DISASTROUS FLOODS.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 672, 10 May 1870, Page 4

DISASTROUS FLOODS.

From late files of New South Wales papers we take the following incidents of the most severe floods hitherto known in that colony. At Singleton it is reported the highest flood ever witnessed by a white man is now subsiding, it having just receded a foot. The people did not appea^ to become apprehensive until dark on Sunday last, when the water broke over in the highest parts of John street. The rise was most unprecedentedly rapid, and by daylight there were not more than seven or eight houses out of water, .md these only about Gin to spare. Among the number so situated were the telegraph office, Caledonian Hotel, the Royal, the court house, and the public school ; all of which were thrown open to the flooded-out. The mechanics' institute, although having eight or nine inches of water in the first floor, had a number of persons in it. In the agricultural locality known as Scott's Flats, several settlers' houses were said to be completely submerged. No lives are as yet reported as lost, although two or three families are believed to be on the roofs of their houses. The destruction of property, especially in perishable Btores and provisions, is reported to be very extensive. The ballast and embankment of the railway between here and Larnach's Creek have been much washed away in several places, and consequently the train from Muswellbrook will not pass Singleton for several days. It came hence as far as the bridge, but could not reach the station, and returned without delivering the mails. On the 30th April, at noon, the river Hunter, at Maitland, was 31ft 9in above the ordinary level. There cannot be a doubt that the flood is general all over the northern district, and that its effects will be felt for some time to come. Tho majority of the farmers who suffered by the flood a month ago had returned to their land, as the water receded, and by begging and borrowing, had scraped together sufficient to enable them to commence operations afresh newly sown has been again destroyed ; household utensils and stock swept away, and hundreds of families rendered destitute a second time ■within a period of a few weeks. Even should the weather hold up now, the flood has done all the damage it is possible for ittodo. At Murrurundi the flood reached its highest point on Sunday morning. Mr Newman, solicitor, abandoned his house on Saturday night. Dr. Richards and family took refuge at Dr. Gordon's, whose housewas far above the highest flood ever known. At 2 o'clock Dr. Gordon and seven young children were hunted out in their night-dresses with D*. Richards' family ; the wind howling, the water roaring, and the screaming of people caused a fearful scene. Mr Newman has lost everything ; some of his furniture was picked up miles away, destroyed. Mr Britton, his wife, and thirteen persons were on the roof of their house all night, the water within 4ft of them. The bridges and culverts are swept away, and if the flood continues the telegraph office and half the town must go.