TORNADO IN THE ISLANDS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 17 February 1915, Page 5

TORNADO IN THE ISLANDS

GUEAT DAMAGE. , C'aßaa Association.—Copxhiqhi^.iuvA, Feb. ir. ' The Tofua, from Samoa, brings a let ter from a trader, reporting a,hurricane at Niuefou from Jan. 16 to 18, It started at 4 o'clock on the 16th. gales had been from north-east to fiqrihwest, !but this hurricane eariie from the south, and the island was ; devastated. The disturbance was more in the h'atare of a tornado than a hurricane; iSvery house is down, and the cocoanut plahia-, tions look as if a fire had swept the inland. It is estimated that'.there will, fca no more cocoanuts For eight year'si. There is no information of any lives being lost, ' . ■ SUVA, This Day.' The bulk store, copra'shed, and-dwell-ing owned by Tyndall and Ross, fou, were wrecked by the hurricane.; '■' T .. =3> mzp": '■•■•■'■..■

■Ui&D-WT TO nelson MES-. The Nelson draft of the Fifth Reinforcements received an enthusiastic send-off last night when they left for the Trentham camp. The men paraded at the Drill Hall at 7 o'clock, a large number of relatives and friends also being present. The men were formed up and addressed by the Mayor and Lieutenant Harley* adjutant of the 12th Regiment, after which, headed by the Band of the 12th Regiment, and accompanied by the "H" Battery, N.Z.F.A., they were marched to Port Nelson. The line of route was crowded with people, and at certain points hearty cheers were given as the men swung past. In his remarks at the Drill Shed tke Mayor expressed his appreciation, and that of the citizens of Nelson to the men who were leaving for the front, < and for the brave patriotic and selfdenying spirit, which had prompted them to enlist. The citizens were proud of them, and their action would be to their everlasting credit. He stated that every man who had enlisted with the view of helping the Motherland in her hour of trial and gro it need deserved well of the country and people to which they belong. The military authorities had deemed it inadvisable in the early part of the war to allow send-off's to be given to those leaving, but he was sure' that the people gratefully recognised the services which every._man had eo willingly offered to his King and country. He fully recognised that many of them had already made considerable sacrifices, and would probably be called ■upon for more, and would probably have to endure many trials, temptations, and sufferings "on the battlefields of JMirope. He was satisfied that they would play their part Tight well, and nphold the honour of New Zealand, their own honour, and that of the Empire. During this gigantic struggle the British Army had worthily upheld the glorious traditions of the race as regards bravery, valour, and heroism. He urged "them to emulate their actions. and they would, no doubt give a good ~ account "of themselves. He trusted that the efforts of our nation and Allies would soon be crowned with success, and that we would have a lasting and honourable peace. The more men we could put into Europe the sooner this desir able end would be achieved. He urged all qualified young men who had no dependents to" enlist to fight against a foe which, though claiming to be educated and cultured, had proved to be most unreliable and unscrupulous, and had been guilty of such inhumanity as had staggered the civilised world. They were leaving laose also here near and dear to them, and he wished them God speed, hoping they would have a pleasant vovage,"" be blessed with good health, and meet with success upon the fields of battle, that they might have a safe return, and that their conduct at all times would be a credit to themselves and the Dominion. .Our good wishes would follow them, and if they were spared to return they would receive a fitting reception. (Applause). Lieutenant Harley said he had been asked to say "Good"Bye" on behalf of the local military authorities. He wished to apologise for the absence of the area group officer, who was unable to present, as he was supervising an ex-" amination. There was not very much to be said except "Good Bye" and "Good Luck." There was one thing, however, quite apart from their departure, and that was that it was time that the voting men of Nelson and district- -who* were without ties and were physicallv fit gave in their names as willing to go to the front. The authorities should not. have Co put in advertisements in the newspapers and go round asking men why they could not come. __e time had come .for the people of Nelson to take, up some sort of stand and make these young men realise their duties. Although the men before them had enrolled as civilians, they would now become members of their respective Tegiments. So far as he knew the Neleon Regiment had been the first regiment in Egypt to he under ; fire, and it was certainiv the first to suffer casualties It was" for the men who were going "that night to join their regiments to hand down such glories as could only be obtained in battle. He again wished them good bye and God speed. (Applause). • ■ „,, .. On the call of Cr. Hampson three cheers were given for the departing soldiers and three more "for those who were going to go." _ On the march to Port Nelson several lively airs were played by the band. Shortly before eight o'clock the reinforcements marched on to the whari, headed bv the Band of the 12th Regi ment. This was at once the signal for wild cheering and shouted farewells, which added to the burr of the vesse. s exhaust steam made an mdescribab.e din The soldiers marched straight aboard the Pateena, and fiom there listened to a short address of rarewell from Mr T. Field, M.P.', who spoke from the gangway. As the vessel was about to depart tne band struck up the now familiar air "Tipperarv,"' the chorus of which was taken up "by the crowd. While the Pateena slowly got under way the strains of the National Anthem heralded the close of a scene that will long be remembered bv manv of the spectators. _ The following are the names oi the rnen -ho left last evening : •MOUNTED. ;, Black, H. C- v Buckley, C .Cunningham, I. A. " Coleman, T. Goodall, L. D. Grooby, C E. ' Hvett, J- S. Irving, E. F. Jacobsen, W. G. Miller. F. L. J Stone, G. j McKav. R. Shirtliff. L. A. Taylor, F- H. • ! "Windleborn, H. INFANTRY. J Alboroush, D. B. I ' Barltrop, F. | - Caldwell, L. A. ] Edwards, J. \ Galland, F. V. B. • Mollov, T. J. Nicholls, V. R. Price, R. L. ' Smith, H. Snow, A. C. Smith, G. C. ! . Trott, H. S. -Wilson. H. W. "Stapp, G. C. Cabot, J. ' McKinlev. John. "ARTILLERY. Edwards, C. .Ricketts, M. Sanders, E. Trevett, T. H. r Simpson, F. 'Pywell, W." "Strong, A. E. Easton, H. S. P. •Collard, J. H. 15. Livick, J. A. Emerson, J. S. H. Radcliff (mounted). C. W. Siggelkow (artillery), G. W. Slatter (artillery), H. C. Rowe (infantry), and LanceCorporal G. L. G. Sinclair (farrier) left for Trentham on Saturday night. In addition, nine infantry and 19 mounted men from Blenheim leave for jrentham tjus week.

