AN ERUPTION AT TONGA. AN ISLAND BLOWN UP.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2223, 7 October 1886, Page 2

AN ERUPTION AT TONGA. AN ISLAND BLOWN UP.

The Arawata, which arrived at Russell on Tuesday brought intelligence of a serious volcanic eruption having occurred at Nuiafu, anihland belonging to the Tongan group. The eruption appeared to have been first noticed by those on bo ird the French war vessel Decres, which passed close to the island. In consequence of the island being enveloped in great clouds of smoke and steam, and apparently in violent eruption, no one trom the vessel deemed it prudent to land, either to definitely ascertain the extent of the catastrophe or, if possible, render assistance to the natives who inhabit the isUnd. However on the occurrence being reported to the Tonga Government, Mr Shirley Baker, the Premier, at once chartered the steamer Suva, which immediately proceeded to the IsUnd. On arrival it was found that three parts of the island had [disappeared, and that a new mountain 200 feet high had been thrown up. So far as is known no lives have been lo<*t. Boforo the eruption a terrific thunderstorm burst over the island, and the natives greatly alarmed, quitted their villages and assembled at one end of the Island, which has not been -affected by the eruption. To this circumstance they owe their li\es, for had they remained in their villages the probabilities are that they would all have been killed. The gre de r portion of the i&land is now coveied with mud and ashe«, varying in dppth from 2to 20 feet. It is stated by those on the Olive, which arrived in Auckland yesterday, that the reflection was seen at Keppels Islaud, which is fully 100 miles from NuidJu. The Tongan correspondent of the Fiji Times, referring to the outbreak, mentions that Nuiafu is the place where the greatest severities have been practised by the Tongan Government on the We->leyans, and only a few weeks ago the Premier and Togatea, the magistrate at Nukualofa, made a charge of treason against the \\e&leyan minister, Joeli Naw, and gave him a sentence equivalent to 1G years' imprisonment. Upon that occasion Mr Baker and those who were with him were only too glad to beat a hasty retreat to the vessel, as there was a fearful earthquak and thunder whilbt they were engaged in their work.