Storms In Samoa

Much Damage to Public Works

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia, Jan. 24.

VERY disturbed and cyclonic weather, during the first half of January, caused high seas, torrential rains and fierce gales in Eastern and Western Samoa. The rainfall at Apia on Janu ary 15 was 12.15 in., and on January 16, it was 15.95 in.—an all-time record.

At Pago Pago, 36in. of rain fell in three days.

Great damage has been done on the Island of Upolu, but Savai’i has escaped fairly lightly. Cattle, pigs and fowls have been drowned; bridges and roads destroyed; and plantations severely dam aged. The cocoa crop is almost ruined.

Every stream on Upolu was in violent flood; the Vaisigano River developed such turbulence that it broke up the Apia water supply pipe -line (which was soon repaired, however) and put the hydro-electric station out of commission.

Two Samoan youths 'were drowned.

Numerous bridges were destroyed. In Apia, the concrete Vaea bridge was com pletely smashed, and the Vaisigano bridge severely damaged.

Mr. E. V. Crisp, manager of Steam shins Trading Co. Ltd., Papua, was mar ried on February 13 to Miss Hall, at St.

Stephen’s Church, Woollahra. Sydney.

They are to sail for Pt. Moresby by the “Tasman” on the 25th.

Mr. Gopi Mahara.i, son of Pandit Baij Nath, of Labasa, Fiji. died at the Col onial War Memorial Hospital, Suva, early in January after a short illness.