FIJI HURRICANE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11452, 28 February 1931, Page 5

FIJI HURRICANE

HEAVY DEATH ROLL. REFUGEES SUFFERING FROM INTENSE COLD. (TT.r.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright) f Received Fob. 27, d.o p.m.) SUVA,. Feb. 27. Tlip hurricane started at noon on Saturday and lasted till three on Sunday a Ivor noon. At Lautaka seventeen Indian dead have been identified and 23 are missing. believed killed: also twelve Fijians. At Ra it is estimated that 60 were drowned, including four Europeans, of whom two are women. At Singatoka it is reported that ony hundred were drowned, but this is unconfirmed. At Bn the river rose 40ft., washing away all houses on the flat. With teeth chattering, tlie refugees (are -suffering seriously from the intense unusual cold, and it is feared that manv will succumb as the result of privations and lack of food. owino; to gales the news only arrived last night. The Wairuna arrived at neon to-dpy with a shipment of rice from overseas. This is being sent'for the relief -, of the Indiaus who are in desperate need. Water supplies and sanitary systems are stopped, and there is fear of disease breaking out. Precautions are necessary. The Fijians._are reported to have done excellent, work -in the devastated areas. In regard to the severe hurricane at Lautoka, Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) Ltd.. advises that in addition to a heavy death roll and great; damage to property, it has received a. report from the Suva* radio station that all communication between Suva and the western side of the island has been severed since February 19, afid is unlikely to be restored for sorae time. The radio station at Suva rs sending an operator with a wireless installation, which will bo temporarily installed at Lautoka. to maintain communication with Suva. (T-T P .A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received' Feb. 27, 11 p.m.) . SUVA, Feb. 27. Hie Europeans known to have been killed as a result of the hurricane are: Reginald Rankin, Mr. Watson, mechanic, recently of Sydney, and Mrs. Watson, Mrs. W- • J. Mansell. Lautoka, Mr, W. Spowart, electrician of Suva-, was electrocuted whilst', connecting the hospital line at Laiitoka during the height of the storm.