546 
DES. T. AXDEESON AND J. S. FLEET OX THE EEUPTIOXS OF THE 
slowly along after the rest of the party. On reaching Troumaca Hill the bulk of the party refused to 
face the descent into the ravine, fearing darkness seen advancijig from eastward. 
Small stones were coming down all the time in a continuous shower, and Troumaca stream was thick 
from ashes. At Cumberland a saddle was obtained, and the journey to AVallilabou continued in bodily 
comfort. Eeached the last-named place about 6 P.M., and found everything covered with dust from the 
eruption nearly one-eighth of an inch thick, and small stones had also reached there. Hoi’ses were 
being despatched to Cumberland to assist Captain Calder and Dr. Hughes, who with all others had 
made a general escape from Chateaubelair about 2 p.m. 
8th.—The next morning (8th) the writer returned to Chateaubelair with the two above mentioned, also 
Mr. Mathes, Mr. Allen, and Mr..C4ENTLE. Slaty-coloured vapours were still being discharged from 
the old crater, and on the wind blowing from north showers of dust descended, and darkness set in, 
producing general alarm. At 2.20 p.m. the discharge of slaty-coloured vapoirrs was continuous, but 
the new new crater, or some point to the right, ajopeared more active, the volumes being denser and 
blacker. 
9th, 6.50 A.M.^—ContinuoiLS rumbling noise for about half an hour, and then an increased discharge 
from crater, and steam and darker vapours appeared in large quantities, eAudently from surface of sea, 
and, as seen from Chateaubelair Police Station, over Eichmond Point, it was concluded to be a discharge 
of lava. In afternoon tvent in police boat, with Captain Calder and Dr. Hughes, along coast towards 
Wallibu to observe, but could not proceed further than opposite Eichmond Estate, nor could a fimther view 
be obtained than the spur at which the flat land of “ Fraser ” terminates. The impression received was that 
there were about three lava streams issuing from the same number of ravines in sides of the mountain— 
one at the back of above-mentioned sjnu-, the next at north side of spur on which ran the Soufriere 
road, and the third flowed through "Wallibu Estate. The general level of all the flat land as far 
as “ Fraser’s ” was much raised—by 40 or 50 feet, more or less—and terminated in abrupt, almost 
vertical, blufts at the sea, the fronts of vdiich frequently broke away and fell into the sea. The 
whole of the Eichmond Village was buried deep with lava or ashes (30 feet, more or less;, the highest 
being nearest to north of Wallibu Eiver. Occasionally discharges of vapoiu’ would take place from 
the furthest first-mentioned raDiie, and each was accompanied by a flash and peal of lightning and 
thunder. Slaty-coloimed vapours were discharged from the crater continuouslj^ the whole day. 
10th.—For some time after daylight crater was almost free from discharges. 
9.23 A.M. —At this time there was a lofty grey outburst, and these continued with lessened force 
throughout the day. 
11th.—Discharges continuous and of the same slaty colour. 
At about 11 A.M. left in police boat with Captain Calder and others to make further observations. 
Opposite Wallibu the sea had encroached along a length of shore beginning at Wallibu Eiver to a point 
beyond Wallibu Woiks. The hill tops and crests of ridges had a comparatively thin covering of ashes, 
but the “ flats ” near the sea and the main river had considerable depths of volcanic matter. Owing to 
the enveloping vapours, a complete view of the mountain could not be obtained, and it was impossible to 
know exactly what changes had taken place. 
On the 12th. and 13th the volcano, although very much quieter, still gave signs of agitation at irregular 
intervals by sluggish cEscharges of slaty vapours, accompanied by low rumbling noise. 
14th.—Dense cloud still over crater, but less lofty. Few small pebbles fell at Eichmond Vale. Towards 
evening the summit was very clear, but distinct discharges of white steam. 
15th.—At 9.30 A.M. there was a slight escape of steam, otherwise the mountain remained clear all day. 
