![Thumbnail: [Volume 19, 1886 page 353]](/journals/rsnz/images/rsnz_19/thumbnails/rsnz_19_00_0422_0353_ac_02.gif)
Sympathetic Action of other points.
It has been stated that the eruption is quite local in its action, and goes to prove that the series of hot springs in different places, and other signs of volcanic action in the central zone, are separated, and have no connection or sympathy with one or another. A consideration of the following facts relating to events which occurred at the time of eruption, or soon after, go to prove that such a conclusion has been drawn from insufficient data.
The hot springs in the neighbourhood of Rotorua were greatly affected. A small steam fumarole, (which in its ordinary state was only occasionally visible), near the Government Agent's house, became a large boiling spring about 10 feet in diameter, from which a good-sized stream of hot water ran away towards the lake. Further north—at the base of the Pukeroa hill, and in the direction of the Maori village of Ohinemutu—steam came forth from innumerable cracks in the earth, sometimes accompanied by hot water, which formed streams running alongside the road from the old to the new township; and in the pah itself a spring burst out in the great meeting-house of Tamate Kapua; another in the path leading down to it; and yet another just behind the building. All of these outbursts occurred on the night of the eruption; they all follow, however, the old deposits of sinter at the base of the Pukeroa hill—the last remaining signs of former great activity in that locality. The activity of the vast number of fumaroles and springs in and around Ohinemutu was certainly greater than usual a few days after the 10th. The level of Lake Rotorua oscillated somewhat on the 10th June, but to no great extent. At 7 a.m. it fell 1 inch, at 9 a.m. it rose 6 inches, and fell again
![Thumbnail: [Volume 19, 1886 page 354]](/journals/rsnz/images/rsnz_19/thumbnails/rsnz_19_00_0423_0354_ac_02.gif)
at noon 3 inches, and remained so all day, falling on the night of the 10th 5 inches; since when the oscillation has been continuous, but to no very great extent. The temperature of Rachel's Spring at the Sanatorium on the 11th June was 170°, and from that date to 1st July it gradually rose to 196°, with a greater flow than before. For these exact data we are indebted to Mr. Boscawen, who obtained them from Mr. Hall, the Observer.
In the far north of the central zone, at White Island, it was reported by the s.s. “Jane Douglas” that the crater was showing unusual signs of activity at 9 p.m. on the 13th, whilst the “Hinemoa” reported it to be in its usual state on the 14th. Te Puke settlers saw a “violent eruption of steam on the morning of the 10th.” The “Te Anau” reported that nothing but an unusual amount of steam was rising on the 13th. On the 14th, vast columns of steam were reported as being seen all day from Tauranga, and the same on the 15th. At Wairakei, near Taupo, the springs and geysers are reported to be “in an extraordinary state of activity” on the 10th. We may add that we saw much more steam than usual arising from the large group of springs south of Maungakakaramea on the 14th; but these being in the direct line of the great fissure, it is only natural to expect this.
Taken altogether, then, this group of authenticated facts goes to prove that the disturbance was felt all along the central line of activity of the central zone, from extreme north to south, as well as on its flanks.