NEW GUINEA Rocked By Earthquakes

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 114, 31 May 1937, Page 7

NEW GUINEA Rocked By Earthquakes

•Presf Agsn.-

VOLCANIC ACTION NEAR RABAUL People Flee To Interior of Island TIDAL-WAVE FEARED V

(Bi Telegraph—

-Oopyright.)

(Received 31, 1.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 31. - Rabaul is threatened by one of Ihe most severe volcanic disturbances in the history of New Guinea. As a tidal wave is fearfed, the population of 4,500 has been evacuated except for twenty white men and some native police who pmain to send on what food is available. Two volcanoes were in active cruption yesterday and Rabaul is inches deep in pumice dust. Thick eulphur fumes also swept the town. Acoording to information received by the Defence Department in Melbourne, one island has disappeared and a new island has been forced up as a result of a submarine disturbance. Thus far no loss of life has been reported, but it is feared that a tidal wave may wipe out the town. Landslides have blocked the roads to Kupopo and its evacuation was accomplished by sea. The Moresby, with food and medical supplies, will arrive at Babaul in three or four days. Two active eruptions are now ©eeurring at Vulcan Island in Blanche Bay and Matupi, a crater on the north side of Rabaul harbour. Vulcan Island was thrown np •ut of the sea in one night about eixty years ago by a subterranean volcanic disturbance The evacnation of B&baul has been ordered by the New Guinea administration as a safety measKre. The Administrator, Briga-dier-General McNicoll, is at present absent f rom- Rabaul, being on * visit of inspection to the M.orobc goldfields.