THE FLOODS IN VICTORIA.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 7, 9 January 1889, Page 2

THE FLOODS IN VICTORIA.

A Picture of Desolation

A Chinese C;oji_> Swept Away.

The area of the Hood in Castlemaine was of many miles' extent. The district presented a picture of desolation. Fortunately, the first Hood occurred in daylight. It was thought afc first; thafc tbe Expedition Pass Reservoir had given way. The residents in the vicinity of Mount Alexandra state that a tremendous body of water poured down the Ranges. Unfortunately, the bed of Forest Creek through Chewton to Castlemaine was almosb silted up with the debris of sluicing claims, so that the water could not find its natural channel. Afc Chewton the Francis Ormond Mine was the scene of much excitement. Denis and O'Connor, tiie miners who were drowned in the mine, were engaged in sinking a shaft when the flood waters poured down. Tiie shafts are full of water. It will he some days before the bodies can be recovered. Denis was a married man with a young family, and O'Connor was a widower with five children. Ab Vaughan the Chinese camp, except one horse, was swept away. Five Chinese are missing. Three of the bodies were recovered. At Guildford tlie loss is estimated at not less than £150,000, The rainfall in Melbourne since Monday was 2in. The rain appears to have been pr'et by general all over the colony. Heavy falls ate recorded from several districts. Considerable damage was done to the railway lines in various parts, but ifc was quickly repaired by gangs of workmen.