A Terrific Hurricane.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 19 December 1918, Page 3

A Terrific Hurricane.

CAUSES GREAT DESTRUCTION IN THE ISLANDS. (Per Press Association). Auckland, December 10. A graphic description of the hurricane in the New Hebrides is given by a missionary, wli'o stated that 13 out of 15 native churches in the vicinity of Pentecost were completely destroyed. Most pathetic and distressing scenes occurred, the natives being terrified. While the native teachers were fleeing to safety a tree crashed to earth and

killed tiheir only child. 'Many traders' launches were dashed on the shore.

A tragic fate befell one trader who had to swim from his launch to the shore through the raging sea. Ui>on re•icliin# the beach lie made for safety, but a tree fell upon him and killed him. People 011 one or two islands are likely to be badly off, 'having neither houses nor food. The storm, wrecked the bamboo plantations from -which most of the houses are built, and the destruction of gardens and plantations f>f breadfruit, cocoannt and yams has deprivedi the Islanders of tlieir main source of food supply.

Till® Rev. R. P. Wilson Administrator of the Melanesiaii Mission, states

'hat the November hurricanes in the Hebrides and Bank Islands were the worst in his experience in twenty years. The native houses and churches and the plantations were swept out of existence. Nearly a dozen lives were lost. The Rev. Turner's church and home at Pentecost were destroyed.