DEPARTURE OF THE S.S. WELLINGTON.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 156, 12 June 1886, Page 2

DEPARTURE OF THE S.S. WELLINGTON.

At 2 o'clock the s.s. Wellington, under Captain John McGregor, left the Queenstreet Wharf for Tauranga. His Worship the Mayor limited the number of passengers to simply the representatives of the press and persons having relatives down at Rotorua. This arrangement was made in order to prevent a number of sightseers crowding the boat, and thus preventing necessary relief being afforded to those wishing to leave Tauranga. On board were Mrs Ann Robertson, for some time licensee of the Ohinemutu Hotel, and Mr Hazzard, brother of the unfortunate man whose family has been blown up. It is stated that the Hazzard family consist of eight persons, und a later report states that two of the children have been saved. Mr Parker, of the Customs, was also' a passenger. The Mayor has instructed Captain McGregor to place his vessel at the disposal of the Mayor of Tauranga upon arriving at that port. A telegram has been received by the Mayor from Mr Jordan, to the effect that the smoke was clearing away, and that he would wire if more than one boat would be required. Should a eecond steamer be needed His Worship has arranged to have the s.s. Clansman at 5 o'clock.

Another account of the Diaster. Scene Compared to the Day of Judgment. Eotorua, 2 p.m.

We are in the midst of terrible convulsion of nature extinct volcano cones, or Tarawera and Euatahia burst into activity between one and two o'clock this morning. There was a constant succession of earthquakes until about 5 o'clock, and then there is a slight thunder and lightning almost incessant and still continuing. There are immense volumes of flames and smoke from the coves and steam from the locality of the White Terrace. Showers of dust and grit reached here before six o'clock, but a fortunate shift of the wind has since diverted them. It was an awfully grand sight, resembling Martin's picture of "The Last Day." The people were very greatly excited, jyiany have cleared out for Oxford and Tauranga. The lake has risen considerably, and many new springs have burst out. There is a small geyser just below my house. No serious damage has been. done here so far. A message has gone to Te Wairoa to try and ascertain the position of mattes. I will let you know further particulars as soon as possible. I have already sent you a ep?y of th,e foregoing by a party gojng, to Oxford, as the telegraphest here dad no hope that the lines' tfould' be workable. I am now informed ' that he lias secured cominunicatibn. I think it desirable, to let you know the true state of the ease to' prevent the spreaji of unduly exaggerated reports, —H. Dunbar' JOHNSTONE." ' ' -

. LATER. Buggies have just f eturnad frpm the Wairoa. There , lias ' been a ?ter;rible, catasitophe^°THe,^NatiVe Schpolhouse ' was/s truck ity ' J lightning, ancl 'while moving the 1 isaidies were overwhelmed with .torrents 'hfhpt mud and stones. Mi' Hazard >nd f amiljare t all *dead^ fixce^t-,. ing, the two ? eldest girls, wlib were save^. by Mr Lumfsden pulling them through tfae window. McOrae's, Hotel ,Js demolished,: Ji and one „ tourist .staymg* Hhere>Kj;. missmg. j Tiie servants, ' and' alsp 515 1 Mr .Hunip^JLesV who' 'have l come c i^u stki^' that tne.l mud^ nearly' knocked them down. ' ', 'McOrae s and * Humphries r .are still t& , put. vi

their buggies as they cannoi get past the Tikihapu bush. Several natives are known to be killed. I think there is no hope for those,at Teariki and More. ' I am going out with the relief party to see what can be done.

Mount Tarawera. < ;Mount ;vwquld| appear^ so farso tlffien^e seaf^ofj t|ie most violent |hi»ti§ns in|a moi|#t-| ajn about 10Q0.fe|{; Igg^and^reseniyiea^ Rangi to to in appearance. It is about I,OOOft. above the level of the sea. Te Wairoa is distant ten miles from Tarawera. The mountain -is difficult ofascent and has a crater at the top.

Depreciation of Rotorua Property. By a curious coincidence tlje .officials of the Crown Lands' Office at Auckland have for the past day or two been preparing particular^ for projpcjied sale of lots at Rotorua. ~We presume that the sale will ijow be abandoned.. Those people who owa ..allotments or property in the district will suffer serjpus loss through the catastrophe of this morn- | ing.