president's address. 559 



Zealand, by Dr. Hector, Director of the Geological Survey. In 

 this instructive little work have been collated from the records of 

 the various Government departments and other sources of 

 authority, the most important facts relating to the national 

 history and progress of New Zealand, as well as to its natural 

 history and rich resources. 



The disastrous earthquake of Ischia in July last, by which over 

 4,000 human lives were destroyed, was followed by the still more 

 terrible calamity in the Straits of Suncla in August. The sudden 

 volcanic eruption in the Island of Krakatoa situated in these 

 Straits, produced the enormous tidal waves which overwhelmed 

 a large area of the Western Coast ot Java, totally destroying the 

 town of Anjer and many villages, and causing the loss of over 

 70,000 human beings. This eruption may truly be recorded, not 

 only as a most important event of the year, but also as one of the 

 most remarkable volcanic eruptions on record. 



The following is a vivid description of it by Captain W. J. 

 Watson, of the British ship " Charles Bal," who safely navigated 

 his vessel through the Straits during the volcanic outbursts. 



" On the 26th August, 1883 at noon wind W.S.W., weather fine, 

 the Island of Krakatoa to the N.E. of us, but only a small portion 

 of the 1ST. E. point, close to the water, showing. Rest of the island 

 covered with a dense black cloud ; at 2.30 p.m. noticed some 

 agitation about the point of Krakatoa ; clouds or something being 

 propelled from the N.E. point with great velocity; at 3.30 we 

 heard above us and about the island a strange sound, as of a 

 mighty crackling fire, or the discharge of heavy artillery at second 

 intervals of time; at 4.15 p.m., Krakatoa N. % E. 10 miles distant 

 observed a repetition of that noted at 2.30, only much more furious 

 and alarming, the matter, whatever it was, being propelled with 

 amazing velocity to the N.E. To us it looked like blinding rain, 

 and had the appearance of a furious squall of ashen hue. At once 

 shortened sail to topsails and foresail ; at 5 the roaring noise 

 continued and increasing, wind moderate from the S.S.W., dark- 

 ness spread over the sky, and a hail of pumice stone fell on us, 



