ERUPTION OF TARAWERA

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1276, 29 June 1886, Page 3

ERUPTION OF TARAWERA

Napier. June 23. A Correspondent furnish ea the Herald with the following description of the scene of the eruptions from a new point of view : On Tuesday last a party of four, consisting of Messrs Muaro, M'Beth. Baines, and Francis, left Opipi, conducted by Mrs Oroiher, of the Opipi Hotel, to obtain, if possible a view of the recent outbreak at JRotomahaua from the southern aide. _Tue route taken was, as nearly as possible, a direct line across the Kaingaroa plain. That night they camped on a branch of the Waiotapu, forty miles from Opipi, and about nine from the sceoe of the eruptions. The following day they left the camp early In the morning, and after riding six miles bad to dismount, the white dust lying so thickly on the ground that the ho l sea could get no farther. They then proceeded on foot, bat owing to the great depth of the dust travelling was extremely difficult, and, in fact, was only made possible by the recent tains having somewhat solidified the depot it. Even as it wcs they frequently sank thigh deep, and at places were compelled to crawl on their hands and knees. The depth of the deposit in some places must have been from twenty five to thirtyfive feat, and eighteen inches below the surface was quite hot. After crossing five ridges, involving three ho its' hard work, they reached the sixth and final summit. From this ridge a splendid view of the southermost and active volcano and the lake was obtained. Looking from the elevation where they stood, an almost perpendicular cliff descended into the volcano which was the last to break out, and which Dr Hector christened “ Baby ” volcano. It was throwing up stones and black mud, ecsompanied by dense clouds of bellowlsh smoke, bat fortunately the wind was from the west, and carried the smoke away to their rjhgt, and so gave them a cl ar view of the crater below where the terrace used to be. The whole face of the lake, and its approaches were changed, and many geysers were throwing up boiling mud, four or five feet high, each geyser being capped by a long ascending column of steam. The ground all round where they stood was covered with huge boulders, some weighing many tons, which had been thrown out from some adjoining crater, — then silent. The ground also was in a state of continuous trembling, owing to the activity of the “baby,”—warning the party that their standpoint was not of the safest, and might disappear any minute into the crater. They therefore did not stay long, and after rolling some large stones into the crater, retraced their steps to a safer point on the same ridge, where they stuck a stick in the ground, surmounted it by an empty bottle and handkerchief, with their names and the date attached, Mr Francis says that the reports as to the disappearance of the southern end of Tarawera Mountains are incorrect, as from where they stood they obtained an excellent view of the mountain. They were in a southwesterly direction, and could not have failed to see any break had there been one. The south-easterly portion may have been blown away, but not the southern slope. Vast rents were seen in three minor hills, to the left of the party, steam ascending from each. In the evening they returned to the camp, and next morning started again for Opipi, minus two horses, which had gone to swell the mobs of wild horses depasturing on the plains. Mr Francis considers that, for anyone limited to time, the route taken by his party is by far the shortest and best, but anyone going there must be prepared to rough It, and the journey should not be attempted in bad weather, as it would be dangerous.