CONTACTS ESTABLISHED

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 115, 1 June 1937, Page 7

CONTACTS ESTABLISHED

-Freas Aian.-

Rabaul Stregis Blocked with Mud

(By Telegraph-

-Copyright.)

(Eeceived 1, 8.45 a.m.) SYDNEY, May 31. A message about a tidal wave at Rabaul was reeeived here by the Burns Philp Company, is denied. The radio station at Eabaul, which is almost on the waterfront, reported to-night that there was no sign o£ a tidal wave. " We would not be here if one came." Radio messages from Eabaul to-day state that the streets of Eabaul are blocked with pumice and mud and have become a quagmire. Trees have broken by the weight of the mud discharged from the volcanos on .Vulcan and Matupi Islands, The Federal Cabinet has. reeeived an urgent request for provisions and bedding for the refugeea at Kokopu, 50 miles from Eabaul, whose rations, it is estimated, will last only two days. The Government immediately arranged for the island steamer Malaita, whieh is at Brisbane to load food and water and leave at once. The vessel is expected to arrive at Kokopu iu five days. The sulphur fumes foreed the radio operatora from the Eabaul wireless station but the men returned to their posts late yesterday. -They are now only able to provide an emergency radio service whieh is being Telayed to Sydney by vessels at sea.