THE FLOOD IN THE DARLING.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 475, 28 May 1890, Page 6

THE FLOOD IN THE DARLING.

Late Sydney papers contain the following with reference to the Bourke floods: Many families are daily returning to Bourke and re-taking possession of their homes, which are damp and dirty. None are allowed to return by rail without a special permit. The streets are beginning to resume their wonted appearance, though the water is still lying about. In some places it is still 2fb deep. Gangs of men are employed by the Council to drain the water off where possible. Sturb-streetfromMitchell-street to Oxley-streeb has suffered most, owing to the very strong current which was running there. The metalled streets appear to have suffered very little. The Council has ordered six tons of lime as a disinfectant, which is badly needed. Trains now run bo within two and a-half miles of the town. There is very little employment yet offering, as it is impossible to do anything except remove the embankments and puinp out cellars, both of which are proceeding vigorously. It was reported to-day that the Warrego had risen again as high as ever. No damage is expected, as all the dams which stood the previous flood will probably again hold out. Forty-seven snakes were counted in one tank on the embankment. Many thousands must have been killed about Bourke alone.

The relief party despatched just a fortnight ago by the steamer Cato to rescue the families along the Culgoa and Bree Rivers has returned to North Bourke. The party travelled 650 miles in two weeks, rowing all but a short distance. They rescued Grant and his wife and children, and also one man who had been living on a stage up a tree for three weeks. He was found endeavouring to construct a boat on the stage to proceed to Brewarrina, 25 miles away, for assistance. He lived on some goats, which, he also succeeded in saving, keeping alive up another tree, 50 yards away from where the family found refuge. The party then proceeded across to look for L. Luscombe, who was found on a raft, with his wife and seven children. They had been camping in a tent on the raft for three weeks. The rescuers found a lad named Armstrong up a tree and rescued him. Shaw’s family were found all right; they were camped four miles out back. They were out of provisions. At Milroy three families were found, named John son, Twist, and Burrows, who were being supplied by the station with rations, though very short themselves. The rescued party visited Little’s, Short’s, and other leases, and found that no fatalities had occurred, but all were very short of provisions. All were supplied, and the party returned, having done good service, and undergoing plenty of hard work. The rescue party wore just in time to save the families named from the most serious consequences. The reports as to the loss of stock are rather vague yet, but it must be tremendous. Many homestead lessees, however, managed to save portions of their stock.