THE ERUPTION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3135, 11 March 1909, Page 5

THE ERUPTION.

ROCKS THROWN A CONSIDERABLE HEIGHT. MOUNTAIN SMOKING FURIOUSLY. AN EXCITING TIME. APPARENTLY NO NEED FOR ALARM. By Telegraph—Press Association. WANGANUI, March 10. The "Wanganui Herald's" correspondent at Waiouru telegraphs that Mount Ngauruhoe was in violent eruption yesterday, throwing ashes and rocks to a considerable height, the stones rolling in numbers down the mountain side. The ertfption is not quite so severe to-day. The Tokaanu coach got through yesterday. The "Herald's" correspondent at Rangataua, on the Main Trunk, between Ohakune and Karioi, wires that falling volcanic dust still continues and has become heavier. Ngauruhoe is smoking furiously. Waimarino residents had exciting times on Monday night, the rumbling being very pronounced. There are no earth tremors. Apparently there is no need for alarm, as Ngauruhoe is evidently acting as a safety valve. The country is enveloped in smoke. A message from Raetihi states that that place is unaffected. EFFECTS FELT IN POHANGINA DISTRICT. DUST QUARTER OF AN INCH THICK ON VERANDAHS. PALMERSTON N., March 10. • The effects of the volcanic disturbances were felt in the Pohangina district yesterday, where a thick cloud of pumice dust descended, and converted the country into a grey sheet, dust lying on the verandahs a quarter of an inch thick. There was a sulphurous smell in the air, making it difficult to breathe. The ' atmosphere is cl -arer to-day.

HLTGH OUTBURSTS. SUPERIOR TO VESUVIUS AND STROMBOLL By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, March 10. The "Star's" Taupo correspondent telegraphs that the eruption of Ngauruhoe crater was witnessed from a distance of five miles by the overland coach passengers with great interest, ana not a little fear. About 11 a.m. a huge black column of mixed steam and ashes shot skywards, rolling over and over, till it reached a height of about 8,000 feet above the crater. Soon the already smoky sky was blackened with tailing ash. Now and again another huge outburst tcok place, witn an audible roar, scattering th« hovering clouds into most fantastic shapes, and drifting to the south-cast, as the light northerly wind was blowing, leaving a bhck train of ashes falling like rain from the high elevation of the volcanic cloud, and ever increasing, till ii. obscured the whole southern sky with one black pal). Some tourists who had seen Stromboli and Vesuvius in action said Ngauruhoe was superior in its effect. They were greatly pleased by the majestic sublime grandeur of the eruption. The falling ash turned the pure white snow of\Ruapehu a dingy dark colour. About 4 o'clock on Tuesday morning the occupants of Halfway House were awakened by heavy rumblings and explosions. At eleven, when the upheaval occurred, the western side of the crater seemed blown clean away. Old residents say that the outburst is the finest they have seen .for years, including the outbreak of 1869, when lava streams poured down the western side. WANGANUf AFFECTED. SIXTY MILES DISTANT. The effects of the Ngauruhoe eruption are being felt at Wanganui, sixty miles distant from the mountain. A thick haze is hanging over the town, and the air is distinctly charged with sulphur, while the country to the north is completely hidden from sight.