HURRICANE DAMAGE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 109, 18 February 1935, Page 6

HURRICANE DAMAGE.

INVESTIGATION IN COOiK GROUP. THE QUESTION OF ASSISTANCE. (Per Press Association). AVELLINGTGN, This Day.

With a view to investigating the nature and extent of the damage caused by the recent hurricane in the Cook Islands, arrangements have been made by the Department of Internal Affairs for the American vessel, Golden Bear, to call at Palmerston Island, about which particular anxiety is felt. The Golden Bear, which is bound from United States ports to New Zealand, is expected off Palmerston Island on Wednesday. Her captain will report by wireless on the state of affairs and should that indicate that assistance is necessary it is probable that the lighthouse steamer Matai will leave for the group late this week. A doctor will leave Wellington by the Makura for Rarotonga to assist Dr. E. J. Ellison (resident medical officer). These steps have been taken on precautionary grounds, particularly in view of the isolation of many islands in the Cook Group. If the Matai makes the trip she can also transport a number of lepers on various islands to the Makogai leper station. SHIP SAILS ON WEDNESDAY. WELLINGTON, This Day. According to an official announcement to-day the External Affairs Department is dispatching the Government steamer to Palmerston Island, in the Cook Islands group, to investigate the extent of the recent hurricane. The vessel will leave on Wednesday, with Mr S. J. Smith (Secretary of and Dr. Dawson (Health Department). It is expected to reach the island in a week. , MEDICAL OFFICER TO GO. (Special to the “ Guardian/’) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Colonel F. W. W. Dawson (assistantMedical Officer of Health for CanterImry - Westland) has received advice from the Director-General of Health (Dr. M. H. Watt) that he is to proceed at once to Rarotonga to lend assistance in tbs work of rehabilitation on the island, which was recently visited by a hurricane. Colonel Dawson will leave for Wellington this evening and to-morrow will proceed to Rarotonga by the Makura. He expects to be away for about two months.