FLOODS IN VICTORIA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 179, 21 August 1909, Page 2

FLOODS IN VICTORIA.

UNPRECEDENTED RAIN AND STORMS, SEVERAL KILLED AND DROWNED. SOME EXCITING*EXPERIENCES. TOWNS UNDER WATER. GREAT LOSS OK STOCK AND PROPER Y.

By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright Melbourne. August 20.

Floods have caused numerous railway washaways and dislocated traffic. An unprecedented rain and wind storm was experienced at Ballarat. The low-lying parts are submerged whilst numerous buildings cither collapb'ed or were damaged. Hie Doveton Woollen Mills were unroofed, the damage being estimated at several hundreds of pounds. A house occupied by the Odgers family was wrecked. Mrs. Odgers was crushed to death and her husband and daughter were injured. Wormaid's house collapsed and Mrs'. Wormaid was injured. Numerous narrow escapes from flying debris are reported. Late last night the bridge between Clunes and Talbot was washed away.

An engine and several trucks toppled into the creek but nobody was killed. An ambulance has' been dispatched to the scene.

Heavy floods also occurred in the Bendigo district. At BarwonPark, Mrs. Ferry, wife of tlu> manager of the estate, and a girl nam -l Currie were drowned while trying t» < wape in n boat. The man in charge m" the boat had a narrow escape. A terrific thunderstorm also swept over Inglewood. The waters of the river are flowing in the main street and many residences are inundated; It is the biggest flood that has been experienced for 40 years in the Avoca River.

Hoorong Vale is under water and many people have left their houses. • Maryborough, SVichclsea, Weddcrhurn. Yarrawonga and Castlemaine all report high floods and portions of the townships being under water. Great losses of stock and poultry and much damage to crops are feared as the result of the violent thunderstorm.

In Melbourne the Streets are deluged and several low-lying suburbs arc flood-

The express from Adelaide was detained at Ballaraf overnight, the journey being unsafe owing to the washaways, and telegraphic service being disorganised.

IMMENSE DAMAGE. Received 20, 5.5 p.m. Melbourne, Last Night. The driver and fireman on the Clunes train were injured -when she topfcd| into the creek. Two passenger ars were attached, containing about 30 people, but the piling up of the trucks preceding tlic'm prevented the t3"liages falling, into the creek. The pa .- sengers suffered from shock. It is reported that a dredge containing four men, at Oastlemaine, waß washed away.

Reports' are coming to hand from all parts showing that immense damage was done by the storm and floods. Many buildings have been wrecked.

THE LATEST. RIVERS IN A CRITICAL CONDITION. GREAT LOSSES FEARED. Received 21, 0.35 a.m. Melbourne, August 20. All the rivers are in a critical condition. Great losses are feared. The Flemington racecourse is three feet under water. The floods at Gcelong are the heaviest for years. Railway traffic is disorganised.

The "Englishmen's Home" theatrical company, journeying to Sydney to catch the Moann, was held up by the floods. The New Zealand tour has been postponed for the present. The township of Neivstead was flooded. The Lodden river rose with great rapidity. The Newstead Hotel was washed into the middle of the street and wrecked. Many of the houses there are seven feet under water.

HUGE HAIL STONES. Received 21, 0.35 a.m. Sydney, August 20. A violent hailstorm was experienced at. Broken Hill. The hail was thi"e inches/ in circumference, some pieces weighing half a pound.