THERMAL ACTIVITY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 26 April 1907, Page 2

THERMAL ACTIVITY.

-NGAKUHOU AND IiUAPEIUT. Per Press Association. Auckland, April 2J. The correspondent of the Star, telegraphing to-day from Waiowiu, states that the Kcv. 11. J. Fletcher, of Taupo, who uses a telescope, is satislied thai abnormal activity has been shown, not so much by Kuapehu, as by its neighbor Ngaruuoe. The eruption on Kuapehu which caused so much anxiety at Ohakune, was in his opinion one of those huge intermittent geyser actions which occur on this mountain's summit at long intervals, the period roughly being five years. In this respect he sees nothing to be alarmed about, but he regards the workings of Ngaruhoe with more interest, for this crater has shown signs of great activity. It has, he says, been emitting clouds of steam and dust daily since the middle of February. The geyser which has provided an attraction at Toisaami for three weeks, continues to give displays up 1o a hundred feet in height. Its action is not so frequent as upon the first outbreak. An agitation of the boiling pool from which it rises precedes the shot, and an eruption of slightly muddy water and steam follows. There were four outbursts ycsicrday 4 but this morning pool was steaming and that was all. Two parties have attempted the ascent of Ituapchu sine:' the geyser eruption, but wet weather made the expedition unsuccessful. Okahune. April 25. There are no further signs of activity on liuapehu, but it is reported that a portion of the eastern side of the creater of Xg.uiilioe has boon broken down by ejected material. The most recent ascent of liuapehu was made at [Ouster time by two officers of the Public Works Department at Ohakuue. They found the crater lake steaming, with indications of the ice walls having been undermined by hot water. Dust and a quantity of stones were found on the snow surrounding the crater. Some of the largest pieces of the material wona foot in diameter. A portion of one brought back lmrued with a blue sulphurous llame. These stones had been ejected hot, as they have melted their way into the bard snow and ice.