GREAT STORM AT FIJI.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1484, 25 March 1886, Page 3

GREAT STORM AT FIJI.

Auckland, March 24,

The cyclone which visited Fiji on March 2nd and 3rd did not sweep over the entire group, but it has left behind it widespread desolation and a hecatomb of victims. Ample warning was given of the storm. D began on March 2nd, and blew in fearful gusts from S.E,, accompanied by heavy rain squalls. These increased in fury on Mareh SrJ, the glass steadily tailing. The craft in Levuka harbor cleared out for Natkorokoro harbor for shelter, By midnight the wind was blowing with hurricane force. At seven the following morning the greatest destrnction took place. Houses were levelled in 4}ll directions, and the air was thick with sheets of iron and sections of shingled roofs. A high tide, assisted by a swell from seaward, carried away parts of the sea wall. Three persons were injured by the flying debris. The glass continued tailing until 28.40 was reached, and at eight o'clock the storni; began to subside. Not more than a score of dwellings at Levuka escaped injury. Three churches were blown down, the gaol was unroofed, and the public hall was lifted bodily several feet out of its position. The Levuka and Polynesian Clubs were completely ruined. Of 15 vessels that took shelter at Naikorokoro the night before Che storm occurred only seven were left. Amongst the vessels lost is the ketch Patience, Captain W. Jones, and all hands (four). The captain of the cutter Kortuba turned up eight days after the storm with a fearful tale of exposure and peril, but the other three hands were lost. The cutter Tui Nehukeleru capsized. A German named Wilder was drowned at Takrui, where the cyclone expended its greatest force. Yunawas reduced to a heap of ruins, but five houses being left standing. J. Kesler, of the Yana Hotel, was caught in the ruins, and has since died of injuries he received. The cane crops are laid flat. On the tea plan* tations a coolie was killed and several persons injured. The schooner Eastward Ho was dismasted at Mango, { The Coral Queen, schooner, parted her cables and drifted to sea, and is supposed to be lost. The Auckland schooner Wairiki went ashore at Natiwa Bay, and is dismasted. A native schooner was driven to sea from Comai Kiti, and is supposed to be lost with 28 Fijians who were on board. At Suva the steamer Clyde sank alongside the wharf, and the barque Bella Mary ira> totally wrecked at Bega Reef, but all hands were saved. Ba, where the New Zealand Sugar Company’s eatata is situated, escaped ; and Kandavu, which lies in the track of the hurricane, ia undamaged. The damage to the town of Suva is but slight,