§ 108. Mr. P. Smithersasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement with regard to the recent earthquakes in the Leeward Islands.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsI regret to report that severe earth tremors occurred in Nevis, and to a lesser degree in St. Kitts, on 27th December. Shocks, sometimes as many as a hundred a day, continued until the end of the first week in January. Tremors subsequently have been very slight and none were noticed at the end of last week.
I am glad to say that the Governor has informed me that there has been no loss 34W of life and no people are homeless. Large stone and concrete buildings have, however, been damaged. In St. Kitts a few buildings in Basseterre were affected. In Nevis, a number were severely damaged, including a hospital, court house, two churches and a school. Damage to Government buildings alone is at present estimated at some £100,000.
I wish to express appreciation of the help received from neighbouring territories, the United States naval authorities, and the American and British Red Cross.