DESTRUCTIVE HURRICANE

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1368, 20 February 1912, Page 4

DESTRUCTIVE HURRICANE

GREAT DAMAGE IN THE HAABAI GROUP. IBr Talccraph-Ercse AEsoclatlon.l Auckland, February 19. The Nukualofa correspondent of the "Herald" writes on February 15 as follows:— "Tho most destructive hurricane ever experienced in the memory of the oldest natives struck the island of Lifuka ami other islands of the Haabai group on January 3D, ami has virtually flattened everything Wore it, causing damage, lo the extent of thousands of pounds, destroying property, wrecking boats, levelling churches, and so injuring the coconut trees tint it will probably be three years before the output of copra in these islands reaches the normal level again. In Ljfuka the churches of the Tongnn Freo Church, the Wcsleyan and lioman Catholic bodies are levelled to the ground. From news to hand it is evident that the edgo of the hurricane took Tongatabu and Vavau, while ilaabai got the centre. Trade will be affected here to some extent, but in ITaahai it will be paralysed fiir some months to come."

Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadcmn, 0.M., the well-known Pc.vnl Academician, celebrated his seventy-sixth birthday on January 7, having been boni nt Dronryp (Xclhcrlands) on January 8, ISM. Sir UTwrcnre w;is intended by his parents for the medical profession, but: early showed a leaning towards nrl, and nt the nse of sixteen commenced lis studies at the lioyal Academy, Antwerp, afterwards i-'unhcto Brit.iin. He became a naturalised British subject in 187". and was made an K.A. in' 1*7!). In ISPn he received n knighthood.