VOLCANIC ERUPTION. The Outbreak at Tonga. A TERRIFYING SPECTACLE.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 173, 9 October 1886, Page 3

VOLCANIC ERUPTION. The Outbreak at Tonga. A TERRIFYING SPECTACLE.

Auckland, October 5. By the arrival, of the s.s. Arawata from Fiji via Russell, we are enabled to publish fuller particulars than those previously given respecting the serious volcanic eruption at Niuafoou. Our correspondent at Levuka (Fiji) as follows :— "The French war steamer Decrescame in here on Sunday, and brought terrible tidings. She had viaited Samoa, Niuatobotabu, and Vavau, and conveyed a French Bishop and Catholic mission party to Tonga, On the way they passed close to Niuafoou, and they report that the whole island seemed to be one vast volcano. Very little of it could be seen for the smoke and vapour which enveloped it, and it seems almost incredible that, with the knowledge of there having been a considerable population on the place, among whom were several European traders, the inquisitive and humane Frenchmen made no attempt to effect a landing, or get a closer view of the scene than was possible from the deck of the war V9BBel. The position of the island is 15.33 S. lat. ; 175.30 W. long. On the report reaching Tonga, the Government despatched the s.e. Suva, then there, and the Premier and Mr Watkin went in her. bhe is to return them to Vavau, and then come on to Fiji. She will connect with the Arawata at Suva, and Captain Cromarty is sure to have the latest news from the scene of eruption. The Decrea left the morning after arrival for Suva en route for Cherbourg." On the return of the s.s. Suva to Suva, Captain Dodd, who is in charge of that steamer, communicated with the Arawata on the point of leaving for Auckland, and we are therefore placed in possession of the full particulars of the alarming occurrence. Captain Dodd found on arrival at Niuafoou, that the place was in a terrible state of desolation, but that fortunately no lives had been lost. It appears that the island has given signs of an outbreak for come considerable time, oast, and on the 12lh of August last affairsassumed a very serious aspect. A heavythunderstorm set in, and about thecentre of the island there were theusual precursors of a volcanic outbreak. The inhabitants of the island, who are understood to be all natives, numbering in all about 1,300, became terribly alarmed, deserted their villages and plantations, and fled panic-stricken to ene end of the island, getting as far away as possible from the danger most imminent. Here they found a temporary refuge, although a terrible eruption followed about the centre of the inland, which was by the 30th of August converted into an active volcano. From a lake in the centre of the island a mountain about 200 feet high was thrown up, and millions of tons of sand were deposited over the surrounding country. It is estimated that seven villages were completely devastated, houses being levelled with the ground, and plantations destroyed everywhere. The escape of the inhabitants seems to have been little less than marvellous. Captain Dodd, of the Suva, found the natives huddled togetheratoneend of the island, in a state of great terror, and anxious to leave the place as speedily as possible. There was then, however, no immediate danger, and the Suva returned to Fiji, after leaving the natives all the provisions that could be spared, they havingr previously lost sufficient food to last for five days. The Tongan schooner Sandfly was to proceed toNiuafoou as speedily as possible with a further supply, and the s.s. Suva will follow her on a second trip to the island. Captain Dodd has forwarded to Mr Pond, chemist, of Auckland, a quantity of the dust obtained from Niuafoou. The dust is very similar to that obtained from Tarawera after the eruption there, except that it is heavier and of a darker colour than the latter.