AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 October 1927, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association. FLOOD DAMAGE. MELBOURNE. Oct. 4. In some places Hoods in Anna A alley and Oippsland are receding. In others there arc fears of serious damage. Many reports are received ol narrow escapes fom death. At Hoy field, a youth was drowned while rounding up some horses. Serious losses are expected among stock and sheep which only recently were rescued from drought stricken country. At Y.illourn, an old State coal mine was flooded and operations ceased. A'arra, Latrobe and MeC'allister Rivers arc rising rapidly. At Traralgoti tire country is covered to a depth ol four feet. Many bridges were washed away and in tho timber country tramlines aro destroyed.

VINE AND FRUIT CROP. SYDNEY, Oct. I. The season continues very backward, persistently cold weather retarding the growth. Recent frosts and heavy falls ol snow along the Afurray A alley have done immense damage in the winegrowing and fruit areas, both in New South AVales anil Victoria, including large blocks of .soldier settlements. The first estimate was that fifty to ninety per cent, of the wine crops were destroyed, hut a later estimate hv the Irrigation Commission holds out tho hope that a lot of vines and tree fruits at first thought destroyed, can he revived by extra irrigation, which it has been decided to give them. At host, however, the wine and dried fruit output will he seriously affected.