FLOOD AND FIRE IN AUSTRALIA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9419, 15 February 1913, Page 5

FLOOD AND FIRE IN AUSTRALIA.

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE FROM RAINSTORMS. BUSINESS BLOCK WIPED OUT BY FIRE. s (Bi Euctbio Telegbaph—Coptriobi.) (Peb Presb Association.) Received Februan' 15, 10.20 a.m. ADELAIDE, Feb. 15. The rainstorm yesterday did extensive damage in South Australia to railways, roads and bridges, and private property. Critohley, driver of the derailed train, was washed away and drowned. His body was recovered suspended f»om a tree seven miles distant. MELBOURNE, Feb. 15. The western portion of Castlemaine is flooded and is unapproachable. The southern portion is cut off by a creek overflowing. Much damage was done to lowlying houses.

Three inches of rain fell at Bendigo. where business plaees and private houses woro flooded.

A fire at Outtrim destroyed Mrs Lettorsby e house and drapery establishment, and the post and telegraph office. Mrs Ranstore, Hoar ley's hotel, Beard's butoner e> shop and house. Ward s house, and tho Baptist Church. Other buildings were scorched. Nino months ago the fire destroyed eight shops in the game block, whereof only one was re-built, so that one ond of the town is now gone. At the enquiry into the fire at the Crystal Palace Picture Theatre on New Year's Eve, the coroner remarked that there seemed a suggestion of foul plav. but it was unable to say whether it was so or not. (■ "rtainly there was no evidence thereof, rho verdict said the evidence did not snow whether the fire was accidental or not.