LOSS OF ONE LIFE.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIII, Issue 2729, 8 September 1868, Page 3

LOSS OF ONE LIFE.

DUNEDIST, August 27. The schooner Rifleman arrived at Port Chalmers tin's morning from the Chatham Island.", after a passage of six days, having left Waitangi on the morning of Friday, the 21st. .She brings news of great disaster and loss to the inhabitants of the Chathams, who were suddenly awakened from their sleep by the water rushing' into their dwellings, and were driven half-naked and trembling to the hills, while the receding waters carried away every relic of their property, and in one instance causing the loss of life. The following are the items as we received them. Early on the morning of the 15th the Islands were visited with three immense earthquake waves, somewhat similar to those which visited the other islands of the colony on the samo date, causing the almost total destruction of some of tlio settlements, and the loss of one life— a Maori. Atthe settlement of Tupanga, which was situated on the northern side of the island, the phenomenon was felt with greatest force. The settlement was entirely destroyed, and not a vestige left to indicate where once stood the habitations of natives — the whole place being covered with sand and piles of seaweed. The inhabitants, who were principally Maoris, narrowly escaped with their lives. They were roused from their slumbers by the first wave, which came rushing into their houses. They immediately lied in alarm to the bush, or sought safety on higher ground ; but they had barely time to escape, before a second and larger wave came rolling after them, rapidly followed by a third, which completely destroyed and swept away the dwellings and everything they contained. Captain Anderson's house, situate about four miles from Tupanga, was also swept away, the proprietor himself narrowly escaping with his wife and children. A Maori lost his life here while trying to save a boat ; he was carried out to sea by the drawback, and drowned. Further along the coast, facing south-westerly, Mr Hay, sheep farmer, lost his all. His house and other fixtures were carried to sea, leaving him without a shoe to his foot or a coat to cover his back. At the settlement of Waitaugi similar disasters occurred, and great loss was occasioned. Mr Beamish's accommodation house was wrenched from its piles, and a great quantity of Government stores and fencing were carried out to sea, together with some boats. The beach presented a most disheavtening spectacle after the phenomena had passed away. | There was household property of all descriptions ! strewing the sands, intermixed with bngs of flour and other stores, the whole being festooned with seaweed. How the people escaped is considered miraculous. On the eastern side of tho island less damage ! was done — there being less to destroy. The only habitations destroyed woro a few Maori huts. Some valuable boats belonging to the Rifleman, which was lying at Wangaroa at tho time, fortunately escaped without accident ; although in the same harbor some huge spars were carried away, and deposited high and dry on a Hat on the opposite side of the harbor.