NEW HEBRIDES HURRICANE.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 December 1918, Page 3

NEW HEBRIDES HURRICANE.

A GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION. (PKR PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT J AUCKLAND, This Day. A graphic description of the hurricane at New Hebrides is given by ■> missionary who stated that thirteen out of fifteen native churches in the vicinity of Pentecost were completely destroyed. Most pathetic and distressing scenes occurred, the natives being terrified. While a native teacher and his family were fleeing to safety a tree crashed to tho earth and killed their only child. Many traders launches were dashed on the shore. A tragic fate befel one trader who had io swim from his launch to the shore through the raging sea. Upon reaching the beach he made for safety ana a tree fell upon him and killed him. People in one or two islands are likely to ho badly off having neither houso nor food. The storm wrecked the bamboo plantations from which the houses aro build and in the destruction of gardens and plantations of bread fruit, cocoanuts and yarns, has deprived the islanders of their main source of food supply. 'Rev. P. Wilson, Administrator of Melanesia Mission states the November hurricane in tho Hebrides and Banks Islands was the worst in his experience of twenty years. Nativo houses, churches and plantations were swept out of existence and nearly a dozen lives were lost. Rev. Farners church and homo at Pentecost were destroyed.