THE DISASTROUS FLOOD IN THE HUNTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1144, 15 July 1867, Page 4

THE DISASTROUS FLOOD IN THE HUNTER.

(From the Ilaitland Mercury, June 2d.) [Yesterday week we published the same account of tho floods as that contained in the Newcastle Chronicle of tho 26th ult., received on Saturday. From the Maitland Mercury, however, we obtain the following additional particulars.]

As announced in our last isauo, we closed hurriedly and went to press between four and five o'clock on Friday afternoon, in the apprehension that the floed waters would soon invade the machine room, and render printing impossible. The fears felt were not unfounded. . Before the whole issue had been printed, tho water made its appearance, ond rose so rapidly that, in tho race between the machinery and the flood, the flood was beaten by a few minutes only. The flood attained its greatest height early on Sunday morning ; but, although the water level has been falling since_ then, the Sail has been so slow that, for some time, it was doubtful whether our machines would bo available, and whether wo should not have to print ovon this small paper at a hand-press. In apologising for shortcomings, we have also to allege an equally valid exeusc—want of news. Although wo have ascertained, by telegram, that the Sydney mails havo reached Newcastle, the flood has played such havoc with the railway line, that communication by that source has become impossible, and we shall probably have to wait for our Sydney papers until they can be brought from the nearest point by boat. Our correspondent, at Singleton, has, fortunately, been able to send an account of tho flood there,—tho Singleton mail, with tho back mails for up country, having been forwarded, by trolly, along the damaged railway line. No mail had reached Singleton, down country, since Saturday.

Tho flood Vas found to have reached its greatest height at about seven o'clook on Sunday morning, when it was four inches above the level of the flood of August, 1857- When we went to press on Friday afternoon, the river was about 26 feet above the usual level. By ten o'clook, that night a further rise of between four and five inches had take place During the night there was an increase of some two inchcs only. Throughout Saturday the rise was small and slow indeed, if continuous, for attimeß the water appeared almost stationary ; and.. the difference between nine in.the morning and night was between three and four inches.. By seven o'clook on Sunday morning a further rise of four inoheg had

taken place, bringing tho level to 27 feet 2 inches above the usual height. After this there came a stop, and then a f-ill.- By eleven on Sunday morning the rnle showed an abatement of threequaters of au inch ; by one this was double! • bv eight tho water had fhUen about four inches • by eight on Monday morning thero was a further fa'll to about ten inches only, and so the subsidence continued bo slowly, that at various points of overflow the river waters kept steadily pouring over through the day, and adding to the immense lake sooth of the town.

This lake, usually called the backwater, and formed not only by the overflow from the river above in the town, but also by the rainfall on the heads of tho creeks, reached a height that i 3 estima'ad more variously even than the"height of the river itself, fa some places it appears to have been considerably higherjthapjin August, 1857, others itfhas been lower; probably, if an average could be struck, the general level might bo fairly set down as about the same. The variations may perhaps be accounted for by tho fact that several points of overflow, open in 1857, are now_ closed, wholly or partially, and to the absence or diminished strength of the currents may be traced the differences observed in the localities into which these currents used to pour. About seven o'clock a very unexpected accident occurred. The river bank at the end of Hunterstreet would appear to have given way bodily, for tho cottages on the river Bide of the street were first carried away, and, shortly afterwards, the neat weatherboard cottage occupied by Mr. Hodson was seen to roll completely over, and was carried away by the torrent. Mr. Hodson and his family had, of course, left early on Friday, but ail his valuable furniture was left in the house, and will doubtless be totally lost. The row of houses next adjoining, aud known as Banfurly Terrace, then began to emmble away; the first went soon after Mr. Hodson's a the second broke up in the course of the afternoon," and, during the night, the whole terrace disappeared. A farm house, opposite the Horseshoe Bend, was also washed away.

The work done by the boats' crew cannot be too highly spoken of, and we much regret -we cannot record all the acts of gallant daring in saving human life that we have heard of, as well as the names of all who where conspicuous in performing these bravo deeds. . Two boats came up from Newcastle on Friday evening, one the police boat, and the other a volanteer crew, consisting of Hickey (the ohampion puller), Jackson, and Cook, who, on hearing of the flood at Maitland, nobly offered their services, and on arriving placed their boat under the charge of Mr. J. E. Wolfe, who acted as coxswain, Mr. H. Consens pulling the fourth oar. On Friday night the volunteers proceeded along the Horseshoe Bend, and brought off several persons from this locality. On Saturday morning they took the direction of Louth Park, whence they removed a number of people, among whom were about twenty-five individuals of various families, who had taken refuge at the Xarrabourg tannery. Near this place they also recued a porson named Mrs. Smith, by taking her through the roof of the house. On Sunday morning this crew went in the direction of Bolwarra, where, near Mr. Doyle's farm, a number of people had taken refuge in a shed on Friday night. By Saturday night tho river had risen so high in the Bhed as to render the position of these • people very precarious. There were 17 in number of them altogether, including two infants in arms. Several boats attempted to relieve them on Saturday, but owing to the fearful cuirent were unable to approach. Early on Sunday morning the shed showed Bigns of giving way, and these unfortunates were compelled, as a last resource, to cling on to a fence outside. This refuge would soon have failed them, when the volunteer boat drew near, and 'in spito of the danger of the attempt, contrived to get a line to the unfortunato people. It was then a work both of danger and difficulty to get the people on board, and Hickey and Jackson had narrow escapes for their lives, bat happily they succeeded at last, and conveyed the whole of them Eafely on shore. Another gallant feat was performed by this crew on Bunday night. It appears that, on Sunday evening a boat was going along the river, in which were four persons—Messrs. 0. Bowden, J. Vickery, and another, besides a young man named Thomas Clark. It happened that the boat nearly ran against a tree, and Clark in trying to fend her off lost his balance and fell into the water. Being a good swimmer, he made for the boat, hut according to his own statement, his companions pulled straight on and made no attempt to rescue him. Clark then swam to a tree which happenod to be near, and made good a lodgment among the branches. There he was seen by Messrs. J. Fullford, junior, and Medlam, who at once rode off into town to give the information. On hearing the news the volunteer crew instantly set off to the spot, nearly opposite Bolwarra House, but on arriving there they found it would be too risky to attempt reaching the poor fellow in the darkness which had then set in. They managed, however, by signals to let him know that help was near, and that they would not desert him; the people on the river banks also made up large fires with the same object. As soon as the first beams of day appeared, the boat again drew near, and, fastening a rope above the spot, they were able to swing round the tree and rescue the man, who, as it maybe supposed, was by that time tolerably exhausted.