TASMANIAN FLOODS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 8 April 1929, Page 4

TASMANIAN FLOODS

WIDESPREAD DESTRUCTION. THOUSANDS HOMELESS. many fatalities feared. 'Bv Telegraph—Press Association.) GISBORNE, April 8. Melbourne broadcasts on Saturday night state that the Tasmanian floods proved the most disastrous in the history of the State. In Northern Tasmania roads and railways were submerged and innumerable bridges swept away. The damage amounted to hundreds of thousands of pounds. Three thousand people are homeless in the suburbs of inveresk and Invermay. Many more are still in danger, and there are grave fears as to further loss, as torrential rain is still falling. The Tamar is ip a record flood. The wharves are four feet under water, and houses vacated in the afternoon were inundated to the tops of the walls. The State electric power works has been disabled, and the city is without light. The lower railways are at a standstill, lines in some places being nine feet under water. Many families were marooned on the tops of houses, and rescue was difficult, motor boats being required. Country crops were ruined and many thousands of stock perished. When the State electric works were put out of action the old municipal hydro plant was called upon, but the rising flood .soon rendered it impossible to work and the man in charge bad a narrow escape. A suspension bridge, which wag destroyed, was hanging by a single wile. A dies© watch is being kept on the Longford railway bridge connecting the L amices to n-B urn ie railway, and the King’s Bridge, connecting the city with, the suburbs, has been closed, the traffic water rushing through the topmost arch. A committee of prominent citizens is organising a supply of food and! cloth - inig] for the homeless, who are housed in schools) and halls. The steamer Koranui swung across the wharf and was in danger for some time, but eventually was secured. The rowing club’s shed was swept down the Tamar, and the bowling pavilion at Royal l , Park wia® turned., completely round. Sunday night’s broadcasts stated that in" the northern districts communication by road or railway was a tiling of the past and restoration would involve heavy expenditure. A communication from Launceston states that, the death roll totals 25, and in a later message the “Examiner” said the receding flood waters only served to more clearly show the havoc wrought At low tide water was pouring from the badly submerged suburbs. People in the city responded splendidly to the appeal for help. The ketch Linda and several other small vessels were swept down the river and are believed to be sunk, and many yachts were lost. A "Mr. Stanley, manager of the Avoca tin mine, and two children are missing, and it is feared they were drowned. Five of eight bodies of persons in a car which plunged jnto the torrent have been recovered. Received 11 a.xn. to-day. MELBOURNE. April 8.

The Lord Maror of Melbourne is making an urgent appeal for funds. The Electrolytic Tin Company has subscribed £IOOO.

TERRORS OF THE SIGHT. Received 11.45 a.m. to-day. HOBART, April 8. Thousands of residents of Launceston and suburbs are homeless, and there were many narrow escapes from drowning. Alarms were sounded on Saturday night, and the city became alive with cars carrying people .to safety. The terrors of the night were added to. by heavy rain, and .the city was in. total darkness. Some people- were completely marooned, and only the tops) of houses were visible in, some parts. Furniture was floating everywhere. The potato crops in the Burnie district were washed out and disorganisation of the market is expected. All sailings from Melbourne have been cancelled.