THE FIRST INDICATIONS. [BY TELEGRAPH-OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Rotorua, Thursday Morning.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2173, 12 June 1886, Page 2

THE FIRST INDICATIONS. [BY TELEGRAPH-OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Rotorua, Thursday Morning.

A dreadful night has ju«t been expertenced; every man, woman and child thought their end had come. The sensation was fearful and indiscribable. It commenced about 2 o'clock this morning! by several severe shocks of earthquake. The vibrations were strong and, frequent, the windows and houses rattled violeutly; the feeling being similar to that aboard of a ship in a storm. When the earth* quakes were first felt people got up out of their beds thinking a spring had broken out close to their dwellings, and after moving about outside to discover the cause it became clear that some wonderful elements were unusually disturbed. People were moving about frantic when all at once a

Great Boar was heard, which was at first accepted as that of an earthquake, and a glare appeared on the horizon. The scene was grand, but awful towards Rotomahana ; the flames were distinct with huge volumes of dense smoke and sparks of electricity, which illuminated the whole sky, and appeared as if hundreds of bright stars were chasing one another. When this was at first seen by those who were outside they rushed about calling people up, when women and children of all ages left their homes, and a general rush was made for Ngatatahi mountain for safety. Many of them left their honses in their night dresses and ■ shawls round them, carrying only their babies, And young children, running with one aim— to fl"« from the devouring element, which was expected every moment to engulph the entire community— so great was the terror of the people. This was about 2 a.m. The night was wet and dark, and the road in a muddy state. On reaching the school, which is on the road by which the people were betaking themselves to Ngatatahi mountain, Major Clarke was on the wayside, and advised the women to go inside and t«ke shelter, as they were as likvly to be an

•afc there u in any part they might reach. Many of them accepted the invitation, and were made very comfortable by Mrs Clarke and family, but others refused and hastened on to get as faraway as possible. Some are supposed to have gone on intending to reach Tauranga or Cambridge.

The Scene at Daylight. On the approach of daylight tliit mornint! the vibrations lessened but have by no means ceased, and many who had gone about se\en miles from litre returned about four o'clock. There was a shower of suhes, similar to sand, supposed to be lava.

Divine Service. Judge Clarke conducted divine service during the night in Mrs Morrisons Hotel. The Maoris did not msh so frantically about as did the Europeans. Comparatively few of the former left the settlement.

The Locality of the Eruption. It is not known yet where the disturbance, which is supposed to be a volcano, has broken out, but it is somewhere about Rotomahana. There has been no communication with Te Wairoa, but many have gone out to them from here to sa if any assistance can be rendeied to the people, should danger have overtaken them, as they are nearer to the supposed volcano. Rotorua Lake has risen considerably, and many of the springs are very much disturbed, and fresh ones have broken out. The thunder still roars, and the horizon in the east is black with smoke. The sun is invisible now, and lamps are burning in the telegraph office, while the sky is clear to the westward. The people are sauntering about, discussing the dreadful ordeal which they have experienced. Confidence is being restored at last ; the stores are closed, and work at a standstill, no one feeling inclined to do anything; whilst some are arranging to take their departure at once Two bugyies have juat returned from Te Wairoa, with some of the inhabitants, who report the place as being destroyed with lava.

The Tarawera Mountain. The Tarawera Mountain has broken out into an active volcano, throwing lava down upon Te Wairoa, though six miles away, smothering acres, the hotel, and other houses. Mr and Mrs Hazard and three children are said to be lost, also many nath es. Mr McKae and his servants have escaped, but one tourist named Bainbridgc is reported missing. Mr Mcßae's conduct during the time is spoken of in tho highest praise. He had called everyone in his house before going out, and had he not done so, many more would have been lost. Those who have come in troin Wairoa are females, and they present a sad appearance, looking white and ghastly, their dresses being smeared with lava. No doubt the

Terraces will be Destroyed. How' the whole thing will finish ia perplexing, since the intelligence has reached here regarding Waiioa, the excitement is veiy gieat.

(anotiiek corsespundknt.), Rotoki'a, 3 a.m. We have just pasaed through a most terrible time, the Tarawera mountain and its twin cone Ruawahia. which many per»ons, judging fiom their confirmation, have classed as extinct volcanoes, suddenly hnist into active eruption between one and two o'clock this morning. Seen from this place the spectacle was fearful, and reminded one of Bulwer Lytton's description of the last days of Pompeii and of Martin's celebrated picture of the last day. From the time named until about o o'olork there was a constant succession of earthquakes, but after that they ceased considerably. Immense volumes of flames were projected to a great height, and dense clouds of smoke, steam, mud, and ashes covered the sky ; thunder and ligheuin* were almost iucessant, and flashes of electric fluid played through the ball of smoke, the eruption being simply iudiscribable. Shortly before six o'clock showers of grit reached here, but fortunately for this place the wind Bhifteil nround to the S.W., and blew for some time with almost hurricane force, completely turning tho dense cloud before much damage was done. When the grit began to fall many persons who had passed the night in fear and trcmb Hog thought they were about to be overwhelmed, and then began a stampede, half-dressed women and children were to be steu flying for their lives along the Tauranga road toward^ Te Awahou to aeek shelter in the native school house. Some did not think themselves safe even there, and continued their flight towards Oxford and Tanranga.

Lake Rotorua. The lake rose considerably, and a great many new springs burst up which added to their fear of being engulphed.

