Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-07-12
The EARTHQUAKES in New Zealand.

IAN FRANCISCO Cal, July 12.-turthel
details Of The earthquakes in New Zealand
state that the most violent disturbances were
felt in the neighborhood of Rotona. Tie
severity of the shocks led many Of the PEG.
pie to believe that the island would sink in
to the sea. The sensation experienced Is
sail! to have been fearful beyond descrip-
ton. Immediately after the first shock the
inhabitants rushed frauticalIy in all direc-
tons. When The second shock came the
entire country for miles around was lit up
by tho glare from q volcano which had
suddenly burst into activity. The scene
WAS as grand as it was awful. Huge vol
umss OF smoke Illuminated with flames
simultaneously burst forth from 4 range OF
mountains over sixty miles in length, and
above the smoke could be seen huge 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
earth to tremble they would fall with
their faces to the ground qulvernS
with fear. AS soon as news of the
fearful occurrence was received st Aurk-
land, q Government agent made inn
mediate preparations to go to the relief OF
the suffering. Wagons were chartered and
filed with provisions and clothes. Mr..
Johnson, the Government agent, on bis ar
rival at Rotcna sant.tack the following
account: "The scene among the mcuntalns
as viewed from the Wairoa road il terribly
grand. Flashes Of lightning, peals Of tbun-
der and shocks of earthquake are inCessant.
while dust is falling in heavy showers. In
addition to these Inconvenience the roads
throughout the entire country arc covered
with several feet Of blue clay mnd elected
from the volcanoes. All vegetation is dc.
stroytd aud the aspect Of the country is en-
tircly changed. Blue Lake and Lake Ro-
.akakahi lave beer transformed into mud
baths. The outlet OF the latter lake is
blocked with mud. Nearly alIthc buildings
that have noticed are crushed in by fai-
ling mud AZ this place SHOWS temperance
hall and the two principal hotels as are
nearly all The other buildings in the town,
are completely wrecked The house oCcu-
pied by MIS-. Hazard and her family was
borne down by the weight of the debii'
Mrs. Hazard was dug out alive. but four of
The children were found dead. Mr.. Hazard
is missing" Detailed reports of the foreign
residents at other points who were killed
hayo not yet been received. The captain
Of the steamship Southern Cross, which ar
rived ut Auckland On the 10th, reports hnv-
ing felt al sea tho fleet of the Disturbances
On tho morning Of June 10th, the day fol.
lowing the earthquakes he experienced Il
downfall of dust. From ) to 10 a. m. there
was complete darkness, and balls CT fire
were continually play ing around tie mast
heads. A terrible gale suddenly sprang
up and carried all his canvas away before
it could be taken in. The men were unable
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 O'Clock
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.