West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Thursday 1 March 1894, page 3


FLOODS IN THE KIMBERLEY

DISTRICT

FURTHER PARTICULARS.

THE LOSSES ON THE STATIONS.

WATER AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE.

[By Telegraph.]

(From our Correspondent.)

Derby, February 28.

Two Malays from Broome crossed the Fitzroy River on a raft on the 20th inst., and arrived at Derby on the 24th. They report the south line interrupted near the river. In theabsence of a line repairer, the postmaster started out on the afternoon of the 25th to

effect repairs. Mr. Rose, manager of Yeeda station, supplied natives, and the following morning left Yeeda on foot. After travelling three miles through bog, and two miles up to the waist in water, and swimming a couple of creeks, the postmaster found the fault half a mile on the north side of the river. The manager of Yeeda Station estimates the loss of sheep at 600. There were a number of cattle on tha south side of the river, but he is unable to ascertain tbe loss among these. Several miles of fencing have been carried away. Yeeda Creek is still running a banker. Heavy losses are expected from Myroodah Upper Station. No losses are reported from Gregroy's Ghilmally Station. At Mount Anderson 200 sheep, and a number of cattle, are missing. At Mr. McLarty's Upper Liverynga Station 600 sheep, and all the breeding mares, are lost. Mr. Emanuel has also lost 16

donkeys. No news has yet been received from : Oobagoomba. Mr: Daley, manager of Rare- well cattle station, does not know of any losses on that property.

The water surrounded the building of the Fitzroy telegraph station on the 18th. From the roof, as far as the eye could eee, there was a sea of water. The Margaret and Fitz-roy rivers, which usually are 20 miles apart, are united. The officers of the telegraph station were preparing a raft, with very little hope of reaching a place of safety, when the water receded. Thirty inches of rain have fallen on the Fitzroy since the 20th Decem-ber, and seven inches between the 5th and the 15th. The river is now running a banker. The weather is still threatening, and the river is likely to come down again any time. The telegraph line is submerged and has parted at the upper crossing, and it will be eight weeks before it can be restored. The Postmaster, Mr. Annear, crossed the river on a raft on the 25th, and is now camped on the west bank with a field instru-ment. Messages are carried across the river to the station, a distance of nine miles, twice daily by natives. Business ís transacted under a mosquito net.

Mr. J. Blythe and his three sons, and Mr. McAtee, were camped on the bank of the Upper Fitzroy in trees for three nights. During the whole of the first night cattle were floating down the stream. Ten car-cases were seen on the road between the telegraph station and the crossing. Tbe water is two feet above the floor of Mr. E. Rose's homestead. Mr. Collins is camped in the Oscar Range. Mr. W. McDonald believes that all his cattle ara safe. It will be months, before the losses of cattle in the district are known, because the country is so boggy as to render travelling almost impossible.

The Lennard police camp is supposed to have been washed away.