70 APPENDIX B. REGISTRAR CERTIFICATES
Appendix C The story <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> flood THE MOUNT ALEXANDER MAIL Castlemaine, Monday June 8, 1863 THE FLOOD TherainfallonThursdayandFridaynightswasprobably heavier than has been experienced within <strong>the</strong> like period for <strong>the</strong> last two years. Before Saturday morning every gutter had become a swift rivulet and <strong>the</strong> creeks impetuous streams roaring along at <strong>the</strong> rate <strong>of</strong> from ten to twenty miles an hour. Before long <strong>the</strong> embankment thrown up by <strong>the</strong> Council near <strong>the</strong> Gas Works, to confine Forest Creek to its new channel, was burst through and <strong>the</strong> water rushed with extraordinary force down its old course. At <strong>the</strong> same time it poured over into <strong>the</strong> main road and cut <strong>of</strong>f access to <strong>the</strong> Ten Foot Hill Bridge. The flat opposite <strong>the</strong> Square was more or less submerged, and some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> inhabitants insulated from terra firma. The cutting in which <strong>the</strong> Creek ordinarily flows was nearly filled by a stream that roared and leaped in its course like a rapid. Passing <strong>the</strong> Barker-street Bridge, <strong>the</strong> water expanded, completely occupying both arches <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> railway bridge, spreading <strong>the</strong>nce entirely over <strong>the</strong> depression in front <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Camp, and invading <strong>the</strong> railwayembankments. Thecreekmadeacleanbreast over <strong>the</strong> Sheriff’s Bridge, which was submerged to a depth <strong>of</strong> several feet. At this point several wreckers had taken up <strong>the</strong>ir station, to catch <strong>the</strong> floating waifs and strays. An eddy in <strong>the</strong> stream here presented a curious spectacle, being covered with myriads <strong>of</strong> corks, match boxes, bottles &c., that formed a sort <strong>of</strong> constantly accumulating scum on <strong>the</strong> surface, ever on <strong>the</strong> point <strong>of</strong> dispersing, yet without power to escape. Occasionally logs <strong>of</strong> rough or sawn timber were dextrouslypulledoutby<strong>the</strong>menon<strong>the</strong>lookout, and sometimes <strong>the</strong>ir efforts were rewarded by more valuable articles. A portion <strong>of</strong> Winter’s Flat was also bured under water, while at Maloney’s Bridge <strong>the</strong> highway on both sides was covered by <strong>the</strong> creek. We regret to say that Mr Helfenstein, who some time since succeeded to <strong>the</strong> soap and candle manufactory <strong>of</strong> Mr Brown’s is a heavy sufferer, his house and establishment being completely flooded. Opposite <strong>the</strong> John O’Groat’s Hotel, Campbell’s Creek, <strong>the</strong> road for a considerable distance was entirely submerged, <strong>the</strong> stream in this locality being at one time not less than 400 or 500 feet wide. Considerable regret was expressed when it was known that <strong>the</strong> integrity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> new Prince’s Bridge at Ranter’s Gully was endangered. On <strong>the</strong> fact becoming known, a number <strong>of</strong> persons hastened to <strong>the</strong> spot, and found that <strong>the</strong> embankments were rapidly disappearing, The evil arose through <strong>the</strong> water washing through <strong>the</strong> planking <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> wings, and gradually dissolving <strong>the</strong> earthwork. During <strong>the</strong> afternoon , efforts were made by throwing down bags <strong>of</strong> stone, &c., to arrest <strong>the</strong> mischief. Lower down <strong>the</strong> creek, <strong>the</strong> highway turned into a mill race, by <strong>the</strong> bursting <strong>of</strong> a large puddler’s dam near <strong>the</strong> White Hills. The Cemetery Bridge was also in jeopardy, <strong>the</strong> violence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> water being so great that <strong>the</strong> structure trembled in every plank. Fortunately <strong>the</strong> bridge sustained no fur<strong>the</strong>r injury than <strong>the</strong> washing away <strong>of</strong> a portion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> approaches. Cemetery Flat was <strong>of</strong> course nearly buried from sight. The newly metalled road above Sutcliffe’s has been completely carried away, as well as <strong>the</strong> bridge at Taylor’s station,which had stood <strong>the</strong> floods <strong>of</strong> five years previous. At Forest Creek, also, <strong>the</strong> flood occasioned damage to public property. The culvert but recently completed by <strong>the</strong> Castlemaine Council for carrying <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> drainage from Little Bendigo, proved wholly inadequate to <strong>the</strong> occasion. The result was that, part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> stonework being swept away, <strong>the</strong> water broke down <strong>the</strong> wall <strong>of</strong> earth, and ran over <strong>the</strong> road. During <strong>the</strong> greater portion <strong>of</strong> Saturday, <strong>the</strong> road, from its junction with Little Bendigo to Aberdeen’s Bridge, resembled a creek 71