COMMONWEALTH CABLES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 9, 15 May 1913, Page 5

COMMONWEALTH CABLES.

[Hi Electric Telegraph.—Copyright] [ United Press Association.] Sydney, May 14. Iho gale continues. The live-masted schooner George E. Billings, from Puget Sound, is ashore on a sandbank at Botany Bay. Her position is not serious. A lire in the three-storeyed clothing warehouse of Malouf and Massoor, at Redfern, caused damage to the extent of £SOOO. Insurances on the building are £2OOO, and on the stock £ll,000. I The steering gear of the Balmain ferry boat Birkenhead was thrown out ol order by heavy seas in the harbor, and the vessel crashed into a jetty and drjfted into the fairway, where she sank. No passengers were aboard, and the crew of four were rescued. Despite the fact that it is only five doors from the Erskine Street Police Station, a shop belonging to Hughes, a tailor, was burglarised yesternight, and clothing, valued at £IOO, stolen. (Received 8.30 a.m.) Sydney, May 15. The storm continues. It is the heaviest for years, and a tremendous sea is running. Vessels arriving bear signs of having been severely buffeted. A number returned to port, while many are sheltering. The rain was widespread and torrential, over eight inches falling in the city, with other records heavier. The rivers are rising and big floods are feared. Wide areas in the lowlands are already under water and residents are moving. During the storm a hut collapsed at Waratah, and a man named O‘Donohue was killed. The Rugby League has fixed the following dates for the New Zealand teams matches:—Against New South Wales, June'7th, 9th, 21st, and 23rd; and New Zealanders will visit Brisbane, and play Queensland on June 14th and 18th.