The Portland daily press., 1886-07-13
VOLCANIC ERUPTIoNs.
Fire and Lava Pouring Over the Vii
lagos of New Zealand.
A Stretch of Country 20 Miles Long
a Mass of Flames.
A Number of Persons Known to Have
Lost Their Lives.

SAN FRANCISCO, July 12.-Steamer Ala
meda which arrived yesterday from Austria
liza, brings the particulars of the fearful vol
canic eruptions in New Zealand last month,
which are among the most destructive in the
worlds history
The first report of volcanic disturbances
came from Tauranga in the Auckland lake
district. The natives of that village were
sharply awakened from their sleep at 2
o'clock one morning by repeated vivid flashes
of lightning, which continued at rapid inter-
yals up to 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 for their lives In
their night clothes, making no effort to save
or take anything with them except their
children. The earthquakes continued to fol-
low each other in quick succession, up to Z
o'clock when leaden cloud was observed
advancing from the south, spreading out un-
til it covered the whole sky. While still
moving it burst with the sound OF thunder.
Shortly after showers OF hne dust began 1all-
ing.
Accounts from other points state that
mount TOngariro was the first volcano to
break forth, and hardly were the flames seen
issuing from the crater when the entire range
belched forth in sympathy, hurting floods OF
burning lava and stone 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 100 miles long by 20 in breadth, was
nothing but mass of flames and hot crumb-
ling soil. During all this time showers of
dust continued to fall until it became so
dense as to make the day dark as night, and
not until the second day did the dust cease
falling. 1t was noticed that the dust emitted
a strong sulphuric smell. Numerous small
villages were totally destroyed Wairoa was
covered to depth of 10 feet with dust and
ashes. Rahtomahana was completely en-
quilted as were also several other small VII
lageS. TWenty-one persons are known to
have lost their lives, among whom were sew
eral English residents. The number OF cattle
starved to death on account of the destruc-
tion of pasture land is very large and great
distress exists throughout 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
violent disturbances were felt in the neigh
borhood of Ratona The severity of the
earthquake shocks led many OF the people TO
believe that the island would sink into the
sea. The sensation experienced was fearful
beyond description. Immediately after the
first shock the inhabitants rushed frantlcally
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 suddenly burst into activity. The
scene was as grand as it was awful. Huge
volumes of smoke Illuminated with flames
simultaneously burst forth from the range of
mountains over sixty miles in length, and
above the smoke could be seen great masses
of fire resembling meteors rushing through
the sky The natives who had escaped death
gathered in groups and filled with terror,
held religious services but another shock
would cause them to tremble and they. would
fall with their faces to the ground qulyerlng
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 suffers, Wagons were char
tered and filled with provisions and clothes.
The agent on his arrival at RaUona sent back
the following account:
The scene among the mountains as viewed
from the Wairoa road is terribly grand; flash
es Of lightning, peals of thunder and shocks
of earthquake are incessant, while dust is fall
ing in heavy showers. In addition to these In
conveniences the roads throughout the entire
country 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 Rotom-
ahana 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 the falling mud. At this place Shows
Temperance hall and two of the principal
hotels as well as nearly all the other build
ings in the town are completely wrecked.
A house occupied by 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 disturbance On the morning of June
10th, the day following the earthquake, he
experienced downfall of dust. From 5 to
10 in the morning there was complete dark
ness and balls of fire were continually play
ing around the mast-heads of his vessel. A
terrible gale suddenly sprung mp and carried
all his canvas away 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
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
active and the temperature of the hot lakes
was rising.