A DISASTROUS HURRICANE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12600, 2 March 1903, Page 3 (Supplement)

A DISASTROUS HURRICANE.

.MANY LIVES LOST. AUCKLAND, February 18. News by tho Ovalau gives particulars of tho terrible cyclone which si ruck the Low Archipclago on January 13, devastating tho island.-: ot Aniaiiu Ilaa, Kavahero, Marokau, Takeune, and Raroia, also doing great damago in other is'.amte. The cyclone also struck the Marquesas group, doing much damage; and on the island of Uapo a severe earthquake was felt. The islands of Ravahoro and Marokau wcro swept completely, not a, house remnminir. Some 100 poople lost their lives on Aiarokau. At Takumc a wliolo village v/a; swept away, 15 persons boing killed, 'iho village settlement on Raroia had all tho houses blown down and was swept by tho sea, 15 people losing their lives. In Bow Island one of the finest villages on the archipelago suffered terribly, overy house being b!ow» down by t-lio galo, but fortunately only five lives were lost here. The village of Avanu was devastated, five persons being killed. The island of Hikiwea, carrying a population of 1000, suffered most severely from the hurricane, having apparently felt tho entire forcc of the cyclone—tho island on which the village was established beiug swept, not a store or housn remaining, and few cccoanut- palms have resisted the fury of the storm. Tho number lost or killed on this island is about 400. Grave fears are entertained as to the safety of several schooners in the group at the time, and up to February 7 no news had been received of them at Papeete. Over 80 pearling cutters were lost at Hikeura. Warships have been sent from Papcelc with provisions for the sufforprfl, the French authorities taking steps to relieve the distress. In some islands the people saved themselves by climbing up eocoanut trees and remaining in them_ for six or oight hours. No estimate is available as to the loss by traders and inhabitants, but it- must be very considerable; in fact, they have lost practically everything and are completely ruined.