CYCLONE AT NOUMEA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 356, 6 April 1910, Page 5

CYCLONE AT NOUMEA.

THE EASTER CATASTROPHE. WIDESPREAD DEVAS I'AION. By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright Received April 5, 0.45 |»m. Sydney, April 5. Details of the cyclone which struck Noumea on Faster Sunday have been received. At night the high wind drove huge waves over the quay, and the vessels at anchor, chiefly consisting of small ketches, fishing boats and punts, many of which sand at their moorings. The coasting steamer Cagt.re capsized, and the ship Guetharg broke away, receiving considerable damage by colliding with the steamer Ville de Lacoitat.

The cyclone reached its height at midnight. The town in the morning presented a pitiable sight.

The streets were strewn with debris Many houses were unroofed, wiule some were blown down.

Gardens were obliterated, and a magnificent avenue of trees surrounding che Place des Cocotiere was completely wss'troyed.

The harbour was covered with wreckage, and the huge concrete Moitks of the quay were displaced and moved ft distance of one hundred yards. The gasworks were severely damaged, and the town wjas' without gas for several davs.

The railway at Montravel was torn up, causing a complete block >f traffic. The ca.nal which brings water to Noumea, burst, and people have depended on private supply. All telegi|aph and telephone wires were blown down. At road skirting the beach was washed ov.'n.v. and a rubber plantation was blown doWn. The sea at some places came forty yards' inland, leaving,behind vast quantities of pumice stone. Noumea was aparently the cetitrr of the storm, and reports from otlwr districts mention little damage. No los's of life is reported.