VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

Kumara Times, Issue 2998, 12 June 1886, Page 2

VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

[united press association.] Wellington, June 10. SCENE OF THE ERUPTION, The following information has been received rpgarding the scene of the eruption. It was supplied by members of Parliament conversant with the district affected ;—Tarawara mountain, the scene of the volcanic eruption, lies north and south, rising from the south end of Tarawera Lake, two miles from Rotomahana, It is about 2800 feet high, with three table tops separate by two extinct craters, the formation of which is beyond the memory of man. Its surface of bare volcanic rock contained no vegetation except near the base. For fifteen generations the natives living near the spot have carried their dead to the top, where thousands of skeletons lie exposed—a sort of “Tower of Silence.” The spot was very “ tapir,” and the Maoris have always held that any stranger going there would bring about a storm. They will probably now attribute the eruption to this cause, although there are or were two craters on the top of the Mount. There have been no eruptions within the memory of man, and (he Maoris had no traditions whatever of this mountain, though there are innumerable traditions respecting other eruptions in the north. Mount Tarawera is about ten miles from the settlement of Te Wairoa village, which lies between Roto Kakahi (or Yellow Lake) and Tarawera Lake, about 200 feet above the latter, connected by the Wairoa stream. Two years ago Kakahi Lake, which is about three miles in length, rose to nearly boiling point. This was considered a remarkable phenomenon, as the lake was always cold before. There was also a very strong outflow down the Wairoa valley into Tarawera Labe, lasting for a day. Since then Roto Kakahi has remained in its normal state. It may here be mentioned incidentally that according to Maori tradition Tarawera was the home of the last inoa in the North Island. The Touhourangi tribe, numbering about 250 Natives, lived at Te Wairoa, which settlement contained a number of substantial wooden dwellings, _ occupied by Europeans and Maoris. There were in addition two capital hotels for the convenience of touiists, three stores, a hall, and an Episcopalian Church.

THE GOVERNMENT AGENT'S REPORT. RoTORUA, June 10, 5 30 p.m. I have just returned from Wairoa and brought in Mrs Haszard, who has had a miraculous escape, a falling beam rested on the cheffoniere. She was dug out by M'Rae and Blyth, comparatively uninjured. Two children were beside her dead. Mr Haszard and the other children are not yet du« out. It is proposed to put on men tomorrow to dig out the bodies, and to clear the fallen trees on Tikitipau road to enable vehicles to pass. We had to carry Mrs Haszard on a stretcher about five miles, as a buggy could not get through. About a dozen are supposed to be killed. I will forward the full particulars to-morrow. As to the tourist staying there his name is not yet ascertained. M'Rae got him out, but lost sight of him in the darkness. He is supposed to have been struck by a fire ball, and covered by mud. All the survivors unite in according the highest praise to M'Rae, who did his best to look after all hands. He worked with Constable Maroney, and Mr Blyth, who had a difficulty in persuading him to leave the place. Everything at Wairoa is ruined. The whole surface of the country is changed, being covered with mud about five feet deep, as also the surrounding country for miles, varying in depth according to the distance. Teague's farm has two or three feet deep of ashes or dry mud, and the district is a greyish white color. The fortunate shift of wind which blew with hurricane force saved the township of Rotorua, and western portion of the district, from all but a slight sprinkling

FURTHER PARTICULARS. Auckland, June 11

The latest news received is that four volcanoes a\e still active, and that everything in the vicinity is totally wrecked. Mount Tarawera is throwing lava down on the Wairoi, six miles distant. The Rotorua Lake has risen considerably, and many new springs are breaking out. The latest reports give the loss of iifo au»oug tho Europeans at forty.

Wellington, Juno 11. The latest news is that the eruptions are subsiding, and that the loss of life is not so great as previously stated Not mote than ten Europeans are miss', tng. The number of Maoris cannot be Hscortained.

A , ~ , E OTORUA,JuneII. A beautiful morning and everything all right here. Families are returning to their homes. The volcno is still throwing out a dense vol Ume 0 f smoke and the steam coming Can he heard occasional y. Edwards got a glimpse through the glass, and states that the mountain appears to be about 200 feet higher. Could see two distinct craters from which fl>rm ß were issuing ' A native sent out reports That the terraces are injured, {in d the Rotornahana Lake has subsided, and is now a body of mingled fire and water He also states that the hill at the back of 'he Pink terraces is showing of activity, and consideis that thesis no hope that any could have survived at Te Anke and Moara settlement, but could nor venture there yet to aacertain definitely. It £». supposed that there were about 40 natives at Te Anke, 30 at RWa, and eight at Tarawera, killed. The Europeans killed are Haszard, two children, and young nephew. The tourist is still missing, and no hopes nre entertained of finding him alive. His name was E. A. Burnbridge, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, England. He was a friend of Messrs M'Arthur, Auckland. Working parties have now goue. The Tnhuhoranga tribe are left utterly destitute, and many of them have not sufficient clothes. Repate behaved like a true chief. His weather-board house was destroyed by a fire-ball, but he remained with his people and saw them all away before leaving himself. The following information was received from the north: News just to hand states there is no hope for the Ta Pahore, Te Arika, and Moura native settlements. Seventy were known to be at the two latter places I expect the deaths of natives will exceed 100. I fear that Mr H. R Burt who is supposed to have camped near the foot of Mount Tarawera that ni«ht on his way to Galatea, has perished, tiis two horses have found their way home. The craters on Ruawahia and its twin cone are emitting volumes of dense smoke. Rotomah-ina Lake is a seething roaring mass of water, the c ouds of steam from which are several ■ housand feet high. A number of willin? hands are digging f or bodies at Wairoa. To-day an attempt will, however lie made to exumine the native settlements I have mentioned. M'Rae informs me that he extinguished at enst ten balls of fire which came crashing through his roof daring the nioht igmtiug everything they came in contact with. The Tuhourangi tribe is quite destitute of clothing, food, and whares—Telegraphist, Rotorua. A telegram from Te Puke, 25 miles from Rotorua, says the country is deflate. The feed is all covered up, and the cattle are starving. Government has been asked to send pressed hay to Tauranga. Te Puke is one of Vesey Stewart's special settlements. ♦ THE LATEST. [from our own correspondent,] Wellington, June 12. The Government received a telegram last evening to the effect that° the whole of Tikitere has burst into fire. Tikitere is about nine mi es north-east of Rotorua, and some four or five miles from the Ngae settlement. It stands m the other side of Rotorua, opposite Ohinemutu, and it is remarkable for the large round holes and boiling springs in its vicinity. The bodies of Mr Haszard and children, have been dug up. They were covered by four feet of mnd, and very much crushed. Some natives cW them up and a felloe who had been scratching hard for the last 48 hours popped his head though the mud this afternoon, none the worse.

Mr Burt is safe. Mr Bainbridge is not found.

The other settlements are unap. proachable yet.