FLOOD DAMAGE IN N.S.W. HAS BECOME ENORMOUS

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 June 1950, Page 8

FLOOD DAMAGE IN N.S.W. HAS BECOME ENORMOUS

SYDNEY, June 22.—This year’s record rains have cut a staggering swathe of destruction through New South Wales. Producers and industrialists stated today that an expert assessment, after a general survey, placed the bill for damage and loss of production at “probably in excess of £ 10,000,000.” The main items in the loss account arose from the flooding of claypits used in brick and tile'production, the destruction of hundreds of miles of fencing on country properties, the cutting off of dairy supplies, the wrecking of much of the State’s road system (which slowed down traffic), and the damage of buildings. Floods and rains have cost the forestry industry 50,000,000 super feet of timber.

Gas rationing in Sydney is now expected to be announced before the end of the week because of a serious shortage of coal. With 68 mines out of production today for a loss in output of 29,000 tons of coal, New South Wales faces a crisis. The position is made worse by the fact that 60,000 tons of coal, already mined, is locked up in the floodbound Maitland area where all roads and railway lines are under water. The plight of New South 'Wales has been aggravated by the decision of the miners at 24 collieries on the south coast to observe a 24-hour stoppage because of compensation grievances.