The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1886-07-22
EARTH INTHROES.
New Zealand Mountains Xawn
and IBelch Forth Aw-
fuI Flames.
Sixty Miles of Natures Fireworks
Clouds of Dust and Meteoric
Splendors Miles Out to Sea.

Clouds of Dust and MeteoriC
Splendors Miles Out to Sea.
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, July 12.-Fur-
ther details of the earthquakes in New
Zealand state that the most violent
disturbances were felt in the neigh
borhood of Rotona The severity Of
the shocks led many of the people to
believe that the island would sink into
the sea. The sensation experienced
is said to have been fearful beyond
description. Immediately after the
first shock the inhabitants rushed
frantically in all directions. When
the second shock came the entire
country for miles around was lit up
by the glare from volcano which had
suddenly burst into activity. The
scene was as grand as it was awful.
Huge volumes of smoke illuminated
with flames simultaneously burst forth
from range Of mountains over sixty
miles in length, and above the smoke
could be seen hugh masses of fire re-
sembling meteors rushing through the
sky The natives who had escaped
death gathered in groups. and, filled
with abject terror, held religious SER
vices, but when another shock would
cause the earth to tremble they would
fall with their faces to the ground,
quivering with fear.
As soon as news of the fearful occur
renee was received at Auckland, a
Government agent made immediate
preparations to 60 to the relief of the
sufferers. Wagons were chartered
and filled with provisions and clothes.
Mr.. Johnson, the Government agent,
on his arrival at Rotona sent back the
following account
"The scene among the mountains
as viewed from the Wairoa road is ter
ribly grand. Flashes of lightning,
peals of thunder and shocks of earth
quakes are incessant, while dust is
falling in heavy showers. In addition
to these inconvenience the roads
throughout the entire country are cov-
cred with several feet of blue clay mud
elected from the volcanoes. All veg
citation is destroyed and the aspect OF
the country is entirely changed.
Blue Lake and Lake Rotakakahi have
been transformed into mud baths.
The outlet of the latter lake is blocked
up and the bridges which cross the
lower end are covered with mud
Nearly all the buildings that l have
noticed are crushed in by falling mud
At this place Shows Temperance Hall
and the two principal hotels and near
ly all the other buildings in the town
are completely wrecked. The house
occupied by Mrs. Hazard and hel
family was borne down by the weigh
OF the debris. Mrs. Hazard was du}
out alive, but four of her children
were found dead. Mr.. Hazard il
missing, Detailed reports of the for
eign residents at other points whC
were killed have not yet been receiv
t ed"
The captain Of the steamship South
ern Coss, which arrived at Auckland
! on the 18th, reports having felt at SCI
the effect of the disturbances. On
the morning of June 10, the day fol
i lowing the earthquakes, he experienc
: ed downfall of dust. From 5 to 10 A
e M. there was complete darkness, ant
+ balls OF fire were continually playing
\ around the mastheads. A terribl
: gale suddenly sprang up and carrie'
all his canvass away before it could b
taken in. The men were unable t.
!, stand the binding showers of dust
: and the vessel was put about an
o stood away to the north, but it wa
s not until II O'Clock of the day follow
e ing that the dust was left behint
e The reports show that earthquake
$ generally prevailed at all points i
e New Zealand during the same perioc