HURRICANE AND FIRES IN N.S.W.
(New South Wales experienced one of the most extraordinary and damaging gales ever known in the state on Sunday. At 2 p.m. the velocity was 63 miles an hour which is only one mile less than tho record for Australia. It was reported that over 40 houses were completely’ destroyed at Woy Woy.
Patagona, a popular seaside resort; was a mass of roaring flames. Late on Sunday night at least 100 homes had been des- troyed with^nost of their contents. There was a fierce outbreak of fire at Middle Head where several houses were burned down. A pall of black smoke covered the harbour and all picnickers were driven off the beaches which were infested with millions of insects and spiders driven out of the woods by the flames.
