The Queensland Floods.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIV, Issue 2894, 9 February 1893, Page 2

The Queensland Floods.

[per fkkss association. J

Toowoomba, February 8,

Queen street, Brisbane, is now free of water. Victoria bridge collapsed with a fearful crash on Sunday, shaking the build-'ngs in the vicinity as if an earthquake had occurred. Nothing is left to mark the site of the structure. South Brisbane is in a terrible state, and on'y 25 houses are left standing in Stanley street which is one stretch of ruin. At Kangaroo Point families clung tenaciously to their belongings, but they were eventually forced to flee for their lives losing all their possessions. Rescuing parties are at work day and night, Many families are living in boats covered with sails; while less fortunate ones are sheltered behind logs and timber. There having been great destruction amongst live stock the stench from the carcases lying in all directions is terrible. A portion of the residents in Oxley were in a critical condition for some tiiua, but a torpedo boat towing a whaleboat conveyed them provisions and rendered them assistance. The Botanical Gardens are a complete wreck. The names of those drowned so far as is known are Messrs Power, Gray, Ray, and Rankio,

(Receivsct February 9, 11.50 a.m.) Toowoomba, Feb. 9. M*ny exciting scenes occurred in Brisbane during the flood. A number of women were rescued scantily clothed, and carried tQ high ground where they camped under verandahs. The wailing of wqinen and children and crjes of distressed animals could be heard over the noise caused by the roaring river ; The steamer Belle broke away frpra her moorings, and after she rounded Kangaroo Point a crash was heardj and it is feared the vessel sank with her crew of four hand?. £ t Sandgate, immense quantities of debris, including portions of houses, are coming ashore. Two men named Keogh and Young, were

drowned, m& several others are known to hay? been losi, but their names are not obtanu* IMamage'in North alone will reach hundred? of tho^an4s of pounds, Over one hundred houses were washed down the river within an hour, tjeing shivered to pieces a$ they collided with Victoria bridge. 3£any haye been made that huoian beings wejfe gashed dovn the river ciinging tQ wreckage and if correct all o»ust haye perished, A i»ft» and womaii werp t»en o» the roof of ft n°use, which capsiszed »t a bend in the river, aud both were drowned. The authorities b»v« «8r cured all the disinfectants in Brisbane, and gangs of men are employed removing the deposit of mud from the streets. The same tales of disaster come f ronj vhp outside districts to the southward of Xtookkajnpton. The whole eastern portion of the coio^y is almost ljjterally under water. Late last night it ip-as that fifteen bodies bad been fou#4 ;in Fanby street, so#th Brisbane. AJI t,he njiues in MonklaiKi are flooded, and the estimated, damage is £200,090,