ISLAND NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1347, 6 January 1905, Page 2

ISLAND NEWS.

A HURRICANE,

(Pen Press Association.) Auckland, last night.

The Manapouri has arrived from the Islands. She experienced the full force of a hurricane at Vavau. About midnight the barometer fell to 28.164. The damage ashore was considerable. With few exceptions cutters and boats were sunk. All the traders’ jetties on the foreshore were demolished. Trees were uprooted. There is extensive loss of fruit and nnts. Vine’s and Utting’s station at Tuamukn was wreoked. Their copra store was damaged. Though there is much temporary loss, the |j total damage 3a small compared with that of the hurricane of 1900. It is understood that Hapaai was not materially affeotod.

’ _ The High Commissioner, addressing the Tonga King and Chiefs on December 28, said that oertaln things had been pul be, fore him—he did not say they were hidden from him or underhand—but things tvphld be straighteppd and put in the right path. The Treasury hooks showed that at the last part of the year there was 5000 dollars ® hand, but it' was not so, while about 80,000 dollars was due to traders and others. He proposed to send the Government money to pay its indebtedness.' It would be loaned at 3 per cent. In the future they would have the assistance of Mr Hamilton Hunter, and oould ••“far to Tho Commissioner necessary. . --1! * rCixj.or had been depased with the King’s consent, and would not be allowed to return to ToDga till things were settled, ! or to a appdinirqeht.' The Commissioner intimated various changes in'the laws. A European would bo appointed poliae magistrate. Drinking amongst natives must be stopped.