DEVASTATION IN THE ISLANDS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2057, 21 May 1909, Page 5

DEVASTATION IN THE ISLANDS.

OVER 300 HOMES* WRECKED BY HURRICANE*.

A FAMILY KILLED.,

[Pur Press Association.]

AUCKLAND, May 20. Nows from Tonga state that a hurricane swept the Island of Niua Foon'on April 13. it completely destroyed the plantations, totally wrecked over 300 native houses, and swept churches, including big buildings erected by the Free and Methodists, the latter being carried away bodily.

The villa go of Hafoe, on the coast, suffered most. Not a liou.se was lelt standing. A family of six, including four ehijdren, lied from a wrecked dwelling oTTlore a. howling storm, amongst a hail ol : timber and corrugated iron. All wore injured. One little girl, aged twelve was struck by a sheet of iron, which complete, y decapitated her. She was found two days later in the hushes. The mother and other three children Were killed outright by falling timber. The father died from injuries the next day. The damage is estimated at over £BOOO. The plantations will not recover for about three years.

It will probably be necessary for the Government to secure food supplies. Captain Anderson reports that he sailed from llaabai for Nina loon on the evening of the I.sth. He arirved at Niua Foou on the Sunday following. A scene of desolation mef»» his eyes in the chief .town of Agoha, where the principal stores are situated. The destruction was not so complete as in some of the smaller villages which, perched along the edge of cliffs, were exposed. Where corrugated iron has been torn from the roofs and driven along the ground there are furrows leit like those in a plowed field. To quote Captain Anderson s descriptions: "Niua ioou looks now as if four or live warships had laid in / the offing and shelled the lxiaud mi hours.”