Hurricane On Nissan
p. 56 · Read in the full issue
FIRST blow reported during the current hurricane season in the South Pacific was at Nissan —a small island about 100 miles east of New Ireland and 80 miles north of Buka.
The hurricane struck during the first week in December.
Excessive damage was done to houses and gardens but there was no loss of life. Nissan has a native population of about 1,500. There is also a Catholic Mission Station there.
All the roads on the island were blocked by fallen trees, and apart from wind damage many gardens were ruined by salt spray. Two ships
—a government trawler and mission vessel—set out for Nis with relief stores and staff mediately news of the hurric damage reached Bougainville.
Blow In Sw Pacific
A cyclone of moderate inter developed north-west of New C donia in mid-December, its ce passing down off the south-west c< of that island on December 18. serious damage seems to have t reported though there were winds up to 40 knots.
The centre crossed Norfolk Isl a day later, deepening as it ] gressed. It eventually passed d( to the west of the North Island NZ, and moved off to the eastw; The northern part of NZ experier winds of gale force with s< damage. The Tongan Copra Boa 80-ton ketch A’oniu, about to rel to Nukualofa after replacement her keel following stranding on Russell Reef, Haapai, was held Auckland for a couple of days to the storm. Vessels in the eas Tasman met very heavy weathe Mr. N. I. Baker will rel: Dr. H. S. Evans as District Offi Rotuma, while the latter is vacation leave.