FIJI HURRICANE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 133, 18 March 1931, Page 3

FIJI HURRICANE

TWO HUNDRED DEATHS. GREAT DAMAGE CAUSED. (Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, March 17. Detailed news of the floods and the hurricane which inflicted on Fiji the worst disaster in its history, reached Auckland by the Toi'ua, to-day. Over two hundred lives were lost ;md nncalculated damage done to property. The floods occurred comparatively near Suva, but it was the districts ot Lautoka Ha and Sigatoka which were struck by the hurricane. Wive, days elapsed before news reached Suva, and then it was necessary to rush food to the stricken, area to save further less of life. The absence of a wireless station at Lautoka was the subject of strong comment. The flood waters in the Jpper Xausori River rose 80 to 100 feet, and at Nausomi they reached to twenty-eight feet above normal.

Day after day cattle, pigs, poultry, banana trees and wreckage floated down to the ocean. The loss to the natives and the Indians was everwhelming, village after village being blotted out. After the water fell and men returned home, the river roso again and rescue work had to be done over once more. Many natives and ethers aie now living in caves on the hillsides. just when Suva was settling down alter the flood news was received of the hurricane which swept Lautoka, the chief sugar port of the island, r-ntl Ba, Sigatoka and Penang. The gale, accompanied by drenching rain, raged all the night of February 21. At daylight there were seen wrecked buildings, ruined crops, and lifeless bodies. A landslide, overwhelmed a native village killing thirteen and injuring eighteen out of thirty-five. At Drasa 100 out of 125 were swept away in the floods. The total loss of life is unknown, but 178 Are known to have been buried. Many ojbhe's were seen floating to sea for 50 miles At Sigatoka no Indian or Chinese store remained standing. Much praise is given tl: j Colonial Sugar Company's staff fot' their relief work. There are many stories of heroism including the work of a young Fijian who crossed the Pooded river twice and ran forty miles with Hews of the disaster.