HURRICANE IN SYDNEY

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28490, 21 January 1958, Page 11

HURRICANE IN SYDNEY

Damage May Exceed £1,000,000

(Rec. 8 p.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 20.

A 93-miles-an-hour hurricane which tore through Sydney yesterday afternoon unroofed hundreds of houses, blew down walls, tossed trees about and stopped all road and railway traffic. The wind—the second strongest ever recorded at the Sydney Weather Bureau—blew for only fifteen minutes, but it brought torrential rain which flooded many low-lying areas. Terrific flashes of lightning accompanied the storm and several houses were struck.

Police and private launches rescued many persons thrown into the harbour when launches, rowing boats and yachts capsized.

At Rushcutter Bay Park, the big top of Wirth’s Circus —52ft high, 220 ft long and 120 ft wide — was snatched from its moorings and spread like a giant mushroom.

The damage caused by the hurricane may exceed £1,000,000, the police said today. The Metropolitan Police Superintendent, Mr W: Salmon, said he could not recall so much’ damage having been caused over such a wide area in such a brief time.

Builders, electricians, plumbers and general repair gangs worked today to restore essential services.

Inquiry Opened In Cyprus

NICOSIA. January 20.

The Council of Europe’s Human Rights Sub-Commissioner will today start an island-wide tour of Cyprus in search of further information on Greek charges that certain human rights were contravened during the island’s emergency. The sub-commissioner’s first "provincial” call will be the Famagusta region. After talks with Cypriot leaders, they are expected to go south to Frenaros Village. This is inside the "triangle of terror,” where Greeks allege that the security forces imposed harsh measures after the death of a British soldier last year.