VISIT TO MAPUA AND MOTUEKA. Yesterday morning members of the Nelson Harbour Board visited Mapua. and Motueka, at the latter place inspecting their dredge now on hire to the Motueka Harbour Board. The Boards launch, in charge of the Harbourmaster (Captain Collins) took the party across. At Mapua a stop was made for half an hour. A substantial wharf has been erected to meet y/esent requirements ; but as the apple industry proceeds more accommodation, of course, will have to bo provided. The Board, with an eye to the future, has wisely procured an area of an ace abutting on the foreshore, and in the course of years the wisdom of this step w'll bo manifest. The port of Mapua has about 17ft. at high water spring tides, and there should be no difficulty even at the present time for a steamer like the Pateena to work the port; in fact, the master of that vessel has already expressed his willingness to do this. The Board already derives a small revenue from wharfage, motor launches making regular trips to and fro from Nelson. Before the port, however, can bo fully utilised by settlers in and around "the district, the main road from Appleby to Motueka will have to be made, and will be the means of tapping a large fruit area. The new harbour at Motueka was reached at 1 o'clock, when the visitorswere met by Mr Pattie (Chairman) and othft"- members of the Motueka Board, and entertained at luncheon.

In expressing pleasure at the visit of the Nelson Board, Mr Pattie explained that the work undertaken in making a new harbour was the first work on a largo scale undertaken by Motueka, an-l a loan of £20,000 had been authorised to complete it. In such a venture obstacles would crop up; but it appeared that now the Board were on the right track to make a success of it. To some extent the thanks of the Board were due to the Nelson Board for the loan of the plant, and it was very fortunate that it was available. Mention was made of the good work being done by the Board's engineer (Mr Mace), the Chairman saying that no one was more keen to bring the scheme to a successful issue. If that was done it would be a great thing for Motueka and district. It was what was wanted, and what they must have, even if more money had to be raised to achieve it. The people of the district did not realise what it meant to have increased harbour facilities. Of late there had been such extension taking place, especially in the fruitgrowing, that in a few years' time the increase in the shipping of the port would be enormous. Speaking of future possibilities, Mr Pattie mentioned the reclamation of the lagoon, which would bring 2000 acres of land into bearing. If that was done a road could be made through Jacket's Island to brin:* produce to the port. He hoped the people of the district would have a fit of enterprise, and take advantage of their splendid possibilities, and be willing to risk a little. Before concluding, the Chairman apologised for the absence of Messrs Duncan, Chas. Fry, and R. V. Hudson, M.P. (Applause). Mr. G. Macmahon, on behalf of the visitors, expressed regret that at the last minute urgent private business had prevented the Chairman of the Nelson Board (Mr. H. R. Duncan) from being oresent. Proceeding, Mr Macmahon said his Board hoped to see the new harbour made, a success, and he thought they were on the Tight road to success. The speaker referred to the development of the district now taking place, and the enterprise of the Motueka Board in preparing to meet it. After thanking the Chairman for the hospitality extended, Mr Macmahon hoped that the Motueka Board would inspect the Nelson Board's plant at a future date. (Applause.) Mr. Mace, the Board's engineer, explained the deviations made to the original plan, and spoke of his confidence in the success of the scheme. Looking into the future, he said he could see a system of light railways running to the Motueka wharf. (Applause). An inspection of the dredge was.made by the Nelson members, after which a return was made for home, Port Nelson being reached after a smart run of a couple of hours.