Baker. V«« Volcmio in the. Friendly Islands. 41 



a 4iu. x 3in. plate of heart of kauri quite rotten in two years, solely 

 on account of being tarred all round ; the proof being that other 

 plates in similar situations, and quite near, were quite sound. 

 If the durability of timber is to be studied, it should be a rule not 

 to paint or tar timber before being seasoned. That kauri will 

 last, I have had many instances brought under my notice. Here 

 is a portion of a window-sill taken from St. Andrew's Church, 

 built in 1847 ; it will be found not the least impaired by thirty - 

 six years' exposure to the weather. It was removed about two 

 years ago. It was resting on a stone sill ; the under side, it will 

 be observed, has not been painted. Only one other instance : 

 The two first grave fences in the Auckland Cemetery, erected 

 thirty-three years ago, are still standing, and quite sound. The 

 posts are of red kauri, and had been charred. 



Art. V. — A Description of the New Volcano in the Friendly Islands, 



near Tongatabu. 



By the Rev. S. W. Baker, Premier of Tonga. 

 \Read before the Auckland Institute, 30th Noi^ember, 1885.1 



On Sunday, October 11th, a slight shock of earthquake was felt 

 about 10 a.m., and seeing we had had several shocks lately no 

 particular notice was taken of it ; but on Tuesday morning every- 

 body's attention was directed to vast clouds of steam and smoke 

 which were arising from the sea in a N.N.W. direction. On the 

 preceding evening, at 11 p.m., many natives and others saw a 

 vivid flash of light, and heard a report like thunder in the direc- 

 tion of the Huga Group of islands. On the matter being com- 

 municated to His Majesty, it was determined that the Sandfly 

 should be sent to ascertain the bearings and extent of the 

 volcano. Accordingly at noon the Sandfly left the Port of 

 Nukualofa, having on board the Rev. S. W. Baker, the Premier, 

 wife, and family ; the Rev. J. B. Watkin and son, Dr. Buck- 

 lard, and several other gentlemen ; the Chief Tugi and several 

 natives. 



As the Sandfly neared the spot the scene was most magnifi- 

 cent, great volumes of steam, . of carbonic and sulphurous gas, 

 &c, being shot forth from many jets out of the sea, in a direct 

 line of over two miles, extending in a northerly direction, to the 

 height of 1,000 feet and more, then expanding themselves in all 

 directions, in clouds of dazzling whiteness, and assuming the 

 most fantastic shapes ; sometimes presenting themselves as a 

 mountain of wool, the tips of which were fringed with gold, 

 caused by the rays of the setting sun, then again occasionally 

 forming into a large cauliflower head of snowy whiteness, 



