QUEENSLAND FLOODS.

GALES ON THE COAST.

A STEAMEIt MISSING.

Bkisbane, January 11. The rain ceased last night. The river is still, lising rapidly.

Caiins and Townsville are threatened by flood.

Railway communication is interrupted in several directions.

Tha river continues to rise several inches an houi" and is expected to reach the level of the 1890 flood. Ths psopls of South Brisbane are quitting their boufces. There are heavy gales on ths coast. The steamer Rjb Roy, from Brisbane to R:ckhainptoa, is missing.

The steamer Rtnelagh anchored in the sea reach at Buvaetb Head. The ar-cbora dragged, and tk« ye&sel is now ashore on the recks, Hvr poairion is dangerous unless the sea moderates. Jatusiy 11. The flood ia expected to reach its fall height to-morrow. Preparations are being m&da for a big flood. At Maryborough the low part of the town is inundated. The water js 4£fc high in the Grand Hotel, the whpivss are submerged, ayd shops and r'csiUe!.c?s ia the probable flood area have been cleared. A largo hole is siiovc ia in the engine room of the steamsr Ranslsgh, bub the bulkheads are holding, and she is anchored in a good position. Hundreds of bouses in Sonfch Brisbuits aie flooded, and the residents have fled. The river is etill rising rapiSly. At 12 o'clock thismorniag boats wtre ieicuicg and coßvayicg people about tbe streets. The Ranelagh'a passengers are saJe. The ■water filled the engine room in a couple of minutes*. The'er gineers and firemen reached th<3 deck with difficulty. '

At South Brisbane this roornfeg pitiable scenes were wions&sec?, the houses standing 3fs under. The loss is nob so great; as ai; tbe last flood owieg to timely wainisg.

The flood invaded North Brisbane to-day. All the low-lying parts between Baliraba and Breakfast Creek are inundated. '

Tbe steamer Merria Esgland broke from her mooniags at Garden Reach and drifted down to Lyltoa before sbe was polled up. The riyer is close to 1800 level. Two persons are reported, to have been drowsed at Toowor.g.

January 31. Tha latest op-river reports state that the water has began to fall.

At Brisbane it is stationary.

The victims of the Toowong drowning were a father s.nd son, named Back. They attempted to drive a dray through the flood. The father's body has been recovered.

At Ipswich all tbe lower streets were submerged. There was 6Cfc o£ water in ths Congregational Church and ia the S andard newspaper office.

A man is believed to have been drowned at Milton. Tr?.in traffic is almost suspended. The Ranelagh has settled down on the rocks, and a strong current has given her a considerable list. Her position is dangerous The river h«s reached within lft of the 1890, level. It is expected ifc will be clear of the streets to-morrow. Two men sleeri-jg in the buildings at the public baths are believed to have been swept away to sea and drowced. January li. Ths two men who were reported as drowned in the baths are now believed to be safe.

The missing steamer Rob Roy has arrived. She had been shelterit g.

Railway communication is now being restored, but there is an extensive .washaway between Bandaberg and Gladstone, and traffic there is stopped.

January 15. Three more victims o£ tha flood are reported. Two men were larking on the railway bridge at Woogaroo Creek, aud one (Murrer) fell into the water and was drowsed. A fireman (Monaghan) on the steamer Eob Roy fell overboard at Rockhauopton in the height of the flood ; and a child was drowned at Canal Creek.