SEVERE STORM

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 7 April 1926, Page 9

SEVERE STORM

IN COOK ISLAND GROUP

MECII DAMAGE IT) ERE IT CROPS

A radio message received by the Minister in Charge of the Cook Islands (Sir Maui Pnmerc) shows that the storm which occurred in lite group last Thursday has done extensive damage to the fruit crops. A radio- message from the Resident Commissioner states :~~

"Reports to date. Rarotonga, show that there lias been 75 per cent, loss ol the banana crop, and a loss of 50 per cent of the orange crop. The orange trees, however, have cot. been materially damaged. All the early tomatoes have been lost, ami there has been severe damage to the coconut crops." The Makura, which left Wellington on Tuesday last for Rarotonga and -San Francisco just missed the storm. The Cook- Islands Department lias not heard how the Makura handled her cargo at Rarotonga, bur as she had not a great dial of rtiigii for the Cook Islands, either to discharge or take on hoard, there is u doubt tliat they were able to handle it with the ship's boats. The steamer Tahiti, which is due at Wellington on Monday next, is to ship a valuable cargo of fruit at Rarotonga. Hint was able to secure a launch tit Samoa, and Hie Resident Commissioner at Rarotonga advises the Minister that, with the. aid of local boats ,and with the assistance of the steamer’s boats, to he used at the discretion of the captain, tin".’ expect to get the whole of the fruit (■rnsigumenl sately on hoard. In order to enable this to he done. the Union Company is holding the Itihiti tit Ratot'.nga to the latest possible hour. The Tahiti was due at Rarotonga on Monday (which is our Tuesday).