TERRIFIC HURRICANE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8819, 22 May 1907, Page 2

TERRIFIC HURRICANE.

Stone Buildings Blown to Atoms, Per Press Ast xiation. Auckland, May 22. Hews was received by the steamer Ranadia, which arrived at Auckland last night, of a very severe hurricane at the island of Tutura ou April 17th. Tiie hurricane blew with terrific violence aud a large stone church, with walls 3ft 4iu thick, was blown to atoms and the convent aud school were absolutely destroyed. The whole of the island is a complete ruin aud presents a withered scoue of desolation. The houses of the natives were laid flat, even the grass torn out of the ground so that not a blade is to be seen. Oocoanut trees wore torn up by the roots aud the tops of others nipped right off. Food will ho very scarce, iu fact there will ho a famine for the next six months. The cocoauut trees will not hear fruit for six years. Tiie Fathers aud Sisters of the Catholic Mission were out in the gale and exposed to tiie weather night aud day, there being absolutely no shelter of any description available. They were almost starving f r want of food, ouly a little mildew; d bread being loft out of all the stores. The island of Alofe, near Tutura, has been totally wrecked. Wallis island had a heavy gale, but no damage was done there.