WILD WEATHER IN AUSTRALIA.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18584, 3 June 1930, Page 9

WILD WEATHER IN AUSTRALIA.

Coasts Swept By Cyclones.

SHIPPING SERIOUSLY DAMAGED. (Uni tad Press Association—By Electrls Telegraph—Copyright.) SYDNEY, June 2. High seas along jthe coast seriously interfered with shipping. A launch was wrecked off Amity Point, Stradbroke Island, and two members of a fishing party were drowned. The auxiliary schooner Joseph Sims is a total loss on Passage Island, in the Flinders Group. The crew are safe aboard another vessel. A fishing yawl ran ashore at Botany Bay, and the three occupants donned lifebelts and swam through the breakers. They were exhausted upon reaching shore. Grave fears are entertained for the safety of two men and two women comprising a fishing party, which left Newport in a small launch. It is feared they have been swept to sea. CLOUD BURST IN N.S.W. SERIOUS DAMAGE REPORTED. (United Press Association—By Blectrle Telegraph—Copy rl srh t.) SYDNEY, June 2. A cloudburst over Kangaroo Valley, on the south coast, caused widespread damage. Long stretches of permanent way have been w r ashed out, due to the flood water and landslides. Rail traffic has been disorganised, and crops have suffered heavily. Several settlers had narrow escapes. Serious floods are feared. Telegraph poles were carried away, and cattle were sent hurtling down the gorges by the force of the storm waters. The homes of two farmers were cut off by Bft. of water, and as it was still rising they took a desperate chance, and swam with their womenfolk to safety. Two feet of water flooded the Picton and Warwick farms. Three hundred cars were trapped in three feet of water. The motorists were carried off in boats. There is a brighter side of the storm, however, as soaking rains inland will mean millions of pounds to primary producers. The State has been waiting for many months for such a rain, which covers the whole of New South Wales. The north coast received very heavy falls, and floods are likely in the far northern rivers. John James (17), was swept from his horse when crossing a covered bridge on the Tweed and was drowned. Sydney experienced a particularly wild night. A cyclone is raging off the coast.