TIDAL WAVE AT THE SOCIETY ISLANDS.

Evening Star, Issue 3813, 14 May 1875, Page 3

TIDAL WAVE AT THE SOCIETY ISLANDS.

m, t „ . . Auckland, May 14. Ihe following information is supplied by one °* tlm missionMies of the Fiji Society Group : ~ " e passed through a hurricane season with comparatively quiet weather and no storms of consequence, when suddenly on the night of the 28th of March last, at a quarter to eleven, we were all arovsed and alarmed by a very sharp shock of earthquake. Such a one was never telt before. It lasted some time, and we had several slighter ones during the night. Next day we had occasional shocks, some of which were rather sharp but next night had only one slight one. So hoped all were over, but on Tuesday evening, March 30 th, we were visited by a frightful earthquake, which frightened us all. It .did not last so long as the others, but it was much more severe. Part of the wells in the nursery (!ath and plaster) came down with a crash, and many partakofMthe wall||wereS cracked. To-day had sad news from

Rev. Mr Sleight’s side of the island. After the earthquake on Saturday night a great tidal wave swept away three villages. A trader from there tells us that twenty-four persons were killed, and others so much injured by bruises, etc., that they nay die. Our church •vt Bay, which was well built by French, is badly crushed at one end. • We have counted thirty-two earthquakes - sines Sunday, the 28th of March. Numbers of those|drowned Were children. Their fathers were absent from home at the plantations. Tho sudden inrush of the sea cleared out stone walls, and all fires were put out. It was pitch dark, and mothers groped about in vain for their babes. There was great distress. Men and women were drowned, although the natives are such excellent sw burners. The poor people on the Rev. Mr Sleight’s side of the island lost everything.”