DEVASTATING FLOODS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 464, 19 April 1890, Page 5

DEVASTATING FLOODS.

SELECTORS RUINED., THOUSANDS OF SHEEP DROWNED. TOWNSHIPS INUNDATED. ISLANDS COVERED WITH VERMIN. News is to hand regarding most disastrous floods in Australia. The river Darling was reported to have risen 39 feet at Bourke, with the result that the surrounding country was inundated. At Louth the river rose 41 feet, and at Walgett the flood spread for 25 miles, the water being five feet deep all over the town. The flood reached its height last Tuesday night. The losses in stock were considerable, bub so far no lives have been lost. Thirtytwo people were surrounded by the flood eight miles from Walgett and a boat was sent to their assistance. From 150 to 200 people are rendered homeless and have to depend upon charity for subsistence. At Bourke strenuous efforts are being made to complete the embankment of the river, it is being faced with galvanised iron. Residents are also engaged banking in their premises. North Bourke Bridge is some feet under water, and most of the women and children have been sent away, as tho greatest anxiety prevails. At Surat the river was 12 feet over the bridge, (and at St. George it rose six inches in the houses. The township of Maglover was three feet under water and at Kallara tho river rose 38 feet. At Goodooga the flood was at a standstill last Wednesday. It is higher than that of ISG4 in the Culgea and Narran. Sheep are all safe at Brenda, Dennan and Dumble. The waters of the Culgo, Biree, Bokhara and Narran Rivers have all joined, leaving islands which are covered with myriads of scorpions, centipedes, and some snakes. No loss of life is reported, although many families have been flooded out.

Incalculable damage has been caused down the Mclntyre. A well-known station lost 60,000 sheep, 10,000 at Coppymurrimbilla, 20,000 at Tulhoona, and nearly all the selectors on the Merriwah and Boggabilla have lost all the sheep they possessed. At Goodwindi the river reached three feet above the highest previous flood level, that of 1864. Many dwellings in the lower part of the town were completely covered. No lives are reported as lost. At Mogil the proprietor of the hotel has taken up his quarters in the loft of the stable. The flood is six feet higher than that of 1886.