A MIXED BLESSING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19733, 30 December 1926, Page 7

A MIXED BLESSING

I RAIN BENEFITS NEW - SOUTH WALES BUT CAUSES BIG FLOODS MANY TOWNS UNDER WATER. POLICE EFFECT RESCUES. By Telegraph—Per Prets Assn.—Copyright. SYDNEY, Dec. 29. Torrential rains benefited the whole State, but caused heavy floods in many parts. The town of Ccssnock and the suburbs of Newcastle suffered severely, and scores of people were rendered homeless. There were many thrilling rescues. Rain has been falling without cesstion for 48 hours, and has submerged all low-lying parts of Newcastle and district, causing damage estimated at many thousands sterling. Belmont, a holiday resort on Lake Macquarie, is cut off from Newcastle both by rail and by road, owing to sections of the line and road being submerged. So rapidly did the flood waters rise that the safety of the inhabitants was jeopardised. As the local municipal authorities had made no provision for rescue work in the event of floods, the work had to be taken over by the Newcastle police. Rescue Boats in the Streets. The water police manned skiffs, and rowing up and down the flooded streets rescued householders. As the rain continues, it is anticipated that the position will become more acute. Reports from all parts of the country state that communications arc greatly interrupted. There are many washaways on the railways, disorganising traffic. Cessnock was flooded without warning. the waters rising s*j rapidly that residents barely had time to escape from their submerged homes. Tn one case the police had to swim 100 yards to rescue a family, whom they pulled into boats by ropes. Many miners, with their families, encamped in the garden suburb of North Stockton for the holidays, had to evacuate, as the tents were torn down by the cyclone which accompanied the floods. So far only one fatality is reported. An old man living in a tent at the foot of Liverpool Range, near Murrandi, was drowned while attempting to cross a flooded gully. Further floods and heavy gales are anticipated, and flood warnings have been issued in all parts of the country. RAIN EASES OFF FLOOD WATERS SUBSIDING JUBILATION IN QUEENSLAND Received Dec. 29. 9.40 p.m SYDNEY, Dee. 29. The rain has cased, but it is still showery. The whole State is soaked. The floods in tho Newcastle district submerged a large area of grass and [cultivation lands, doing heavy damage. The waters are now reported to be subsiding. Brisbane reports that bountiful ram has fallen over a large part of the State. Farmers and pastoralists are Jubilant at the break-up of the drought conditions. A thunderstorm visited Brisbane with a deluge of rain, which flooded low-lying suburbs, water invading many houses.