SHOCKING LOSS OF LIFE AT BALLARAT.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1099, 9 November 1869, Page 3

SHOCKING LOSS OF LIFE AT BALLARAT.

(Fromthe "Melbourne Telegraph.") One of those sudden climatic transitions which are, unfortunately, of too frequent occurrence in the colony, is just now being experienced throughout its area. The drought, which was lately experienced to such an extent as to lead to the offering up public prayers for its cessation, has given place to floods such as have not been experienced for very many years past. At Melbourne, the Yarra is unable to carry off the storm of waters, and serious damage is threatened. From the country we hear of frightful disasters. On inquiry of the Government astronomer, Mr. Ellery, we were informed by that gentleman, with his uniform courtesy, that the rains appeared to have been general along trie coast line, at least from Adelaide to Cape Shanck, as every station intermediate between these points reported a continuous fall. The amount which fell, as registered at the Observatory, from Saturday morning to Sunday morning, amounted to 2in., and up to 9 p.m. yesterday it had reached 2*98 in., making a total fall since Jan. 1 of 19.98 in. The height of the River Murray has been telegraphed from the following places :—Swan Hill, 10ft. 2in.; Echua, 16ft.; Wahgunyah, 16ft. llin.; Albury, lift.; Hay, lift. The rain was general throughout Victoria. It was also raining in Riverina and Tasmania, and rain was threatening in South Australia. The heaviest flood ever known in the neighbourhood has been experienced at Amherst, and the embankment of the reservoir there has broken in three places. It will also be seen by telegrams subjoined that the Barwon river was rising rapidly at 9*15 p.m. yesterday, although it was then as high as it had been known to be for years.