VOLCANO AT THE KAI KORAS.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIV, 1 December 1855, Page 2

VOLCANO AT THE KAI KORAS.

The following letter to the editor of the New Zealand Spectator, announcing the discovery of a volcano at the Kaikoras, will be read with interest, and will give an air eff truthfulness to the report which was in circulation some time since respecting the existence of a similar phenomenon :—: —

To the Editor of the Xew Zealand Spectator.

Wellington, November 2, 1855. SIR— I have tho pleasure to inform you, that I have been eye witness of a Volcano, in this neighbourhood.

It i 3 situated about twenty miles to tho southward of Cape Campbell, and almost under tho snowy range of the Kai Kora. Whilst on my passago from Chatham Island to Port Nicholson, being detained "off" the above const by stress of weather, from the deck of tho schooner Lad?/ Grey, I had an opportunity of beholding it, for three successive nights, in a state of activity.

The cone, in size, is inconsiderable, being surrounded by others of much greater altitude. It is apparently about two miles distant from tho sen. During the day-time, the flame is, of course, invisible; a few thin wreaths of white vapour, (I at one time counted five) and a dense canopy of smoke, alone indicating its existence. But as the darkness of the evening increases, the glow from the crater becomes gradually perceptible, until, at length, the flame can be seen rising in a thin, and unsteady column, to a great height. As I am credibly rnlbvmeil that a Volcano did not exist in that locality previous to tho last severe earthquake, I have ventured to trouble you with this communication, hoping that its discovery may tend

to remove any dread -which may still remain, that there may be a recurrence of the event of the 23rd of January last I am, Sh% Your obedient Servaut, Alexander T. Allex.