TASMANIA.

Colonist, Issue 95, 17 September 1858, Page 3

TASMANIA.

. Van Diemen's Laud has been subjected to most terrific and destructive floods. According to papers, to hand the loss of life and propertyhas been far beyond all precedent In reference to this visitation we extract the subjoined from the Launceston Examiner of August 17 :—

u On■''■■Thursday' afternoon the flood came down the Macqitarie River with fearful violence, sweeping everything befoie it; and so'rapid was its rise that the residents liviug within us reach, with great difficulty escaped to dwellings on higher ground—taking what they could carry with them. Much property has been destroyed. A great quantity of fencing and some enclosures of stone walls were swept away. A number of valuable sheep were lost, the property of T. Parramore, Esq. There has been only one flood so high for the List 25 years. The road on the northern approach to the bridge has been partially swept away, and one..culvert, burst. It has also been attended with fatal consequences. On- Friday morning last, Mr. W. Smith, overseer to P. J. Smith, Esq., of Syn'dal, came by his death under the following circumstances:—He had just before assisted a friend to go over a rivulet called Johnson's Creek, both being on horseback. Mr. Smith "ou returning broke his stirrup, and the horse became restive and threw him ; he rose again and exclaimed to his wife and family, ' Good bye! I am going,' for it happened just in front of his own residence. Deceased was about 45 years of age, and has left a wife and five young children to lament their loss. He had been in the service of his employer for 25" years; bore a most exemplary character, and was much esteemed by all who knew him. His body has not yet been found; but the utmost exertion is being used for its recovery.

"The flood has done immense damage about Oatlands; miles of fencing on all the low land swept away, sheep drowned, and cross roads rendered utterly impassable. The spire of the new Scotch Church fell a few nights ago, shaking and cracking the whole building in every part so seriously, that: it will have to be ens tirely pulled down. This will be a heavy loss to the Presbyterians, the church having cost something over £2000.

" The Jordan is so much swollen that Mr. M'Rae hud to strip, tie his clothes round his neck, and swim his horse across the ragiag torrent at Jones' Ford, narrowly escaping with his life. ■ ■•■'..'■

" The floods of the Huon settlement have been very heavy, and have done great damage. Amongst the heaviest sufferers are Mr. Nation —-cattle, garden, and fences. Mr. Linuell— crops and fences entirely gone, also punts and boats. Mr. Holmes—fences and garden. .'Messrs.. Chamen and JCellaway—crops."

From latest Hobarton papers we learn—• "The Fresh from the hills ia terrific, bringing down trees, logs, and other hindrances.

" Several fences were blown down last night, and a brick wall ton feet high, which separates Brisbane-sireet chapel yard from Mr. Murray's garden, fell with a tremendous crash, and the chapel-keeper had a narrow escape.

. "At Wapping: poor people are being carried out of the houses. Campbell-street, and Mac-quarie-street bridges are considered in danger. Bodies of men are employed in removing obstructions, and people are standing about the streets in crowds. The New Market pace is inundated, and Lower Collins-street is impassable.

" Mr. Murray's soap aud starch works at O'Brien's Bridge have been destroyed—the walls of the buildings having been thrown down. Many gardens at Sandy < Bay and other lowlying districts have also been destroyed." .

By the last mail the Governor forwarded despatches to Sir Colin Campbell, the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian forces, pointing out to him the advantages to be gained by forwarding the invalid troops to this colony. To the Governor-General of India, Lord Canning, the governor has also forwarded a despatch, strongly urging the same proposal upon him ; informing him also of the steps he had taken, and referring him to the report of the-'Commissioner which would be forwarded by the next mail. To the Imperial Government also a.despatch to the same,effect has been sent: and, in addition to this, Sir Henry Young has employed Mr. Cherry to take photographic drawings of the Ordnance Stores, shewing the facility with which invalids ould be landed and accommodated, as well as similar views of other buildings belonging to the Imperial Government, which could be devoted to the same purpose. These views also have been forwarded to India by the Emeu for the information of the authorities.