The Mauritius Hurricane.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6892, 13 June 1892, Page 3

The Mauritius Hurricane.

Pout Louis, May 10. — On Friday, April 26th, a most terrific hurricane passed over the island, annihilating one- " third of the city of Port Louis, containing a population ef 70,000 souls, razing to the ground countless houses and public buildings, destroying the greater part of the sugar crop, and damaging all the shipping ing in the harbor. It is estimated that upwards of 1500 persons have been killed, or have since died from their injuries. From 2000 to 3000 are reported to be more or less injured, and 25,000 at least are now homeless or utterly ruined. There is no instance in the annals of the colony of a storm having raged with such violence and caused such devastation. The blow came as a surprise to everyone, as up to the morning of that dreadful day no indication had been given that the cyclone was bearing down upon us. Then suddenly a hissing noise was heard in the direction of tho southwest end. A violent squall of wind of tremendous speed burst out like a clap of thunder upon the town, causing a frightful vibration to all buildings, and scattering broadcast pieces of tin and corrugated iron, shingles, planks, and big brnnshes of trees. Then followed in quick succession those deafening squalls of wind which threatened to destroy all property in (heir course, until the volocity of the wind had increased to 121 miles an hour, corresponding to a pressure of 731 bon the square foot, being the greatest pressure on record. Before this territic cyclone the pressure of the wind was only 501 bon the square foot. The sight that met the eye everywhere was horrible, and the din of the tempest intensified the feelings of terror. It seemed as though all the artillery of the universe was in full operation above our heads, nnd was scattering havoc and death on the island. Then the houses in Port Louis, the churches and public buildings began to fall down, crushing under their ruins a Urge number of people. The scene is indescribable. From all sides persons were seen running away for shelter, while around them houses tumbled upon one mother. Happily for the unfortunate victims the wind soon abated, and one hour after the catastrophe rescue parties were organised to save those who were injured. Foremost among those who distinguished themselves in this noble work were the officers and men of the garrison, headed by Major Ashley. While people were busy saving the wounded, flames were seen issuing from under the debris of the houses, and i\ new element of destruction was soon at It. was with the greatest difficulty that the fire wa3 got under, aud not before many of the wounded had been burnt to death. On the following day n glorious sun rose above the ruin and devastations wrought by the tornado in the once fair j city of Port Louis. It will take some time before we are in a position to state exactly the amount of the damage and the extent uf the sufferings that have been inflicted upon the colony, and from the particulars to hand we may give an approximate estimate of our losses. According to an informant the official valuation of the buildings in PorfcLouis is set down .it 20,000,000 r. ; from this will have to be deducted 12.000,000r. as representing the value of the houses that have been blown down, or more or less damaged. The town is worth now only 8,000,000r. The finance committee of the Council ot Government, who have been examining the amount of the loan required to save the colony from bankruptcy, estimate the losses sustained by the sugar planters at 14,000, 000i\, out of an annual revenue of 24,000,<K)0r. To these figures must be added the sum of 2,0C0,000r., representing the damage done to residences in the country districts and other private property. We thus find ouselves in the presence of a total loss of 28,000, 000r., or very nearly L 2,000,000.

An order was granted by Mr Justice Ccnolly at the Auckland Supreme Court at the instance of one of the ratepayers of Onehunga, restraining the Borough Council of that place from allowing dead bodies to be interred in the reserve recently acquired there for the purposes of a cemetery. On Sunday a resident of Onehunga, Mrs Wreford, died. Application was made to the Town Clerk for a permit to bury the body in the cemetery reserve. He referred the matter to the Mayor, Dr Erson, and acting on his advice refused to grant the permit. At a meeting of the Council on Monday evening the Mayor was taken severely to task for instructing the Town Clerk not to issue the burinl permit applied for. The Mayor strongly advised the Council not to grant a p.ermit, stating that he had seen their solicitors, Messrs Russell and Campbell, who advised against granting any permit for burial in the ground in question. Some of the councillors pointed out that they had not received any official intimation of the decision of the Judge, and knew of it by newspaper report only. Mr Keehan moved : " That tho Town Clerk be instructed to issue a warrant for the interment of Mrs Wreford'a body." Mr Bray seconded the motion, which was carried by five to three. The Mayor entered a protest against the action of tho Council. A further resolution was carried indemnifying the undertaker in any action that may be taken against him. Colonel Lucy Booth has been jilted. A letter to General Booth from John Lanipard was published on April 27, in which lie announces " with feelings of deep regret and shame " that he has broken off his engagement with Lucy. His reasons are such as reflect discredit on no one but himself. Colonel Lncv Booth is in a critical state of health. The Candadian-Pacific Railway Co. are proposing to run a line of fast steamers between Australia and England in conjunction with the railway. The Rev. A. Gardiner will hold a Biblereading weekly in the Schoolroom at Makaraka on Wednesday evenings, at 7.30. All are invited. — (Advt.) The stealing of an umbrella on a clear day is held to be a theft by a Judge, but the stealing of the same article on a rainy day is held to be justifiable, on the ground of selfdefence. The stealing of a pair of boots is never justifiable ; they are not worth stealing when you can buy them so cheap at Hennessy's. Gentlemen's Carpet Slippers, 2s Gil.— (Advt.)