LASHED BY SQUALLS

Evening Star, Issue 21636, 3 February 1934, Page 13

LASHED BY SQUALLS

EASTERN NEW SOUTH WALES FISHING BOAT WRECKED Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, February 2. The whole eastern portion of the State was lashed by fierce squalls. An aeroplane from Melbourne had a thrilling dash through the storm, being forced down to a low altitude, but it managed to reach Mascot. The passengers—Miss Margaret Gilruth, daughter of Dr Gilruth, and Mr Russ Garling, a Sydney business man—had a wild experience.

A twenty-five foot fishing boat was blown on the rocks at Cronulla, and John Nobbs, aged thirty-five, was drowned. Andi'ew Bourke, aged twenty-nine, his' companion, was rescued by five men, who risked their lives in a tremendous battle with the breakers. Nobbs and Bourke were blown miles along the coast, and were attempting to beach the boat when it was overturned.

The stormy weather was responsible for collisions in three suburbs. A motor lorry skidded against a tram at Mosman, and five tram passengers were injured. A fire engine skidded against a railway bridge at Pymble and carried away a large portion of the brickwork. Three of the firemen had a remarkable escape from injury. The Rosehill races have been postponed till Thursday owing to the course being drenched. The velocity of the gale at South Head signal station was fifty miles an . hour. The Hunter River at Maitland is rising rapidly, and a serious flood is threatened. All the coastal rivers are bank high. Train traffic is disorganised and roads are blocked. TWO MORE DEATHS REPORTED THE SKIES CLEARING. SYDNEY, February 3. (Received February 3, at 11.25 a.m.) The weather around Sydney has improved. 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 the country centres. A youth was drowned in the swollen river near Bingara. Floods in the Burdekin River (Queensland), dislocated railway traffic. The lines are now clear north of Townsville. The first Cairns mail for ten days left yesterday. . The body of an elderly woman was foUnd in the flooded Mary River.