Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-07-13
VOLCANIC FIREWORKS.
A Range of Mountains in New Zealand
in EIuptIOn-Towns Buried in Blue
Clay and Sc0rched with Lava.


SAN Francisco. July l2
Steamer Alameda. which arrived at San
Francisco yesterday from Australia, brings
tions in New Zealand last month, which are
amond the most destructive in the worlds
history.
The first report of volcanic disturbances
came from Taurangs IN the Auckland lake
district. The natives of that village were
sharply awakened from their sleep at 3
O'Clock ore morning by repeated vivid flashes
OF lightning, which continued at rapid inter
walls up 10 four o'clock, when a tremendous
earthquake occurred followed quickly by
several others. The shocks were so violent
that the people jumped from their beds and,
paralyzed with terror, fled tor their lives in
their night clothes, making no effort to save
or take anything with them except their chill
dren. The earthquakes continued to follow
each other in quick succession up to o'clock
when a iea1en cloud was observed advancing
from the south, spreading out until it covered
the hole sky. While still moving it burst
with the sound of thunder. Shortly after
showers of fine dust began falling.
Accounts from other points state that Mt.
Tongariro was the first volcano to break
forth, and hardly were the flames seen issuing
forth in sympathy. hurling floods of burning
lava and stones over the surrounding country.
For the first time in tradition the extinct
volcano of Ruapehu was awakened into
activity. The entire country over an area of
l20 miles long by 20 in breadth, was nothing
but mass of flames and hot crumoling soil.
During all this time showers of dust contin-
ued to fall until il became so dense as to make
thr day dark night, and not until the sec
ond day did the dust cee sc falling. 1t was
noticed that the dust emitted a strong sui
phuric smell. Numerous small villages were
totally destroyed. Wairoa was covered to a
depth of 10 feet with dust and ashes. Rahto.
mahsna was compl, tely engulfed as were also
several other small villages. Twenty-one
persons are known TO have lost their lives,
among whom were several English residents.
The number of cattle starved to death on ac
count OF the destruction of pasture land is
very large and great distress exists through
out the Auckland lake district. One old
Maori chief, Ratama, was dug out alive after
having been buried In ashes "a hours. Every
effort was made to save the lives OF others
but in most cases where bodies were found
they were dead
Still further details state that the most vio-
lent disturbances were felt in the neighbor-
quake shocks led many of the people to be-
lieve that the island would sink into the sea.
The sensation experienced was fearful beyond
description Immediately after the first
shock the inhabitants rushed irantically in all
directions. When the second shock came the
entire country for miles around was lit up by
the glare from the volcano, which had sud
denly burst into activity. The scene was as
grand as it was awful. Huge volumes of
smoke illuminated with flames Simultaneous
ly burst forth from the range of mountains
over sixty miles in length. and above the
smoke could be seen great masses of hre re-
sembiing meteors rushing throug the sky.
The natives who had escaped death gathered
in groups, and filled With terror, held relig
iOus services, but another shock would cause
them to tremble and they would fall with
their faces to the ground, quivering with fear.
As soon as the news of the fearful occur
renee was received at Auckland government
agent made immediate preparation to go to
the relief of the sufferers. Wagons were
chartered and filled with provisions and
clothes. The agent on his arrival at Ratona
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 Inconvenience the roads throughout
this entire cou try are covered with several
feet of blue clay elected from the volcanoes.
All vegetation is destroyed and the aspect of
the country is entirely changed. Blue lake
and lake Rotomahans have been transformed
into immense mud holes. 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 have noticed
are crushed in BY falling mud. At this place
Shows temperance hall and two of the prin-
cipal hotels as well as nearly all the other
buildings in the town are completely wrecked
A house occupied hv Mrs. Hazard and her
family was borne down by the weight of the
debris. Mrs. Hazard was dug out alive but
four of her children were found dead. Mr..
Hazard is missing. Detailed reports of the
foreign residents and other people who were
killed have not been received.
The captain of the steamship, Southern
Cross, which arrived at Auckland on the 18th
of June, reports having felt at sea the effect
of the disturbances. On the morning of June
10th the day following the earthquake, he
experienced a dow nfall of dust. From to
10 in the morning there was complete dark
ness and b lis of fire were continually play
lug around the masthead OF his vessel. A
terrible gale suddenly sprang up and carried
all bis canvass awav before it could be taken
in. The men were unable to stand the blind
ing showers of dust and the vessel was put
about and stood away to the north, but it
was not till ii o'clock of the day following
that the dust was left behind.
Reports show that earthquakes generally
prevailed at all points in New Zealand during
the same period.
AT the date of the Alameda's departure from
Auckland the volcanoes were still very ac-
tive and the temperature of the hot lakes was
rising.
THREE SCH(NDNERS