N.S.W. FLOODS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1920, Page 4

N.S.W. FLOODS.

WHEAT CROPS SKRIOUSL* DAMAGED

LOSS OF MILLIONS.

HEAVY RAIN CONTINUES.

By Telecrapli.—Press Assn.—Copyrigl.

Received Dec, 12, 5.5 p.m. Sydney, Dec. 11,

Though the gale hais passed, incessant; but lig.ncr rain continues, and all sports have been abandoned everywhere. In the rain-swept areas the rivers are flooding, und much country is ender water. There are many railway wwhaways and traffic is dislocated.

Until the weather clears it is impossible to assess the damage to wheat) crops, but it is very serious, and possibly the loss will run into millions. Excepting in the Southern Riverina, ffbfth. up to the present has not suffered extensively, practically the whole of the wheat area has been swept. The southwest, central and north-west districts are Most affected. Almost everywhere the crops were tall, heavy and most promising, and consequently the tain and wind wrought greater havoc than if they had been lighter. Many thousands of acres were flattened badly and damaged, and if the rain continue* these crops will be completely spotted.

Latflr. Heavy rain fell throughout the night, and is still falling without the slightest indications of ceasing.

Resides the losses to crop#, there is serious damage to House property and business stocks, owing to leaky roofs and invading flood waters. ' The Bet Is moderating, and shipping is resuming, Incoming vessels report a rough time battling through Tieavy seas. Numbers of the country centres report floods and rivers rising. With water from the high reaches still to come down, the outlook is disquieting. Along the Hunter, around Newcastle and Maitland, miles of farm laiids were inundated. Latest news from the wheat areas is gloomy,

A SHIP WRECKED.

Received Dec. 13, 1.10 a.ra,

Sydney, Dec. 12.

A number of vessels which were stand ing off the port owing to rough «eaa have nw entered the harbor. All re' port leceh ing bad buffeting in the utorm.

'flu cnly shipping mishap reported is the piniill steamer Timaru, formerly a New Zealand collier, which was wracked tit .Jen-is Bay, en route from Hobart to Sydney. It is understood the crew are safe

With (ho exception of a short ipell during the afternoon, heavy driving lain fell ail day, and again is in full blast to-night. ,

The storm damage in the metropolitan area is not serious, chiefly in the form of leakages and overflows. News from the country is meagre, but the latest is more cheerful. Indications are for the rain clearing. The rivers are subsiding. The worst apparently has passed at , Newcastle, where the river is falling, and the people ate returning to their homes, Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.