ERUPTION IN THE HOT SPRINGS DISTRICT AT TAUPO.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3051, 4 February 1892, Page 2

ERUPTION IN THE HOT SPRINGS DISTRICT AT TAUPO.

(FROM A CORRESPONDENT.) Taupo, Monday. At Omkei Korako, situated 23 miles north of Taupo, there is a ngawha, or puia, which used to l)e a geyser, but of late years it has only just overflown the basin, which is foity or fifty feet across. Tlio water in this puia was always boiling. It is on the western bank of the Waikat.o River, on the opposite side to the alum caves. On Monday, the 2"» th ultimo, this large puia started throwing up the contents, together with boiling mud, like a geyser, until the crater emptied itself, and then fire followed and continued for hours, and when the fire ceased it again filled with boiling water. It gave no warning to the natives who are living around. Directly this happened they all cleared out to the bush. When the water wont up it wont up in one straight column, about 300 feet high, and then followed the fire. The trees which were growing near its banks are burnt to a cinder. It is also reported by people coming from Tokaatiu that Buapehu and Ngaruhoe are getting hot around the bas«, the ground being quite hot and can be L-it for miles around, and Ngaruhoe has been smoking, more or less, for weeks.