Due to communications problems and the focus of the American media on the damage inflicted by Hurricane Andrew on Florida and Louisiana, it has been difficult to get information on the effect of the hurricane on the Bahamas.

For the benefit of our readers, The Royal Gazette today reprints The Nassau Tribune's main hurricane stories from the last two days. NASSAU, August 26 --The new Ingraham Cabinet was expected to declare North Eleuthera a disaster zone yesterday (Wednesday), enabling the duty free importation of building materials and other vital supplies into that hurricane-torn area.

In his first major test just days after becoming prime minister, Mr. Hubert Ingraham returned to Eleuthera on Tuesday and hammered a message of care.

He urged a community effort in the re-building of homes to cut down on labour costs.

Offers of assistance have poured in from some of the wealthiest countries in the world, including the United States, Japan, Canada and Britain, he said.

A Bahamas Defence Force patrol craft arrived in North Eleuthera on Tuesday afternoon laden with food and water.

The government is moving to provide temporary housing, and temporary schools for devastated areas, including Harbour Island, Bluff and Bogue, Mr Ingraham said.

He said the government intends to open a special fund out of which interest-free loans will be made to the more fortunate hurricane victims. He indicated that the government would give assistance to the poor and needy.

The new Cabinet met for the first time at 11 a.m. yesterday.

Mr. William Allen, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, is expected to be appointed to coordinate the financial aspect of the reconstruction programme.

It is understood that Mr. Tommy Turnquest, MP for Kennedy, may be appointed to help Mr. Ingraham deal specifically with the hurricane aftermath.

The community response to the disaster has been overwhelming. Abaco has sent a boat load of supplies to Eleuthera, and Nassau companies, including Super Value food stores and Bacardi, with the aid of Tropical Shipping, have donated large amounts of emergency supplies.

Individuals are using their small boats to ferry supplies to Eleuthera.

Maurice Tynes, first assistant secretary to the Cabinet and coordinator of hurricane relief, said that while these efforts are greatly appreciated, volunteers should organise themselves into proper committees and contact either himself or his staff at the Cabinet Office.

He said it is extremely important to have a coordinated approach so as not to duplicate efforts.

Mr. Tynes said that the Cabinet has yet to place a dollar value on the damage.

"We are concentrating on the human aspect of it at the moment. We feel that this is much more important,'' he said.

Current Island has probably sustained the heaviest damage. About 95-98 percent of the houses have either been damaged or destroyed, said Mr. Tynes.

Water has been restored to some areas, but many areas need electricity in order to pump it, he said.

BaTelCo and BEC technicians are working around the clock to restore electricity and communications.

Mr. Tynes felt that the water and food situation is now in hand, but encouraged donations of cash and building supplies for the next phase of the programme.

"The infrastructure down there has been almost totally destroyed. We need to coordinate an effort in sending only those things that are needed. We don't want to overwhelm the people. I don't think they have gotten over the enormity of this yet. The people are still in shock,'' he said.

The low death toll of four can probably be attributed to the fact that the people in Eleuthera had taken the necessary preparations for the hurricane, Mr. Tynes said.

He hoped that people in New Providence, which was spared the brunt of the hurricane, would take note.

HURRICANE ANDREW swept through the northen Bahamas on Sunday, causing massive damage to Cat Island, Eleuthera and Bimini as well as many smaller islands around Eleuthera before moving on to Miami.