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THE RECENT FLOODS.
THE OVERLAND LINE.
TRAFFIC RESTORED.
ENERGETIC OFFICIALS.
NEWS FROM THE COUNTRY.
It has been said that Australia has no
climate, but only samples of climate; and the
weather of the past few days would seem to
bear out this criticism. While news has been
received of floods in the eastern colonies in
telligence has oorae to hand that a water famine
is dreaded in some parts of the west. Coming
nearer home, though floods have occurred in
some of the connfcry district?, others have been
untouched and the residents are carting water,
while Adelaide has co far had no visitation of
rain. On Tuesday the Btorina were co violent
in certain parts that the railway traffic was in
terrupted, whereas on Wednesday the weather
was as calm as ever, and the Government
astronomer still predicts fine weather for the
next 24 hours.
The chairman of the Bail way ConunuEioners,
the Eugiueer-in-Chief, and the Locomotive
Engineer returned from the scene of
the washaway on the overland railway
line at 10 o'clock on Wednesday even
ing. Mr. Smith, like the rest of the
officers, presented the appearance of having
done something more than watoh the line
repairers work since he has been away, his
boots and clothing being covered with mdd
from top to bottom. The party were bard at
work from 9 o'clock on Tuesday evening until
7 o'clock on Wednesday oighn, when labor
ceased. Mr. Smith states that the Btaff
labored with the greatest energy, and it was
owing to their untiring efforts that the work
was completed co speedily. The floodwatiers
had scoured a cave some 20 ft. ,deep, the
rails being left suspended above. Into this
10 ft. of earth was placed, and the rest was
built up with deepen. When this was done
the line was temporarily restored. Then a
tram was run across to test the stability of
the work, and this being found all right when
the express to Melbourne reached the spot on
I Wednesday evening it slowed down and was
able to pass over without any stoppage. The
incoming express will also be able so cross
this morning without any delay, and the work
of permanently restoring the line will
be commenced to-day. It was a providential
thing that the washaway was discovered so
early, as had the express attempted to cross
before the discovery was made the result would
have been a very serious matter.
Wedneaday'sexpress from Melbourne reached
Adelaide at about half-past 2 o'clock in the
afternoon, being four hours late. The'delay
I was not caused by the waahaway eastward of
Murray bridge, but arose from a three hours'
delays* Nhillcaused by the block wonting. Had
it not been for this detention on the Victorian
side the express would bave been run to
time.
The Orient Company delayed the depar
| tare of the steamer Gazoo for London until
the arrival of the mails from the eastern
colonies. The bags were got on board at about
half-past 4 o'clock, and the Cnzco aaiied
for iJondon. Under the present contract with
the Orient and P. &O. oanipanUs thePost-Offioe
authorities have power to detain vessels when
necessary.
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