Pioneering days of Miriam Vale and district', Queensland by W. G. Blomfield, 1946-1947 - Page 50

25 March 49. Cyclone in 1850ties

A friend of mine writing from Miriam Vale of the Cyclone says there has never been anything like it there before, roads completely blocked by hundreds of trees. But he is a comparatively new comer, & has only been there between 40 & 50 years. About 90 years ago there was a similar blow tho not over such an extensive area. At MONDURAN close to where GIN GIN is now, 3 men in the kitchen saw a big tree swaying over them, & they had just got under a bullock dray when the tree fell on the kitchen & flattened it. At MIRIAM VALE a fair sized tree was uprooted, & landed on top of another tree, with its roots highest up. The whole place looked as tho it never would be clear of timber again. At RODDS BAY the house of the district had just been built, & Mr ALBERT NORTON, DOUGIE GADSON, & others, had a job getting out as all the doors were jammed. No places between RODDS BAY & GLADSTONE, & do not know if the Cyclone went much past RODDS Bay, but it then turned South & blew just as hard as when going NORTH. Mr NORTON was our member for PORT CURTIS & was SPEAKER of the HOUSE for many years. His one time ROUSEABOUT JASON BOLES beat him. Those were the days when MEMBERS of PARLIAMENT were respected & we were GOVERNED, not MISGOVERNED.