ERUPTION. AT TONGA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 730, 1 August 1929, Page 9

ERUPTION. AT TONGA

EARTHQUAKE PRECEDES LAVA FLOW NATIVES TAKE TO HILLS (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) SUVA, Wednesday. The steamer Tofua passed Niuafoou Island, Tonga, on Sunday. A European storekeeper reported that earthquakes preceded the volcanic eruption of July 5. Lava flowed from five to eight craters toward the sea and partially destroyed the village of Futu, some portions of which were left intact. Fifteen to 20 other craters remained inactive. The lava stream reached to within two miles of the village of Agata. The actual eruption was not fierce, the craters simply bubbling over. Stones and rocks were thrown about 20 feet into the air. There were no casualties, as the ' natives fled to the hills. | About 2,000 acres of coconut plauI tations were destroyed. Two firms, | Morris, Hedstrom and Co., and Burns, Philp and Co., lost their copra stores jat Futu. Their loss is estimated at £2,000. j The lava flow was from 50 to 100 I yards wide. When the Tofua left the | actiive eruptions had ceased and only i steam and smoke were issuing from I the craters. j The inhabitants of the island in- ! elude 1,000 Tongans, two European storekeepers, a French priest, and two i Sisters of Mercy.

Niaufoou is about ten miles in circumference. There has been no volcanic activity there since 1886, since Falcon Island rose above the sea. Futu village is on the shore. Niaufoou is well known to Island tourists as the place where natives swim out to the ship with the mail held above the water on sticks, and swim back to the island with their mail in a tin can.