Tidal Waves Cause

Havoc In The

North Cooks

High seas believed to have been caused by a tropical dis turbance in the Hawaiian area sitruck Rakahanga and Mani hiki, atolls in the northern Cook Islands, in early December.

Rakahanga reported that waves swept 300 feet inland and destroyed the boat shed and other buildings on the beach. Coconut palms on the western side of the island were swept away and puraka (a coarse type of taro) plantations were ruined by sea water.

Wharves on the lagoon beach at Manihiki were submerged, the telephone service between the two* villages was disrupted and thousands of coconuts were washed out to sea from the motus. Rarotonga experienced heavy swells for several days, but no damage resulted.