FLOODS IN BRISBANE

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1931, Page 5

FLOODS IN BRISBANE

LOSS OF THREE LIVES. DEATH IN SWIRLING RIVER. Sydney, Feb. 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 owitig to the flict 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 tile flood waters for two days, thick muddy water containing debris and the bodies of ariimals lapping the ceilings. Shopkcepfefs returned to find their stock encrusted with mud or greasy slime, and factory owners sadly com templated their rusty machinery and fittings. Fences were upfobted and swept away, and the scene generally was one of confusion and dirt.

With an optimism that did them credit those concerned lost ho time in endeavouring to restore order as soon as the flood waters receded sufficiently for them to approach their ■ homes and btisirieSs places, Water-logged floor coverings were taken into the street to dry, mattresses and bed liiien were scraped free of slime and hung in the fitful sunlight, clothing festodiied the fences in all directions, and streams from a thousand garden hosts sprayed the paths and walls in an endeavour to make them preventable once again. No spring cleaning in history ever approached tliis for thoroughness, Everywhere 1 prevailed tlie spirit that “it might have been worse,” and one Brisbane newspaper attempted to cheer up the people < by reminding them of the sdd plight of Niipiei* 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 sceiators. Challenged, it is stated by a man to Whom h 6 had been talking, to swim between two bridges crossing the swollen Brisbane River, Smith stripped to the Skin and dived 50ft into the swirling waters. He was quickly swept into midstream, and the horrified people wlio 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, tlie man managed to keep his head above water for nearly half d 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 interpret him, but arrived at a spot beyond the second bridge just two minutes later. Smith’s remarkable strength at last gave out, and lie sank in tile boiling waters. He hdd. Won his bet, but he liad 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 3ft of water. He is believed to have struck hife head oh a submersed object Wlieli he dived into A f6ad side pool.