HEW SOUTH WALES STORM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17652, 13 December 1920, Page 5

HEW SOUTH WALES STORM.

BAIN-SWEPT WHEAT LANDS HARVEST IN JEOPARDY. FLOODS IX THE COUNTRY. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copynsht. (Reoeired 12.15 a.m.) A. and N.Z. SYDNEY. Dec. 12. Though the gale has passed, incessant bat lighter rain continues. All sports have been abandoned everywhere in the | rain-swept areas. Rivers are flooding, and much country is tinder water. There are | many railway washaways, and traffic is dislocated. Until the weather clears it is impossible to assess the damage to the wheat crops, but it is possible that the loss will run I into millions. Excepting in southern ] Riverina, which up to the present has not j suffered extensively, practically the whole of the wheat area has been swept. South, I west, central, and north-west districts are most seriously affected. Almost everywhere the crops were tall, heavy, and most promisirg. Consequently the rain and I wind wrought greater havoc than if they i had been lighter. Many thousands of I acres have been flattened and gravely | damaged. If the rain continues these j crops will be completely spoiled. Heavy rain fell throughout the night j and is still falling without the slightest | indication of ceasing. Besides losses to I crops there is serious damage to house property and business stocks owing to leaky roofs and invading flood waters. The sea is moderating and shipping is resuming. Incoming vessels report a rough time battling through heavy seas. Numbers of country centres report floods and rivers rising. With water from j the high reaches still to come down, the ! outlook is disquieting. Along the Hunter i Kivfr and aro.iud Newcastle and Mail j land miles of farm lands are inundated. i The latest news from the wheat areas is gloomy.