TERRIFIC CYCLONE IN QUEENSLAND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1514, 23 March 1887, Page 3

TERRIFIC CYCLONE IN QUEENSLAND.

Via Melbourne, under dato March 16, news comes from Burketown, m the Gulf of Carpentaria, of a fearful cylone of a kind which i 3 not unfrequently reported from tho States, and which did very serious drinnge, and caused the loss of seven lives m all. It occurred on Saturday, March sth, when about ten o'clock m the morning a terrific cyclone commenced blowing, accompanied by heavy rain from the i:\iS. The wind gradually increased m violence till 2.30 o'clock m tho afternoon, when fearful destruction commenced. The river rose two feet m half an hour, and ultimately reached a height of eight feet above the summer level. 'I he storm continued for twelve hours, and every building m the town was more or less destrojed, except the Customs and Court-houses, some being completely wrecked. In spite of all efforts two women, two children, and a Chinaman perished. The loss of houses and stock was very treat. Telegraph poles were Bmashed like matches, and the whole of the line was seen 1 1 be totally destroyed I as far as it is possible to travel alonsi it The Post and Telegraph Office was wrecked, but the instruments and mails were saved by the Postmaster at great personal risk. Many distressed families havo been succoured by the Postmaster and the sergeant of police, aud great hospitality was shown to many Biiflierers by the manager of tho Queensland Bank Many of tho btisiness people aro hopelessly ruined. Tho loss to Messrs Aplin and Mrown is variously esimated at from £12,000 to £20,000 Two men with a team perished on the road.