SERIOUS FLOODS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 281, 26 October 1934, Page 7

SERIOUS FLOODS

IN NEW SOUTH WALES. ALARM AT BATHURST. GASWORKS INUNDATED.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegrap h. —Copy right.) Received October 26, 10.40 a.m. SYDNEY, Oct. 26.

Owing to heavy rain during the past few days, there is serious flooding in New South Wales. Many residents have been driven from their homes at Bathurst. The township faces an alarming position. The MacQuarrie River is still rising dangerously and the gasworks are flooded, so that iaiiure of the gas supply is expected. Large numbers of stock have been drowned and crops are ruined. Water lias entered the townships of Orange, Parkes, and Gundagai. At Queanbeyan, near Canberra, the main streets are flooded to a depth of two feet. Heavy losses of newly-shorn sheep are reported in this district. CANBERRA ALMOST ISOLATED. RIVERS RUNNING HIGH. CANBERRA, Oct. 25. Drenching rain has _caused serious flooding in southern ana western New South Wales. The Federal capital is practically isolated, and telephonic communication is interrupted.

Federal and State Ministers are marooned, as railway lines are damaged and many bridges washed away. Artillerymen camped at the Federal capital were practically washed out. Mr C. T. P. _ Ulm’s _ ’plane, the Faith in Australia, which landed at Canberra yesterday, is hopelessly bogged. The River Molonglo, which runs through the capital, is at its highest level since the great flood of 1925. Taxidrivers to-day fed upon the double blessing of the Royal visit and the flood. The Duke spent a quiet morning at Government House. He was unable to go for a ride as he had arranged. He will attend a State ball to-night, arrangements for which have been seriously affected owing to the weather conditions. Reports from Western districts state that Bathhurst, Orange, and similar large centres are experiencing torrential rain. The water is entering homes in low-lying parts. Many bridges and culverts have been washed away and rail traffic has been disorganised. RAIN IN MELBOURNE. HEAVY LOSS AT SHOW 7 . MELBOURNE, Oct. 25. A terrific downpour of rain spoilt the People’s Day show holiday, causing a heavy loss to the Agricultural Society, which spent an extra £25,000 to make the Centenary Show notable. Instead of 60,000 attending,' only afew thousand were present, which was a crowning disappointment for a great effort. Rain caused a postponement of the great floral pageant through the city. A procession two miles long with decorated floats, led by the Grenadier Guards band, was planned and it will now be held to-morrow.