MT. ETNA ERUPTION

Hokitika Guardian, 25 June 1923, Page 3

MT. ETNA ERUPTION

Australian and n.z. cable association. ANOTHER LULL. ROME, June 22. The emissions from Jit. Etna have <lllOllllsllOll. The progress of the lava streams is slower. It is expected that this lull precludes a final outburst, though the other symptoms of a volcanic paroxysm are unabated. The outpourings of evil vapour, the subterranean roarings and rumblings, and explosions, and the raining of volcanic sands and ashes are not diminishing. Nevertheless, the hopes of tho inare high. Many who fled are This naturally complicates tho elaborate measures adopted to organise relief. There is hardly a man or a woman in the devastated area who is not convinced that the decrease in the vulcanic fury is due to a miracle. - —The King of Italy, cn returning to Rome, said that the eruption, although serious, is not likely to he a catastrophe. The results are so far limited to the destruction of property, without the loss of life. ER UPTION RES I'M ED. LAVA FLOW WOIT3F. ROME, June 23. Later reports state that Jit. Etna’s reduced output was of only short duration. The eruption has since resumed with its original intensity. The lava streams are now spreading over a. wider area, and their progress is more rapid. The seaplanes living over the locality report that the lava flow is now thirty yards per hour, which is more than double the rate of the last two days. The eruption orifices show a. tendeucy to increase. 5 Owing to the accelerated How of lava, the town of Linguaglossa, which hitherto has been shielded by a small hillock, is again threatened. The residents have removed most of their valuable household furniture, even to the doors and windows. Many pople. despite tho tin ea telling danger, hold to the belief in an eleventh hour miracle. “The greater the danger, the greater the miracle,” is the maxim.

Premier Mussolini shows a romailiable personal interest in the needs of th sufferers. lie has twice visited the • scene of tho lava’s advance, and was •deply impressed by the sight. The whole of tire small towns were beflagged for him, and great enthusiasm was shown. Covered with dust and his face black with soot, lie smiled at the jreasants’ greeting. He declared that the Government of Italy would help to repair the damage immediately. Genoa and Milan cities have voted £SOOO each.

Signor Mussolini Ims severely denounced the Italian press, declaring that many of its alarmists' accounts of the*eruption are greatly exaggerated. ADVANCE OF LAVA SLOWER. (Received t’*is day at 8 a.m.) ' ROME, dune '2d. The speed of the lava How from Etna lias decs eased, and some rivulets have iheeome stationary. The advance during the past fifteen hours has been only at the rates of fifteen metres an hour. At the present rate it would take the lava, stream two weeks to reach Linguaglosss. Telegraphic service has keen resumed •in uV,.new tines 1 uul during tin* ]a.st two days. Civil engineers estimate that the lava lias been strewn over an area of six square kilometres. Signor Barhagalda, in charge of the Etna. Observatory, has been reluctantly Compelled to übnidcn Ids post, hut he succeeded in climbing up the crater two days ago, ahcl noticed that one of the cones which has been inactive sime 1!)18, was violently eruptive. A section of the coho was transformed into a lingo crack, incessantly emitting flames lilty metres high. PEOPLE RETERXING. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, dune 21. A message from Catania to “Lloyd’s News” states that the lava has stopped within a mile of Linguagkssa where the inhabitants are returning calmly and resuming their normal life. During the night a pietme of the town’s Patron Saint-, Kgidki, hangs on „ facade of the church illuminated hv light, keeping watch while the people sleep. Experts believe the eruption has now calmed down. EX AGO ERATED REPORTS. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, June 24 The “Morning Post’s” Rome correspondent says it is now realised how absurdly exaggerated have been the accounts of the eruption at Etna. I lie net result is that none were killed and only four hundred are homeless. 1 lie total damage is seventy million lire. Many owners of the destroyed property are multi-millionaires. Ihe lava stieain is diminishing in intensity and the eruption is drawing to a close.