Fugitives from Wairoa. Shortly after daylight Mr Edwin Robertson started out towards Wairoa to endeavour to ascertain the position of matters there, and was shortly followed by Mr Mnrohesson. When nw Tikitapu bush they met a number of fugitives who gave a harrowing description of what had occurred at Wairoa. The two eldest Misses Hazard were brought in, and it was theu thought they were the sole survivors of the late reapeuted native school teacher's family. Mr Hum phriea and two servants from Mcßae's Hotel were also brought in. They re ported that all buildings at Wairoa had been d«nmli«h«d, and in addition that the native school house and residence " had been ignited uy one of the iunumeiable fire balU which wen- flying about in all directions. BfVt-r.il tumilies wished to engage co.ioh«s-« to tfo away to Tauranga, but Mr' Rohttitdiiu thought that duty called him to g» baok to Wairoa, and if possible reach the scene of disaster so as to render any assistance, and accordingly be refuted all offers to go in an opposite direction.

Volunteers. In response to hit call for volunteers Mr Johnstoue, Government Agent, and Mr Roche, Railway Surveyor, immediately signified their willingness to go, and the two started straight away. Constable Moroney ha.d previously started on horseback.

Scene on the Wairoa Road. The scene amongst the hills on the Wairoa road was awfully weird-looking. Grit was still falling in light showers and denße clouds obscured the sky. Vivid flashes of lightning and crashing peals of thunder were very frequent, a strong S.E. wind was blowing, and it was bitterly cold. On arrival at Tikitapu bush it was found necessary to fasten the horses and leave the buggy, the remainder of the journey having to b» accomplished on foot. The whole country wbb covered several feet deep with clay and mud, which made walking very heavy. Natives were met from time to time, and all gave the same account of the terrible catastrophe.

All Vegetation Destroyed. All vegetation along the route, after passing the summit between Rotorua and Tikitapu, was found completely destroyed. The aspect of the landscape is entirely changed, and resembles very much the appearance of an English landscape after a heavy snowstorm, but was of a dull, grey colour, instead of being white.

Tikitapu Bush. The beautiful Tikitapu bush is now a thing of the past : the weight of superincumbent mud and the force of the wind having stripped off the leaves, broken off brunches, and uprooted immense trees in all directions. Blue Lake and Rotokakahi are simply muddy water, which will take some time to clear. The outlet of the latter lake ha* been blocked.. All the bridges are covered with clay and mad nearly up to the top rail.

Wreck of Te Wdroa Settlement. On arriving at the villia^e tin lull extont of tl.-j damagj was plainly vibib'c

Nearly every building hail been crushed in by the falling mud. The Tcrnuciancu Hall is completo'y flattened, .mil ot the Terrace and Rotomah.uia Hotels only the outer walls are standing, in a tenibly wrecked state.

Mrs Hazard Duz out Alive Th« party were very «la<! to karn that Mrs Hazard had been .luy out alne, and compaiatnely munjuiuil. .Shu has certainly had a most miuculous escape, the falling heama having lodged on a cIK-flbiiiei, and allowed jiibt awllicient room to save he\ fiotn neiiij» cruilu-d to death. Two of her children wore found dea«l beside her, liur aim beinc; around one of them.

Survivors. Mr Mcßac and Mr Blythe, Government Road Surveyor, who had come in from Galatua jesterday, aie amongtt the survivors, and with Co-istable Moroney were round diggiu^ fur the bodies of Mr Hazard .uul the other eliildren but as there w.is then no hope of find i in; them alive it ua« decided to cease operations, and to start at once for Rotorua with Mrs Hazard ho as to get medical aid and piopcr nourishment ai soon as possible. A stretcher was procured and tiie party staited, with their load on a five mile tump to the other end ot fikitapu where the buggy had been left, fortunately some natives and Europeans were met, and were pressed into the sen ice and the party arrived at sundown. DrGindi-rs, who had ridden out to meet the party, leturned with them, and immediately took steps to ascertain the nature of Mis Hazard's injuries. She complained of great stiffness and pain in her right leg, which was doubtless caused by pleasure, but otherwise she appears pretty well. Of course the great danger is that a reaction may set in when she fully tealises the sad results of the catastrophe, which she does not appear to do. Mr Bly the informs me that he considers that she and the eldest Miss Hazard owe their escape to the exertions of Mr Harry Stubbings, assistant surveyor. The other Mi>s Hazard was saved by the exertion of a nativr. woman, who kept clearing away the mud w ith her hand so as to secure breathing space, and afterwards to get her out. All survivors unite in according the highest praise to Mr Mcßae, who was indefatigable in his efforts to save life, and would not leave until persuader! it was useless to remain any longer, and that by leaving he could better serve the living. Fortunately Mrs Mcßac and family are away, and also Mr and Mrs YVav and family. The pretty old mission Btation, Te Ma, is of course included in the general devastiou, several natives arc known to bo killed, but the number is not definitely known, it is supposed about a dozen, some were struck and killed by fulling stones or lumps of mud, others still untouched were smashed up in their whaies," I think there is veiy little hope that any of the natives in the Mom ami Te Arika settlements near Tarawera mountain, could possibly have escaped of course, no persons could lisk going theie until the eruption has subsided. This evouing we hive had two or tiuee heawy shocks of earthquake, aud we cannot tell whit more is in store.

Government Aid. The Government agent ha 3 received instructions from Wellington to do all that is necessary to relieve cases of distress.

Search Parties. Parties of men will st.ut in the morning to ckwr the io:nls for vehicles, ami to resume the search for bodies.

A Tourist Missing. A tourist who was stopping at Mottle's, name at present unknown, is missing, ami is supposed to have been knocked down and covered up jy the

falling mud. Mr Blyth. Mr lilyth and others described the scene as being mo^t appalling, the whole mountain being a sheet of tlaniHS, but he says until the roof fell in they did not fully realise their awful peril.

Talieke Safe. Very little damage lias been done at Taheke although I hear that some of the lava fell as f.ir as Tauranga. I trust the worst is over. As soon as possible efforts will be made to ascertain what effect the eruption has had upon the terraces.