VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

Kumara Times, Issue 2997, 11 June 1886, Page 2

VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

Great excitement has been caused throughout the colony by the news of the fearful volcanic eruptions at Mount Ruawahia, Tarawera, and Okoru, some particulars of which were published last evening. The following later telegrams on the subject have been forwarded : Tho following telegram was received from Tauranga by the Secretary of the Post Office at 9.15 a.m. : " Tauranga, June 10, "8.15 a.m. "Loud reports and heavy earthquakes began here and continued until 5 a.m. Tauranga is in darkness, and thick clouds of sulphurous matter and gypsum are in the air. The mountains near Tauranga and Rotomahana are reported to have broken out, and eruptions are going on continuously. The postmaster at Rotorua telegraphs that all the people have fled in their night clothes. Have sent my family away and remain at my post. Cannot say how long I can do this." The Secretary to the Post Office received the following telegram to-day from Rotorua:— "Ohinemutu, June 10. " We have all passed a fearful night here. The earth has been in a continual quake since midnight. At 2.50 a.m. there was a heavy quake, then a fearful roar, which made everyone run out of the houses. " A grand yet terrible sight for those so near as we were presented itself. Mount Tarawera, close to Rotomabana became suddenly an active volcano, belching out fire and lava to a great height. The eruption appears to have extended itself to several places southwards. A dense mass of ashes came pouring down here at 4 a.m., accompnuied by a suffocating smell from the lower regions. This immense black clond extended in a line from Turaki to Paroa. The mountain was one continuous mass of electricity all night, and is still the same, with the roar of thunder, the belching of two or three different craters, and the stench and continual quaking of the earth. "Several families left their homes in their night dresses with whatever they could seize in their hurry, and made for Tauranga. Others more lucky got horses and left for Oxfoid. " Judging from the quantity of ashes and dust here, I fear serious results to the people at Wairoa and all the natives round Tarawera Lake. "The aspect of affairs is just as bad now (8 a.m.) as it was all night. I have sent my family to Oxford this morning, and if matters don't improve during the day I shall follow them for a day or two. " Hundreds of new boiling springs have broken out all round here, some in the middle of the road.—R. D. Danse, Postmaster, Rotorua." •'Rotorua, June 10, 8.12 a.m. " To the Under-Secretary of Crown Lands Department, Wellington. "We are in the midst of a terrible convulsion of nature. The extinct volcano cones at Tarawera and Ruawahia burst into activity between one and two this morning. A continual succession of earthquakes was felt until about 5 o'clock, and now Blight thunder and lightning are almost incessant, and still continuing. Immense volumes of flames and smoke from cones and steam from the locality of the White Terrace are pouring forth. Showers of dust and grit reached here a little before one o'clock, but a fortunate shift of wind has since diverted them. It is an awfully grand sight, and resemblrs Martin's Picture of The Last Day. The people are greatly excited, and many have cleared out for Oxford and Tauranga. The lake has risen considerably, and many new springs have burst out. There is a small geyser just below my house. No serious damage has been done here so far. Messengers have gone out to Te Awaroa to try to ascertain the position of affairs there. I will let you know further particulars as soon as possible. I have already sent you a copy of the foregoing by a party going to Oxford, is the telegraphist here had no hope that the line would be workable. I am informed he has received communications. I think it desirable to let you j know the true state of the case, so as j

to prevent the spread of unduly exaggerated reports.—H. Dunbar Johnson, Government Agent." "Rotorua, .Time 10, "9.18 a.m.

"A buggy hasjnst returned from Te Wairoa, and states" there has been a terrible catastrophe there, Una the native schoolhouse was su-ock by ning and white Burning" whs overwhelmed w,th torrents-of hot mail and stones. Ha.v Zl/ <r and family are all dead, excepting the two eldest girls, who were saved by Mr Lundon pullina them through the window. MRae's Hotel is demolished. One tourist staying there is missing. 'The servants and also Mrs Humphries, ha ve,come, in, and state that the'failing' mud nearly knocked them down. M'Rae and Humphries are stil! out there. Buggies cannot get past the Tikitapu Bush. Several Natives are known to be killed! I think there is no hope for those at Te Arika and Moeia. lam going out with a relief party to see what can be done.— H. Dunbar Johnson, Native Agent.." Some, surveyors from Wairoa have arrivr-d. They look as though they had been through a lime kiln. Wairoa is covered with ten feet of mud, stones, and askes,, thpugh six, miles distant as the crow flies from the craters. At Ngae, one mile distant, thirty feet of mud is reported. No hopes are entertained for the native settlements at Te Arika and Pepahoro. 12 noon. Mrs Haszard has been rescued, but injured. Four of her children were dead alongside her. The hotels are in ruins. Two of the family were luckily away. Fourteen bodies of natives have been recovered at Wairoa only. Later. . Mr Haszard who, with several of hia family was killed by the eruption, was the schoolmaster there. The family were a most interesting one, and highly esteemed alike by tho Europeans °and Natives. There were seven sons and daughters, most of whom have unhappily perished. Mrs Haszard and her two grown-up daughters took an active interest in the welfare of the Native children and the conduct of the school, which was the most successful Native school in New Zealand. Mr Haszard had been occupied as a teacher in the district for about eight years, and was about 50 years of age. From the scene of eruption to Tauranga, as the crow flies, is about 55 miles, and to Taupo 50 miles, and the distance to Gisbome is 120 and to Opotiki 60 miles. Rotorua is situated 10 miles from Wairoa and about 20 from Mount Tarawera. Te Wairoa is a village where coaches with tourists for the Terraces stay. At Hiiahaki, fonr craters are going ahead. Titakapu bush is all uprooted •«nd fonr feet of mud and ashes at Ngae. The latest from Rotorua, reports the disturbance quieter and inhabitants have decided to remain. Busies and cmveyances were in readiness to brinw these away, but they were not required* Rnawhia and Tarawera hills are' quieter, but Okoru is tremendously active. Wellington, June 10. The officer in charge of the Napier telegraph station wires:—"Following received from Rotorua—A man who arrived from Te Ngae reports three poles down about six miles north of here. He says the whole road and country round is covered with blue mud three feet deep. At Wairoa it is ten feet deep ■ the houses are all buried or up to the eves." The following private telegrams refer to the eruption : Rotorua, June 10, 2.15 p.m. The Te Hariki Mountain and TapaTapaharo Natives are reported to be all lost. Tekapni bush is level with the "round. Rotomahana is reported to have disappeared! Taupo, June 10, 7 p.m. The eruptions are confined to the country about Wairoa and Lake Tarawera, hence towards Kangaroa. A large tract of country is in action, probably over 60 square miles, detached, not continuous, but is impossible to say with certainty on account of the dense smoke. All the country from Lake Tarawera to Kangaroa Plains is more or less active to all appearance. I have not heard of any Taupo Natives being there, and I was certain to have heard if any sharp eurthquake was felt here, but there is no damage.