EXCITEMENT IN THE COUNTRY. Oxford, June 11.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 157, 19 June 1886, Page 5

EXCITEMENT IN THE COUNTRY. Oxford, June 11.

Journeying along with Mr Rich, of the Patetere Company, by special train to Oxford we were surprised to find that the nearer B-otorua we approached the leas excitement was 6hown. We learned that up to sunset there had been little or no uneasiness felt regarding Rotorua. Guard Such a.nd driver Cook of the Oxford train had not yet heard of any loss of life, and the feelings of residents was not at all one of alarm. The temporary relief we felt was rudely dispelled at Oxford last night, when a coach load of toulists returned, and described the dreadful scenes of the early morning.

PORSWASiNINGS OF DISASTER. The volcanic eruption is said to have been preceded a week ago by a tidal wave on Lake Tarcwera, and the Maoiies were afraid to go up with their canoes. Another ciicurr stance which increased their superstition was a^ follows : — Somo tourists and natives were standing on the border of the Lake when a large war canoe is said to have appeared gliding along on the placid water, the Maories standing upright using their paddles. A native women who -was -Kith the tourists called to those in the canoe, but it suddenly disappered from view, and was regarded by them as being a phantom canoe, an omen of the evil which has befallen their tribe. They are satisfied it was an apparation, as they have no war canoe. Touriets regard it in the same light as the phantom coach in London,

STREAMS OP TOURISTS TO ROTORUA. The eruption of Tarawera continues the subject of intense anxiety all through the Waikato. From returned; visitors ta Rotorua I leavn that the road to Wairoa is open to vehicular traffic, the mud and trees being cleared away. Two or three coach loads of tourists are pouring into Rotorua daily from Oxford, Carter's teams doing full work. Three telegraphists have gone to-day to Rotorua, including one from Cambridge, tho men there being done up.

THE ERUPTION AS SEEN FROM CAMBRIDGE. The view frnm Cambridge yesterday was very fine. A dense column of steam and vapour rose to a gigantic height from the principal crater, and the luminous mass resembled a pillar of fire. Three other crateis could be distinctly seen emitting volumes of steam, and a resident who ascended Maungatautan asserts he clearly saw no less than six craters at work. The great luminous volumes of steam and vapour rising into the air gave a singular appearance, the sky being remarkably clear.

Explosions Heard in Taranalri. Kew Plymouth, June 11. __ Curious noises, like explosions or the iring of man-of-war guns at sea, were icard about three this morning, lasting iver an hour.

REPORTED VOLCANIC NOISES AT THE THAMES. Thames, June 22. Several accounts here report having heaid dull rumbling sounds again last night between 11 o'clock and two this morning, which are, no doubt, from Tarawera.

Te Arolia Springs not affected by the Eruption. Te Aroha, June 12. Since the volcanic eruption at the Hot Lakes District, Mr Crump, engineer to the Te Aroha Domain Board, has repeatedly noted the temperature of the springs here, which have not been in the least affected by the disturbance. Some surprise has been occasioned by this as "it has always been believed that there was an intermate connection between the thermal springs phenomena of both districts.