MOUNT NGAURUHOE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 227, 31 January 1911, Page 3

MOUNT NGAURUHOE.

IN DANGEROUS MOOD. BIG ERUPTION ANTICIPATED.

Professor Marshall, of the Otago University, is probably the best authority in New Zealand on our volcanic mountains (says the Now Zealand Times' correspondent at Palmorston). For over ten years past he has made an annual inspection of the active volcano Ngauruhoe, and what he lias seen on his latest visit, made in company with Professor States, oi Melbourne, confirms him in the opinion that a big eruption may take place at anv time. During the whole period the Professor was at the mountain hut, nearly a week, to outward appearances the volcano was better behaved than usual, but a trip to the top and a look into the ugly crater reveals a very different state of affairs. Professor Marshall discovered for the first time the presence of red-hot lava in the crater, and this he considers a very bad sign. In the past, all that the volcano has ever emitted lias been mild and ashes. While Professor Marshall was at the mountain hut a party of young men paid a visit to the mountain region and included Ngauruhoe in their tour. From | the hut the volcano, which is about four miles distant, appeared to them to be in her calmest mood, except for an ominous rumbling and occasional bursts of steam. It was only when the summit was approached over loose scoria and steaming mud that the indications became alarming. The roaring increased to such an extent that it was impossible to carry on conversation, and it produced a terrifying effect. The ground was so hot that it was almost impossible to remain long in one place. The sight was awesome. The steep sides descend fully 400 feet and converge to the heart of the crater, which is a glowing mass of red-hot lava, emitting stupefying sulphurous fumes and occasionally bursts of blue-grey smoke and steam. There was no apparent movement in this lava bed, which in shape resembled a long narrow gash. Such a glimpse of the internal fires, of the earth, accompanied by the continuous and deafening rumble, produced an indescribable effect on the mountaineers.

Professor Marshall made his inspection on Saturday last and the party mentioned made their ascent on Sunday. On the following day another party made the ascent, but the lava was not then visible owing to the presence of smoke and steam.

Professor Marshall said the 'jtiduntain may have presented more terrifying aspects when emitting huge volumes of smoke and steam, but it has never to his knowledge revealed the presence of lata.