ENORMOUS DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1929, Page 5

ENORMOUS DISASTER

TASMANIAN FLOOD.

ENORMOUS IN EXTENT

TWENTY-FIVE LIVES LOST.

.MUCH DAMAGE DONE

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

GISBORNE, April 8. Melbourne broadcasts on Saturday night stated the Tasmanian Hoods hail proved tile most disastrous in the history of the State. Northern Tasman,an raids and railways are submerged .mil innumerable bridges were swept away The damage amounted to hundreds of thousands of pounds. Three thousand people are homeless in the •sii .urbs oi Inveresk and Ilivermay, and many more are still in danger. There are grave fears lor further loss, a.s torrential rain is still falling. The Tasman was in record Hood and the wharves were four feet under water, limi-es were vacated in the afternoon and inundated to the tops of the walls. The State Electric Power Works lias been disabled and the city is without light and power. The railways are at a standstill. The lines in some places are nine feet under water. Many families are maro.ned on the tops of houses. Rescue is difficult a.s motor boats are required. Country crops are ruined and many thousands of stock perished. When the State Electric Works were put out of action the old Municipal hydro plant was called upon, but the rising Hood soon rendered it- impossible to work. The men in charge had a narrow escape. A suspension bridge was destroyed, hanging by a single wire. A close watch was kept of Longford Railway Bridge connecting Launceston with Ramie. King’s bridge connecting the city with the suburb of Trcvcllyn has boon closed to traffic, water rushing through the top-most arch. A committee of prominent citizens are organising the supply of food and clothing to the homeless who arc housed in schools and halls. The steamer Koranui swung across the wharf and was in danger for some time, but eventually was secured. The Rowing Club s shed was swept down the Tamar. The bowling pavilion at Royal Park was turned completely round, and tjlie cattle jetty has given away. To-night the city is in darkness. The Tamar expanded to a width hitherto unknown. Sunday night’s- broadcasts stated in the northern districts communication by road and railway is a tiling ol the past. The restoration will involve heavy expenditure. Communication between Launceston and Buruie is suspended. The death roll totals 2d. A later message supplied by the “Examiner” said the receding ol the flood wators only served inure clearly to show the havoc wrought. At low. tide water was pouring from the badly submerged suburbs of Inveresk and Invennay. Thousands arc homeless. The people in the city responded splendidly to an appeal for help. The ketch “Linda” which with several other small vessels was swept down tne river, is believed to be sunk. Many yachts were lost. The city to-night (Sunday) is without light, power and gas. Stanley, manager of Avoca tin mine, with two children is missing, and fl is feared they are drowned. Five of the eiy;ht bodies of persons in a car which plunged into a torrent, have been recovered. Railway traffic between Launceston, Hobart and Burne is suspended indefinitely. Melbourne “Argus” states that the Lord Mayor of Melbourne made an urgent appeal for funds. The Electrolytic Tin Company have subscribed a- thousand pounds.

FURTHER DETAILS. (Received this day at 9.25. a.m.) HOBART, April S. Thousands of residents of Launceston and suburbs are homeless. There were many narrow escapes irom drown_ ing. Alarms were sounded on Saturday night. The city became alive, cars carrying the people to salety. Ihe terrors of the night were added to ny heavy rain. The city was in total darkness. Some people were completely marooned. The tops of houses are visible in some parts, the furniture floating everywhere. Potato ciops in Burma District were washed out ant. a disorganisation of the market is expected. All sailings from .Melbourne are cancelled.

DAMAGE GREATER THAN

EXPECTED

(Received this dav at 10 a.m.) HOBART, April 8

Further nows concerning the Tasmanian floods as a result of torrential rains shows the damage is greater than anticipated. At liiverinay, near Launceston, one hundred people were driven from their homes, and many dwellings were submerged. Tim town of Longford was surrounded bv water. Rowing boats were plying in Launceston streets.

There is heavy damage to crops. South Esk river is fifty-two feel above normal.

Road and railway bridges were swept away and the railway station was washed away.

DAMAGE £750.000. HOBART, April 8. Last night the country was swept by

a terrific gale. A moderate estimate places the damage to property at £<oo,000. A party motoring to a dance near ltnrnie was thrown into the livei when ~ bridge collapsed. All l»ut the driver were drowned. Tt is feared ten lives were lost. Stanley (Manager of Henhury tin mine), with his wile and' two children are missing, and are believed to have been drowned. The Tasmanian Premier has sent an urgent appeal for assistance to the Prime Minister, asking him to call the Federal Parliament together to discuss the matter.