VOLCANIC ERUPTION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3970, 23 November 1891, Page 2

VOLCANIC ERUPTION.

Heavy Earthquakes la the Bay of Plenty.

Plato Island in Eruption.

[Bv Telegraph.] Tauranga, November 21. On Thursday afternoon a couple of slight shocks of earthquake were felt here and along the coast, -ind at 1.50 o'clock yesterday morning a terribly severe one was experienced, whiuh awakened the whole of the inhabi tants. At Tauranga, Tepuke, and as far down the coast as Opotiki, the people turned out of their houses in their nightdresses to ascertain if there were any signs of an eruption, but nothing unusual was to be seen. At Tepntte a lot of goods on the shelves in the store were thrown on the floor. Again a few slight shocks were felt, and then all was quiet until about 8.50 a.m. yesterday, when another severs shock camo along. At Tepuke, again the shock >vas felt, the heaviest of the chimneys of several of the bouses cracked, and will have to be pulled down. A man, who was ploughing, had the plough thrown out of the furrow, and several ladies fainted dead away. Another severe shock was felt about 10 45 a.m., and then all was quiet until about 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon, when some natives on the hills at Tepuke observed a black cloud rise from behind Miiketu, and shortly afterwards A BURST OF FLAMS was plainly seen. The report soon spread that another eruption was taking place, and it was thought at first that it was at White Island. The natives rode over to Maketu, where they found the natives resident there had also observed the phenomena, and it was then ascertained that the Plate Island known by the natives as Matungatuana, had BECOME A VOLCANO. Plate Island lies about nine miles to the eastward of XoW, and is about 7ft high and halt an acre in extent. There have never been any signs of hot springs either on Motiti or Plate Island. The eruption was also observed after dark from here fey Mr Lundon (Mayor), who says that there can be no doubt that Plate Island is now a volcano. Unless one gets back on the hills Plate Island cannot be seen from here, as tho high land hides it, but there are CLOUDS OF STEAM in the sky now over the place. Captain Stein, of thes.s. Katikati, which left Maketu for Tauranga at 9.80 last | night, reports that he saw volumes of flame ascending from Plate lslaad, and it is 1 STILL BL-.ZIKG

this morning. Tlio Katikati was close to Plate Isl.nid the day pre viously, but there were no signs of volcanic agency at work at that time. A party of natives left Motiti for Plate Island on Thursday on a fishing excursion, and as there is no regular communication with Motiti it is not known whether they have returned or not. The Katikati has been chartered to take a party to Plate Island to-night. Later. Rumours have been set afloat of a volcanic eruption at Plato Island, a detached rock not an acre in extent near Maketu. The rumour is probably due to a few earth tremors felt in the Bay of Plenty the last day or two, and to a fire on the rock kindled by a fishing and mutton-bird catching party of natives who went there on Th ursday. There is not the slightest apparent foundation for the statement, and no visible indication whatever of an eruption. A small steamer leaves to-night to investigate. The earth tremors appear to have originated in the usual sources in the hot lakes district. A chimney was cracked at Tepuke yesterday, and a little crockery smashed. No serious damage was done. Latest, The report of the eruption at Plate Island is totally groundless. The Native fishing party returned from there yesterday, and there is no doubt t'tat the burning scrub lit by them was m staken for volca.iic flames.