EARLIER REPORTS

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

EARLIER REPORTS

Communication Breaks Down SYDNEY, MAY 30. A big volcanic erhption, probably aubmarine, is in progress in New Guinea, Heavy earthquake sbocks ihook the island all Saturday, having begun on Friday. The wireless station was abandoned on Saturday night as the volcanic fumes were too much for the operaton; A Sydney resident Teceived a mes•age on Saturday night from a relative at Rabaul stating that a tremendous •xplosiou occurred in the harbour froin •whieh. mud and stones had been hurled Mgh into the air. The blast was followed by a great movement of the water which receded 200 yards from the shore. - Local residents f led, fearing the water would return in a tidal wave.' Prior to that a wireless message from Rabaul said: "A great eruption occurred in Blanche Bay adjacent to Vulcan Island at 2.39 to.day following Continual eartb tremors since ,dawn. Great excitement prevails in the township and district.' ' . Intermittent messages sent obviously •under terrifying conditions said that the eea-front was nndergoing a startling change. The water level dropped eight feet and in ten minutes returned without, however, the expected tidal wave. The extent of the property damage is not kuown and there have been no reports of loss of life. A radio message received in Sydney to-night says that the whole white population, upwaTds of 3000f has evacuated Rabaul and gone to tho coastal resort of Knpopo, fifty miles away. A large number of Asiatics and natives have also left. The evacuation was accomplished by the steamers MontOro, which aTrived to-day, and Golden Bear. An appeal has been sent out for a food-ship and the naval survey vessel Moresby which is at present in the Gulf of Carpentaria is hurrying to New Guinea. There is difficulty in obtaining details of the latest position in regard to the disturbance owing to the breakdown of the wireless apparatus.