ERUPTION OF TARAWERA

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1266, 17 June 1886, Page 3

ERUPTION OF TARAWERA

[per press association.] A Locg Fast. KoxokuA; June 16. The discovery of the old chief named Totutonga, buried in a whare at Walroa, is a strong reflection upon the dilatcrinuss of the Government in adopting measures to explore these houses. Although mud was heaped up around the whare and over the roof to a height of over 4 feet, the dcor was not so blocked as to shut out light. The failure to find him, however, was partly the wish of the natives in the village that he should never bo discovered. He is reputed to bo over 100 jeara old, and is greatly feared as a wizard of fbst- | class transmogrification power. Ho is accused of causing the death of a child before by “Belching” him. The doatruc tion of Wairoa is also attributed to the old man’s malevolence. When found ho seemed perfectly contented with his condition. Although a mere skeleton, his 104 hours hybornating had not made him speechless, and he protested against being c rried ouP. He at once partook of food, however ; and on reaching the sanatorium at Rotoma, was fed upon milk, administered in small quantities. His dutiful nephew and geandchildron, who ha 1 made no efforts to reirch for their aged relative, flocked down to weep over him when he came m To-day was a great day with the Wairoa refugees in front of the meetinghouse at Rotorua The food for distribution was heaped up ; the great rod flag of the tribe, bearing the name of their ancestor, was hoisted at the flag mast, and the chief made the usual harangues. The natives of the district have behavee very well to their unfortunate brethren, dividing clothing with them freely. Government have also authorised the issue of food and clothing.

Groundless Bumors. > Ohinamutu Is in a condition for the production of a panic on small provocation, Wonderful stories, which are pure fic'ion. or have slight foundation, fly about continuously. One current to-day, with much detail, was to the effect that Mount Edgecombe has broken into eruption, or that White Island was in a terrible ferment. There seems no ground for this report, beyond the increased activity of the Ngaruahua, at Tikitere. The ad jacent districts arapn activity, which, as Dr. Hector points out, is readily accounted for both there and hero, by the closing of the outlet with mud and the banking up of water in the lakes and springs. Rotorua is two feet higher from this cause, but the ovetflow will clear a course for hadf, as it has done at Wairoa. What may be effected by the slipping of the mud on the north shore into Rotorua remains to be soon. If there is a very sad side to the catastrophe there is also a humorous one.

A Maori Prayer. Mr Morgan, surveyor, rela'od that ho was at Galatea with the natives, and when tho shower of ashts came on, one native fell upon his knees and exclaimed, “ Oh Lord, if you will only lot us got out of this, I will give yon a pound, and Morgan shall keep it." A Curious Point. A curious point of insurance loss has arisen in the case of Mcßae’s hotel, Wairoa. It was insured for £I2BO in the Onion, but doubts have been entertained as to whether the company is liable, as tho destruefion was caused by volcanic eruption. To day McPae received tho following telegram from Tauranga : “ Insurance company not liable ; matter, however, bo fully considered by directors : awfully soary for you.” W. M Commons Miscellaneous Details.

Dr Hector left this morning for Napier, via Taupe, accompanied by Messrs Vaux, Sladdou, and Pope, Sergt. Cahill .left for Maketu, to sea the state of the district and arrange for a distribution of forage for cattle. Inspector Goodall proposes leaving to morrow for Tanranga to perform the same mission in the adjacent distiiots where cattle are starving. Inspecter Goodall sent Constable Cavanagh today to Kaiterera to bring in old Pariri and the native women rescued Pfom Waitangi to ilotorua Hospital. Old. Tutioto, who was dug out, is recovering fast. Blythe leaves for Galatea t'-raoirow and brings Mrs Blythe and Mr and Mrs Soper from Galatea This is necessary, as' owing to the blocking o : the roads with volcanic mud no supplies can be got in ; they will go to Auckland by Taupe and Lichfield. Morgan, Blythe's overseer at Galatea, ai.ived to-night Ho states Mrs Blythe had tried first to get through alone, as the natives would not assist. Not being able ha went back fifteen miles to his place and took her to Preece’s old mission station. " He states that the Fangaroa plains are covered with volcanic mud. The volcanoes had not extended to them. A third volcano nor ! h of t.'ksro was very eclivo, throwing up boulders. Percy Smith, Assistant Surveyor General, arrived at Polcrua to-night. He informed me lo had spent Sunday and Monday at the south end of the volcanic eruplion near Gkaro. The southern crater : s about 200 yards long 250 yards wide, and 350 feet deep. He examined the back of the pink terrace. Bath it and the white terraces are blown up. The country round Lake Botomahana is all in motion lo the lake. He went on to Wairoa, and there found a Maori who had discovered the woman coming from Wai tangl and had abandoned her. He stated thit the natives had gone out to bring her in, and had started with a party of Europeans. The natives discovered her at a point three miles north of Wairoa. She had been six days without food or water ; and was wandering in her mind. Smith, Baker and B’ytho aided by four natives carried her to Kaitori. Constable Kavanagh, who saw her to-day, says she will recover. Smith leaves for Auckland on Friday, but hopes to return when | the weather is better to examine the Tarawera ranges, especially at the He believes the rain now going on will clear the hills of mud, and enable them to be accessible, but practically destroy Tarawera lake and still further alter its appearance. Mcßae has sent seven horses to try ajid get out a wagon having a piano in it. The drivers could not get to Tikitapu bush even, and had to go back over the flat at the lake. The volcanic slush from the mountains at lake Rotokakahl has now

found its way to the lake, obliterating this sec* lon of tho road. There is not a living thing now in Wairoabut It is belived tho Maoris at the adjacent settlement will peril their livrs to reach and plunder Mcßae's sto’e. Tho last Europeans who come f ut stole some of Humphries’ goods. Aa the weather at Tarawera is cold and rainy, most of the visitors, tho Press representatives, and natives are going to clear out on Sunday unless anything important Intervenes. Edward, a native Interpreter, and one cf the boating barty, has made a series of rough pencil sketches showing many features of volcanic act! n on the Tarawera range, and the altered State of the country. As neither Dr Hector nor the photographer got a view of the Tarawera side of the volcanic system, these sketches will be especially Interesting and valuable.