TORRENTIAL RAIN

Southland Times, Issue 21099, 3 June 1930, Page 7

TORRENTIAL RAIN

NEW SOUTH WALES CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE CAUSED FARMERS SWIM TO SAFETY (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright) Sydney, June 2. A cloudburst over Kangaroo Valley on the south coast caused widespread damage. Long stretches of the permanent way have been washed out, due to flood water and landslides. Rail traffic has been disorganized and crops have suffered heavily. Several settlers had narrow escapes. Serious floods are feared. Telegraph poles were carried away, and cattle sent hurtling down the gorges by the force of the storm waters. The homes of two farmers were cut off by eight feet of water, and as it was still rising they took a desperate chance and swam with their womenfolk to safety. Two feet of water flooded Picton and Warwick Farm. Three hundred cars were trapped in three feet of water, and the motorists were carried off in boats. There is a brighter side of the storm, however, as the soaking rains inland will mean millions of pounds to primary producers. The State has been waiting for many months for such rain, which covers the whole of New South Wales. The north coast received very heavy falls, and floods are likely in the far northern rivers. John James, aged 17, was swept from his horse when crossing a covered bridge on the Tweed and was drowned. Sydney experienced a particularly wild night. A cyclone is raging off the coast. SHIPPING CASUALTIES HIGH SEAS OFF AUSTRALIA. PARTY OF FOUR MISSING. Sydney, June 2. High seas along the coast seriously interfered with the shipping. A launch was wrecked off Amity Point, Stradbroke Island, and two members of a fishing party were drowned. The auxiliary schooner Joseph Sims is a total loss on Passage Island in the Flinders Group. The crew are safe aboard.

Another vessel, a fishing yawl, ran ashore at Botany Bay and the three occupants donned lifebelts and swam through the breakers. They were exhausted upon reach-, ing the shore.

Grave fears are entertained for the safety of two. men and two women comprising a fishing party which left Newport in a small launch. It is feared that they have been swept to sea.