THE BURNING MOUNTAIN IN TASMANIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6489, 14 December 1881, Page 5

THE BURNING MOUNTAIN IN TASMANIA.

(Hobart Mercury, Jfcn. 23.) The volcano has ended in smoke: the great Tasmanian Mount Etna is nothing more nor less than a somewhat unusual bush fire. After haring spent Friday in looking for the supposed burning mountain, without success, our reporter returned to the Snug on Saturday, for the purpose of renewing his search, accompanied by a Hobart gentleman, whose abilities as a bushman made him a very desirable companion. Previous to leaving the Snug on Friday arrangements were made with Messrs Torpey, W. O’Brien, Jarvis, Hart and Donohu —the three first-named having been the party who reported that they had seen a volcano—that they should proceed to where they alleged the burning mountain was, and guide thereto a party, to follow their track yesterday morning. We started from Hobart on Saturday at noon, and arrived at Mr Keenan’s, situate I on the road to the Snug Plains, three miles from the road leading from Brown’s river to the Snug Creek, where we passed the night, and where we were to meet and arrange with our intended guides. Patiently we watted until after eight o’clock on Saturday evening, but they did not pnt in an appearance for along time. Ultimately Philip O’Brien, who had accompanied hie brother William, called at Mr Keenan’s, and stated that his friends bad searched all the afternoon in vain, ultimately losing their way, and landing in the creek above the lower waterfall, about three miles from the Snug. This was not very encouraging cews; however, after a good night’s rert, we started, accompanied by Mr Keenan’s eldest son, and proceeded on our tour of discovery. This time we took a different course. We proceeded to the creek, and followed its course to the landslip. Then we took to the bush, which was very dense, and endeavoured to find our way to the eastern end of the Snug Plains. After cutting through some very thick scrub, we landed on a plain about half-past one, and here found traces of a bosh fire. This was a country devoid of large trees, covered with thick button grass—the root of which is of a peaty nature—heath and ti-tree scrub. Having minutely examined the embers of the fire, we saw that the conflagration had taken place since the heavy rains which caused the recent flood. We followed the remains of the fire for nearly two miles through a winding plain but could see no trace of volcanic action, or even of coal on fire. We then retraced our steps, and when nearing the point where we had first reached tbe plain, and just after coming from behind a slight rise in the country, we observed a pillar of thick: black smoke rising high into tbe air. Certain that we had at last reached the long-looked for volcano, we pushed ahead rapidly over boggy ground, which shook under our feet as we trod on it. When approaching the smoke we heard a load roaring and crackling noise, bat coaid not see any flames. Working round to the west or windward side, we cautiously advanced, and when we reached the pillar of smoke, saw to our chagrin that it was nothing more than a bush fire. The roaring noise proceeded from the button grass, which, although damp, burned rapidly, and emitted a dense smoke. The ti-tree scrub and heather also burned speedily, and now and then a flame would snoot upwards consuming a toll ti-tree bush in a few seconds. We then proceeded to make our way across the plains to Keenan’s, and when about half-a-mile from the fire met a prospector named Anderson, connected with the Mount Gray Prospecting Association, who stated that he was the originator of the “ alleged volcano.” The following is his statement: —

“I and my mates on Tuesday last were crossing the plains, and it being meal time, proceeded to collect a few sticks with whick to make a fire. Scarcely had the fire been lighted, than the button grass, which we thought was too damp to burn, ignited, and the flames spead so rapidly, that we had to run with all speed from the fire, and leave our‘billy’to take care of itself.” Anderson further informed ns that the fire bad burned oat, but that that which we had just seen he had lit himself, so that those persons who had come from town should not be disappointed in seeing a fire of some sort. Several parties from Hobart and Port Uygnet were met, all of whom spoke very indignantly of the manner in which they had been hoaxed, one and all blaming Patrick O’Brien for the manner in which he had spread the report of the alleged volcanic outbreak. Mr Keenan’s was reached about three o’clock, and town about nine lost night. Thus ends the story of the volcano on the Snug Halm, and although at first the people in that district were filled with alarm when the report was spread about, they will be able now to langh with others at the hoax. But it may be well asked why these settlers who were the first to see tbe fire, and who were so terribly alarmed that they would not approach it, did not again visit the spot accompanied by soma of their neighbours, before they started a rumour which has agitated the whole of the citizens of Hobart, and those residing between the city and the Snug ? Last night Mr Charles Gardner, of the New Wharf, accompanied by Mr Henry Hodgson, of Battery Point, called at the Mercury office, and the former volunteered a statement to the following effect: —“ I started this morning in the steam launch Pinafore, which left the Brook street Pier shortly after half-past nine, with nearly 100 passengers on board for conveyance to the Snug. On arrival there about noon a small party was made up, which included Henry Hodgson, Charles O’Brien, William Clarke and others, and placed itself under my guidance. I lived for some years at Port Cygnet, and I knew well the district in which the volcano was said to be. My party made straight for the Snug Plains, and then went on to the range of hills known as the “back of the Snug.” Beaching the hills «e came upon a big scrub fire, while all around were left the marks by a fire that had apparently been burning for a week. Wo walked and ran over a mile through the burnt bush ; but nowhere could wo see any sign of a volcano, nor even of a seam of coal on fire. The statement made fcy O'Brien is destitute of foundation. The fire had simply fed on the scrub and fallen rubbish, and there could have been no flames a quarter cf a mile high. The highest blaze wo saw vrafl not much mow than t©n feet. Wd walked back through mud and slush fo the Snug, where we arrived after a weary tramp, and then returned to Hobart in the Pinafore.” . , , . . So great was the excitement caused m the city by the report of the volcanic eruption, that quite a crowd went down to the Snug yesterday for the purpose of finding out all about it, and seeing as much as they could of the mysterious fire.