DISASTROUS FLOODS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16435, 11 January 1917, Page 7

DISASTROUS FLOODS.

TOWNSHIP OVERWHELMED.

TREMENDOUS RAINFALL.

WATERS FROM FLOODED CREEK.

FubVher particulars of the destructive floods in Queensland which were attended with heavy loss of lifo in the town of Clermont are contained in Sydney newspapers received by tho last mail. The flood which overwhelmed Clermont was caused by a fall of rain during the night of December 27-28. The, measured rainfall was 16.37 in, but the gauges overflowed at times. The town of Clermont is situated 228 miles by rail from Rockhampton, at the terminus of a branch line which joins the central railway at Emerald. It is tho centre of the celebrated Peak Downs, noted in Central Queensland in the early days for its great pastoral, as well as mining, pursuits. The mining portion of the country is in Clermont itself, and to tho north, north-east, and north-west of the town, and here copper gold, and coal have been mined successfully. One of the best-known coal mines in the Central District, Blair Athol, lies bnt a few miles away from Clermont, and is connected by railway. This* mine holds large contracts with the Queensland railways. Clermont itself was ft well-laid-out town. It has an area of 18 squaro miles, with a population of between 1500 and 2000. Situation of Township.

Former residents in the town, who were interviewed in Brisbane, explained that ! the town was situated in the bend of . Sandy Creek, on the banks of a lagoon, . which had never been known to be dry. The banks of the creek were considerably higher than the site of the township, and the flood waters wouid pour into the I main thoroughfare, Drummond Street, , through the business portion, with such suddenness that the people would receive I no warning. One account of the flood stated that rain fell in torrents from sundown » on December 27. A constable on duty ' warned some of the residents on the low- , lying parts that the creek was coming ewer, but only a few moved across tho lagoon. Before daylight the water rose with unprecedented rapidity, reaching the lagoon bridge before seven o'clock. About • eight o'clock the Clermont Clubhouse was carried away, and an hour later the Courthouse was swept away. The flood rose so rapidly that no person was able to cross from the flat to the south side within 30 minutes of the water first appearing in the street. Buildings Carried Away. In the meantime residences on the creek flat and near the hospital fared badly Mr. Simon Carroll, with his wife and four children, and their house were swept away and all drowned. Mr. Harry Carsten, who lived next door, was hurled along with his house. His family were drowned, but he was rescued from a tree on Friday morning. Mr. J. G. Druery, town clerk, after taking refuge on the top of his house with a neighbour, was carried i away. His wife and sons were drowned, but he and one boy were rescued from a tree. On Thursday morning Mr. James Crawford, solicitor, and his wife, were carried away with their house. Mr. Crawford was drowned, but his wife was rescued three miles down the stream. The block on the south side of Drummond Street was partly saved from the Grand Hotel to the Commercial Hotel, though fearful damage was done—the town being almost beyond recognition. Stocks in nearly every shop were almost totally destroyed. Great Volume of Water. On Friday morning an immense volume of water, with a terribly rapid ourrent, continued to sweep down Drummond Street. Some premises were early carried away. The Bank of New South Wales was filled with water almost to the top of the verandah plates. On Saturday, portion of the Federal Hotel, after being slewed across the street, miraculously stood till next morning with 14 people in it. From the Federal Hotel to the bridge nothing was left standing except portion of an old j garage. There was nothing on the other aide of the Federal Hotel in the same block, except part of a shop. The food supply was organised by the police magistrate, with a committee of ( citizens, and willing gangs of men, including the Blair Athol miners, joined in i-alv- j ing the damaged food supply and searching for bodies. Food tickets were issued at the shire office. The Roman Catholic < convent sheltered a large number of homeless persons. Looting commenced immediately on the subsidence of the flood, but was sternly ' suppressed. '