AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21300, 2 April 1931, Page 11

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

RAIN IN PASTORAL DISTRICTS. FLOODS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) SYDNEY, April 1. Under the influence of a great tropical or monsoonal depression, rain has fallen over every area in the Commonwealth pastoral districts. South Australia received the best rain experienced for 10 years. The east, west, and north-west railway lines are under water, and the services are stopped. At Hawker homes were flooded, while in the Port Augusta district the roads have become impassable. DAMAGE AT DARWIN. BUILDINGS OVERTURNED. SYDNEY, April 1. (Received April 1, at 10 p.m.The most extensive rains for 50 years are being experienced in Australia. Heavy registrations are now being recorded in New South Wales, and floods are expected. A report from Darwin states that there is the worst flood known at Katherine, the water being two or three feet deep in the houses, while at Darwin considerable damage has been caused by willywilly trees, which have been uprooted. Buildings have been overturned, and roofs have been carried away. The Weather Bureau in Sydney warns shipping in the central and southern Tasman to expect strong north-west winds, followed by squally south-easter-lies and rough seas. SHEEP AND LAMBS. NEW SOUTH WALES RETURNS. SYDNEY, April 1. The Government Statistician has issued figures showing that at the end of last year there were approximately 49,870,000 sheep and lambs in the State, compared with 50,750,000 during 1929. He estimated that the total production for 1930-31, including skins and wools, was 430,000,0001 b, or nearly 30,000,0001 b less than in 1929. The value of this season’s clip shows a decline of nearly £5,000,000, compared with that of 1929, the actual value of that year being £20,123,000. LUGGERS IN A STORM. PERTH, April 1. The crew of one of Captain Gregory’s luggers, which arrived at Broome, reports that a storm with mountainous seas struck the luggers between Condon and Wallal. The fleet suffered severely one lugger being sunk. Information regarding the fate of the crew has not been received. Chains and anchors were lost, and the vessels were scattered. ■ ALIEN IMMIGRATION. NEW REGULATION ISSUED. CANBERRA, April 1. No alien immigrant will be allowed to land in Australia after to-day without a special permit issued by the Home Affairs Department. The new rules under the immigration regulations come into operation to-day. The restrictions abolish the quota system, and prohibit the entry of aliens of all nations- who were not previously subject to the quota requirements.