TORRENTIAL RAINS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19748, 26 March 1926, Page 9

TORRENTIAL RAINS.

FLOODS IN AUSTRALIA. DOWNPOUR IN SYDNEY. (Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.) SIYDNEY, March 25. Several washaways occurred as the result of the heavy rains on sections of the railway lines near Mudgee. One train is held up between washaways. Timely warnings enabled farmers to get clear with their effects. In Sydney over sin of rain fell in 36 hours, and it still continues. The wind during the night reached a velocity of 50 miles per hour, and did minor damage It is reported from Macquarie that the river has broken its banks at several places between Dubbo and Wellington, and is still rising.

ALL THE RIVERS RISING. TOWN OF MAITLAND MENACED. HEAVY WEATHER ON THE COAST. SYDNEY, March 25. (Received March 25, at 10.10 p.m.) Further heavy rains in the basins of the Hunter, Hawkesbury, Macquarie, and Castlereagh Rivers threaten serious floods. At Maitland the Hunter is rising steadily and men are employed stacking sandbags in an endeavour to prevent the flood waters reaching the town. Should they fail one of the most disastrous floods on record in the district is anticipated. Reports from other parts of the country state that all the rivers are steadily rising. Terrific seas are running along the coast and to-day the harbour ferry service to Manly was suspended. Many of the ferry steamers were badly battered. Several large oversea steamers have wirelessed that they are hove to off Sydney Heads as they are unable to enter owing to the terrific seas running between the Heads. All the coastal vessels are sheltering. A number of yachts in the harbour broke from their moorings and were wrecked. The weather shows no sign of improving.

SUBSIDENCE AT COLLIERY, EIGHT HUNDRED MEN IDLE. SYDNEY, March 25. (Received March 25, at 11.50 p.m.) As a result of the rains a dam near Cessnock overflowed and the weight of the water on top of the old workings of the Aberdare Colliery caused many tons of earth to subside into the tunnel and a deluge of water to flow into the pit. Several deputies who were on dutv were swept off their feet, but they managed to escape through the shaft, Merj are working feverishly to fill the subsidence and prevent further water going into the pit. ■ As a result of the sibsidence POO employees have been rendered idle for two weeks.