Eruption

Floods And Dust

After-Effects of Rabaul Eruption

From Our Own Correspondent

\ Rabaul, Oct. 1.

STREETS and gardens have been mostly cleared of mud, and are green again; the wrecked trees in the famous avenues have been sternly pruned, and are showing green; and the town’s ap pearance is regaining normal.

But all over the environs is a heavy thick coating of pumice and volcanic mud. The ground, formerly so porous, now throws off the rain water like an iron roof. An inch of rain, once not noticed, now causes a flood.

So public works engineers and large gangs of native labourers have been very busy lately, putting in a drainage sys tem to cope with the imminent north west (rainy) season. Special drains will carry away the stormwater. Otherwise, torrents would pour through the town.

The fine pumice dust is everywhere and water carts have been freely employed.

The fineness of the dust enables it to penetrate everywhere and there is little doubt that the constant breathing of this substance is not conducive to good health.

There have been very few earth tre mors. Matupi volcano is still emitting smoke and steam, but the new crater ap pears to be dormant—though those who have been there say there is considerable activity.

The report of the experts on the future location of the capital is awaited philo sophically.