RUAPEHU'S ACTIVITY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8412, 29 April 1907, Page 3

RUAPEHU'S ACTIVITY.

By Telegraph— Association, TAIHAPE, April 27. An old resident in the vicinity of Mount Ruapehu, Mr Peters, is not the least exercised over the supposed eruption. He states that when a district is isolated little or no attention is given to such indications of activity as reported last week. Now the district has been brought in easy communication, ancl the population is increasing, the natural indications of activity excite alarm. He was driving a coach round the mountain for years, and had seen part of the coach track thick with ash supposed to have been emitted from Mount Ruapehu. No stir was made at that time. Now statements were being circulated without justification. Some time ago he visited the crater lake, and from information then gained he was satisfied that a mild eruption had taken place. In confirmation of that opinion, he saw ashes a few days ago on the southern mountain lo\V down. The fact that the mountain was always snowcapped, and with ash deposited over the white mantle, made the change all the more conspicuous. Many sensational stories have been in circulation, such as coach passengers having seen flames, accompanied by a loud report, issuing from the mountain. The coachdriver, interviewed yesterday, denied having observed anything beyond a thick vapour resembling a dark cloud. Mr A. Petersen, of the Government Life Insurance Department, and Dr. Patterson left Waiouru on Wednesday, with the object of making an ascent of the mountain. Being mounted, they followed the track leading past the mountain house. On the journey up they Encountered a storm of hail and rain. After travelling two miles from the mountain house they tied up their horses, and continued the journey on foot. Continued bad weather deterred their making any further investigation, and they retreated. The colony, it is stated, can rest in peace that the old Ruapehu belchings are of the mildest nature.