GREAT EARTHQUAKE IN JAMAICA.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8717, 17 January 1907, Page 2

GREAT EARTHQUAKE IN JAMAICA.

KINGSTON DESTROYED.

Great Lose of Life.

Anxiety for the Fate of Dis- • 1 tinguished English People. j - Press Association —Copyright. j . London, January 16. j A very severe earthquake occurred at ( Kingston, Jamaica, on Monday afternoon by which the city was destroyed with great loss of life. Shocks continued on Tuesday. Everybody who survived is camping out and there is much distress. For many hours all cable communication was suspended and it is still very incomplete. Great anxiety regarding the safety of a large party of distinguished English visitoi-s who arrived at Kingston on Friday to attend an important agricultural conference there on Monday. These include the Earl and Countess of Dudley, Messrs Arnold Foster, Hall-Caiue, Jesse Collings,;Henniker-Heaton, SirW. Howell Davies. M.P., Yiscount Mountmorres, Sir Alfred Jones, ship owner. Sir Daniel Morris, and many prominent business men interested in West India cotton growing. ■

A Kcutor message from St. Thomas received early to-day states that details are meagre, but it is believed the first report to the effect that Kingston was destroyed is exaggerated. Mr Greenwood, M.P., cabled tho Colonial Office from Holland Bay that all buildings and dwellings in Kingston have been destroyed by tho earthquake and a fire which subsequently broke out. Mr Greenwood further stated that tho Military Hospital had been burnt and forty soldiers reported killed, also several prominent citizens.

Sir i. Ferguson Killed. Consternation in New York. London, January 16, l Slightly more reassuring news shows : that though Sir James Ferguson is reI ported to have been killed instantaneously, no other English, American, or Canadian visitors aro reported missing. The city is quiet. Tho Governor is being assisted by Sir Alfred Jones, who is directing affairs. New York, January 16. Consternation prevails in New York 1 owing to thousands of American visitors ? being now in Jamaica. 1 The American Government seeks to 0 minimise tbo reports of the disaster, but has ordered the fleet, now cruising off Cuba, to investigate tho truth in regard to tho earthkuako. London, January 16. Tho latest advices received by Keutor’s if nows agency state that tho fire is still I, burning, though it is confined to the S docks, and is being energetically fought. e There is no mention made of tho 0 shocks continuing. It is estimated that under a hundred wore killed. The principal hotel and other important buildings wore destroyed, and many private houses were damaged, d London, January 16. it The latest official report states that Sir's James Forgusson was killed, but tho rest ir of Sir Alfred Jones’ party aro safe. 5, Mr Win ton Churchill announced that i- the camp hospital at Kingston has been destroyed and that 30 persons were killed and 3UO injured. The fire was confined to one-sixteenth part of tho town containing the wharves and warehouses. Perfect Order Maintained. London, January 16. *" Sir 11. Campbell-Bannerman, on behalf ? of tho British Government, condoled with J T , the authorities in Jamaica. q Tho earthquake occurred without e warning. After the first shock people )- rushed into the streets, and w-alls fell with tho succeeding shocks, toppling upon the

fugitives. Three hundred were extracted from the ruins and convoyed to the general hospital. Thousands camped on the hills. The greatest order prevailed, and there was no ruffianism. The fire was controlled the same nightThe cruisers Brilliant and Indefatigable are proceeding to Kingston to assist the royal mail steam packet,,in distributing food. The American Eed Cross Society sends assistance. Telegraphists are operating by a new connection with the cable eight mile g from Kingston. The royal mail superintendant, Captain Constantino, and Captain Young, com. manding the steamer Arno, were killed. Shocks continue, but most 'of the tele, graph wires are working. Visitors are leaving the town. The fire is almost extinguished. The Colonial Bank was burnt, but the books and cash wore saved., It is believed the soldiers killed in the camp hospital were natives. Earthquake in Norway. Christiana., January 10. Shocks wore experienced on Monday afternoon over the greater part of northern Norway. Per Press Association. Wellington, January 17.

Captain J. A. Porgusson, E.N., second son of the late Sir James Ferguson, killed at Kingston in the earthquake, is at present on a visit to Wellington and staying with his mother-in-law, Mrs T. C. Williams.