FLOODS IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8799, 7 June 1890, Page 3

FLOODS IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

« STATE OP COUNTRY BETWEEN WILGANNIA AND BOURKE. Captain Phillips, of the steamer Excelsior, has supplied the Sydney Morning Herald with the following particulars as to the state of affaire between Wilcannia and Bourke. The steamer left Wilcannia on May 25th, at which date the river was still rising slowly there. The lower portions of the town had been protected by an embankment, against which the water was 2ft high. The main portion of the town was high and dry. Murtie station was first passed. The home station was kept dry, but a. large portion of the run is under water. The steamer could have travelled out back 20 miles. The next was Mount Murchison, 20 miles from Wilcannia by land. The station is situated on high land, and is not reached by the water. The river is falling there. Cultower homestead is dry, but quite surrounded by water. The occupants of the houses were cut off from all communication for live weeks, and they gladly welcomed the mails. Nelyambo Hotel had 4ft of water in the house. There were some starving pigs on the roof, these being the only signs of life about the place. Nelyambo _ station, three miles out back from the river, was fortunately quite dry. Wallow (Marra woolshed) was surrounded, but the shed and huts are dry, standing on high ground, although surrounded by many miles of water. Marra homestead has 4ft of water in the house, and the splendid garden is totally wrecked. The occupants are camping on a sandridge two miles back. Tankerooku, Mrs Mungovan's public house, is flooded out, and the people are living on a sandhill here. Captain Phillips landed provisions, leaving them on the roof of the house. At Buckanbie it icould easily bo seen that the station was surrounded, but the water had fallen, thus opening communication again with the tract of country beyond. At Tilpa township Adman's store and Post-Office alone had been kept dry. The people were living on a sandhill. The Excelsior landed meat for them from Wilcannia. Kallara homestead had been surrounded, but a small embankment round the wool-room was all that was found necessary to keep the premises dry. The homestead is situated naturally on very high ground. Kallara Bend Hotel (Williams) was deserted, there being 4ft. or sft. of water in the premises, and at the date of the steamer's passing there was still 3ft. Curranyalpa station had been quite flooded out, and was deserted. The family were camped on a sand hill, a mile out. At Weelong the Campadore Hotel is dry. Campadore out station, of Winbar, had been flooded, but when the steamer passed the water had fallen away from the buildings. Mr Mason, homestead lessee near here, suffered severely from the floods. He lost every animal he possessed — sheep, horses, goats, even fowls, all were drowned. Mr Mason was hospitably welcomed at Winbar station. Mr Thomas, manager of Winbar, fought hard with the water, having constructed embankments round the station premises on a small scale. The Bourke battle was fought here over again ; constant work day and night was required. Once the water burst in, but energy and bard toil prevailing, Winbar was saved. At Dunlop the water had been in the house, but it was banked out of the store. Dunlop is one of the finest houses on the Darling, and is built of stone. It does not seem to have suffered to any great extent from the flood-water, which is still all round. The house stands like a rock in the midst of a sea. At Louth the steamer unloaded portion of her cargo direct on the verandah of the Royal Hotel. This building is the only one kept dry through the flood by the embankment. The Eldorado homestead lease (Leggatt's) had been flooded, and the settlers were living in the woolshed. At Runiwera (Singleton's) the water had been four feet deep in the house. The family are living on a sandhill, ten miles back. Even here the water came within a few yards of their embankment. Taloula homestead lease (G. Singleton's) shared the same fate. The occupants found refuge in Mackay's woolshed. On Mrs Bate's homestead lease the residence was undamaged, as also was Clover Creek. Mr J. Mackay's (East Toorale) publichouse, Gundabooka station, and Red bank publichouse, being all on high ground, escaped inundation. At Yanda, however, the homestead shows the greatest wreck on the whole river. One of the prettiest homesteads and one of the finest Hardens were swept bodily away. Mr and Mrs Hatten and family are now living in a woolshed. AtNulty (Burcher's) homestead lease the water had been 2ft. in the house. All the persons had left for drier quarters. Jandra was still under water, the station folks are residing in the woolshed. Ballard Regis (Mrs Thomas') selection is still deep in water. The steamer Excelsior arrived on Tuesday at Bourke. The residents on the river gladly we'eomed the steamer and her captain. Both down and up the river the delivery of mails was a matter of unusual importance. The news as to how even their nearest neighbours had fared was eagerly sought. Wherever there was a bit of dry land showing rabbits could be seen. These animals must have existed .up trees for weeks. Thousands, perhaps millions, must have perished. The general health and spirits of all the people seen was good, but little inforruation could be gleaned as to the probable losses of stock, all owners seeming to have one idea to conceal their losses so as not to depreciate the value of their properties. It is estimated that the present flood at Wilcannia is exactly 3ft. £in. over the 1886 flood level. Reports from Tonga state that the recent rains and the overflow from the Darling River put more water into the lakes in the neighbourhood than there has been since 1860. The water from the Darling backed out for 60 miles, flooding Tonga lake. Toorimpa, Culpaulin, Billilla, and Tintinallogy homesteads are reported safe. At Billilla reports show less than in 1864, and Tintinallogy 3in. more. All the selectors are flooded out. The steamers coming up will have a difficulty in getting firewood. The cross currents are very strong and dangerous while travelling. Further rains are reported to-day as follows : ~ Cunnamulla, 216 points ; Thargomindah, 167 ; Charloville, 75 ; Adavale, 210 ; Eulo, 141 ; Munguudl, 11 : Mogil, 144 ; Collarendabri, 121 ; Walgett, 166 ; Goodooga, 65 ; Pooncarie, 37. The steamer Undaunted haß left Pooncarie up stream.

Agitations for reforms in the conditions of life are going on the world round The cry is for an improved existence. One means to this end is the production of better goods for the people. Renshaw's Vinegar is pure, strong, and genuine. — Advt. Football season. — John Avery has received a large stock of footballs, all sizes for the coming season; and a new fitock of selected Boxing Gloves. He has also added a nice line of silver-mounted pipes to his well assorted stock. He draws special attention to his shilling pipes, accordeons, concertinas, hollow-ground razors, pocket cutlery, &c, cut and plug tobaccos, cigars and cigarettes to suit all tastes, Agent for 014 Judge cigarettes rp.4 Waterlmry

watches. — John Avery, wholesale and retail tobacconist, New Plymouth, — Adv. Crescent Brand Baking Powder is pure. Holloway's Ointment and Pills — These remedies are v equalled throughout the world for bad legs, wouads, foul sores, bad breaßts' aad ulcers. Used according to directions given with them there is no wound, bad leg, or ulcers sore, however obstinate or long standing, but will yeild to their healing and curative properties. Many poor sufferers who have been patients in the large hospitals under the care of eminent surgeons, and have derived little or no benefit from their treatment, have been thoroughly cured by Holloway's Ointment and Pills. For glandular swelling;!?, tumours, piles, and diseases of the skin tnere as nothing that can be us9d with so much benefit. In fact, in the worst forms of disease, dependant upon the condition of the blood, these medicines, used conjoin tly, are irresistible. ( For continvation ot news see 4th page. )