EARTHQUAKE IN FIJI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17294, 18 October 1919, Page 13

EARTHQUAKE IN FIJI.

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DONE. COPRA DRIER BURNED. ALARM AMONG NATIVES. [FROM our OWN CORRESPONDENT.] SUVA. (Fiji), Oct. 11. It is many years since the Fiji Group has had any earthquakes sufficiently important to mention outside the colony. | We often have earth tremors, but we | never think seriously of earthquakes. On Friday a couple of distinct tremors were i ! felt in Suva at half-past nine o'clock at j night. This morning news wag received here : that the island of Rabi, owned by lever's I Plantations, Ltd., had Buffered severely on the same night (October 5) at hall- i I past ten o'clock. Rabi is a tine fertile island lying oft j I BuCa Bay, on the eastern coast of Vanua ' Leva. It exports a large quantity of I copra annually, besides a good class of j cattle, and is managed by Mr. W. P. j Lyons. There are only rive white people j on the island— Messrs. Lyons and their wives, and an overseer. Then there are a number of Indian labourers. It appears that the residents were awakened by loud and startling booms ] like thunder", followed immediately by a I wild heaving, reeling, rolling motion of j the eartE. The houses swayed to and fro, j up and down, and appeared in imminent j danger of turning turtle. Furniture j turned somersaults and crockery was ; smashed to bits. In the midst of the j uproar the Indians, whose lines were near the beach, were panic-stricken, and, fear- I inc a tidal wave, wildly rushed up the hill to the bungalow of the " hurra *ahib," where they gradually became quiet. Other shocks occurred during the night. There are two large modemly-equipped driers for preparing the copra, and one of these caught fire, and disappeared into a smoking heap of debris. The other one was saved. On examination in the morning crack* were found everywhere, and all seemed to ran in the same circular direction. A large crack at the Indian lines was spouting mud and yellow slime. A number of geysers along the beach were throwing up mud. A large 600 gallon tank of water had been tossed into the air, and lay in a crumpled mass. It was found that a large portion of Mount Dawson, the highest peak in the island, had been thrown or blown off. Rather violent Knocks continued to occur at intervals on Saturday and Sunday, and three were felt on Monday, up to the time t the branch steamer Auira left. The tremors were felt on hoard the vessel. A tour on Monday morning by launch ; revealed that all the Island had been badly jolted. Rocks had been split or ' smashed, and many great masses as large as a house had ploughed down from the | hills to th„ coast flats, leaving lanes of crushed trees and bushes. The course of the disturbance appears > to have run from north to south. ' On the north end of Tavetrni several > severe shocks were felt, but doing little ' damage. The south end of Taveuni only experienced a tremor or two. • There is no news yet from the Lou. " group to the south, but Rabi appears to have been the centre of the disturbance. I he dwelling-houses on Rabi were damaged, gate, being torn off, and posts » broken It is fortunate the rwun shock occurred at night, as some of the people must have beer, struck during the day by 1 iS Noonea * ; * happened" was e p>. ~ i | (Published by Arrangement.

YE OLDE ENGU3HE FAYRE. «»— PREPARATIONS WE'LL FORWARD. LEWIS EADY'S DISPLAY. Auckland people are not characteristically excitable, but there is evidence that they are looking forward with keen anticipation to Ye Olde Englishe Fayre, the great carnival revival to take place in the Town Hall, on October 21, 22, and 23. Judging by the enthusiasm and the work with which the extensive preparations have been invested for weeks past, no stone is being left unturned to make the function one of the finest of its kind ever held in this city. This is as it should be, for the fair is to be the vehicle for raising funds for a most laudable object. The promoters are confidently relying on the hearty and practicable support and generosity of citizens and residents of this prosperous city and province. PIANOS ON EXHIBITION. One of the stalls likely to attract considerable attention will be that of Messrs. Lewis R. Bady and Son, Ltd., of the well-known Auckland Piano and Gramaphoue House. Occupying the central space of the floor the display of instruments will be well worth inspection. The famous Chappell piano will be seen and heard to distinct advantage in this atmosphere. The Chappell, of course, is the pride of British production, and its reputation is buttressed by the fact that it is the make used to-day by the greatest i artists of the world. Tt is undoubtedly the premier British piano, and the model in highly - finished rosewood case, materially emphasises that claim. The price is a little higher than ordinary, but it is worth the difference. However, the purchaser of such a superior instrument enjoys its distinction long after the price is forgotten. No reference, to modern pianos would be complete without mention of the popular New Zealand-made Bishop piano, models of which grace many homes throughout the Dominion, and are greatly appreciated. They will be represented in the exhibition. To show the success of the Bishop piano it may be pointed out that more of them were sold in the Dominion last year than any other two makes combined. No better proof is wanted of public realisation that, while the Bishop actually is highest quality and workmanship, it is the most remarkable piano value in New Zealand or Australia. Showing the incredible advance made in the development of present-day player pianos, L-ewis Eady's will also show an Appollo Player piano. It will be demonstrated frequently during the carnival, a special feature being made of " Artist Player Rolls." revealing how the personal interpretation of the artist may be reproduced through the rolls. GRAMAPHONE DEVELOPMENT. The Editrola gramaphone, manufactured i at the firm's own factory, must also earn ' unstinted praise, as it has done since it I was placed on the market. As an ex- ; emplification of gramaphone development, the Editrolia is pronounced. It produ<a truly natural tone, which is explained to some extent, by the incorporation of the patent Editrola amplifier. Visitors i will be interested and pleased to hear ! some of the magnificent Clara Butt and ! F.lsa Stralia records on the Editrola. The I world-famous Columbia Grafanolas will I be on exhibition, and representatives of j the firm will gladly accede to any requests i made, for trying over particular records. j Lewis Eady's display will, in some small I way. bring home to those who visit ; the* fair an idea of the artistic showI rooms in Queen Street, and of this well | organised piano and gramaphone service, i by which the public has every facility to | obtain instrumental requirements equal to j the best from the leading piano emporiums abroad. A little retrospect will be pardoned, and it is to urge upon visitors to " Ye Olde Fayre " not to omit a call to Lewis Eadv's stall. " Asneu," the perfect glove cleaner, makes soiled gloves look as new. Two sizes, 6d and Is per bottle. Obtainable only at George Court and Sons, Ltd . Karangahape Road. The beauty of pearly white teeth may be preserved from childhood to old age by using " Ojso " Tooth Powder 6d tins everywhere- .