The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-09-26
WONDERS In new ZEALAND
THE RESULT OF THE RECENT
EARTHQUAKE.
A Scene Of Fearful and Appalling
DesOlatlon, Heightened BY Act
i've Volcanoes.

R0torua letter in AUCKLAND Herdtd.
left 0hinemuiu in company with
Mr.. Goldsmith, District Surveyor, and
after three hours riding through a
mountainous fern clay country,
reached the survey camp at Pareheru
Bush, q few miles from the most south
ern crater and Clrse to the edge OF the
mud line. On the road from Chine
mutu very few indications OF the erup-
ton can be observed. On the Nicer
angi ranges, at the base OF which the
track lies, the deposit elected on the
10th OF June still remains, giving
blush tint to the lofty hills. AS Pare
heru is approached, however, the
signs Of volcanic action become more
evident. The ground is covered to
the depth OF several inches with SEQ
ria, ash and mud, and here and there
earthquake shocks are met with.
These are caused by subsistence OF
the ground, aud in almost every case
follow the lines of former depI essions.
which are a very marked feature OF
the country. 1t is also noteworthy
that they invariably run northeast
and southwest-th d Tection fol-
lowed by the great fssuTe or
line OF volcanic force. Tne cracks
vary in width from a few inches to
two or three feet, and in some places
are from three TO four t. ct deep. After
a short rett at the camp l started for
the southern craer, passing on my
way a part of the bush which has the
appearances OF having been subjected
to the full force OF a scorching blast.
About half an hours wa king biir gs
you to the mud line roper. Behind
YOU, high brown fern clothes the ridges
and valleys, while in front as far as
the eye can reach, stretches a mighty,
undulating ocean OF dull gray mud, in
the center OF which rises an enormous
volume of purs white steam, while in
the background Tarawers, gashed and
broken, towers $500 feet into the sky.
1t is
SCENE OF FEARFUL DEsoLATIoN,
of which no one who has not gszed
upon it can form the fsintsst concep-
ton In most places the mud is con-
solidated, and is as herd as cement,
but here and there one comes across
nasty patches in which you sink at
every step over the knee Walking
under such circumstances Is excessive
ly difficult and fatisueng The mud
clings like glue to the foot and leg,
and it requires considerable physical
strength to get through these places.
/ was fully an hour crossing patch OF
soft mud, which, under ordinary cir.
cumst ances, / could have walked over
in FIVE or ten minutes. With the ex-
ception Of these places, which can not
be avoided, walking, though laborious,
presents no very great difficulty.
The surface is lurrowed in all direc-
tons, presenting similar appearance
to plowed land, while deep cross
court es are frequently met With. The
southern crater is formed in a high
hill, the sides of which are covered
with fragments OF rocks, principally
trschyte. From the lip to the hot
lake at the bottom of the crater is
between 500 and TOO feet. Very little
steam rises from this crater, but the
water in 1t WAS boiling fuiiuusly, aud
lands Ups were Instantly occurring.
A little to the nor Invest OF this crater
is a hot lake OF alb nut an Gcre in ex-
tent. This has been called Echo lake,
from the fact of remarkable distinct
echo being heard here. LA large
number Of places it wss boiling with
| great fury, and its surface wa covered
with dirty colored foam The ides
OF the lake are high and st ep, but at
one point they have been broken
through, and three weeks ago the
lake poured out enormous volumes Of
boiling water at this point, which
formed river Of considerable dimen-
si1ns, aud Its course can be distinctly
traced, the banks being from twenty
10 thirty feet high in some places.
Since then, however, the lake hes
fallen, and is now several feet below
its former level. Divided from the
lake by narrow strip Of land is
THE HOLE IS-FHK WALL CRATER,
an enormous gap in the eide OF the
hill. 1t is an ugly and fesrtome place,
full of steam and water of inky blac =
ness This crater and the lake have a
playful habit of squirting water and
throwing stones into each other. For.
tunalely, however, the day 1 stood
between them they r, Trained from in
dulgiDg in this sport. All round the
hillsides, right down to the margin of
the lake where was, the ground was
covered with indent ,tions, marking
where heavy stones had fallen and
buried themse yes in the mud, splash
ing in all directions, and giving the
side Of the hill The appearance of hav-
iug been bombarded. These depres-
sions are circular in form, and vary
from four to thirty fset in circumfer-
ence. The Rothomahsna craters,
which lie beyond, were sendiug up a
beautiful cloud If steam, aud thunder
ing away with great activity. The
wind was bitterly C I'D, aud swept over
the bleak, Undiscovered hills with trs-
mendous force, carrying with it clouds
Of pr billy dust. Round the cone of
the southern crater the surface is bril-
lianily bejeweled with beautiful white
crystals, which sparkle like diamonds
in the sunshine. The return to camp
was a fauguiDg journey, and cross
ing the soft mut, which had
grown softer and stickler than ever,
was tollsome piece OF work. During
the night several sho ks OF earth quake
were experienced, and the distapt
rumbling OF the crstprs sounded clear
and uucanny in the ttiln, ss of the
midnight. In the Wpiotapu Valley,
which lies between thete two ant
peaks, there is a new wonderland,
rich in the mi st marvellous creations
of a mysterious nature, and hitherto
unexplorsd by tou lists. There are
hundreds OF fumarules, hot springs,
steam holes lakes tf the m, st lovely
tints-from rich green to deep blue
NATURAL BATHS, oLRAR AS CRYSTAL,
and miniature terraces of great beauty,
although falling far short OF the Pink
and White teriacee. Atpiesent there
are no racks in this new wonder land,
and travelling is consequently some
what difficult, but l believe it is the
intention OF the government to con.
struct good track through the valley,
the whole OF which ought certainly to
be procured for the use OF the public.
When pToperly opened out the region
| ill kawvNs,l -. 4. L..