THE STORM AT FIJI, Further Particulars of its Ravages Suva, February 6.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 143, 27 February 1886, Page 5

THE STORM AT FIJI, Further Particulars of its Ravages Suva, February 6.

It is feared that the schooner built about two years ago for the Buli and peopk of Nutuku is wholly lost with about forty natives on board. They were on a vLib to Kadavu on native business, and left on the afternoon of the gale, and tbe vessel has never since been heard of. She may have been driven out to sea, or brought up at Tonga, but the worst is anticipated with respect to her. The Bart schooner, Lurline, was out in the same gale, and had all her sails torn to shreds. The town of Nakasalika, in Kadavu, is entirely destroyed, every house being blown down, and the people say that never in their remembrance has there been so severe a gale. Mr Murray, tho Inspector of Native Produce, recently J|had a narrow escape, having been caught in the late storm outside the reef of Vei Vatuloa. His boat was capsized and sunk without a moment's warning. Fortunately, the grating in tho bottom of the boat floated, and to this Mr Murray clung. A nativo who had been in the boat also endeavoured to assist, an empty kerosene tin of which he managed to get hold helping to sustain him somewhat. Atter four hours' buffeting with the waves they landed, in a most exhausted condition, within about a mile of Mr Murray's house \Yithout doubt the district that has suffered moat is Nadroga, the official report stating that it was the severest gale experienced there for many years. News has not been received from all the districts in that province, but all report the native buris being blown down, even as far inland as the native town of Saiva Kasa, whore all the houses aro wrecked. The largo district cutter was lost with four of the crew, the captam— tho well-known Fijian, Solomoni — being the only one caved. This man was about thirty hours in the water. Solomoni also reports that the Serua cutter, which was anchored at Cuvu, dragged her anchor, drove out to sea, and was lost. He also reporto the loss of the Yanuca cutter. These three j vessels were little more than a yoar old. j The yams, fortunately, are'not much hurt, but in most casses the bananas are all blown down, and the bread - fruit trees have suffered very severely. At the town of Tavukithelossanddestruction has been great, as from its northern exposure it naturally felt the full force of the gale. At high tide tho wind drove the water right into the village, destroying nearly all tho live stock and blowing down the houses

At this stage ot the conversation It struck me that I was dt trop. Major Blake, aide by side with auntie, was walking slowlyhomeward, and on reaching a convenient street corner I went off for a stroll in an opposite direction. When I reached home I found auntie and the major sitting in the com tyard under the trees. The major lifted his hat at my approach and said, " Miss Dan vers, your aunt and I are very old friends ; indeed, many years ago we were engaged to be married, but an unfortunate misunderstanding separated us. We have lost many happy years, but I hope some still remain to us, I trust we shall have your good wishes."