THE VERY LATEST.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1261, 11 June 1886, Page 2

THE VERY LATEST.

4icßiAin), J;n* 11. Robinson and Msrohcaan, *h>> went on r . to rescue fugitives from Wairoa, returned to Rotorua last eight. They brought in Mrs Humphries and two servants saved from Mortae’n Hotel, mod report that nil the buildings are demo* lisbed, and in addt'iou, the native school house and residence had been ignited by one of the innumerable balls of fire which have been dying about in all directions. In response to a call for volunteers John son, Government a.ent and Roche. Rail* way Surveyor, immediately signified their willingness to go and the trio started atroigthawav Constable Maroney b»d previon ly started ont on horse, on the hills on Wairoa road was awfully weird looking. Grit was still falling in light showers, deuse cloads obs .ared the sky, aid vivid Hashes of lightning and clashing peals of thunder were very frequent. A strong S.E. wind was blow* ing terribly cold. On arrival at Tikitapn. bush it was found necessary to fasten np horses and leave buggy, and the remainder of the journey was performed on foot. The whole country was covered for several feet with clay mud, which made walking very heavy. Natives were met from time to time, and all gave the same account of a terrible catastrophe. Ail vegetation along the route after passing the summit between Rotorua and Tititapu, was found to be completely destroyed and the aspect of the landscape entirely changed. It resembled very much the appearance of an English landscape after a heavy snow* storm, but was of a dull grey colour in* stead of being white The beautiful Tititapu bush is a thing of the paat, the weight of the superincumbent mad and the force of the wind have stripped off the leaves, broken off branches sod np* rooted immense trees in all dirso* tiooa. Blue Lake and Rotakakahe, are aimply mod water which will Idee some time to clear. Oat let of latter lake has been locked up and bridges covered with clay mud nearly np to the top rail. On arriving at the ’ illage the full extent of the damage done was plainly visible. Nearly every building was crushed in by falling mud and snow. The Temperance Hall is completely flattened, and of the Terrace and Roto* mabana Hotels only the enter walls are standing in a terribly wrecked state’ The party were very glad to hear that Mrs Hazard had been dag ont alive, and com* porativoly uninjured. She certainly had a most miraculous escape; a falling beam lodged on a chffioner and allowed just sufficient room to save her from being crushed to death. Two children wee* found dead beside her, her arm bung 1 around one of them. Blythe, Govern* meat road surveyor, one of the survivors, and Constable Maroney w re found digging for the bodies < f Hazard and the other children As there was then no hope of rinding them alive, it was decided to cease operations and start at or ce for Botoron with Airs Hazard, eo as to got medical aid

and proper nursing as sooh'aß possible. A •treteher was procured, and a party Sdng turn about. Dr Ginders returned with them. Blythe informs me that he considers he and the eldest Miss Hazard owe their escape to the exertion of Harry Lindens, assistant-surveyor. The other Miss Hazard was saved by the exertion of a Native woman, who kept clearing away the mud with her hands so as to secure breathing space and afterwards got her out The mission station at Tenm is included in the general devastation Some Natives were struck and killed bv falling stones or lumps of Inwhares. There is Uttle hope that any Natives In Morea and Te Anki settlements could possibly have escaped. No persons could risk going there until tne eruption has completely subsided. This evening wo had two or threo heavy shocks of earthquake, a tonrlat stopping at Mcßae s, name unknown, U missing. It Is supposed he has been covered np by falling mud. Blythe and others describe the scene as being moat appalling. The whole side of the mountain was a sheet of tlame but until roof fell In they did not fully realise their awful peril.