Alarm and Flight of Natives. They Escape Miraculously.

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

Alarm and Flight of Natives. They Escape Miraculously.

Lbvuka. September 30. The French war vessel Decres, which came into Levuka on Sunday, reports that while on her way from Samoa to Tonga they passed close to the Island of Niuafiu, which was in a terrific state of eruption. They did not try to land to see if any of the inhabitants remained alive. On reaching Tonga, they reported the matter to the Tongan Government, which at once chartered the s.s. Suva to proceed to the scene of the disaster. On arriving there Captain Dodd found about-three parts of the Island gone and from a lake in the centre.a mountain about 200 feet high was thrown up. The eruption commenced with a very heavy thunderstorm, which frightened the natives and made them all run to one end of the island. Fortunately it was the only safe place in the island. All the other villages were destroyed, as would also have been the inhabitants had they remained in their own villages. The remainder of the island was covered with volcanic sand and dust similar to. Tarawera, to a depth from two to 20 feet. The s s. Suva connects with .the Arawata next trip to take visitors to the scene of the eruption. «. ——

(prom the tonoan correspondent op the fiji "times.") Those the French war steamer Decres state that on passing the island of Nina Soon in the Tongan group the whole island seemed to be one vast volcano. Little could be seen owing to clouds of vapour and emoke, and so they did not attempt a landing. There were hundreds of people on that island. The Premier had been there a few weeks ago, when severe earthquakes 'were experienced. On receipt of the news, the 1 Tdngan Government at once chartered the steamer Suva to ascertain the Mature of catastrophe and render aid if required. She has since returned, and states that no lives were lost.

Things one would "rather have left unsaid. He—" Everybody will be leaving town now that Parliament is dissolved." She— " Indeed, I think all the nice people have lefb already."