The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1878-05-24

Nv oAooF lASiu ntIlNcQ NJ THIS bort
on the 18th Of February, briRging the
sad Intelligence that the Pomotu Islands
have been the theater OF immense disas-
tiers. caused by the cyclone which raw
aged the islands. Immediately the Gov
ernor issued orders to the commander
Of the war-ship SECOND to proceed 10
the scene Of events and render all the
aid possible to the unfortunate sufferers.
The SECOND has returned, and reports
that the loss Of life and property has
been very large. In the district OF
Tuuhora, island Of Anaa, the losses
alone will reach $500, 900. Over IL. 900
cocoanut trees were destroyed. In this
estimate no valuation is placed upon
the great disasters to residences, ware
houses, wharves, cisterns, and the num-
Der Of coasters thrown on the shore. AT
Faatte dano Fakarava several villages
suffered, but not so disastrously as else
where. At Manibi and Arutua houses
were tossed upside down, as also on the
island of Niau. The damage was very
grave 1t Apataki, the village being de-
stroyed and number Of small craft
cast ashore as II they had been straws.
AT Rairoa two vessels at anchor were
lifted from the water and cast inland.
Many lives were lost, and the bodies
were ravenously devoured by dogs and
hogs perishing from hunger.
But the most terrible events trans
pired on the Island Of Kaukura. This
island was so situated so as TO be in the
center of the cyclone. The wind swept
over it like an infuriated demon, des-
tined to avenge itself upon unfortunate
humanity settled there. A terrible
tempest of rain accompanied the merci-
less winds, both bringing terror to the
people. All fed for safety in their
canoes to the lagoon, but during the
night of the 9th of February an enor-
nous tidal wave swept across the island,
and Of the one hundred and seventeen
souls that had taken refuge in their frail
crafts, but one escaped to tell the tale OF
the awful fate that befell them. The
survivor, by miracle, as it were, was
out Of his canoe and chung to
rock. All the others were swept away
INTO the remorseless depths of the
ocean. The force Of the waves was
such as to completely change the physi-
al aspect Of the island. Mountains OF
sand we're cast upon the coral reefs,
and burying beneath them
,ocoanut trees from fifty to sixty feet
nigh.
1t has been ascertained that the enor-
nous body Of water known as tidal
wave, which swept over Anaa and re-
'ulted in such lamentable losses, was
,nly link in the chain of tidal waves
which attended the cyclone. At The
'ame moment that the island Of Anaa
vas deluged tidal waves struck the set
cement Of Hitiaa, island Of Tahiti, and
papotoei, island Of Morea, but not with
uch terrific force. The distance be-
ween Anaa and Tahiti Is over 100
niles. The old natives on the island
lave no traditions that any such cyclone
'ver passed over the island before. The
group are subject to heavy
qualls at certain seasons Of the year,
tut they are not considered as within
he cyclone belt, as are the Samoan and
iii groups. 1t is usually plain sailing
rom here to Tahiti, with fair winds,
without a thought Of cyclones or tidal
waves, but vessels when of the Pomotu
,roup are always on the lookout for
qualls.
At Anaa, an American, a colored
nan, was surprised by tremendous
heet Of water which threatened his in
tant destruction. With great presence
# mind he fled for the nearest cocoa
tut tree, and carrying with him little
lative child, whom he found crying and
certified, climbed the nearest tree with
he child on his back, and thus both
ives were saved. At Moturaa, island
4 Kaukura, native policeman, at the
,eril Of his life, saved q little child,
light years Of age, by climbing cocoa
tut tree. The child proved TO be the
laughter OF IA. Aumeran, the mother
laving been cngulfed by the tidal
t Anaa had narrow escape for his
lie. The full particulars Of all the in
idents, disasters, and loss OF life are
ot yet known, but sufficient is now be-
pre- the public to make the cyclone ever
honorable in the history Of the islands.
The Pomotu islands are French pos
essions and lie south by west Of Tahiti.
here are said TO be over one hundred
stands in the group and all are what Is
nown as low islands. They are of a
oral formation, and but a few feet
bove the level Of the sea. In the cen
Dr. are lagoons, some of which are shall
wv, while others have been sounded and
o bottom could be found. The pearl
sheries are within the lagoons, and are
cry valuable. The cocoanut tree pro-
uces the principal source Of food, and
here Is scarcely any other vegetation.
Iathcring cobra, the meat Of the cocoa
ut, is one Of the chief employments Of
he native. This, diving for pearls, and
shing are the chief occupations. The
atives are quiet and simple in their
abits, and friendly to the whites. II is
aid that there are some cannibals on
a. mora distant mart NJ the proup but