Hurricane Rages Over Fiji Island Group

Chronicle (Levin), 8 December 1948, Page 5

Hurricane Rages Over Fiji Island Group

Eoeeived Tuesdav, 7 p.m. ■ SUV'A, Dec. 7. Raging aeross the Island of Itotuma. 240 miles nortli of Fiji, the iirst hurricane of Ihe season yesterdav and today swept the south east, hit the eastern tip of Vanua Levu, Piji's- second jayge^t island, last night, and today is hauering at Tavenui and the Lau group whicli are araoiig the most beauti^'ul and richest 'of tlie Fijian coconut islands. Western parts of Fiji, together with the remainder of the group, were given a preliminar.v hurricane warning yesterdav. LaA night Eastern Vanua Levu, Tavenui and the L'au grouj) were given a tinal warning. Suva and the west appear likely to escape but all precautions have been taken. Launches and other smali vessels have gone aeross Suva Harbour to shelter and most buildings in Cen tral Suva are firmlv battened down. An oflicial report from Kotumu today states that heavy damage at tiie island included live buildings down ai the (iovernnient station, others ' dam aged and the district offieer 's office unroofed. Siiva offices of Jarge, tradmg lirms report damage to property at Rotuma but a])parentlv not serious. There are no reports of casualties from any source. Tavenui, Lau and parts of Vanua Levu are tliree of* the greatest centre 's of Fiji \s eopra production and very grave fears are expressed for the effects of the hurricane on teh eopra industry which Jasi. year was worth approximately £ljo()0,000 in experts aloue