Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Wednesday 22 April 1891, page 6


COUNTRY MAILS.

GOONDIWINDI.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

April l8.

The retiring chairman of the Waggamba Divisional Board, Mr. W. J. Hooper, was unanimously re-elected at their recent meeting. The clerk was reappointed at a slightly increased salary. Last year's foreman of works was also reappointed. A letter was read from the Municipal Council, offering to take over the control of the Sandy Camp pasturage reserve, and to take with it certain ratable properties, situated between the reserve and the present town boundaries. After some discussion it was decided that the offer of the council be accepted conditionally upon the transfer of the proper-ties referred to. The clerk was appointed to act as valuer, and his valuation for 1891 as tabled was adopted. It was decided after con-sideration to strike a general rate of ¾d. in the pound. A schedule of works was presented and adopted, as far as the amount specified for each portion of the division was concerned. The foreman of works was instructed to report upon certain roads in No. 3 Subdivision, in the vicinity of Dunmore and Western Creek, and a portion of the Mungindi-road in No. 1 Subdivi-sion. The foreman was also instructed to report upon any existing obstructions, such as unlicensed gates or slip-panels upon any roads within the division. Tenders had been invited for the erection of a bridge over the Weir River at Talwood,but no applications were received. The Municipal Council, at a special meeting held for the purpose, struck a rate of 2d. in the pound for the current year.

A Court of Appeal against the council's valuations for this year was held during the week, and occupied the bench for three days and a-half. Forty-four appeals were dealt with, of which twenty-three were confirmed, four settled by mutual consent, ten by arbitra-tion, five reduced by the bench, and two adjourned for further hearing. In some of the cases the evidence was very conflicting and contradictory.

The latest stock passing was that of 309 head of mixed cattle from Tartha station, on the Moonie River, travelling to Gunnedah, W. Dockrell owner, B. Johnston in charge.

The weather is getting nice and cool, but remains very dry. Rain is getting to be badly wanted pretty well all round the district.

[Two inches of rain were recorded at Goon-diwindi up to 9 o'clock on the morning of the 21st instant.-ED.]

WINTON.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

April 10.

We were visited last Sunday by the heaviest flood ever witnessed here, and the rapidity with which the water rose exceeded anything in my experience. On Saturday night at 7 o'clock the water in Magpie Gully and the Western oould only be seen. At midnight it had risen considerably, but not to an alarming extent, but at daylight next morning the whole country was one sheet of water. Several houses were partly submerged, and considerable damage was done to furniture and effects, as owing to the rapid rising of the water and the darkness, it was next to impossible to put things out of the way. Another remarkable thing was the quickness with which the waters subsided, as by Tuesday the creeks were all within their banks again. The weather has now set in fine. At a meeting of the committee of the North Gregory Club, held last night, it was decided to adjourn the annual race meeting for one week. Despite the troublous times there is every pros-pect of the meeting being a success, a result which will be greatly contributed to by the week's postponement. Our member, Mr. Cor-field, wired the hon. secretary that the 14th and 15th instant had been proclaimed holidays here, but Mr. Ware was equal to the occasion, and having learnt that the unanimous feeling of his committee was in favour of a postpone-ment, he wired " urgent " asking that the 21st and 22nd might be gazetted instead, which alteration was kindly made.

Last Wednesday the Charters Towers Mounted Infantry inaugurated a concert in aid of the hospital. The idea was only started on Monday morning, but such was the energy displayed by several members of the troop that a brilliant success was achieved, the house returning over £32. Steele's Hall was kindly placed at their disposal gratis by his agent, Mr. R. L. Gardiner, and Mr. Maxwell, of the Winton Herald, generously printed the tickets free of charge, so that no expense whatever was incurred. Considering that the performers attended only two rehearsals, the outcome was

very creditable, and the infantry well deserved the vote of thanks accorded them.

The arrival of the Charters Towers Infantry has aroused the dormant warlike spirit of our townsmen, and steps are being taken to form a troop of Mounted Infantry here. The present is a very happy time to initiate the movement, as should the Government be pleased to accept our services, we could have the advantage of drill instruction while the Charters Towers troop is with us. About thirty men have already signified their willingness to join, and no doubt a very considerable troop could be raised.

A very exhaustive inquiry has been held into the burning of Nock's Great Western Hotel, but although a lot of witnesses were examined, not a particle of evidence was adduced to throw any light on the origin of the fire. The balance of evidence tended to show that the fire originated outside the building, and an open verdict was

returned.

There is abundance of grass and water, and were the labour troubles only settled we should enjoy a season of prosperity to which we have for some time been strangers.

ISISFORD.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

April 11.

During the past week we have had fine weather, but for the two weeks before we had slightly over 20in. of rain, making 33in. for the year so far. The river rose to within 2in. of the highest ever known, which was in March, 1890. All gardens are washed away, and a good deal of damage was done to fences, dams, &c., besides a lot of stock being drowned. Several families had to be rescued by our only boat, which is private property. This boat has been here for over fourteen years, is made of iron, and has rescued dozens of lives. The

Government ought really to provide a boat here, for rescue work. It should be of iron with air-tight compartments, and to be placed in the charge of the police.

Our mails are all behind time, it being im-possible to travel. Of the seventeen mails due here from Windorah this year we have had only four, and are not likely to get another for at least six weeks. The weather has now cleared up, and the river has fallen considerably, though it is now a long swim. Of course grass and water are plentiful, and so are the sandflies, which keep the horses and cattle continually on the go, and cause them to fall off considerably.

We have eighteen men of the Maryborough Infantry, and twelve men of the Gympie Mounted Infantry here, under Captain Harrap and Sergeant-major Hood respectively. The infantry have for the last three days been drilled on horseback, and taking one considera-tion with another, they did very well. Of course, some of the men not being accustomed to riding, and having awkward horses, things were a bit rough, but in three days both horses

and men seem to have learned what was re-quired of them.

ADAVALE,

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

On Monday last, the 6th instant, we had a

flood here which rose half-an-inch higher than that of March, I890,and caused a stampede

amongst the dwellers on the lower levels.

Prior to the 5th instant rain has been falling steadily and almost incessantly for a fortnight, and on that date the creek commenced to rise very rapidly. The water was running down the

main street at about 10 p.m. All the business part of the town is low down, and consequently

the first to get the overflow. At 2 p.m. the

whole flat upon which the town is built was completely covered with water, and a rise of

over 6in. an hour was noticeable.

Willing hands were not wanting to assist people to places of safety. Our postmaster, Mr. Derrig, not only worked hard in removing the most helpless, but threw his

house open, and with his wife made welcome

all who took refuge with him. Mr. and Mrs.

Gibson, who treated us so well last year, were

to the fore again, and their house was thrown open to refugees, as was also Mr. Skinner's.

The two new boats of the Divisional Board

were called into requisition, and did good service. Mr. Kelly's boat, an excellent one of home construction, proved very handy, and we have to thank Mr. P. Kelly for his readiness to assist all in need of help. The greatest depth of water was behind Fitzwalter and Co.'s store, being there about 5ft.; from this depth the

soundings tapered out to about 21in. over the flooded portion of the surveyed area. Happily we have no loss of life to report and not very much damage was done to property. On Tuesday, 7th instant, the water had almost all run away The sun shone brightly for the first time for nearly two weeks, and now the weather is all that can be desired. Business was resumed immediately after the subsidence

of the flood water.