The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-07-15
EARTHQUAKES.
TERRIBLE STORMS AND GREAT DE-
STRUCTION OF PROPERTY.

SAN Francisco, July 12.-Further details OF the
New Zealand earthquakes and volcano eruptiom
received by the steamer Alameda, state that the
most violent disturbances were felt In the neigh
borhood of Rotana. The violence OF the EARTH
quake lead the people TO think that the island had
been blown up and would sink In the sea: The
sensation experienced is said to have been fearful
and almost beyond description. Immediately after
THE FIRST EARTHQUAKE
the inhabitants rushed about frantically In all d.
rectons. When the second was felt the entire
country FOR miles around was lit up. by the glare
from the volcano, which had suddenly burst forth.
The scene was as grand as II was awful. Huge vol
umes Of smoke, Illuminated with flames, sImul-
taneously burst forth over range OF mountains
over sixty miles in length, and above the FLAMES
could be distinctly seen the balance Of the fire, pre-
senting an appearance OF
METEoRs CHASING ONE ANOTHER
along the expanse Of the eky. The natives who cs,
capped clustered In groups, frightened TO death, and
held religious services, and then as another earth
quake would make itself tet, they would fall With
faces on the ground quiyering with fear AS soon
as news of the terrible occurrences were received
at Auckland, the government agent made immedi-
ate preparations 70 go to the relief oi the sansrers
and clothing. Mr.. johnson, the government agent,
on his arrival at Rotana, sent back
THE FOLLOWING ACCOUNT:
The scene amongst the mountains, as Viewed
from the railroad, is terribly grand. Flashes Of
lightning, peas OF thunder ana shocks locks q eartn -
showers. In addition TO these inconyeniences the
roads In the entire country covered with sever
| al feet of blue clay mud from the volcanoes. All
vegetation is destroyed The aspect Of the
COUNTRY rs ENTIRELY CHANGED.
| Bean lake and Rotakankabi have beon transferred
into mud baths. The outlet Of the latter lake is
blocked up, and the bridges which cross its lower
end are covered with mud. Temperance hall and
the two principal hotels, and nearly all the other
buildings In the town are completely wrecked
The house occupied by Mre Hazard and family
was borne down by the weight OF the debris. Mrs.
Hazard was dug out alive, but four of her
CHILDREN WERE FOUND DEAD
beside her. Her husband 10 also missing. The
parties detailed to make report Of the killed OF
foreign residents at other points had not been re-
ceiyed at the time Of the "Alamedas" sailing. The
captain Of the steamship "S0uthern Cross" who
arrived at Auckland on the 18th, reported as hay
ing felt at sea the effect Of earthquakes and the yo
lence Of the disturbances. He said that on the
morning of the 18th Of June the day following the
earthquakes he experienced a downfall OF dust
which continued during three hours, from 10 a. m.
There was darkness with
BALLS OF FIRE
playing around the rigging and mast heads. A
terrible gale sprang up suddenly which carried
away all his canvass before II could be taken In
The men on board were unable TO stand the blind
ing showers Of sand, and the captain ordered the
vessel about and stood away to the north, but not
until 10 o'clock on tie following day did ne get
clear Of the dust :.
Telegaphic reports received from nearly all
| points In New Zealand show that the earthquakes
generally prevailed during the same period.