Earthquakes in the Society Group.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1984, 14 May 1875, Page 2

Earthquakes in the Society Group.

Tidal Wave and Great Loss of Life. ,

The following information "has; been supplied by one of the Missionaries |at Lifu, Society Group:-—" We had passed through the hurricane season with com-, paratively quiet weather, arid; with no storm of any consequence, frhen on Sunday night last (March 28th); at a quarter to 11 o'clock, we were all aroused and alarmed by a very sharp earthquake; such a one as has never been felt here before. It; lasted some time. ; Had■; several slighter ones during the night. Next day had occasional shocks—^some rather sharp. Next night we had only a slight one, so hoped we were over, when, on Tuesday evening (March 30) we were visited by a frightful earthquake, which frightened us all. It did not last so long as the other, but, was much more severe. Part of the walls in the nursery (lath and plaster) came; down with a crash. Many parts of the walls are cracked. To-day (April 1)= we had sad news from the Eev Mr Sleigh's side of the island. After the > earthquake on Saturday night, a great Tidal Wave swept away three villages/ 'A trader from there tells us that twenty-four people were killed,*'and others so much injured, bruised, etc., that they may die. Our church, which was-tvell built at Wide Bay by the French,, was badly crushed at' brie^end; : ;T' have counted thirty- two earthquakes since Sunday, 28th March; Numbers of the drowned were children. Their father a were absent from home at the plantations; The sudden inrush of the sea cleared out stone walls. All fires were put out. It was pitch dark ; mothers groped.about in rain for their babies. There Was great distressr—men and womon drowned, although the natives are such excellent swimmers. . The psor .people on the sideof the island where ttio Eev. Mr Sleigh resides have lost everything.^