Wind and Rain Storm.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 48, 18 June 1914, Page 5

Wind and Rain Storm.

FIERCEST FOR YEARS. ON LAND AND SEA. [By Elbotbio Teligbapf- Oopybight] [United Press Association. 1 Sydney, June 17. Rain has ceased, but a strong south* easterly gale continues. There art mountainous seas on the coast and vessels arriving were severely buffeted in last night's storm, which was the fiercest for years. The wind reached a velocity of sixty miles an hour. Many houses in the city and suburbs were unroofed and damaged. Considerable havoc was caused by flood waters in low-lying districts, and to geods through broken roofs and windows and submerged basements. A partially-erected factory at Alexandria was dismantled, the damage amounting to £IOOO. Two picture palaces in course of erection at Kensington and Bondi were wrecked. Surf sheds at the various resorti suffered severely from the high seas. A girl at Arncliff was blown into a pond, but was rescued. The gale was particularly severe at Newcastle, gusts attaining a velocity of eighty miles an hour. Ten vessels broke away from their moorings, and four went aground.;: Many houses were unroofed and damaged. Coal loading and the collieries have stopped. The coastal steamer Novelty is ashore at Swansea, and is likely to become » total wreck. The crew landed safely. During the storm two and a-quar-ter inches of rain fell in Sydney. A* remarkable feature was the suddenness with which the storm rose and d»veloped. Several vessels dragged their anchors in the harbor, but excepting the wrecking of some oil launches, they escaped damage. Telegraphic communication is dislocated, including a temporary stoppage of the La Perouse line. Country districts so far reported have suffered considerably. There wer« heavy snowfalls on the high lands, and several Blue Mountain trains were badly delayed by the snow. Many vessels are sheltering, but others are standing off Newcastle and other harbors, being unable to ent«r on acocuut of the high seas. The Riverina, which arrived tonight, did not pass the heads, but anchored down the harbor, owing to the storm. There is a tremendoit sea outside. THE GALE CONTINUES. (Received 9.35 a.m.) * Sydney, June 18. The gale continues. No steamer* left the port last night.