AN ALARMING PHENOMENON.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XII, Issue 1730, 10 June 1886, Page 3

AN ALARMING PHENOMENON.

A PANIC AT TAURANGA.

THE PEOPLE FLED IN THEIR NIGHTCLOTHES.

(united press association.). The following telegram was received from Tauranga by the Secretary of the Post Office :— " At 12.15 a.m., loud reports and heavy earthquakes began here and. continued until 5 a hi. Tauranga is m darkness, and clouds of sulphurous matter, gypsum, etc., are m the air. Mount Tarawera, at Rotomahapa, is Reported to have, broken put, and an eruption is going on. continually. The postmaster at Rotorua telegraphs :— " All people here fled m their, nightclothes. I have sent my family away and -remain at my post. Onnot say how long I can do^this^ . The Secretary of the Post Office received the following: telegtani;^ — •* We have all passed a fearful night here: The 1 earth has been m a continual quake since midnight. At 2.10 a;m. there was a heavy, quake, then ; a heavy .roar which made everyone run out of their houses, and a grand yet; terrible sight for those so near as we were presented itself. Mount Tarawera, close to Rotoraahana, became a suddenly active volcano, belching 1 out fire* and lava to a great height. The eruption appears to be extending itself to several places southwards. A dense mass of ashes came pouring down here at 4 a.m., accompanied by a suffocating smell from the lower regions. This immense black cloud extended m a line from Taheke to Paeroa Moun- . tain, there being one continual mass of electricity all night, and it is still the same. Between roars of thunder, the roaring of -two or three different craters, and the stench and continual quaking of earth, the scene was most terrifying. Several families left their homes m their night-dresses with whatever they could seize m the hurry and made for Tauranga, others more lucky got horses and left for Oxford. Judging from the quantity of ashes and dust here I fear serious results to the people of Wairoa, and all the natives around Tarawera' -Lake. The ' fearful 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 m the middle of the road. R. D. Dansov Postmaster, Rotorua. The Native Minister has received a telegram to the effect that the House of Mr Hazzard, schoolmaster at Wairoa, near Tarawera, was struck by lighting, and the whole family killed except the two eldest daughters, who were rescued by Mr Lurderi. The blue mud is is boiling up everywhere. Mcßae's Hotel is completely wrecked, and one tourist is missing. Several natives have lost their lives, but the exactl number is not known. The agent has left Rotorua for Wairoa with relief pa The explosions at Tarawera were heard m Wellington, and as far South as Blenheim. '