THE PACIFIC HURRICANE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 215, 18 February 1915, Page 7

THE PACIFIC HURRICANE.

CAPTAIN ROSS INTERVIEWED. By Telegraph.—Per Press Assoeiation. , 'Auckland, February IT. The Tofua, from Samoa, brings a letter from Protlioro, a trader, reporting a hurricane at Xieufou from January Hi to IS. Tt stnrted at 4 o'clock on the lßth. Previously hurricanes had been from the north-east to nortli-west. This hurricane came from the south, ami the island was devastated. The disturbance was more of tin; nature of :\ tornado than a hurricane. Every house is down, also the palms. It is as if a fire had swept the island. It is estimated that there will he ao more ci.craiiuts for eight years. There is no information of any lives lost. Captain Ross, of Tyndall and Ross, states that the buildings and contents destroyed by the hurricane were valued at rmm. 'Their loss must ha heavy. The natives do not depend upon natural products for food, which is largely supplied by trading vessels. The last cargo of provisions, which was. landed in November, will he snilicient for the needs of tile natives for some till! yet. Captain Ross thinks the period of eight years for the loss of the copra crops is somewhat exaggerated. Though the plantations are destroyed, the root crops will be coming on. Suva, February 17. A hulk store, copra shed, and dwelling, owned by Tyndall and Ross, Niuafuu, was wrecked by the hurricane.