GREAT EARTHQUAKE IN THE WEST INDIES.

Waikato Independent, Volume V, Issue 325, 17 January 1907, Page 5

GREAT EARTHQUAKE IN THE WEST INDIES.

KINGSTON DESTROYED. [by ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH COPYRIGHT.] (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION) (Received January 16, 10.2 p.m.) London, January 16. A very severe earthquake occurred at Kingston (population 48,500), the capital of Jamaica, on Monday afternoon, which w r as destroyed with great loss of life. The shocks lasted till Tuesday, and there was much distress for many hours. Everybody who escaped is camping out. Owing to cable communication with Jamaica being suspended the news of the earthquake is still very incomplete. Great anxiety is felt in England as to the safety of a large party of distinguished English visitors who arrived at Kingston on Friday last to attend an important Agricultural Conference there on Monday. It includes the Earl and Countess of Dudley, Mr Arnold Forster, Mr Hall Caine, Mr Jesse Codings, Mr Henniker Heaton, Mr W. Howell, Mr Davies, M.P., Viscount Mount Morris, Sir Alfred L. Jones, Sir Daniel Morris, Sir James Fergusson, and many prominent business men interested in West Indian cotton growing, A Reuter’s message from St. Thomas, early to-day, states the details ai'e meagre, but believes that the first report, that Kingston was destroyed, is an exaggeration. Received January 16, 10.8 p.m.) Mr H. Greenwood, British Commissioner of Jamaica, cabled to the Colonial Office from Holland Bay, that all the buildings and dwellings in Kingston had been destroyed by the earthquake and subsequent fire. The military hospital was burned down, and forty soldiers are supposed to have been killed, also several prominent citizens of Kingston. LATEST. Received January 17, 8.11 a.m. London, January 16. The latest official report is that Sir James Ferguson was killed, but that the rest of the British Conference party are safe. Mr Winston Churchill has announced that the Camp hospital at Kingston has been destroyed, and 30 people were killed and 300 injured. The fire is confined to one-sixteenth part of the town, containing wharves and warehouses. Received January 17, 8.50 a.m. London,, January 16. Premier Campbell-Bannerman, on behalf of the British Government, has condoled with the Jamaican authorities. The earthquake occurred without any warning. After the first shock the people rushed into the streets, and walls fell with succeeding shocks toppling upon the fugitives. Three hundred have so far been extricated from the ruins and conveyed to the general Hospital. Thousands of people are camped upon the hills near Kingston. The greatest order prevailed, and no ruffianism has taken place. The fire was controlled. The auxiliary cruisers Brilliant and Indefatigable are proceeding to Kingston with the Royal Mail steamer, and are packed with food for distribution. The American Red Cross Society is sending assistance.