ALARMING OCCURRENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1260, 10 June 1886, Page 2

ALARMING OCCURRENCE.

OUTBREAK OF_A VOLCANO. FLIGHT OP TBE SETTLERS.

Great Loss of Property.

[fEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.] WiLU»GTON u Jtme 10.

The following telegrams have been re coined from Tauranga by the Secretary of the Post Office:—Loud reports and heavy earthquakes began here and continued until 5 a,m. Tauranga Is in darkness, and thick olonds of sulphurous matter, gypsum, etc., in the air. Mount Tarawera, Rolomahana, it is reported, has broken out, and eruptions are going on o jntiuuonsly. The Postmaster at Rotorua telegraphs;—All the people here fled in night do hes. Have sent my family away and remain at my post. Oannot BAy how long I can do this.

Excitement in Auckland. Auckland, Jane 10.

Last night constant explosions wets heard in Auckland, which were thought to proceed from tha direction of Mannkan. A a the sounds were like distress signals It was thought that a war vessel had gone ashore on the Manukau bat. The “Evening Star” despatched a special reporter tq|| make enquiries, when it was discovered there was no trace of a vessel in diatres ß on the coast. The came of the explosion was found to be that daring last night a tremendous outburst of volcanic activity had occurred in Rotorua district, aur~ I passing anything hitherto experienced in New Zealand. Violent eruptions took place, accompanied by loud reverberations and explosions. People are fleeing the district, but know not where to turn as the who e country from Lake Tanpo to Tauranga is covered with thick smoke, dark as midnight. Maoris and Europeans are rushing in great excitement. Propetty of all kinds is completely destroyed. Flashes ot fire wore plainly visible in - uckland and suburbs, showing the gigantic nature of the eruptions.

Tauranga being Deserted.

Later. The Mayor of Auckland has received a telegram from the Mayor of Tauranga asking for a steamer to take off the residents. Private telegrams state that Tauranga is in total darkness. At nine this morning the town was covered with ashes. The Mayor has replied that he will assist to the best of his ability. Vibrations of earthquake are being felt in Auckland, and fissures are observed.

A Terrible Night. Wellington, June 10.

The Secretary of the Post Office has received the following telegram:—Wo have all passed a fearful nigbthere. The earth has been in a continual quake since midnight. At 2.10 a. m. there was a heavy qnake and then a - fearful roar which made everyone run out of their houses, and a grand yet terrible sight for those so near as we were presented itself* Mount Tarawera, close to Rotomahana, became suddenly an active volcano, belching out fire and lava to a great height. The eruption appears to have extended itself to several places southwards. A dense mass of aahea came ponring down here at 4 a. m., accompanied by a suffocating smell frem the lower regions. This immense black cloud extended in a line from Tabeke to Paeroa, The mountain was one continual mass of electricity all night and is still the same. The roar of thunder and the roaring of two or three different craters and the stench and continual quaking of earth continues. Several families left their homes in t their night dresses with whatever they could seize in thair hurry, and made for Tauranga. Others, more lucky, got horses and left for Oxford. Judging from the quantity of ashes and dirt here 1 fear serious results to people at Walroa and all natives round Tarawera Lake. The fearful aspect"ofaffairs is just as bad now (8 a.m.) as it has been all night. 1 have sent my family to Oxford this morning, aud if matters don’t improve during the day shall follow them for a day or two. Hundreds of new boiling springs have broken ont all round here, some in the middle of the road,— R. D. Dansey, Postmaster. Rotorua.

Auckland, June 10,11.38 a.m.

Hazard, native schoolmaster at Wairoa, and family, are supposed to have lost their lives by the eruption. No trace of them is to be found, or of their residence near the central volcanic activity. In response to appeals from Tanranga, the s.B. Wellington is just leaving to take off refugees.

Napier, June 10, 12.27 p m.

At 2.30 a.m. an earthquake was felt, and from that hour a long rumbling, broken by explosions as from the heaviest artillery continued till daylight. The utmost alarm was manifested by many who feared the coming of earthquakes, or thought a dreadful disaster had occurred in the interior of the Island. Wanganui, June 10, 12.10 p.m.

Sounds of the volcanic eruptions" wore heard here distinctly this morning, between 2 and 4. The police thought a vessel was in distress, and went oat to ascertain Some country residents say the glare could be seen.

WbiungtoX, June 10,12.12 p.m.

The Native Minister has received a telegram to the effect that the boose ef Hazard, schoolmaster at Wairoa, near Tarawera, was struck by lightning, and the whole family killed except the two eldest daughters, who were rescued by Mr Linden. Blue mud Is boiling up everywhere. Mcßae’s hotel is completely wrecked, and one tonriat is missing. Several Natives Lave lost their lives, bat the exact number is not known. The Government Agent left Rotorua for Wairoa with a relief party. The explosions at Tarawera were heard in Wellington, and as far south as Blenheim.

Bi.enjieim, June 10.

Loud reports like gun-firing were heard at Blenheim, Picton, and places further south between 3 and foar this morning. They were supposed to |bf distress signers by ship «t Cloudy £||,

News of volcanic eruption created profound excitement here. Reports were accompanied by reverberation and rattling of windows. New Plymouth, Jane 10. Carious noises like explosions on the bring of a mau-of war’s gun* at sea were hoard about three this morning. They lasted over an hour. Wellington, 2.58 pm. In response to a request the Governor ut sends the Hinemoa to Tauranga this afternoon.

Bodies Recovered. The Secretary of the Telegraph Department has received the following telegrams from Rotorua ; —“ Some surveyors from Wairoa arrived. Look as though they had been through limekiln. Wairoa covered with ten feet of mad and stones and ashes, though six miles as the crow flies from craters at Ngse; one mile thirty feet mud is reported. No hopes for the Natives at the settlement at Ariki and Tahaiora.” Another telegram, timed noon, says “ Mrs Hazard rescued bat injured, four of her children dead alongside. The hotels are In ruins, two families luckily away. Fourteen Natives’ bodies recovered at Wairoa only.”