A TERRIBLE HURRICANE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XX, Issue 2382, 21 March 1893, Page 2

A TERRIBLE HURRICANE.

NEW CALEDONIA AND NEW HEBBIDES IN BUINS.

PLANTATIONS AND VILLAGES WRECKED.

LOSS OF LIFE.

DISASTEES AMONGST THE

SHIPPING.

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

SYDNEY, March 20.

News has been received tbat a terrible hurricane swept New Caledonia and New Hebrides Islands on the 6tb, 7th, and Bth inst. Tbe latter group appears to have been almost swept clear of all evidence of civilization. Nearly all tbe plantations were levelled, and the whole of tbe villages wrecked, while tbe loss of life is reported to be eoormous.

Numbers of vessels were wrecked, but, with the exception of the barque Erapreya, their names bave not been ascertained.

The Empreya, which was recruiting among tbe group, became a total wreck ; but it is not known whether any lives were lost.

The steamer Parkesgate fell in with the hurricane, and had a narrow escape. Her steering gear became disabled, but she managed to reach Noumea in safety.

New Caledonia suffered severely, bat the eastern side seems to have felt tbe effects more than tbe other portion of the island. Everything afloat was destroyed, and hcuses converted into ruins.

At the nickel mine eleven lives were lost.

The mail left shortly after the hurricane occurred, and fuller details were not to band.

SYDNEY, March 21. The whole settlement at Port Sandwich, New Caledonia, ie swept away.

The French company has sustained heavy loss, and the fineßt plantations bave been destroyed.

Tbe natives are absolutely without food.

Tbe loss at Villa Hanal is estimated at 125,000 francs.

Noumea esoaped, though other parts were deluged. Appalling flood 3 have taken place. Tbe loss is 8,000,000 francs. Two thousand tons of nickel ore were washed into tbe noa.

Many thrilling escapes are reoorded.

Tbe Governor has oabled to Franoe for £20,000 to relieve the immediate wants of residents.

Private advices indicate that the burn* cane in tbe New Hebrides group was felt most severely at Vita Hana, while Ombryn and many other islands were unharmed. Tbe Em prey a was only dismasted, not wrecked. Tbe schooner Ika Vuka became a totnl wreck, and fears are entercained for tbe safety ot the steamer Croydon.