DISASTROUS FLOOD ON THE MACLEAY RIVER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 252, 2 September 1864, Page 6

DISASTROUS FLOOD ON THE MACLEAY RIVER.

ArorsT 12fh. —It is li.y ]iiinful task (o describe a most calamitous visitation. The weather, which had been remarkably fine up to this day week, suddenly chunged on the /itli, when it commenced to rain. On Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, tlieie was incessant heavy rain. On Tuesday morning the river had risen fouiteen feet above its usual level, and in the evening it was twenty-five feet higher than customary. Wednesday night was a continued tempest of wind and rain, and at daylight tlie state of aflairF was truly alaiming. About nine o'clock two boats arrived lrom the vicinity of Christmas Creek—:n one of tlum was Mr. Gill and his family. His house and bain were washed away, and be saved nothing but the elo-h.eshe had on. In the other boat was a man named Washington, whoso house had also been washed uway. Mr. Kemp, one of the local magistrates, also came up to Kcmpsey, beingdriven from his home by the rushing waters. At this time tlio river at Kcmpsey was nearly twice its usual breadth. A narrow strip of land oil the nottli hank was all that remained above water. The greater part of Bel«ravestreet was covered. Immense masses of dead timber were whirled down every minute, and chairs, tables, sofas, and every species of household furniture that came down with the current, made evident that the destruction of property was immense on the upper portion of the river. The'river continued to rise rapidly, and many persons prepared to leave their houses —remaining in them seemed certain destruction. Mr. Kemp ordered the Court-house to be given as a place of shelter to the unfortunate refugees, and before long it was crowded. It would be impossible to convey an adequate idea of the anxiety and fear prevalent at the time. Mr. Tozer's store at East K'.mpsey, was flooded within a few feet of the roof. The house and stockyard of Mr. Marlem, at Mast Kempscy, were washed away. A few yards further on the house, bain, and kitchen of a small fanner, named Busliell, were all swept away. The majority of the bouses from I'rcderiokton to the heads of the Maeleav have been all swept away from both tanks; and the occupants compelled to seek any avtilable place of safety. Some in trees, some on logs, and some on the nearest high land. In fact, it is generally believed that the destiuetion of property has been greater than what was lost during all pievious floods.

On Tuesday night, £'20 was offered to any persons who would cross tlio ferry and bring the district medical practitioner to a dangerous and alarming case of sickness, but no one would venture. Tliu rearing, rushing water, and the crashing timber swept, down in immense masses, seared every one. " The losses in the aggregate may bo thus summarised :— Houses cr huts destroyed .... 30 Barns ........ oO Maize or com—bushels of upwards of . 20,000 Numbers of persons constituting families of men, women, and children, must of whom are rendered homeless and destitute, abuut '2CO Estimated value of property either destroyed, swept away, or damaged by the floods, including houses, barns, household furniture, wearing apparel, and other personal effects, and maize or corn, fully £10,000 The above losses are entirely limited to the AVarneton district above Kempsey, and are wholly exclusive of the losses in the lower part of the river." — >S ydnttj Muntitttj Jlerahl.