VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

Kumara Times, Issue 2999, 14 June 1886, Page 3

VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

[united press association.] THE LATEST FROM ROTORUA. Rotorua, June 12. A party of natives who went in Bearch of their relatives, supposed to be in three of the buried pahs, returned from Eotoiti after an unsuccessful day’s operations. The now require a boat, and intend to take it overland ten miles and cross Rotomahana Lake for the purpose of getting across at the back of the locality. They report that they could see no bush or living thing in the vicinity of where the pahs were situated. An expedition has started to determine the fate of the beautiful pink and white terraces. The party consists of 20, including Mr Stewart (Rotoina), Firth, Fairhrother, Hopkins, and Dr Hector. They are to be followed by a party equipped with tents, &c., for several days. The party will take the track which leaves the Wairoa road some miles from Wairoa, winding along the route from Kaitaria Jjake to Rotokakabi, ten miles from Rotomahana. Fail-brother has determined to make the ascent today nf the high range overlooking the terrace.

A native named Mekaka and his wife arrived from Morea on the night of the eruption, and so escaped. Thev have brought a daughter who was burned to bo treated by the doctor at

Rotorua. The natives say the settlement must be completely destroyed, with 20 Maoris and their chief. He thinks the settlement ofTe Ariki, with 40 men and the head chief, Rangahina, are destroyed with an Englishman named Brown. Baker, from Waikato, says the natives were a remnant of a once powerful tribe. Only one of their number escaped through being near Rotorua. He laments the extinction of his people. The shocks have now subsided, and the ashes ceased blowing about. No efforts are being made to penetrate the country as yet, as the country injured has no trace of the settlements, and the tracks are obliterated for miles. It is considered that Government is showing a disgraceful apathy in not sending succour, if possib'e, to the survivors of the native tribes in and about Rotomahana, where a whole tribe is supposed to be buried, with a European named Brown and his family. Great anxiety is felt, and it is conjectured that some Natives may be still surviving. The country is buried in ashes. Connection should be effected, as residents are willing to go out, but Government have not authorised any expenditure. The Green Lake is still smoking, and Rotorua Lake is rising. Burt the surveyor, has just arrived. He brings news that the terraces are destroyed, and Rotomahana Mountain half blown away, while Lakes Rotokakahi ami Kakaramea are one seething mass, and still trembling with earthquakes. The damage to the country is much greater than was previously reported. Titikere, opposite Lake Rotorua, has broken into eruption, it being a mud hole notable for its violent intermittent spouting and smell.