesuvius.

Vesuvius, with its eruption, has done, says the Rome correspondent of the “Pa.l Ma.l G; aatte,” more than provide magnificent, fireworks to attract the foreigners; it has set four com-munes--Resina. Terre del Greco, Boseot recase, and Ottaiano—by the ears. It seems that each claims that the volcano stands within its confines, if not all. the greater part cf it, and that it (the commune) can thus claim the taxes-of the guides. Cook's railway, and the one hundred and one other things which yield money. The quarrel is a pretty one. aral bids fair to be unending, as no sooner have the e »:-i:ies been established, and a comparative, if discontented, peace patched up, than the vol cano belches forth new lava, forms new -hills Snkl valleys, and obliterates -the confines. Vesuvius almost seems to be making tun of the pigmies who’dare to claim her as their property. Thus a new quariei fo lows “ad infinitum,” and the communes certainly spend more money in settling their claims than they ever get from.ilia volcano. Since the late eruption, feeling has risen to such heights that the peop'e of one com niune throw stoner, .it those of the ethers, and refuse to speak as they pass by. Each declares that it has ancient documents to prove its rights beyond dispute. but when the moment ccines for exhibiting them they somehow have misplaced them. They would have been most useful to the Council of State.to whom tiiev bine appealed, but they cannot 'j- found. .Meanwhile, until the quaire.*s settled. Resina has decidedly Ihe best of it. as. while the others were . terior strieken, she bold ly fixed her coniines by herself, taking in the whole mountain,