VOLCANIC ERUPTION IN TONGA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1496, 7 October 1886, Page 4

VOLCANIC ERUPTION IN TON GA.

Auckland, Oofc. 5. The Arawata arrived at hussell ibis morning from Fiji. She reports that the Inland of Hiuafo, in the Tonga group, has burst out as an aotive volcano. Two-third's of the island disappeared, and the remaidng portion is covered with volcenio dust. Many lives are reported to have been lost. The Suva was chartered by the longan Government to visit the scene of the eruption.

(Per m. Arawata at Auckland.) Takjka, Sept. 80. The French war venal Debres, which oame into Lcvuka on Sunday, r*po*tl that while on her way from Samoa to. Tonga, they paiaed eloie to the island of Niuafo, which was iu a terrifio state, of eruption. : They did not try to land to see if any of the inhabitants remained alire. Oa reaching Tonga they reported the matter to the Tongan ttovernment, which at olco ohartered the *.». Sara to proceed to the eoene of the disaster. On aiming; there Captain Dobb found about three parts of the nland gone, and a lake" in the centre of a mountain 200 ft high, whioh Was thrown up. The eruption commenced with a very heavy thunder-storm which frightened tne nativu, and made them all run to one end of the inland. Ail their villages were 'lde'stio'/edj as would have been the inhabitants h»d they remained in their own villages,* No lives were lost. The island is covered with volcanic sand and dust Bimilar to Tarawera, to a depth from two to twenty feat. The buya connects with the Arawata the next trip to take visitors to the sooae of the eruption. The Premier had been there a few weeks ago, when severe earthquakes' were experienced.