GALE’S COST A MILLION

Taranaki Daily News, 9 October 1928, Page 9

GALE’S COST A MILLION

SYDNEY CYCLONE’S HAVOC FIRES RAGE IN CITY & BUSH FLOOD DANGER IMMINENT By Telegraph—Press Ass®.—Copyright. Australian Press Association. / Received Oct. 8, 8.5 p.m. Sydney, Oet. 8. Damage resulting from yesterday’s cyclone in Sydney and environs is estimated to be not less than £1,090,000. Reports of destruction on a lesser scale are coming from all centres between Newcastle and Gabo. Between 200 and 300 men and women have been forced into idlenness by the paper mills fire on the Lane Cove which died out in a lurid blaze of greenish yellow flames late in the evening, when they reached the building in which chlorine, sulphuric acid and other chemicals were stored. With a series of brilliant explosions the shed collapsed and firemen nearly found themselves unable to see owing to the effect on their eyes of the liberated chlorine gas. City fire engines taken up the river on punts assisted to fight a losing battle against the conflagration. Bush fires occurred in many places. A number of dwellings were destroyed by fire or gale, while garages and sheds were levelled in all directions. In the southern districts floods are reported to be imminent as the rivers are rising. Settlers on the river flats at Albury have been warned, and stock is being removed to high ground. The Goulburn River was fifteen feet above normal this morning at Seymour. It is expected a portion of the town will be submerged to-night. Thousands of rabbits and many snakes have been drowned. Yesterday’s fierce, hot gale which raged for seven hours, reached a maximum velocity of 68 miles and the temperature in Sydney was 98 degrees. Additional week-end cottages destroyed at Woy Woy bring the total to 45. Reports state that many people were injured, but there were no deaths. A poultry farmer named Williams had a startling experience at the height of the storm at Rydalmere. He was endeavouring to secure the iron roof of a henhouse when an abnormal gust lifted the whole roof with the man riding on it and carried it over another shed, where it crashed against a tree. Williams was taken to hospital with a broken arm and a dislocated shoulder.