UNDER WATER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9693, 18 January 1910, Page 5

UNDER WATER.

FLOODS IN AUSTRALIA, WIDESPREAD DISASTER. WATER SLOWLY RECEDING. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright. Received January 17, 9.53 a.m. January 17. So rapidly was the rise of the flood at Tamworth that several hundred people were caught in their business places and cut off from food supplies for sixteen hours, many having to take refuge on the verandahs and roofs of the buildings. A number of sensational incidents and gallant rescues are reported. In the surroundintr districts thousands of sheep and large numbers of horses and cattle were drowned. The havoc wrought in the business portion of the town is immense. The scene at the height of the flood was indescribable. As the heavy debris was swept along, it smashed doors and windows, and stock was carried out of the shops in large quantities. The streets, as the waters subsided, were littered with turniture and stock-in-trade of all descriptions, and presented a remarkable appearance. The flood at Narrabri was the highest known. Large areas of the surrounding districts were submerged, causing widespread damage. Many settlers were compelled to leave their homes. Owners succeeded in getting most of their stock on the high ground before the worst came, At Gunnedah, the lower part of the town was hooded, some of the houses up to the eaves. The residents have taken refuge in public buildings. The country was a sea for ten miles round. Many residents spent the night on roofs and up,trees. Two men are reported missing. The township of Carroll was swept by the flood waters, and some houses were carried bodily away. Furniture and dead stock littered the rivers. The losses of stock in the district are believed to be heavyAt Narrabri and Mores the full extent of the damage is not known. Great tracts of country are inundated. At latest reports the waters were slowly receding. , Farmers along the valley country suffered severely. No further details have been received as to the reported drowining of four men at Moree. The damage to railways and roads in the flooded districts is heavy. There have been numerous washaways, and many bridges have been destroyed. Queensland telegrams report heavy rain and floods at Dalby. Received January 18, 12.20 a.m. SYDNEY, January 17. Railway traffic between Inverell and Moree is stopped, and will not be likely to be restored for some time owing to a collapsed bridge. The destruction of two other bridges blocked the line between Warialda and Bingara.

DROWNING ACCIDENT AT WEE WAA.

BIGGEST FLOOD ON RECORD. Received January 18, 1.20 a.m. SYDNEY, January 17. A wire has been received from Wee Waa, reporting that a boat had been capsized, arid a man named Grace and his wife and Mrs Chapman, their daughter, were drowned. It was the biggest flood on record. The telegraphic operator was then leaving the office, which the water was surrounding. Telegraphic communication has since become interrupted.