HAVOC WROUGHT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22427, 25 May 1936, Page 10

HAVOC WROUGHT

NORFOLK ISLAND ! FLOODS AND LANDSLIDES HEAVY DAMAGE TO PROPERTY CABLE SERVICE RESTORED Wide destruction was caused on Nor. folk Island when 4in. of rain'which fell on Wednesday night was followed by a f severe electrical storm with torrential rain on Thursday night 4 states a special cablegram sent from the island to the Herald. A total of 15£ in. of rain. fell between nine o'clock on Thursday night and seven o'clock on Friday morning Cable communication with Auckland, Suva and Southport, on the Queensland coast, which was interrupted when the cable hut on the island was washed away, was restored on Saturday—with Auckland at 12.30 p.m. and with South, port at 2.30. The work of restoration was carried out under great difficulty, I The cables were deeply buried and those engaged in the work were under a con. stant risk of landslides. The road waj washed completely away.Landslides occurred in all parts of the island and small rivers are no* running down the hillsides in several places. The golf links were strewn with household effects and large boulderg,, and the cemetery was inundated at the eastern end with flood waters, where the waves are now encroaching. *.v;V

The approach to the Cascade Landing is impassable except by horse or on foot, and the road is practically washed away. It is as yet impossible to estimate the damage, but it is certain that people dwelling in the valleys in particular wiU be heavy losers. A Press Association cablegram from Sydney states that the Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons, has sent a message of sympathy to the islanders and hat authorised whatever expenditure, is necessary for the restoration of damaged property.