HURRICANE AT TONGA.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13909, 21 May 1909, Page 6

HURRICANE AT TONGA.

Gll EAT DESTRUCTION

FAMILY OF SIX KILLED

Per Press Association

AUCKLAND, May 20

News from Tonga states that a hurricane swept the Island of iN iafoon on April 13th, completely destroyed the plantations, and totally wrecked over three hundred native houses and several churches, including the big building erected by the Free and Wesleyan Methodists, the latter being carried away bodily. The village of Hafoe, on the coast, suffered most and not a house was left standing. A family of six, including four children, fled from the wrecked dwelling before the howling storm, amongst a liail of timber and corrugrtcd iron. All wore killed. One little girl aged twelve, was struck /by a sheet of iron and completely decapitated. Her head was found two days later in a- distant bush. The mother and three children wcro killed outright, by flying timber. Tho father died "from injuries next day. The dnin--a£;e is estimated at over £BOOO. The plantations will not recover for about three years, and it will probably be necessary for the Government to send food supplies. -