RECORD RAINFALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 19, 24 January 1939, Page 17

RECORD RAINFALL.

ROADS IN FIJI SUFFER. MARIST MISSIONARY'S DEATH. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SUVA, January 12. Following a record rainfall in December, January pro— ises also to establish a record for the month. The rainfall for the month to date is 15.40 inches, which is 3.30 inches in excess of the average for January. The heavy and persistent rain has played havoc with the roads, and the King's Road has been closed to traffic for several weeks between Tailevu and the northern coast, owing to the breakdown of bridges in the Wainibuka Gorge. The Queen's Road, via Sigatoka, is passable, but is very heavy in places, and there have been temporary stoppages owing to sections of the road being under water. The death occurred at Levuka yesterday of Mrs. Pasemaca Vollmer, widow of the late Mr. Frederick Vollmer. Mrs. Vollmer, who was 78 years of age, was a well-known identity of Levuka, and was much respected. She was $ former Mayoress of Levuka. The pioneer Marist missionary of Fiji, the Very Rev. Father Lahaye, died at Levuka Hospital this mornin'r at the age of 87 years. Father Lahaye, who was born in France, came to Fiji 62 years ago, and had spent the last 25 years at Cawaci, Ovalau. He was wellknown and much esteemed throughout the Colony. A painful accident befell Mr. E. Ant ewes, of the staff of Burns, Philp ( V .S.) Company, Limited. Mr. •:drewes was out fishing in Mr. C. F. 'Jorbett's launch Turn Bula Hum, when the spinner on a trace he was holding slipped into the water and became entan- '"d around the propeller. Mr. Androv.-es had the tops of three fingers of bis left hand severed by the wire. The launch was half-way to Beqa at the time, but Mr. Corbett jettisoned all unnecessary material aboard the boat and headed back full speed to Suva. Mr. Andrewes was taken to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, and later underwent an operation.