Storm

Rarotonga Smashed By Cyclonic

Grave Damage to Cook Islands Fruit Crops

From Our Own Correspondent

RAROTONGA, March 27 (Delayed).

A HEAVY storm, causing appalling damage, swept the Lower Cook Group on March 10. Its unprece dented suddenness and ferocity caught the population unawares, particularly as the wind swept in from the south-east.

In former hurricanes, within living memory, high winds have sprung from an easterly direction, but "veered round to the north before reaching their full momentum.

Although the actual wind force was not disastrous —the windward side of Rarotonga actually getting off best—the high mountains in the centre of the island apparently produced a cyclone effect in the main settlement of Avarua.

Approximately 40 per cent, of the native made houses in Avarua were demolished and very few frame and iron-roofed houses escaped considerable damage.

Among the main buildings struck were the Ariki Palace, the local cinema, the London Missionary Society compound and Messrs. A. B. Donald’s store and out buildings.

Huge century-old ironwood trees near the LMS church were simply torn out by the roots.

Heavy rain accompanied the storm and continued for four days without ceasing, rendering the hardships of the home less particularly severe.

More disastrous than the damage to housing was the loss of 75 per cent, of the orange and banana crops. In Raro tonga, where banana planting has been recently carried out more extensively than for several years, many of the plantations have been ruined and the psychological effect on the growers (mostly native) disheartening in the extreme. At an Island Council meeting on March 30, Government relief for planters was requested, but the outcome is not yet known.

In the other islands of the Lower

Group, where orange shipments consti tute practically the only income of the natives, losses will be even more hardly felt. An ample supply of provisions, and shoots and cuttings for food planting was, however, forwarded by the Adminis tration by schooner to fill immediate needs.

In- 1941 and 1942, severe storms in the Lower Group, and actual hurricanes in the northern islands, have occurred; but in 1943 is the heaviest setback of all, coming at a particularly inopportune time, when New Zealand needs all the fresh fruit available.

“Some Buildings Seemed To

Explode”

From a Special Correspondent rIS was an extraordinary storm which struck the Lower Cook Group in general (and Avarua in particu lar) on March 10.

Pierce squalls screamed down from the mountain valleys above Avarua, hurling down trees, flattening crops and hitting buildings like shell-bursts. Hundreds of corrugated sheets were ripped off the

roofs, and were whirled about, wrapping around trees and sailing out over the reef. Many large trees were felled, some striking houses, others blocking the main road, while branches of all sizes crashed everywhere. Volleys of coconuts thudded like cannon-balls. Clouds of leaves streamed out to sea.

Some buildings appeared to explode.

The massive roof of the LMS church burst asunder, half falling on either side of the church, smashing down trees and gravestones.. Most of the LMS mission buildings were badly damaged, as were those of the Catholic mission.

The property of Messrs. A. B. Donald, Ltd., was severely battered, the main establishment and the manager’s resi dence being unroofed, while store-sheds and workshops in the yard were wrecked.

It was fortunate that the heaviest part of the blow developed after daybreak, or there must surely have been some loss of life. One old man died from severe head wounds received when his house col lapsed; a number of others were treated for minor injuries from flying debris.

Prompt and efficient service was ren dered by the staff of the Public Works Department and members of the native Defence Force in clearing the roads and patching and reinforcing buildings even while the blow was still in progress.

A sad loss was the destruction of the famous “Royal Hall,” talkie theatre and dance hall, which was blasted into a heap of tangled wreckage. What if the roof was off the church, or one’s little grass shack was wrapped round a coco

nut tree? No singing-cowboys on Sat urday night! Aue!

Increased Fruit Prices

Rarotonga', April 30.

WELCOME indeed was the announce ment in early April of new fruit prices for the hard-hit islands of the Lower Cook Group.

The New Zealand Internal Marketing Division, which controls the Cook Islands fruit trade, has granted increases to the grower of 6d. a case for bananas and 1 /a case for oranges, bringing the average prices to the grower for U-bushel cases to 5/- and 5/6 respectively. Prices for lemons, mandarines, tangerines and grapefruit have been advanced in pro

portion.

Gratifying as the increased prices are it is unfortunate that so little fruit will be available this season owing to the hur ricane. Mangaia is the only island where any appreciable quantity of oranges

remains. With regard to bananas, at least six months must elapse before shipments can be made, and probably longer, unless steps are taken immediately to help the growers clean up the ravaged plantations.