EXTENSIVE DAMAGE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20537, 12 February 1935, Page 11

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE.

Cook Islands Swept by Hurricane. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON. February 11. Further advices to the New Zealand Government indicate that the storm of Saturday and Sunday in the Cook Islands has developed into the most severe hurricane experienced in the group for many years. A gale is blowing with hurricane force, accompanied by tremendous seas, which are causing great damage. Communication with outer islands has ceased, but it is known that Aitutaki, Atiu and Mauke have all been heavily hit. At Rarotonga the small lighterage wharf at the port of Avarua has been swept away, and the Union Company’s larger wharf is showing signs of damage. The residential part of the waterfront and the Government offices are sustaining damage, and the Government records have been removed for safety. The office of the fruit inspection department, situated alongside the wharf, has been wrecked by the high seas, and Mr C. J. Bouehier, Director of Agriculture, had one of his legs broken when he was caught by a huge wave. In the outer islands all the fruitpacking sheds are down, and damage has been done to Government schools. Very heavy damage is reported to orange and banana crops. The barometer is still falling, which indicates that the worst of the storm has not yet been reached. Latest advices from the wireless station at Rarotonga state that heavy seas were breaking across the road and around the foundation of the station itself, and all cornmunication, both with Avarua and with the outer islands, had been broken. NEW DIRECTION OF WIND. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON. February 11. The Director-General of the Post Office received the following from Rarotonga at 5.45 p.m.: “ Barometer 28 990, rising slightly. The wind has shifted to N.N.W.; strength 12. Terrific squalls. The wireless station, hitherto partly sheltered, now i.: feeling the real force of the wind.”