Hurricane Damage In New

Caledonia

REPORTS from the areas flooded during the' recent New Coledonian cyclone tell of road traffic blocked and routes like the Col d’Amieu road, from west to east coast, rendered permanently un serviceable.

In some places coffee and coconut plantations were for days under water, and houses had to be abandoned. The lower areas of Bourail (west coast) were so flooded that only the roofs of houses showed above the water. The archives at the Bourail town hall, where the water flooded the building to a depth of over four feet, were damaged. There was plenty of damage also at La Foa and Poindimie. A message of sympathy has been received from the French Govern ment The local Red Cross gave useful assist ance to families rendered homeless. In response to a cable from Noumea from the French Pacific High Commissioner, the French Ambassador in Canberra ap proached the Australian Government with a request for supplies.