DISASTROUS FLOODS SWEEP EAST COAST OF COMMONWEALTH

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6537, 20 February 1928, Page 7

DISASTROUS FLOODS SWEEP EAST COAST OF COMMONWEALTH

Brownings Reported And Extensive Damage SERIOUS DISLOCATION OP. -• TRAFFIC [By Electric Cable-Copyright) [Auet. and N.Z. Cable Association.) i (Received Sunday 5.5 p.m) SYDNEY, Feb. 19. With continuous, copious rains over a great part of the Commonwealth, floods and consequent damage to crops and property are reported In all directions Several lives are reported lost. At Grafton tho Clarence River invaded the town- Water is eighteen inches deep in parts of tho main street and in the lower portions of the town it is still deeper. ' Residents spent a feverish night removing goods belonging to. business places and houses. Water brigades busily engaged watching,tho rising of the waters had to remove marooned inhabitants from some of the.houses. Along the river valley largo areas of crops and much stock have been destroyed, many residents being driven from their homos. Tho electric supply is threatened and the town will' probably bo plunged into darkness.' Tho river last night had slightly receded but as further rain Ims fallen and milch flood water has still to come down from tho upper reaches, worse, conditions are expected. Tho river is a mile wide at Grafton, and tho wharves are submerged. . Over a hut\lred families along the valley have boon driycn from -their homes. At Murwilltimbah ,many people had to evacuate their homes. An unconfirmed report states that, besides Constable Alpin, two other men have been drowned. Another man named Barnes was drowned. Farmers bn tho island of Forbes report that a man named Stephenson, attempting to swim the flooded Macquarrio Rivor lost his life. Passengers by the /expres train which left , Melbourne on Thursday reached Sydney last night. They were marooned at, Cootommundra ow-. ing to line washouts and numerous' washaways. Consequent ■ dislocation of traffic has occurred and road traffic generally is at a standstill., . In Ardlethan district the township of Beckon is completely inundated. Tho inhabitants are marooned, tho only partially dry place being the hotel, which is a two-storeyed building where tho residents crowded and camped on tables and other points Of vantage. At Ardlothan similar conditions prevail. Big floods are swelling down the Hunter, Patterson and Williams’ River valleys causing widespread ruin. Newcastle is preparing to- moot a flood when tho waters reach the town. The Hawksbury River overflowed miles of rich flats in its valley, devastating big stretches of corn and vegetables. A number of residents have boon forced to leave their homos and to seek refuge. The outlook generally is very ominious. More rain, which at present has temporarily ceased, is promised. , ’ • Later. The weather has eased. There was no rain in Sydney to-day, though it is still threatening and more is predicted. Coastal conditions are still dirty wih rough seas. ■„ There is little fresh news from tho country owing to tho telegraphic interruptions, but the position in tho flooded districts is believed improved somewhat with tho casement of downfalls. Tho latest reports states that tho Grafton River has commenced falling. Numerous railway washaways in various places arc interfering badly with services blocking traffic. Melbourne trains are again cancelled pending the retreat of flood waters and repairs.