HOW BOURKE FELL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2048, 20 May 1890, Page 3

HOW BOURKE FELL.

The task of preserving the town of Bourke wna recognised as difficnlt, and its success must have seemed doubtfu! to many from the first. It is true that the floods in the interior of New Souh Wales move with such exceedingslownesß that the river only rises a few inches in a day, and that its height can be calculated for a considerable time beforehand. We ore generally accustomed to associate fbods with rushing torrents that leap down from the mountains to the sea after a heavy rainfall, working much damage as they pass, but rapidly disappearing. It is wholly dffarent however, in the level country of thß interior. The overflow there is the gradual result of the almost incessant tropical rains that have fallen over Queensland and part of New South Wales. All the tributaries coming to the Darling from both co'oniea have overspread their banks, the waters moving slowly across the level land in great sheets. There is no rapid torrent but what are we to say of a river almost twenty miles wide, that i 6 creating biliabongs and creeks nod lakes where tLere was formerly only parched up and barren land. There is no swift rush of waters carrying away buildings in a few mioutes, but the inundation rises inexorably and overflows into flourishing towns and saps the foundations of houses. And against this immense volume, washing against the embankment for days together, the people of Bourke, despite all their efforts, had no really adequate protection The embankment, which was hastily thrown up was composed of loose soil, through which the water easily found a way. The real hope of the inhabitants was that the floods would begin to Hubside before the inevitable result of this percolation took place. Had the embankment been properly puddled—had there been time to construct it in thorough fashion—they need have had very little fear. As it was, however, it is not surprising that the Bourke wall of earth ultimately collapsed.—Argus.