FLOODS IN AUSTRALIA.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7262, 23 January 1889, Page 3

FLOODS IN AUSTRALIA.

MELBOURNE, Jaaaary 2.

Very heavy rain after a severethunderstorm fell yesterday throughout Victoria, South Australia and portions of Queensland and New South Wales. In many places a flood occurred, but no great amount of damage was done, and no life was lost except at Castlemaine, in Victoria, where the most disastrous flood since 1854 occurred, involving the loss of several lives and the destruction of thousands of pounds' worth of property. The rain descended in torrents until about .eight in the evening, when it was noticed that both the Forest and Barker's creeks were rising rapidly. The former was soon running bank high, and before those whose properties were contiguous to the creek could realise the situation the. stormwaters had spread until a foaming mass, of water, fully 300 yds in width, bearing with it poultry, pigs, domestic utensils, portions of fences and nouses, and the remains of bridges was rushing through the town. All the bridges between Castlemaine and Chewton have been destroyed, as also have most of those spanning Barker's Creek. It was reported at midnight that both Forest and Barker's Creeks were swollen rivers, and judging from the refuse brought down by each creek, numerous homes had been devastated. To add to the gloom and desolation, the local Gas Company's works had been completely flooded, and the darkness of the night was intensified by the absence of the ordinary light from this source. At the residence of Mr Philpotts, chemist, in Circular road, a most heart-rending scene occurred. Spending the holiday with the owner was a young woman named Mrs Matthews and her infant about a year old The flood waters entered the house, and Mrs Matthews got up on a table with the infant, when by some means the table overturned, and they fell into the water, which was about 4ft deep. Hearing the screams of the woman a young man, named Homer, went to the rescue and mother and child were taken to Dr. Wooley's residence, but although every means was tried to restore life, it was unavailing, and both died. At the Francis Ormond Company's mine, Chewton, two miners, named O'Connor and Den vers, were working in the mine when it became flooded, and both were drowned. Several other cases of death are rumored, but no positive information could be obtained till this morning.