THE FLOODS IN QUEENSLAND.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 779, 4 February 1887, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE FLOODS IN QUEENSLAND.

(Per Manapouri at the Bluff.) (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Brisbane, January 26. Disastrous floods occurred over all the southern parts of the Colony. The lower parts of Brisbane were submerged, and ail traffic by road stopped. One house floated away with the occupants, who with difficulty were rescued. The police and others worked all Friday night, and, though it was pitch dark, and a terrific gale was blowing, rescued hundreds. The flood rose so rapidly that the people had no time to leave their houses. All the steamers lay with their steam up in case of accident. Two broke from the moorings, and weat ashore. A man named Thompson was drowned in South Brisbane. In the Logan district the people are destitute , and Government are sending a steamer with a relief party and provisions. Several deaths by drowning are reported from various localities, and it is feared that the loss of life will turn out to be considerable. At Ipswich, the principal part of the town was 15ft under water, and at Warwick the river rose 30ft in a few hours. The prisoners in the lock-up were rescued with difficulty. Thousands of sheep were drowned, as well as horses, cattle, etc. The damage sustained by storekeepers, farmers, and squatters in the country districts must be enormous. The railways in many places were washed away, and telegraphic communication was stopped. Communication was maintained over the flooded lands by means of boats, as the roads were impassable. The floods are gradually subsiding now, and the weather is fine.