QUEENSLAND FLOODS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 January 1917, Page 5

QUEENSLAND FLOODS.

LATER DETAILS. Anstralian-N.Z. Cnblo Association. Brisbane, Jan. 3. Sixty-two bodies have boon recovered at Clermont. Tho grcu(est d'isfri'Ss prevails. Many people are homeless, and some arc sheltering at the convent. Looting commenced immediately the flood subsided, but was sternly suppressed. Three men are awaiting sentence. Telegrams received by .the Railway Department indicate that, the floods extend ovoi the whole of (he great northern system, not only in the coastal region, but the middle area hetween t barters Towers and Hughcnden, and the country 500 miles west of C'loncnrry was visited. Light rain commenced at niid-dav on Wednesday. It became heavy at 'sundown and was torrential throughout the night. A constable warned the residents in the low-lying parts that tliu creek was overflowing, but only a few moved dcross the lagoon before daylight. The water rose with unprecedented rapidity, reaching the lagoon bridge before .seven, and it is believed the first two fatalities then occurred. A man who attempted to reach the bridge was swept down the stream and Stock Inspector Young, who rode down and attempted to cross, met with the same fate. An hour later the clubhouse and courthouse were swept away. The flood rose so rapidly that none were able to cross from the 'flat to the south side within thirty minutes after the water first appeared in the street. Meanwhile residences on the creek flat fared badly, houses and families being hurled along bodily. Many were drowned, but others .vere rescued from roofs and trees. The terrible current eontir.ued to sweep through the town until Sunday, gradually demolishing property until Clermont was almost unrecognisable. Miners are providing rescue parties and special constable?. Owing to shortage, food supplies were commandeered and a relief system has been organised. The weather is now clearing. HEAVY LOSSES. PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FURTHER FLOODS.' received .Jan. I). X.iO p.m. Brisbane, .lan, 3. All the northern railways have been da magi d by the floods, and there is a general dislocation of traffic. During the past. week there was an average of seventeen indie? of rain. In the Mackay district it is estimated tlmt, owing to tiie floods, 1(10,000 tons of cane, equal to 10,000 tons of sugar, will not be worth harvesting. Losses of live stock in the flooded districts are extremely heavv. Rescue parties are out, and numbers of people, marooned in trees and elsewhere, have been rescued. A big body of water is coming down the Eraser River and is expected to reach Rockliampton in a daj .<r two. Precautions are being taken against flood,, and all residents in low-lying districts are packing. WATERS AG AIX RISING. Received Jan. 4, 12.35 a.m. Brisbane, Jan. .1. There are no further letaiis from Claremont, save that the losses 'ire heavy. Rains are falling, and the flood i waters again rising.