GREAT GALE IN SYDNEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 306, 26 December 1924, Page 5

GREAT GALE IN SYDNEY.

MUCH DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. MANY PEOPLE INJURED. SYDNEY, December 25. A fierce southerly buster swept over Sydney and did considerable damage to property in many suburbs. In several cases roofs were lifted into the air and carried considerable distances. Trees were uprooted and big windows blown out. From an almost perfect calm the wind reached a velocity of about 40 miles per hour, and during the full force of the gale squalls registered up to 50 miles per hour. •Several people were more or less seriously injured by falling roofs and debris. Many had narrow escapes. It is reported that the harbour ferry services are disorganised. Small vessels are unable to leave port. Telegraph lines are seriously affected. Services with Melbourne and Adelaide are eight hours behind.— (A. and K.Z. Cable.) COLD SOUTHERLY SNAP. SYDNEY, December 25. The crowds which visited the city and ! suburbs on Christmas Eve showed a marked reduction compared with previous years. This is to some extent accounted for by the - cold southerly wind. Inquiries among retailers showed that the volume of business in most respects had been up to the average of previous years, but tho Christmas shopping-period commenced much earlier than usual.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.)