BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1918, Page 5

BALKANS.

THE SLAVS CONFER. Received Dec. '2l, 1.20 a.m. Belgrade, Deo. 17. The first Ministry of Slovaks, Croats, and Serbians, representing all parties, lias been formed under the premiership of M. Pashiteh, Premier of Serbia.— Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Renter. HURRICANE IN NEW HEBRIDES ISLANDERS DEPRIVED OF MAIN FOOD SUPPLY. Auckland, Dec. 19. A graphic description of the hurricane in the New Hebrides is given by a missionary, who stated that thirteen out of fifteen native chaurches in the vicinity of Pentecoßt were completely destroyed. Most pathetic and distressing scenes occurred, the natives being terrified. While a native teacher's family were fleeing for saiety, a tree crashed to earth and killed the only child. Many traders' launches were dashed cn to the shores. A tragic fate befell one trader, who had to swim from his launch to shore through a raging sea. Upon reaching the beach he made for safety, but a tree fel] upon him and killed him. The people in one or two of the ißiand i are likely to be badly off, having neither houses nor food. The storm wrecked the bamboo plantation, from jvhich most of the houses are built, and in the destruction of gardens and plantations of bread-fruit, coconuts, and yams has deprived the islanders of their main source of food supply. The Rev. H. P. Wilson, administrator of the Melanesian Mission, states that the hurricane in November in the New Hebrides and Bnnks Islands was the worst in his experience of twenty years. Native houses, churches, and plantations were swept, out of existence, and nearly a dozen live?, were lost. The Rev. Furner's church and home at Pentecost were destroyed.