AUSTRALIAN FLOODS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 123, 22 February 1928, Page 11

AUSTRALIAN FLOODS

POSITION EASIER ENORMOUS DAMAGE IN CLARENCE VALLEY FIRE BREAKS OUT AT KEMPSEY The latest reports from Sydney indicate that the Hood position is easier and the weather is improving. Enormous damage is reported from Clarence Valley, where thousands of acres and crops have been ruined. A serious tire at Kempsey added to the horrors of the Hood. BY TELEGBAPH.-PRESS ASSOCIATION. Copyright. (Rec. February 21, 9.35 p.m.) Sydney, February 21. The rain has ceased and the weather is fine with the exception of the northern districts, where it is still unsettled and showery. The floods are receding and the worst danger is past excepting where large bodies of water from the upper reaches have still to be reckoned with. The railway services are being rapidly restored. Grafton estimates the damage along the Clarence Valley and adjoining districts at £750,000. The losses include £350,000 on the maize crop and £lO,OOO on sugar, cane. The Mayor is applying to the Government to assist in repairing the losses. The streets are still flooded and full of debris, and business is practicaliv at a standstill. People are busy cleaning up and repaying the damage. A cl'.ild died in the town, the burial ground was cut off by floods and the body and mourners had to be conveyed to the graveyard by boats. Heavy losses of pigs and cattle are reported throughout the district. In many places in the flooded areas families were cut off and had to live on snort rations till they were rescued. Some are still marooned on starvation rations.

Manv stories of narrow escapes and severe hardships have been received. The Bogan River invaded Nyngan. Wide areas are under water and a number of families are marooned. Relief boats have been sent from Sydney. The Premier, Mr. Bavin, has issued instructions to meet all urgent claims and to do the utmost to mitigate any suffering caused by the floods. FIRE BREAKS OUT AT KEMPSEY SHARP RISE IN SHEEP AND CATTLE PRICES Sydney. February 21. •At an early hour in the morning fire broke out at Kempsey in the Federal Stores. Owing to the flood in the streets the fire engines were unable to reach the blaze. J. Anderson and his wife, who live above the stores, were awakened by stones thrown on the roof, and barely escaped. Several other buildings were threatened. Anderson’s damage is estimated at £lO,OOO. At Kempsey the Macleay River is up 19 feet, and the worst flood for manv vears is feared. At Belhook, further up the river, the water is up 39 feet. All the residents have fled to the higher country. In manv parts of central Kempsey the water in the streets is five feet deep and still rising. Many shops with their contents are ruined. The flood conditions were responsible for the swift rise in the price of sheep and cattle at Homebush Sale Yards, Svdnev. The sheep market rose 10s. a" head and cattle are up £2 10s. a head The chairman of the Meat Board savs that prices will continue to rise till the roads are in a fit condition to permit stock to be brought to the railheads. THRILLING STORIES OF HEROISM SEVEN FATALITIES SO FAR REPORTED. Sydney, February 21. Flood reports from the south indicate that the water is receding in most parts and railway services are restored on all lines. The position in the north is still serious owing to the amount of water yet to come down the rivers. Heavy rain is still falling in the city, but the Meteorologist forecasts a return to fine weather. The restoration of the means of communication is bringing forth stories of ruin and devastation, heroism, thrilling escapes from swirling flood waters and the privations of isolated settlers. For several days the township of Ungarie was completely isolated. In one instance a settler’s wife and three children spent two days and a night on the rafters of their home ■ before being rescued. At Murwillumbah 33 inches of rain have fallen since the beginning of February. Serious landslides are reported at Numinbah.

The food shortage is becoming acute. No bread or other provisions have been received since Monday of last week. So far seven fatalities have been reported.