MT. ETNA ERUPTION

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1923, Page 2

MT. ETNA ERUPTION

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. NO FRESH CRATERS. ROME, June 20. Tho eruption is evidently slackening, as no new lava torrents hnvo formed from Mt. Etna for two days. Moreover, the flow of lava is now stationary at many points, though it is creeping on in the vicinity o C'astiglione, to the nortn-east of the great crater. CO MM OTI ON CONTINUES. ROME, June 20. One hundred thousand refugees have reached the Catania district. Some came in carts and others on donkeys, but mostly they came oil foot. Travellers and tourists are banned from the congested areas. Most of the refugees are stunned by the loss of all their possessions. facie is a continuance of the earth shocks and rumblings, which are adding to the refugees’ dismay. The airmen’s task of watching the lava How is being seriously hampered by the overhanging noxious gases, which arc preventing the aviators from flying low. LAVA RIVER DIVIDES. ROME, June 20. A communique says: The lava stream has now divided itself into two branches. One is pointing towards Linguaglossa railway station, from which it is two miles distant. The other branch is the vaster one. After destroying the terra station and a tract of the provincial road, it is now skirting a foothill, which hill will determine the lava’s future direction. If the lava swerves to the right, the town of Lingiiaglcssa will be flooded. If it goes to the left, the lava will overflow into the plains. Tile King of Italy has’ arrived in Lingiiaglcssa. which at present is not threatened.

RESUMES FORMER FURY. (Received this day at 8.30 a.in.) ROME, June 21

Hopes that Mt. Etna’s eruption was dying down were disappointed last night, as the volcano resumed its former fury and belched up cinders in enormous quantities. Great volumes ol lava poured down the slopes. It is Mill impossible to forecast whether l.ingnaglossa and f ast.iglioiie will escape. The former is being gradually surrounded by the lava stream. Engineers are working desperately digging trenches in the threatened regions in order to divert the lava.

The King joined the terrified refugee-, assuring them that every effort will he made to house and toed them, lie visited tin- stricken regions and went close to the flowing lava, encouraging the engineers. The American Ambassador has arrived at Catania to assist in the work of .succour. Signor Afussolini and other -Ministers are expected to-day. Subscriptions for the homeless have opened all over the country, and are meeting with generous response.