AUSTRALIAN STORMS

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17705, 4 February 1918, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN STORMS

MUCH DAMAGE IN MELBOURNE.

By Telegraph—Press Aaeool&tion—Copyright. (Received February 3, 5.6 p.m.) MELBOURNE, February 3.

A violent cyclonic storm on Saturday afternoon did much damage in the city and suburbs. A number of buildings were wrecked and many were unroofed. A boy was killed by the collapse of tearooms at Brighton, and another was drowned at St Kilda. POSITION IN MACKAY. I 1 PESTILENCE FEARED. (Received February 3; 5.5 p.m.)' BRISBANE, February 3. Owing to insanitary conditions as a result of the flood, a pestilence is feared at Mackay. Every building along the waterfront has been damaged almost beyond repair. Every vessel in the river, excepting one, at the time of the tidal wave, was wrecked or carried over the banks and deposited in the scrub. Tho water is full of dead animals and birds and the stench is terrible. . Rockhampton is crowded with refugees, whom the police are still bringing in or aro relieving.