HURRICANE DISASTER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1691, 7 March 1906, Page 2

HURRICANE DISASTER.

MUCH DEVASTATION. HOMELESS FAMILIES. By telegraph, Preso Ass’n, Copyright Brisbane, Match 6. The hurricane at Croydon was the worst ever experienced. It struck tho town early on Sunday morning, and raged furiously for eleven hours, demolishing buildings in all directions, and leaving scarcely a place in the town or suburbs undamaged. Throughout the gale rain fell in blinding sheets. The streets and houses wero flooded, adding to the miseries of the suffering people. The Palace hotel, a fine two storeyed structure, was unroofed. All outhouses were demolished.

The Church of England was shifted bodily 12 feet off its blocks, and the Catholic Church completely wrecked 4_,cottage occupied by Heel, one of Jthe proprietors of the Croydon Repprd, suddenly gaye way, settling dqwn in a • complete ruin. The whole of ■Peel's family were inside, and had a miraculous .escape. Many other small buildings in the same locality were demolished. The Queen’s hotel and Salvation Army barracks were completely wrecked. Many humpies on the outskirts of the town were scattered over the landscape. The Bank of New South Wales lost its roof.

This only gives a faint description of the damage done. Every house was Hooded. Many families are homeless. The town hall and' courthouse were thrown open last night, and blankets provided for homeless families. The mining township of Golden Gate also suffered, but not so severely as Croydon. Its three hotels were destroyed.

It is impossible at present to estimate the damage, which will probably reach twenty thousand pounds. The weather is still squally. Telegraphic communication has not been fully restored.

Later.—Torrential rains have fallen in the Far West. The 'rivers are in high fjood, and are rising. Large stretches of country are under water. The mail service is disorganised, and is unable to reach several townships. Townsville and Barcaldine report that the railway has been damaged in several places by floods. Traffic is delayed. All goods have been removed from the wharves, in anticipation of a big inundation. A gale is raging on the coast.