THE KINGSTON DISASTER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8337, 21 January 1907, Page 5

THE KINGSTON DISASTER.

SHORES OF THE HARBOUR SINKING. LONDON, January 18. Private telegrams received from Kingston, the scene of the disastrous earthquake and fire, state that the shores of the harbour are sinking, and it is feared that the city will slip into the sea. The water in the harbour has encroached one hundred ' -feet<on the shore, and the wharves ' have either sunk or have been burned. *Mr Henniker Heaton, M.P., states that within an hour of his parting from Sir James Fergusson the latter was buried under tons of bricks. The fact of his not re Jiurning to Government House first aroused fears as to his fate. The remains were found in a cigar shop. MORE SHOCKS EXPERIENCED. AN EXTINCT VOLCANO AGAIN ACTIVE. INDIGNATION AGAINST CHINESE. LONDON, January 18. One-thirtieth, and not one-thir-teenth, of Kingston was destoyed by fire. More shocks were experienced yesterday. A tidal wave at-Anotta Bay swept away the houses in the vicinity. Latest advices state that an extinct volcano is shooting out in flames. It is believed that the earthquake originated there. The' Chinese in Kingston opened provision shops and raised' the prices of goods a thousand per cent. The populace was, so angered that the Chinese were compelled to seek refuge in flight, and their shops were looted. Bananas are plentiful, thus preventing a famine. TOPOGRAPHY OF THE COUNTRY CHANGED. LONDON, January 18. . Rear-Admiral Evans reports that the tidal wave changed the topography of parts of the country. The Southern Park in Kingston has been submerged, islets have disappeared, and the whole coast is subsiding. The Times reports that the wooden structures at Kingston stood well, but the brick houses collapsed over a radius of six miles. . The earthquake came as a sudden oscillation, and was in no particular direction, only up and down. The whole city seemed to shrivel up. Queen Victoria's statue was reversed, but was not injured. More bodies have been unearthed. Major Hardyman and Lieutenant Lamon were killed. Several other officers are in a critical condition. New York telegrams state that the situation from a medical point of view is improving. Owing, to thecamp hospital, having only one exit, it proved a veritable death-trap when the stampede occurred. ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY " PERSONS KILLED IN A FACTORY. COLLAPSE OF A SCHOOL. NINETY SChOOL-CHILDREN LOSE THEIR LIVES. FORTY-FIVE SHOCKS FELT ALTOGETHER. DEAD ESTIMATED AT SEVEN . HUNDRED. Received January 20, 4.31 p.m. KINGSTON, January 19. In one establishment in Kingston—a cigar factory—no Yewer than 120 persons were killed. By the collapse of a school ninety children were killed. • The shocks experienced at Kingston ion Monday came from the westward. Up to Thursday forty-five distinct ■ shocks have been felt. The dead are estimated to number 700. \ The Cuban Consul was killed. The extinct Blackbill volcano near Bull Bay is showing activity. / Not a dozen houses in Kingston were uninjured. The country in parts is slightly affected. J •> Tidal waves in Anotta Bay swept small vessels inland. The increasing subsidence of the shores at Kingston and Port Royal is causing alarm, r Sir James -Fergusson's watch and purse were the only means by which he could be identified. FURTHER SHOCKS EXPERIENCED. DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT FIVE ■ MILLIONS STERLING. TWO-THIRDS OF THE INHABIT- ' ANTS HOMELESS. Received* January 20, 4.31 p.m. KINGSTON, January 19. ! The buildings destroyed 'include the Supreme Court, City Council Chambers, railway terminus, and all newspaper offices except the Daily Telegraph. The Governor's residence is badly damaged, and the occupants are living in tents. The military commandant's residence is totally destroyed. Lady Swettenham and Countess of Dudley are nursing the injured. Realising the danger of a famine, the mob attempted to loot, but the '. military immediately collected the foodstuffs in a central position, and then guarded it with fixed bayonets. The shocks wore "severe at Richmond,- which the fire destroyed. ' Two more shocks wereflexperienced day.

CABLE NEWS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright

The water supply is uninjured. Two cargoes of food have arrived, and have been distributed. Much more is required. A man, who is still alive but insane, was rescued from the ruins. Four hundred and twenty bodies have been buried, the rest being cremated. The battleships Missouri and Indiana, with the destroyer Whipple, have entered Kingston Harbour safely. There are no British warships at the island. The Missouri fired blank cartridges and landed an armed party in order to intimidate the unruly* convicts in the peni- / tentiary. i The latest estimate of the total damage 'at Kingston places the amount at five million sterling. Two-thirds of the inhabitants are homeless. RELIEF FUNDS. Received January 20, 4.45 p.m. LONDON, January 19. Funds for the relief of the sufferers have been opened at Glasgow, Liverpool, Birmingham, and other cities. Received January 20, 4.51 p.m. OTTAWA, January 19. The Canadian Parliament has voted £IO,OOO, which will be immediately available. ) A further contribution will be voted if needed. Received January 20, 4.51 p.m. NEW YORK, Jan. 19. The United States Senate has confirmed the action of the House of Representatives in giving the Executive a free hand in the matter of relief. SYMPATHY IN FRANCE. Received January 20, 4.31 p.m. PARIS, January 19. In the French Senate and Chamber of Deputies the warmest sympathy with Great Britain and Kingston was expressed on behalf of Parliament and the people.