VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

Kumara Times, Issue 3001, 16 June 1886, Page 3

VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

[united press association.] MORE DANGER TO SETTLERS. THE FAMOUS TERRACES GONE. TERRIBLE EFFECTS OF THE VOLCANIC ERUPTION. NATIVES SEARCHING FOR LOST RELATIVES. LAKE AGITATED. MOUNT TONGARIRO HIDDEN WITH CLOUDS, BUT UNUSUALLY ACTIVE. THOUSANDS OF STOCK STARVING. Wellington, June 15. Sir Julius Vogel has received the following telegram from the Postmaster at Rotorua:—" It is quite a decided fact that the terraces exist no longer." Rotorua, June 15. Everything was quiet during the night. Nothing is to be seen this morning, as there is a thick fog. A little rain fell d'uriug the night. It is believed that rain would cause the mud to slip from the sides of the mountain and fill up some of the lakes, and block up the road to a great depth, thereby proving a greater source of danger to the people than any eruption of the volcano. It is quite a decided fact that the terraceß exist no longer.—R. C. Dansey. The Hon. Mr Larnach received the following message from Dr. Hector this afternoon :—Captain Mair sends me this telegram— Wairoa, June 15. We have just got back (9 a.m.) after a fearful climb up the hill. We found Morea covered only thiee feet deep with the softest ooze, which had run down from the heights above, and swept the sediment and all the huts into deep water. Not a blade of ranpo is to be Beeu even floating on the lake. We then went on to Te Ariki aud found the bay there filled right out to the point on the right hand side, leaving 'only a slight curve in the shore. The place once occupied by the natives is covered about twenty feet deep with white dust, which has been shot out of a huge rent in the south end of Tara■wera Mountain, which is still active. On top of the fine dust, which is too hot to bear the feet in places, is two feet of wet mud, apparently quite recent, over which it is quite impossible to walk. Rotomahana is full of large active steamers. The largest seems to be about the size of the White Terrace, and is throwing up enormous c'ouds of grit or dark dust. We found a party ©f nine natives from Matata. The poor chaps had been floundering about in the dry ash two days looking for their lost relatives. We took them to near Tapihoro and gave them a good lot of tucker. We have been the means of saving them from a miserable night under Mount Tarawera. Continuous land or mud slips and avalanches of rocks keep tumbling into the lake at dozens of places, making an awful row. The lake still pulsates a good deal, and is very high. All the points or promonteries of rock are knocked about, and huge masses overturned. Our chaps could hardly get to the top of the cliff on our return, and all were pretty well pumped out.—Gilbert Mair. Auckland, June 15. The Hinemoa arrived from Tauranga and way ports this morning. She reports in a very uusatisfactory manner as to the state of the country for live stock. Major Island is also in the same condition.

A special message from Taupo was received at i o'clock yesterday. It stated that loud explosions have been heard in the direction of Tongariro, followed by a muffled rumbling°noise. The water of Lake Taupo is greatly agitated, and it rose considerably, rushing up the reaches in a tremendous surf, and pouring through the outlet at the head of the Waikato river in a deafening roar. Tongariro was hidden by clouds yesterday, but showed signs of unusual activity, emitting large and intermittent volumes of steam. Karakatihi and Ngawharo, ou the shore adjacent, ate nnusnally active. There are greater volumes of steam on the shores of Lake Taupo now than has been known at any time_ preceding the eruption. Tongariro is roaring angrily, and at intervals loud thundering reports like cannonading frightened the shepherds at the foot of the mountain, who waited, terror stricken, for daylight, and escaped to Tokano.

Taupo, June 12. A rather severe shock of earthquake, succeeded by a loud report, was felt at 3.30 this morning, coming from Tongariro. It was raining at the time. Tougariro continues invisible.

Gisborne, June 15. News from the E>ist Const states that the districts beyond Tologa Buy are more or less affected by the eruption. Waiapua, Rotokawtakua, Wsuomatafiri, Waiparo, aud other places are covered with sand to dephs varying from three quarters of an inch to eight inches. In many of the districts cattle aud sheep are dying for want of food, not a of which is (o be found. A number of birds are also lying about dead. Mobs of sheep, cattle, and horses are wandering about in a bewildered condition. The settlers are feeding their stock on what hard food they have got, but this must soon run out. On Colonel Whitmore's run the sheep are wandering about for food. Great stretcher of country are completely devastated. The damage done must be very serious.