THE DROUGHT IN AUSTRALIA

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1987, 3 November 1888, Page 3

THE DROUGHT IN AUSTRALIA

(per press association.;

|BtdsßY, November 2 The drought still continues, and the greatest anxiety prevails throughout the country respecting the crops, In the Ashburnham district, on the Lachlan river, it is almost; impossible that there can be any wheat harvest this season ; indeed the wheat harvest for the whole colony must be very small, and the local millers are already buying up all stocks at five shillings per bushel. In the fcMudgee district the crops have entirely^ failed, whilst m the Wogga Wogga district — hitherto tho bestgrassed country on the Murrumbidgee river— tho grass is scorched off and the country presents the most parched and bare, appearance. The sofferings of stock aro very severe everywhere as the creeks are drying up, and other sources of water-supply, m the shape of tanks etc,, are failing. At Warialda, m the New England district, bush fires are raging daily, and at Talloona station alone seven hundred shftep have been destroyed, whilst other stations m the j same district have all suffered to some extent In the Young district, one of the chief agricultural districts of the colony, the crops are an entire failure, and news has been received from the " back bl«cks " that stock there is m a most wretched condition through the scarcity of feed and water. Heavy rains have fallen m the southern parts of the colony, and far inland m the direction of Albury.