Rigorous Weather

Severe Storms And

Landslides

Samoa Experiences Some Rigorous Weather

From Our Own Correspondent.

Apia, Jan. 19.

The torrential rains which started to fall on Wednesday, January 16, con tinued for two days, with strong north westerly winds blowing at a speed up to 47 miles per hour. Much damage was caused to roads, plantations and houses throughout Samoa. The rainfall from Wednesday to Friday was estimated at about 20 to 25 inches.

On the eastern coast of Upolu, along the road from Apia to Saluafata, the damage caused by rains, swollen rivers and land slides was especially serious. Six small bridges on this road were torn away, and the road was blocked by landslides at several places.

The Waikawa, which arrived at noon on Wednesday, January 16, to discharge 200 tons of cargo and load 4000 cases of bananas, had to discontinue discharging on Wednesday afternoon. The following morning, the weather becoming worse, the captain decided to go out to sea and await better weather for loading. It was not until Friday afternoon that the wind and rain had sufficiently died down to allow the steamer’s return, and loading commenced on Friday evening.

The cutter Ellen Betsy, owned by Morris, Hedstrom Ltd., of Fiji, which was engaged in trading in the Lau Group, is reported to have been wrecked at Vatoa, Fiji, in the middle of January.

A troupe of Vavau Dancers, who are to travel through New Zealand and Australia this year. —Photo: W. Finau, Tonga.