CYCLONE AT NOUMEA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14800, 6 April 1910, Page 5

CYCLONE AT NOUMEA

DETAILS BY MAIL. A SCENE OF DESOLATION. Press Association-By Telegraph— Copyright SYDNEY, April 5. (Received' April 5, at 9.25 p.m.) Details of the cyclone at Noumea on Easter Sunday night state that the high wind drove huge waves over the quay and the vessels anchored by, chiefly consisting of small ketches, fishing boats, and punts, many of which sank at their moorings.' The coasting steamer Cagore capsized, and the ship Guetharg broke away, and received considerable damage by colliding with the steamer Villo de la Coitat.

The cyclone reached its height at midnight. The noxt morning tho town presented a pitiable sight. The streets were strewn with debris, many houses were unroofed and some blown ■ down, gardens wero obliterated, and the magnificent avenue of trees surrounding the Place des Cocotiers was completely destroyed. The harbour was covered with' wreckage, fl-nd the huge concrete blocks of the quay were displaced for a distanco of a hundred yards.

The gasworks were severely damaged, and the town was without gas for several days. Tho railway at Montravcl was torn up, causing a complete block of tra flic. The canal which brings water to Noumea burst, and the people were dependent on private supplies.

All the telegraph and telephone wires were down at Ansevate, a suburb of Noumea, and the road skirting the beach was washed away. A rubber plantation w.ii? blown down. Tiie 6ea in places came 40 yards inland, leaving behind it vast quantities of pumice stone. Noumea was apparently the centre of the storm, as reports from other districts state that little damage was done. No loss of life was reported.