AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20006, 25 January 1927, Page 9

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

CONDITIONS IN THE NORTH. METEOROLOGICAL VISITATIONS. (piess Association— By Telegraph—Copyright.' BRISBANE, January 24. Reports from the Gulf country indicate that it is suffering badly from drought. There has been no monsoonal rain since 1917, many of the rivers are practically dried up. A severe cyclone swept Quilpie, causing enormous damage, very few buildings escaping. The town is now in a state of chaos. (Received Jan. 24, at 11 p.m.) Terrific tropical rains are still falling along the Queensland coast, and it is reported that the greater part of the coastal belt is flooded. At Byron Bay over 23}in of rain has fallen this month. The creeks and rivers are running bang high, and much low-lying land is under water. The railway services are interrupted, and there have been several washouts on the Brisbanc-Townsville line. At least five bridges have been washed away. FIRE BRIGADESMAN KILLED. MELBOURNE, January 24. While speeding to answer a false alarm, a fire hose cart swerved to avoid colliding with a motor car, and crashed into the side of the road. A fireman named James Hossack was killed, and three other firemen were injured. FIRE IN BUSINESS BLOCK. SYDNEY, January 24. lire in ‘a city building occupied by Messrs Sydenham and Davies, manufacturers’ agents, and several other firms, causbd extensive damage. ITALIAN IMMIGRANTS. SYDNEY, January 24. (Received Jan. 24, at 11 p.m.) Commendatore Michele Blunno, who arrived in Sydney to-day on route to New Zealand to take up consular duties, says that there will be no great influx of Italians to Australia, as the landing money of £4O required by the Commonwealth Government represented a small fortune to the average Italian workman.