THE CROYDON HURRICANE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1775, 14 March 1906, Page 55

THE CROYDON HURRICANE.

EXCITING EXPERIENCES. BUILDINGS DEMOLISHED IN ALL DIRECTIONS. BRISBANE, March 6. The hurricane at Croydon, in the north-west of Queensland, was the worst over experienced. It struck the town early on Sunday morning, and raged furiously for eleven hours, demolishing buildings in all directions, and leaving scarcely a place in the town and suburbs undamaged. Throughout the gale rain fell in blinding sheets, and streets and houses were flooded, thus adding to the miseries and sufferings of the inhabitants. The Palace Hotel, a fine two-story structure, was unroofed, and all the outhouses demolished. The Church of England was shifted bodily twelve feet off the blocks, while the Catholic Church was completely wrecked. A cottage occupied by Mr Beel, one of the proprietors or the “Croydon Record,” suddenly gave way, and settling down, was soon a complete ruin. The whole of Mr Beef’s family were inside at the time, and had a miraculous escape. Many other small buildings in the same locality were demolished. The Queen’s Hotel and the Salvation Army Barracks -were completely wrecked, and many humpies in the outskirts of the town were scattered over the landscape. The Bank of New South Wales building lost its roof. This only gives a faint description of the damage. Every house was flooded, and many families are homeless. The Town Hall and Courthouse were thrown open last night, and blankets provided for the homeless families. Golden Gate also suffered, but not so severely as Croydon. Three hotels were destroyed. It is impossible at present to estimate the damage, which will probably reach £20,000. The weather is still squally, and telegraphic communication has not yet been fully restored. Torrential rains have fallen in the far west. The rivers are in high flood and still rising. Large stretches of country are under water. The mail service is disorganised. Reports from Townsville and Barca.l- - state that tho railway is damaged in several places and traffic delayed. All! goods have been removed to the wharves in anticipation of a big tionA gale ils raging on the coast. BRISBANE, March 6. Many stations report continuance of heavy rain. Traffic on the Charters TowersHughenden line is delayed by floods. Tho Richmond line is under water at many places. A couple of wash-aways on portion of tho line derailed a train-. No one was injured. Winton reports that the rivers and creeks are “ bankers.” Big floods are expected.

BRISBANE, March 7. Latest reports indicate that the floods are subsiding. The bridge at Cattle Creek has been wash* ed away. ■' Many stations- are short pf flour, thC people living on rice and tinned meat* BRISBANE, March 8. ~ A fund has been started for the religj of the sufferers by the floods at Croyj? don. Rain continues, and in maiwj places the rivers are in flood, and largo areas of land are under water, but tM danger of disastrous inundations is les® imminent.