The Disaster at the Society Group.
A wave forty feet high deluged the Society Islands. The captain of the Maripose estimates the fatalities at from five to ten thousand. Two French warships and one Italian cruiser are conveying food to the devastated islands. It is interesting to note that on the 18th January, fr0m,1.36 to 6.17 p.m. a large earthquake was being recorded at the Christchurch Magnetic Observatory. Bearing in mind that these times correspond roughly to 4 p.m. and 7.80 p.in. at the Society Islands, it is probable that the devastating tidal wave reported in the cables as having occurred there on that date was due to the earthquake. The centre of the seismic disturbances is some 75deg fromNew Zealand, which, supposing it to be in the direction H these islands, would place the seat of the earthquake about 6deg. north of the Equator, and about midway between the Society Islands and the coast of Mexico. _ The Society Islands are a French possession in Oceania and include Tahiti, Moorea, &c. This archipelago lies more than 2030 miles north-east of this colony.
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Manawatu Herald, 14 February 1903, Page 2
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182The Disaster at the Society Group. Manawatu Herald, 14 February 1903, Page 2
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