FLOOD AND GALE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 8 April 1929, Page 9

FLOOD AND GALE

HAVOC IN TASMANIA. ESTIMATED £750,000 DAMAGE. APPEALS FOR. ASSISTANCE. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) (Australian Press- Association.) Received 2.30 p.m., to-day. HOBART, April 7. Further news concerning the Tasmanian Hoods resulting from torrential rains shows the damage was greater than anticipated. At In verm ay, near Launceston, hundreds of people were driven from their homes, many dwellings were submerged. The town of Longford was surrounded by water and rowing boats were plying in Launclieston streets. A ery heavy damage was done to crops. The south Esk river is fifty-two feet above normal. Road and railway bridges were swept- away and the raxlway°station was washed away. Received 2 p.m. to-day. HOBART, April 8. Last night the country was swept l>v a. terrific gale, and a moderate estimate places the damage done "by tiie flood and gale at £750.000. A party motoring to a dance near B untie was thrown into a river when a bridge collapsed, all hut the driver being drowned.- It is believed that 10-lives were lost. The Tasmanian Premier has sent an urgent appeal for assistance to the Prime Minister of Australia asking him to call the Federal Parliament together to discuss the matter.