NO TIDAL WAVE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 128, 1 June 1937, Page 9

NO TIDAL WAVE

REPORT UNFOUNDED

RADIO MEM RESUME DUTY

SYDNEY, May 31

A brief message received from Kabaul this evening stated that a tidal wave struck the town, causing extensive1 damage. :

This message, however, received by the Burns, Philp Company, is reported to be without foundation.. The radio station at Rabaul, which is almost on the waterfront, reported tonight that there had been no sign of a tidal wave. "We would, not be here if one "came,"' it was added. Radio messages from Rabaul today stated that the streets of the town are blocked with pumice and mud and'1 have become a quagmire. Trees were ; broken by the weight of mud hurled from the volcanoes on Vulcan and I Matupi Islands > ' - REFUGEES' URGENT NEEDS. The Federal Cabinet has received an urgent request for provisions and bedding for Kokopu refugees, whose rations^ are estimated to be sufficient to last only two days. The Government immediately arranged for the island steamer Malaita, which was at Brisbane, to load food and water and leave at once. The vessel is expected to arrive at Kokopu in five days.

Sulphur fumes forced the radio operators from the Rabaul wireless station, but the men returned to their posts late yesterday. They are now able to provide only an emergency radio service, which is being relayed to Sydney by vessels at sea.