Path of Hurricane

[?] Jorfolk Is. in Direct Path of Hurricane

JANUARY hurricane centre L passed close to the Yasawas but was never nearer than 50 miles )m the west coast of Viti Levu. Its te of movement increased as it >ved southwestward away from ji.

During the night of February 2, 3 centre passed right over Nor k Island, near where the cable ip Matai had just completed ?ent repairs to a faulty Norfolk va section of the trans-Pacific

cable caused by heavy weather in December. During the week-end of February 3-5 the storm centre crossed the northern part of New Zealand, causing heavy rain and flooding with wind-damage in a few places. It then moved away to the south-east.

Rarotonga, Too, Has Blow

There was a hurricane scare in the Cooks during the second half of January.

Rarotonga experienced gales and very rough seas. Fears were felt for the safety of the local Brixham trawler-type trading vessel Inspire, which was moored in the Avarua

Pass when the blow came up; she rode it out in that precarious harbour. Once the wind came in from the north it was not possible for the vessel to get out to sea. How ever, she weathered the storm, and later sailed for Manihiki. t A new commanding officer of the Pacific Island Regiment reached Port Moresby in January. He is Lieut.-Colonel Wansley, formerly of Northern Command, Townsville. He takes over from Lieut.-Colonel Baldwin, who has been posted to Army Headquarters ih Melbourne.

Passengers leaving Auckland for Polynesia per "Matua" in January included, left to right: Mr. and Mrs.

T. J. Cormish, who were returning to Suva where Mr. Cormish is attached to the Post & Telegraph Department; Mr. K. A.

E. Marlow, Suva busi ness man, returning after vacation; Mrs. H.

Vete, of Nukualofa, seen off by her nephew, Mr.

V. Vete.