QUEENSLAND HURRICANE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8060, 7 March 1906, Page 3

QUEENSLAND HURRICANE.

EXTKNSIA'E DAMAGE. Bhisuvxk, March 0. The hurricane at Croydon was the worst ever experienced. It struck the 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, streets and houses being flooded, ad Jiug to the miseries and suffering. The Palace Hotel, n line twostore/ structure, was unroofed and all the outhouses demolished. The Queen's Hotel and Salvation Army barracks were completely wrecked. Many humpies on the outskirsts of the town were scattered over the landscape. The Bank of New South 'Wales lost its roof. Every home was flooded, and many families are homeless. The Town Hall and Court House were thrown opeu last night, and blankets provided for the homeless families. Golden Gate also suffered, but not so severely as Croydon. Three hotels were destroyed. A cottage occupied by Mr Heal, one of the proprietors of the Croydon " Record," suddenly gave way, settling down into a complete ruin. The whole of Mr Real's family were inside, and had a miraculous escape. It is impossible •lo estimate the damage. It will probably reach £20,000.

There arc torrential ruins iu the Far West, and llie rivers are iu liigli Hood, and still rising. Lurge stretches of country are under waler. Towusvillc and Bircaldine report the railway daiutjcd iu several places by the (1 lot's. Traffic is delayed. All goods have been removed to the w'uarves in a*itieip.it:o i of a bis iliuud itiou. A gale is raging on the co ast.

HEAVY' JiATA' CONTINUES. BIG FLOOD EXPECTED. .Received 6, 11.37 p.m. Bbisuanii, March 0. Many stations tfOport a continuance of the heavy rain. Traffic on the Charters TowersHugbcndcn liuc is delayed by Hoods. The Kiehinond lioe is under water in many places, and a couple of wasbaways have occurred. A train was derailed,.but no one was injured. Wiuton reports rivers and creeks runuiug bank high. A big Hood is expected.