SCENE OF THE ERUPTION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XII, Issue 1731, 11 June 1886, Page 3

SCENE OF THE ERUPTION.

Tarawera Mountain; the Bce.ne of V 4hevolcanic eruption, lies north jind spn.th, rising from the south end of .Tarawera LaWej "U'in'iles from Rotomahana, about 2800' feet' high, with three table tops, separated by two extinci craters, the formation, of which is beyond the memory of man. For 15 generations the natives living near the spot have carried their dead to the top, where thousands of skeletons lay exposed, a sortof" Tower of Silence." The spot was very "Tapu," and the Maoris have always held that any stranger going there would bring about a storm. They will probably now attribute this eruption to this cause. Although thera are (or were) two craters on tlie top of the mount, there have been no eruptions within the memory' of man, and the Maoris had no traditions whatever respecting this (^mountain, though there are innumerable 'traditions respecting other; eruptions m the North. Mount Tarawera is about ten miles from the settlement of Te Wairda village. Two years ago Rotokakahi, which is about three/miles m length, rose to nearly boiling point. This was considered a most remarkable phonomenon, as the lake was always cold before. It may here be mentioned, incidentally,, that, acccording to Maori iradition, Tarawera was the home of .the last moa m the North Island. The Ttihuurangi 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 m addition two capital hotels for. the convenience of tourists, three stores, and an Episcopalian Church. , Mr Hazard, who, •with several of his family, was killed by the eruption, was a schoolmaster. The family were p most interesting one, and btehlv esteeemed, alike by Europeans and natives. There were seven sons and daughters, most of whom have unhappily perished. Mrs Hazard, and her two grown-up" daughters took an active interest m the welfare of the native children, and the conduct of the school, which was the most successful native school m New Zealand. Mr Hazard had been occupied as teacher m the district j for about 8 years, and was about 50 years of age, F,rom the scene of the eruptions to Tauranga, as the crow fliesi is about 55 miles, and to Taupo 50 miles. The distance to Gisborne is 120 miles, and to Opotiki 60 miles Kotorua is situated 10 miles torn Wairoay and 20 from the Tarawera Mountain. Te Wairoa is a village where coaches with tourists for the Terraces stay. Whakari, or whtte Island, has recently been noticed to be m violenteruption, and the workmen ; employed m obtaining sulpher from that Island have been unable to work there, owing tP the great activity of the crater, and vessels have boen unable to. effect a landing, through stones and debris being hurled, a thousand feet into the air. White clouds of red volcanic dust have enveloped thfl islands. Whakari is the northern terminal of the volcanic zonjj and Tougariro, 150 miles distant, the southern terminal. The width of the zone is about 40 miles, and between the two terminals are innumerable geysers, mud volcanoes, and boiling water holes. Tongariro was remarkably active on the 6th of July, 187t, at which time flames were seen issuing from the crater, and violent explosions heard as far as Tauranga. It is worthy oFnoto that for the last few weeks the hot water at Rotorua has been falling m a manner quite unknown previously. The only eruption m the Hot Lake district which caused loss of life occurred about 120 years ago, when a portion of the Ohinemutu pah, called Uririka, was submerged m a part of the lake which was heaving. On that occa .. •ion about thirty natives were scalded to death. It is feared the Pink and White Terraces of Rotomahana will be destroyed. The Maori meaning of Tarawera is •' Burning Peak." Taubanga, 7.30 p.m. The inhabitants were startled by some severe shocks of earthquake following •ach other m quick succession. The •ky towards the south east was brilliantly illuminated. Towards «even o'clock dens* clouds began slowly to descend from the direction of Rotorua, which enveloped ths town and district. From Btolo it was pitch dark, all business being suspended, the people finding their way about with lanterns. The ground was covered an inch deep by a coating of suphurous dust with a disa°reable smell. At Utahiki four craters aire going ahead: Titakapu bush is all uprooted, and there are four feet of mud and ash ore at Ngaire. The latest from Rotorua reports that the disturbance is quieter, ami the inhabitants have decided to remain. Buggies and conveyances are m readiness to bring them away, but are pot required. Tha very latest is that Rawhia and Tapß«ra hills are quieter, but Okora is jijffiendously active. ' Rotorua, 5.30 p m. Jast returned from Wairoa. Brought m Mrs Hazzard, who hid a miraculous escape from a falline: beam which rested on a cheffonier. She was dug out by Messrs Mcßae, Blyth, and others comparatively uninjured. Two children beside her were dead. Mr Hazzard and the other children are not yet dug out. It is propoposed to put on men to-mor-row to dig out the bodies and clear the fallen trees on Tikapii road, to enable vehicles to pass. We had to carry. Mrs Hazzard on a stretoher about 15 miles, as a buggy could not get through. A tourist was staying there, whose name has not yet been ascertained. Mr Mcßae got him out, but lost sight of him m the darkness. It is supposed that he was struck by a fire ball and covered by mud. Everything is ruined. The whole surface of the country is changed. It is covered with mud about five feet deep, as also the surrounding country for miles, varying m depth according to distance. TeOgoe farm has from two three feet deep ashes or dry mud, and the whole district is of a greyish white colonr. A fortunate shift of the wind; which blew with hurricane force, saved the tjwnabip of Rotorua and the western portion of the district from all but a light sprinkling. It w proposed to engage Mr Blyth, Government road surveyor, who has just come m from Galatea, and is one of the survivors, to take charge of the working parties. The eruption appears to have, spent its force, but dense volumes of smoke and steam are etill issuing and enveloping the whole eastern horizen. There was an awful •loom all/day. Mr Roche, railway surveyotf^jiys he counted 28 distinct shocks of earthquake this morning, besides continuous vibration. It has been a terribly anxious time here. Larg. numbers have stampeded, but numbers are now returnW ; Auckland. J»ne 9,11 p.m.

Eotorua., Friday, 10.45 a.m. It is a beautiful morning and everything is all right here. Families are returning to their homes. The volcano is still throwing out dense volumes of smoke and steam. Its roaring can be heard occasionally. The Natives have sent out reports that tbe terraces are uninjured but the Rotomahana Lake has subsided and is now a body of mingled fire and water. There 1 is no hope that any could .have saryived; at Te Ariki and Moara settlements; No one can venture therevyet to iseertaih/ definitely. It is supppsed that there were about 40 Natives at ! Te Ariki* and 30; at Maora. Eight were killed at Tarawera. The Europeans killed are Mr Hazzard and his two children, and young nephew. The tourist is still missingftand" there is no hope of finding him alive. His Mto&was £< A^ftiubridge, of Vfff castlo-fitf-Tyijei' lv ß&glaWi,' : He wasia^ friend of Messrs Me Art hur& Co,,Auck-. I land. Ropata l»ehafedjl^ a :truei chiefj'; I -his weath!rriboird fibiiseWtisdisldged bf a Jfire^billj^^dt he s remained wilhjhis; i people, and jßawtheiri all' awiyj b»f6re' lejtving^hlms'ylf; '•'■ "^ ■"-•'■'; ':A'.< U-J'l-'j -l'~