Note 19 — A SOUTHERN CROSS FAIRY TALE.
Reading edition
The heat of the geysers and hot-springs around Rotomahana was doubtless derived from the volcanic fires which slumbered beneath the Tarawera Mountain, standing at a distance of some miles. This mountain was an old volcano, but its true nature was hardly recognized. On June 10th, 1886, the old volcano awoke to new life, and a violent paroxysmal eruption rent the mountain asunder, the chasm extending beyond its foot and through Rotomahana. The ground around the lake and beneath its waters to the depth of 500 feet was blown into the air, and the beauty of the terraces was lost to the world for ever.—A. P. W. T.