Again.

A Garden Town Again.

Survey of Present-day Conditions at Rabaul.

Prom Our Own Correspondent.

Rabaul, Feb. 27.

OLD residents returning to Rabaul nowadays, as they glance about from the steamer, invariably remark on the phenomenal change for the bet ter which has taken place. Later, as they traverse the tree-lined avenues, they marvel at th,e manner in which lawns have succeeded large mud plains of a few months ago; how hedges have grown up, and trees have shot out fresh foliage.

The restoration of the Garden Town of Rabaul is truly remarkable, and it is the common belief that the volcanic dust and ash, which covered the town and tore down each vestige of greenery on the Black Saturday and Sunday in May, con tained certain fertilising elements. At any rate, hibiscus and other bushes have grown to greater heights and blossomed more profusely than in th,e pre-eruption days.

The harbour is now quite clear of pumice—the nor’-west wind has seen to that. Vulcan—the new crater —stands an ominous-looking mass of spewed-out volcanic dust. It is an ugly sight, but quiescent. Only occasionally does one see a curl of dark-brown smoke rise up wards, and that is usually after rain.

Matupi crater, on the other hand, con tinually sends up a large white cloud of steam; and at times numerous fuma

roles along tiie foreshore of the crater are active. That is the extent of the outward reminder of the eruption; un less, of course, one includes the stupen dous task of drainage, which has torn up certain streets in order to carry away the storm waters from the surrounding hills. Many of these drains are not yet completed, and it would seem now that much of the preparation for dealing with the flood-waters will be unnecessary as rain-water is already soaking into the ground on the hillsides, as the grass and bushes push themselves up through the mud-covered ground, which was previ ously impervious to rain, and allowed of no soakage whatsoever.

Rain-storms have occurred during the past few months in which two to three inches have been registered for the 24 hours, with little or no damage having been recorded.

The work of removing all the heaps of mud, accumulated from gardens, has not yet been completed, and gangs of “boys” are kept busy loading motor lor ries and mechanical loaders.

Social life moves along much the same as before, though the absence of a num ber of the married women from the town is marked by a decrease in bridge and cocktail parties. But at dances, held re gularly at Clubs and hotels, there is still a goodly number of the fair sex, attired in latest fashions.

A sign of the small decrease in the population is the absence of any vacant houses. Bungalows are at a premium; though this, it is said, will be altered considerably when the administrative centre has been removed to its new site.

The health of the residents generally appears to be good. Namanula hpspital has held few patients during the past month or so. There is, however, a feel ing of uneasiness amongst’ a certain sec

tion of the residents, especially following

any earth tremor.

The last report of the local vulcanolo gist (Mr. Fisher) will give some idea of the situation from a scientific angle. The

report was issued early in February:

The temperatures generally in Sulphur Creek are normal. Tide plays a big part in affecting the temperature in that the best read ings are obtained when the tide is low and the water calm.

Tavurvur Creek, if anything, appeared to have less water than usual, but the amount of steam rising from the fumaroles seemed to be about the same. On the outer-side of the north-western lip of the crater there has been a small landslide and there is every indication that there will be more. This seems to be due to the fact that mud flows have generally softened the gravel mass and tended to make the grade very steep.

The blow-hole on the south-western side has dried up and there are only several small As sures on the eastern and southern inner walls.

Above the fumarole mounds on the eastern side of Matupi Bay, several small areas have fallen a few feet, due possibly to the process of contraction as well as rainwater soakage, because at the spots referred to the main chan nels for rainwater have ended abruptly.

The slopes of Vulcan, more so on the east ern side, have become rougher, the solid stones and pumice bombs are more exposed and the loose Ane soil has been washed down to the foreshore. The western portion of Vulcan area has had an abundance of rain. The western slopes are a trifle muddy and there is a small quantity of water in the centre bottom of the crater.

On the northern and a little on the eastern, several small landslides have occurred, covering a few of the small vents and in one place there is a small pool of boiling water.

Mr. C. G. F. Cartwright, of Ocean Is land, Central Pacific, arrived in New Zealand by the February “Triaster”. He is attached to the Administration staff.