The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1901-04-05
FIJI HAS A
HURRICANE
Seven Natives Killed and Losses
Will Exceed One Hundred
Thousand Dollars.

AUCKLAND. March 22.-By the
steamer Taviuni, which arrived from
Suva on March 20, comes the news OF
visited the FIJI group on the 18th and
l4th OF the present month. AS the
steamer lett on the 10th very few par
tculars were available from any Of
the out-districts OF the island Of Ova-
lau. on which is situated the old capi-
tai Of Levuka. There the damage was
very extensive, both to houses and
shipping, and it Is reported that seven
natives were killed. SuVa escaped the
blow, but 1t is almost certain that
when the districts on the east of Viii
Lew are heard from further damage
will be reported.
Mr.. Hatch. of the Colonial Sugar
Company who was coming down from
Lautoka In the steamer Adj Rarogo to
Join the TaViuni at Suva, states that
he got a telephone message just be-
fore leaving, saying that the compa-
nys mill at Ba had been very severely
damaged. The recent floods In that
part of the island also ruined several
thousands of acres OF sugar cane. He
says that six native women and one
native man were killed in Levuka.
The hurricane started at s o'clock on
the evening Of the 18th, coming In
gusts. and kept blowing till about 10
o'clock. when II abated somewhat. At
y o'clock next morning, however the
glass fell to about rs. so, which was
the lowest reading, and the hurricane
broke over the island with terrific
force. the blow lasting TIL about $3.50
n. m. by which time 1t had exhausted
its fury
In the morning, says the FIJI Times,
Levuka presented ptiabe sight,
houses cutters. and boats of all de-
scriptlon being in mixed tumble on
Beach street out of a total of twelve
vessels In the harbor on Wednesday
night, only two. n copra vessel and
the steamer Adj Rarogo were afoat on
Thursday morning. The latter had
one boat blown away and some small
damage to deck gear. The copra yes
sci had some of her top gear damaged
and dragged down the harbor.
Great damage was done to coast
cutters and schoOners in the harbor,
many OF them being washed bodily In
to the main street which runs along
the water front The steamer Adj
Rarogo was made fast to the wharf
with twelve heavy hawscrs and In the
morning eight Of them had parted as
though they were whipCord, The Co
lonial Sugar Company's steamer Ma
rama, which way lying Mt Niro, on the
west side Of the island of Ovaiau, was
also damaged.
The results on shore were much
HlpIt ilSdNlIbhS, luIBt bulIllUES b'lllG
RACED to the ground, and others having
roofs blown clean away. No part OF
the town escaped the effects OF the
storm, and there was n scene Of desc
latiOn from beyond Vagodace, right
along the beach towards Draiba.
The seawall from opposite the Roman
Catholic Mission House to Tologa creek
was destroyed. The roof of the Levuka
public school and one side were blown
away; the premises of the Grazier
Meat Company, the Wesleyan Mission
House. the Cooperative Butchery. Mr..
j. Miller's store Mr.. Crocker's two
stores. Mr. Basins boot shop, Mr..
Bolitho's shop, Mr. j. Millar's store.
and private houses occupied by Mr..
Edwards, Mrs. NJ Wilson, Miss Mos
tyn. Mr., Warhrook and MT. Volmer
were blown down, and very few places
seemed to have escaped some Injury.
Most OF the houses In native towns on
Ovalau were blown down. CocOanut
trees and all vegetation suffered Sc
verely.
Although Of such short duration. the
force OF wind was very great, and re-
liable authorities state that 30 much
damage was never before occasioned
In Levuka by similar vlsitations, The
estimated damage TO houses, stores,
boats, stock, etc, Is In the proximity
OF 100000
There were no casualties among the
European residents, but IN the case
Of the Wesleyan Mission House and
Mr.. Forbes house some NJ the inmates
were eXtricated with great difficulty,