ANOTHER CYCLONE IN QUEENSLAND

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 67, 19 March 1918, Page 2

ANOTHER CYCLONE IN QUEENSLAND

(FROM OUR OWN COKRBSPONDENT.)

SYDNEY, 13th March,

The hot season of 1918 is proving most fruitful in cyclones. There is still devastation in and around Mackay, as the result of the violent storm which struck that prosperous town a, few weeks ago. The Federal Government this week decided to recoup the sugar-growers In this district; and now there is an appeal circulating on behalf of hundreds of homeless families in and around Mackay. Soon after, a cyclonic storm struck Brighton, a suburb of Melbourne, and did great damage, and caused two deaths.

Since then, there have been several warnings of cyclones, including announcements which gave Sydney residents a chilly feeling-along the spine; but the unwelcome visitors have .generally whirled themselves out over the sea. This week, however^ the Weather Bureau's warning of a cyclone approaching the North Queensland coast was justified. The wind stpusk the coast on Monday night, and did much damage. One person was killed and 17 injured. The whole of the coast from Tow.nsville .north-wards was affected, but the full force of the cyclone struck the township of Babinda, 'about 36 miles from Cairns, and practically wiped it out. It is- a sugar-growing centre of about 800 people. When the gale was done with it, only five houses, and a portion of the State hotel, were left standing. A Chinaman was killed by the collapse of his cottage, and 17 injured persons were taken to hospital for treatment. The railway buildings -were blown over, and the telephone and telegraph lines are down for miles in every - direction. As a result, communication is difficult, and only a few details are available.

Reports from many points along the coast show the fury of the storm. Much property was ftamageq at Mount Garnet, where the gale lasted for- eight hours. Mount Cardwell jetty was destroyed, and the streets of Herberton are strewn with debris.