Vignettes

STRIKING descriptions 0/ the eruption

were supplied to a Sydney journal ,

‘"Woman,” by two women residents of

Rabaul. Here are extracts : • Mrs. K. M. Bignell, lessee of A the Hotel Rabaul, who did not leave Rabaul: “From Saturday until Tuesday night all three were erupting continuously, and the ear-splitting crashes that occurred at frequent intervals were terrifying. Sleep has been impossible. Now, how ever, things are calming down . . .

On Saturday, the rain of smoke and pumice from Vulcan Island made the town as black as pitch by 4.30 p.m. Added to this the electric power station failed, and we had no light, except for the lightning, which flashed eerily all through the night.

All day Sunday and Monday the police were bringing in all manner of household pets they had rescued from deserted homes. It was hard work finding accommodation for them all, especially as, in their terrified state, they were not willing to make friends.

“Five inches of dust and lava envelop the entire town in a blanket of grey. It looks as though a great battle had been fought there, tress and houses crouching under the terrific bom bardment of mud and pumice they have received.”

Mrs. J. S. Symington, wife of A an executive of W. R. Carpenter and Co. Ltd.: “Women in every kind of incongruous attire, mute testimony of their distress, left their homes early on Sunday after a sleepless night, during which the noise of the repeated explosions was deafening, and proceeded to the European Hospi tal, whither they had been bidden to mobilise.

Thence, we went to Nordup and aboard the ships.

“First went the invalids, then the women with children. Those without children carried or led their dogs, cats and canaries. Some had hurriedly packed a few clothes and provisions, but the majority, with the fear of the night still upon them, left too hurriedly to collect anything.

“The heat was intense and those without haTs soon felt it badly. They tried to get what protection they could by tying handkerchiefs on their heads, or from the protection of thick hair, which was soon filled with whits powdered dust and ashes. Some were badly burned B^».« f aliing ash; some ha 1 their faces singed; all were dirty and their clothing, which had been white, was almost black before Nordup was reached. Our eyes were red and stinging with the powdered pumice that filled the aw.

“The Kokopo women were wonderful and were waiting to help us as soon as we arrived, many of them taking refugees into their homes.”