In South-east of Colony

Fiji Hurricane

WEATHER has become almost a munition of war—all reference to it is tabu until long after the event.

Consequently, news of the hurricane which hit Fiji at the New Year was not released for publication until the middle of January, and did not reach the out side world until a month later.

The customary hurricane radio-warn ings of past years were discontinued when Japan entered the war and this further complicates the lot of planters and others who normally could make some provision against these storms.

The following report was issued by the Fiji Information Office on January 15: — A hurricane passed through the Fiji Group from the north-west during the afternoon of December 31 and January 1. Labasa and Savu Savu did not ex perience the full force of the storm and, apart from a certain amount of flooding, have only experienced minor damage.

Considerable damage has been re ported from the area of Udu Point and the island of Wailagilala. In Taveuni, the southern end of the island escaped serious damage, but elsewhere a number of native houses and food plantations have been destroyed. Buildings on the Government station received minor damage.

Private letters received by the “Fiji Times,” from residents of Laucala Island and the Taveuni district generally, indi cate that the damage done to that dis trict had been severe.

One letter states that it will take three years for some plantations to recover. Coconut trees are down in thousands and food crops and fruits were simply blown away, the ground littered with tons of ruined fruit and nuts which had promised to make 1943 a record production year.

The path of the hurricane was appar ently through such places as Rabi.

Qamea, Laucala and the north end of Taveuni and south to Gilai, the Lau Group and Ongea.

The Indian community of Rewa, Fiji, recently held a carnival and raised £214, which was distributed as follows: POW Fund, £2O; Fiji Fighter Fund. £5O; bal ance towards Red Cross and other funds.