Appendix.

Digest of the Evidence on which the Narrative of the Eruption is Based.

Mr. John Falloona was at Wairoa, and had a watch. He was awakened at 12.45 a.m. by earthquakes; got up and went out. He saw Wahanga burst out with a large column of flame at about 1.15 a.m.; Ruawahia followed at about 1.45. a.m. He then went into the house.

Mr. McCausland, of the Rotoiti sawmill, awoke at 1 a.m., and, being disturbed by earthquakes, got up and went out. At 1.20 by his watch he saw a flash of light in the direction of Tarawera, and this was followed in about five or seven minutes by a loud explosion; but from his position he could not see the mountain.

Mr. McRae, at Wairoa, states (newspaper account) that earth-quakes commenced about 12.30 a.m., and continued for about an hour before the eruption broke out. When this was first seen it was like a small cloud on a mountain, with flashes of lightning of great brilliancy.

Major W.G. Mair was at Taheke. According to newspaper account he was awakened about 1.15 a.m. by a slight shock, followed by others in rapid succession, some very severe. At 1.45 there was a terrific roar, and he saw in the direction of Tarawera a great column of fire shooting into the sky, while above it was a mass of black cloud. There was not much tremor at this period.

Mr. Burrows, at Rotorua, had been to a party, and went to bed at about 1 a.m. Was hardly asleep when he was awoke by earthquakes. Looked out of window and saw flashes of light towards Tarawera. Dressed and went out. Saw what appeared to be the Tikitapu Bush on fire. He had no watch, but thinks it was about 1.45 a.m. Heard no explosions at first; then lights began to rise and fall over the hill, accompanied by a great noise. At about 2 a.m. a black cloud began to rise.

Mr. R. D. Dansey, Postmaster at Rotorua.—Earthquakes commenced at 12.30 a.m.—very slight at first, then increased. A sudden jerk at 2.5 a.m., followed by a roar at 2.10 a.m. This was the outbreak of Tarawera proper. It then travelled towards Wahanga, and in about twenty minutes Wahanga broke out. At first there was a single very broad column of steam from the mountain, but it afterwards broke up into about seven smaller ones all along the top of the mountain. He could not, however, actually see the top of the mountain. Rotomahana broke out at about 3.30 a.m. It did not make nearly so much noise as Tarawera. The cloud from Okaro rose highest of all; it was of a yellow colour. The black cloud came very slowly towards Rotorua; it took hours to come.

Mr. B. F. I. Edwards, of the Native Land Court of New Zealand, was at Ohinemutu. He was turned out by a sharp earthquake at 1.30 a.m. He had a good watch. He saw no signs of the eruption at that time, and he turned in again. Earthquakes fol- page 20 lowed, and he got up a second time at 1.55 a.m. Took a book. At a little after 2 a.m. there was a long and severe shock; at 2.10, another, followed by a loud roar, like a gigantic waterfall. Thought a large geyser had broken out. Looked out and saw thousands of fireballs shooting up. Got a glass, went out, and saw that the explosion was from Tarawera proper. Then Wahanga blew up. Columns of flame shot up. Then came a loud crash, and flames went up and down like a geyser. The cloud now wrapped over the range; then Ruawahia shot up a column of flame through the black cloud. The noise now was terrific—had to shout as loud as possible to men two yards off. All this time the cloud from Tarawera was spreading south. It was very calm. At 3.30 a.m. he went to the top of Pukeroa, but the view was no better than on the point. All three mountains were now in full play. At 4 a.m. a south-west gale began. At 6 a.m. the cloud was clear of all the hills, and he went on to Pukeroa again. A huge black column of steam, a quarter of a mile in breadth, was going up in the direction of Okaro, a little to the right of Moirangi. It was about five times the height of Tarawera.

Mr. J. C. Blyth was at Wairoa. The 9th June was cold, with showers of rain, but the night was very fine. At 1.50 a.m. was awakened by Miss Haszard knocking at his door. Looked out; could not see the mountain, and no cloud. The cloud began to show over the hills at 2.15 a.m. There was no great noise, nor did he notice any earthquakes at this time. The shaking began just before 3 a.m. Shocks very regular, about every ten minutes. At 3.20 the heaviest shock knocked a vase down from the mantelpiece. Heard a rumbling before each shock. At 3 a.m. the noise became dreadful. Ash began to fall at 3 or 3.5 a.m.; fell like hailstones. Roof fell in at about 3.40 a.m. Mud fell until 6.30 a.m., but it pot less after 6 a.m. It then—from 6.30 to 9 a.m.—fell light and dry like snow. It fell in pellets between 3.30 and 5 a.m., or more. It was pasty, not frozen; there was no trouble in walking over it; did not sink in it, nor did the boots clog.

Mr. Lundius was at Wairoa. Woke at 1.55 a.m. by earth-quakes; lit a candle at 2.10 a.m. by his watch. At 2.15 a.m. a loud hissing noise and a black column of steam from Tarawera proper. At 2.30 or 2.35 a.m. a black cloud rose up in the direction of Kakaramea or Okaro.

Mr. Allom was at Ohinemutu. At 2.30 a.m. he saw fire all along the top of the mountain from Tarawera to Wahanga. Between then and 3 a.m. a tall black cloud rose up to the right of Moirangi, in the direction of Kakaramea.

Mr. Minett, at Wairoa.—Aroused at about 1 a.m. by an earthquake. There was a violent roaring, lasting four or five minutes at a time, then dropping for a minute or two, then breaking out again. [From newspaper.]

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