HURRICANE AT THE ISLANDS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 108, 30 January 1908, Page 4

HURRICANE AT THE ISLANDS.

,' • \ SEVERAL WRECKS REPORTED.

COUOANUT GROVES DAMAGED,

/( Br TEi.noitAra— i'kess association.) ; Auckland, January 29. Th'o Navua, which arrived from Sydney via tho Islands to-day, brought to' Auckland dotails'of tho ficrce hurricano which swept a portion of tho l'Mji group a fortnight ago. •, Kor two days the galo raged furiously over Lomaloma, and tho shipping in tho immedi•ato vicinity suffered disastrously, although, only tho barest of details woro to hand when. th'o Navua left tho Group on January 17. VlTho. small steamer Parua, lying.off Lomal'oma, was piled up on tho reef a total wreck, although, so far as was known, no lives were lost. x Tho Ripple, commanded by Captain Lippatt (late of tlio linion Company), was also driven bn to the reef, but, it is stated, .was subsequently, floated off. J . , I Two ketches completed tho list of wrecks so far as Lomaloma was concerned! Another cutter (tho nanui of which is as jet uncertain) had not arrived at her destination when last advices came through to Lcvuka. , It is believed that the datisago on land was also considerable, it . being', reported that Aiarks's storo at Lomaloma was practically demolished, while tho plantation suffered greatly. A lady passenger by tho Navua to Auckland informed a Press representative that tho forco of tho galo was at times terrible, the ketch by which she was proceeding to Lovuka being driven uslioro at Waimti, At this placo tho cocoa-nut groves were badly damaged, and several buildings razed to the ground.