The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-07-21
The New Zealand Earthquakes.


SAN FRsxcIsco, July IL, 1856.
Further details Of the earthquakes in
New Zealand says that the most violent
disturbances were felt in the neighbor-
hood of Rotona. The severity of the
shocks led many ofthe people to believe
that the island would sink into the sea.
The sensation experienced is said TO have
been fearful beyond description. Imme-
diately after the first shock the inhabi-
tants rushed frantically in all directions.
When the second shock came the entire
country for miles around was lit up by
the glare from a volcano which had sud
denly burst into activity. The scene was
as grand a. il was awful. Huge volumes
of smoke Illuminated with flames, stimuli
~taneousIy burst forth from a range Of
mountains over sixty miles in length, and
above the smoke could be seen masses of
fire resembling meteors, rushing through
the sky. The natives who had escaped
death gathered in groups, and, filed with
abject terror, held religious services, but
when another shock would cause the
their faces to the ground quivering with
fear.
As soon as news of the fearful occur
renee was received at Auckland, a Gov
eminent agent made immediate prepara-
tons to 90 to the relief Of the sufferers.
Wagons were chartered and filled with
provisions and clothes. Mr.. johnson, the
Government agent on his arrival at Ro-
tona sent back the following account:
THE scene among the mountains as
viewed from the Wairoa road is terribly
grand. Flashes of lightning, peals of
thunder, and shocks of earthquake are
%incessant, while dust is falling in heavy
showers. In addition to these inconven-
fences the roads throughout the entire
country are covered with several feet Of
blue clay mud elected from the volcanoes.
All vegetation is destroyed, and the as
pect of the country is entirely changed.
Blue Lake and Lake Botakakahi have
been transformed into mud baths. The
outlet Of she latter lake is blocked up, and
the bridges which cross the lower end
are covered with mud. Nearly all the
buildings that ! have noticed are crushed
in by falling mud. At this place SHOWS
Temperance Hall and the two principal
hotels, and nearly all the other buildings
in the town, are completely wrecked.
The house occupied by Mrs. Hazard and
her family was borne down by the weight
Of the debris. Mrs. Hazard was dug ont
alive, but four of her children were found
dead. Mr.. Hazard is missing. Detailed
reports of the foreign residents at other
points who were killed have not yet been
received"
The Captain of the steamship, South
ern Gross, which arrived at Auckland on
the 10th, reports having felt at sea the
effect of the disturbances. On the morn
ing of June 10, the day following the
earthquakes, he experienced Il downfall
of dust. From , to 10 \. NJ. there was
complete darkness, and balls of fire were
continually playing around the mast
heads. \ terrible gale suddenly sprang
up and carried all his canvasa away before
it could be taken in. The men were I'M
able To stand the binding showers of
dust and the vessel was put about and
stood away to the north, but it was not
until ii a. m. of the day following that
the dust was left behind.
The reports show that earthquakes
generally prevailed at all points in New
Zealand during the same period.