STORM IN AUSTRALIA.

Wairarapa Age, 13 December 1920, Page 5

STORM IN AUSTRALIA.

TREMENDOUS. DAMAGE DONE. WHEAT CROPS DESTROYED. \ (By JElectric Telegraph.-—Copyright.) (Australian-N.Z. Cablo Association.) Received Last Night, 5.5 o'clock. SYDNEY, Dec. 12. Though tho gale has jjassed, incessant but lighter rain continues. All sports were yesterday abandoned. Everywhere in the rain-swept areas the rivers are flooding, and much country is under water. Tnere are many railway washaways, and traffic is dislocated. Until the weather clears, it is impossible to assess the damage to the wheat crops, but it is very serious, and possibly the loss will run in a million, excepting in Southern Riverinn, which, up to the present, ha< not suffered extensively. Practically the whole of the wheat area has been swept. The south-west, central, and northwest- districts are most affected.

Almost everywhere the crops wore tall, heavy, and most promising. Consequently the rain and wind have wrought greater havoc, than if they had been lighter. Many thousands of acres have been flattened badly, and damaged. If the rain continues, these crops will be completely spoiled. Heavy rain fell throughout last night, and is still falling, without the slightest indication of its ceasing. Besides the losses to crops, there is serious damage to house property and business stocks, owing to leaky roofs and the invading flood waters. The sea is moderating, and shipping is resuming. Incoming vessels report a rough time in battling through tho heavy seas. Numbers of country centres reportfloods and rivers rising, .with the water from the high reaches still to come down. The outlook is disquieting along tho llunter River. Around Newcastle and Maitland miles of farm lands are inundated. The latest news from the wheat areas is gloomy.