Hurricane Leaves 4000 Niue Islanders Homeless

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29108, 21 January 1960, Page 12

Hurricane Leaves 4000 Niue Islanders Homeless

(New Zeaiana Press Association/ WELLINGTON, January 20. Four thousand of Niue Island’s population of 4700 are homeless as a result of the hurricane which struck the island early Monday morning. The latest report from the Resident Commissioner, Mr D. W. R. Heatley, says housing has been almost completely destroyed and that only 134 homes on the entire island are still standing. Many of the homeless are sheltering in caves, but ample warning of the hurricane’s approach enabled them to save their clothing and possessions.

About half the villages’ water catchments have been destroyed, all schools have received at least some damage, and none of the London Missionary Society schools and pastors’ houses in the 12 villages is intact. The village of Makefu, which bore the brunt of last year’s hurricane disaster, has no houses left, while North and South Alofi, which have a total population of 1000, have only 43 between them. Seven inches and a half of rain fell in the 24 hours up to 7 a.m. on Monday, nearly seven inches falling in seven hours. But the report says that although taro crops suffered considerably, re-

cent plantings should reach maturity and there should be no food shortage. Mr Heatley said the Niueans were in good heart and had already started on repair work. Many islanders received minor head injuries, but there have been no hospital cases. The main road was reopened last night and work is under way on the cross-island roads.

Lean-to shelters are being made from salvaged timber in an effort to house the homeless. Mr Heatley said the 200 tents sent to Niue after last year’s hurricane were worn out. A team of New Zealand carpenters is still in Niue repairing damage from last year’s hurricane.

Mr Heatley has not yet asked for material to be sent from New Zealand but the Minister of Island Territories (Mr Mathison) said tonight that building materials could be sent up on the Tofua which sails for the Islands next week.