FLOODS IN BRISBANE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21264, 19 February 1931, Page 10

FLOODS IN BRISBANE.

THREE LIVES LOST. A SUICIDAL WAGER, (From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, February 12. Three lives were lost in the terrible floods that devastated Brisbane during the week-end, leaving in its train damage running into thousands of pounds. Bridges, roads, shops, houses, and all sorts of property suffered, mainly owing to the fact that very little warning was given of the likelihood of flooded rivers. Thousands of people were rendered temporarily homeless. In many instances homes were in the grip of the flood waters for two days, thick, muddy water containing debris and the bodies of animals lapping the ceilings. Shopkeepers returned to find their stock encrusted with mud or greasy slime, and factory owners sadly contemplated their rusty machinery and fittings. Fences were uprooted and swept away, and the scene generally was one of confusion and filth.

With an optimism that did them credit those concerned lost no time in endeavouring to restore order as soon as the flood waters receded sufficiently for them to approach tieir homes and business places. Water-logged floor coverings were taken out into the street to dry, mattresses and bed linen were scraped free of slime and hung in the fitful sunlight, clothing festooned the fences in all directions, and streams from a thousand garden hoses sprayed the paths and walls in an endeavour to make them presentable once again. No spring cleaning in history ever approached this for thoroughness. Everywhere previled the spirit that “ it might have been worse,” and one Brisbane paper attempted to cheer up the people by reminding them of the sad plight of Napier and Hastings. The most tragic incident of the flood was when a returned soldier, Herbert Smith, swam to his death before the horrified gaze of 3000 spectators. Challenged, it is stated, by a man to whom he had been talking to swim between two bridges crossing the swollen Brisbane River, Smith stripped to the skin and dived 50 feet into the swirling waters. He was quickly swept into mid-stream, and the horrified people who were lining the bridge could scarcely believe their eyes. They were forced to watch in helpless amazement as the man struggled vainly for his life. Borne down by the current, he managed to keep his head above water for nearly half a mile, though it was evident that his effort to swim in any direction was doomed to futility. To the amazement of everyone Smith reached the second bridge with his head still above water. The water police and a naval launch endeavoured to intercept him, but arrived at a spot beyond the second bridge just two minutes later. Smith’s remarkable strength at last gave out and he sank in the boiling waters. He had won his bet, but he had lost his life. There were two other drowning accidents in Brisbane last Sunday, but they were both accidental. A boy, Sydney Thrower, was drowned in three feet of water. He is believed to have struck his head on a submerged object when he dived into a roadside pool.