Hurricane

Suva Close To

Severe Weather on January 19

A HURRICANE came “within a whisker” of unroofing Southern Fiji on January 18-19.

On Wednesday afternoon, January 18, the Suva harbourmaster announced that a gale, of almost hurricane force, was approaching from the north-east, and would be on or near the south coast of Viti Levu (where Suva is situated) early on Thursday morning.

Suva, for a few hours, was very busy, battening up buildings and strengthen ing roofs. The “Matua”, all ready to sail to Auckland, and the “Ganges”, just in from India with 500 Indian passengers, were sent away hurriedly from the wharves, and securely anchored out in the harbour.

The main hurricane passed just south of Suva, but that part of Fiji was visited by very thick weather, and by heavy squalls which reached their maximum about 4 a.m. on Thursday. The barometer dropped to 29.02 at 4 a.m., and to 28.89 at 5.45.

The town received a severe dusting.

Trees were knocked about, and the radio station on Flagstaff Hill was unroofed; otherwise there was little damage.

The “Matua” remained at anchor on Thursday, which was a day of foul wea ther; but got away on Friday, 36 hours late.

The auxiliary schooner “Tui Labasa” (38 tons) was driven ashore at Wayaka on January 19, and wrecked. There was no loss of life or injury to the crew.

Captain S. Smith and two passengers were later conveyed to Levuka by Mr.

R. Watson, of Wakaya, in his launch.

The gale, after travelling westward, swung back again, and Suva experienced another severe blow on Saturday, Janu ary 21.

It is feared that damage has been done to plantations in eastern and south eastern Fiji (Taveuni, and the Lau group).