SEVERE HURRICANE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12476, 12 February 1935, Page 5

SEVERE HURRICANE

DISASTROUS VISITATION IN COPK ISLANDS.

WORST YET TO COME

HEAVY DAMAGE ALREADY REPORTED.

(Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Feb. IT

Further advices to the New Zen-? land Goverhmoiit indicate that the storm of Saturday and Sunday in l l[ e Cook Islands has 'developed into the most severe hurricane experienced Ml the group for many .‘•years. The gale is blowing with hurricane force, accompanied by tremendous seas) which are causing great damage. Communication with the outer islands has ceased, but it is known that AitutalG, Atiu and Mauke, have all been heavily hit. At Rarotonga the small lighterage, wharf at the port d: Avarua lias been 'swept away, and the Union Company’ 11 larger wharf is showing, signs' -cf damage. The residential part >f the waterfront and the 'Government offices are 'sustaining damage, and the Government records have been removed for safety. The office of the f ruit Inspection Department situated;; alongside the wharf, has been wrecked by the high seas, and Ur C. J. Bouchier, Director u" Agriculture, received a broken leg when, caught by a huge wave.

In the outer islands all the fruit packing sheds are down, and damage has been done to the Government Schools.

Very heavy damage <is reported to the orange and banana crops.

The barometer is 'still falling., w hich indicates ’that 'the of the stenn lias hot yet been reached.

Latest advices from the wireless station at Rarotonga state that heavy seas were breaking across the road and around the foundation of: tho station itself, and 1 all commuhcytion both with Avarua :and with the outer islands, had been broken.

Later The DireCfori’Geberai of-the G.P.O received the following message from Rarotonga at .8.45 rp.m.:—-‘‘The barometer is;2B.99o.anti is rising slightly. The wind, has 'shifted ~s t o .tho nortli-liorth-w-estj ystfeiijtfcli'. 12. . I here ,afe terrific squalls. The wireless, which hiterto has hgeii ; pai;t]y sheltered is HOW feeling the real) force of the wind. High water at about 14 id g.m.t.” v