GALE HAVOC IN N.S.W

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 29, 3 February 1934, Page 9

GALE HAVOC IN N.S.W

Two Lives Lost and Heavy Damage to Property. SHIPS RUN TO SHELTER. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 11 a.m.) SYDNEY, this clay. A severe gale was experienced in New South Wales yesterday. The whole of the eastern portion of the State was lashed by fierce squalls. Tlic weather around Sydney, however, improved later, but high seas are still running along the coast, and a number of ships are sheltering. Widespread damage occurred in the suburbs, and there was some flooding in country centres. A youth was drowned in the swollen river near Bingara. An aeroplane from Melbourne had a thrilling dash through the storm. It was forced down to a low altitude, but managed to reach Mascot. The passengers —Miss Margaret Giliutli, daughter of Dr. J. A. tiilruth (Chief of the Division of Animal Health, Commonwealth Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and formerly Chief Government Veterinarian to the New Zealand Government), and Mr. Russ Garling, a Sydney business man—had n wild experience. A 25ft fishing boat was blown on to the rocks' at Cronulla. John Nobbs, aged 35, was drowned, and Andrew Bourke, aged 20, his companion, was rescued by five men who risked their lives in a tremendous battle with the breakers. Nobbs and Bourke had been blown miles along the'eoast and were attempting to beach their boat when it overturned. Collisions Due to Storm. The stormy weather was responsible for collisions in three suburbs of Sydney. A motor lorry skidded against a tramcar in Mosman and five passengers in the latter were injured, also the driver. A vegetable lorry belonging to a Chinese crashed into a tramcar at St. Peter's, causing serious damage to the tram and minor injuries to two passengers. A fire engine skidded against a railway bridge at Pymble and carried away a large portion of the brickwork. Three firemen had remarkable escapes from injury. The Rosehill races, which were to have been held to-day, have been postponed till Thursday. < The Hunter River at Maitland is rising rapidly, and serious floods are threatening all the coastal river districts.

Train traffic is disorganised and roads are blocked.

Floods in the Burdckin River, Queensland, dislocatcd railway traffic. The linos, however, are now clear north of Townsville. The first Cairns mail for 10 davs left yesterday.

The body of an elderly woman was found in the flooded Mary River.