WATER FAMINE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 202, 27 June 1903, Page 3

WATER FAMINE.

KB PRESS ASSOCIATION. Sydney, June 26. A wire from Broken Hill at midnight reported that a light sho *er had fallen, and the sky was overcast, The work of getting tin auxiliary pumps to work at Stephen's Creek is proving more difficult than was expected. Yesteiday, however, 10,000 gallons were pumped into the service reservoir, which will enab'e the r*ei-1 dents in the lower parts of the town to be supplied. Ihe librration of gase3 and the esplos:on of dynamite is teing tried to make rain. The Mir.ist«rs Association resolved to hold meetings daily to effjr prayers for rain. At a pub't'e meeting, a resolution w>s cirrieti uggi g the Gov-rnen-nt to at once supply the poor with food, as their credit has been stopped and great distress exists. Among the resolutions carried at a public mseting at B okea Hill was ona expregiirg indignation at thi waterworks engineer for neglecting to give due notice of the shor'ago of water. Replying to a message conveying the resolution, the Minister of Works said it was absurd to tupptso thit tie Government was shuffl ng over the difficnlty, and promised relief'works for the unemployed. He also state) that all might participate in tho relief, aid the Government was doing its duty. The Premier alsi rtSJnts the condemnation of the Government for not taking earlier precautions. He says the stoppage of the mines cams as a shock to the Government, which on Saturday was infoi med that the water would list ten days. The British mines are arranging to restart on half scale in a few day?, utilising water when has b en sored in the workings, and also that obtained from other sources. Loci correspondents s'atd that already there is much distr si amongst the miners, and numbers are leaving the town. Received 26,11.45 p.m. Sydkey, June 26. The rain at PTroken Hill last nigbt was only a sprinkle. The South Australian Government has provided a special train to enable Dr. McCarthy to reach B.okcn Hill quickly. Wfcen interviewed D*. McCarthy was confident his rain-making wou'd prove a success, ard that they would have plenty of water by Wednesday. The frost in Sydney was the heaviest for years, tha a*, daylight bsing 29*8. In exposed streets the water had a ! hin coiting of ire. A petition signed by 5000 unemployed was preeen'ed to the Assembly asking the Government for any kind of work, excepting stone at which they could earn only eightpence , a day. Received 26, 11.55 a.m. Sidney, Juno 26. To the inquiry from the Minister of Works whether sufficient wa'er wes obtainable to supply the mines, the ' Mayor of Broken Hill replied be believed plenty was available in South Australia and should be supplied at a price not exceeding that paid for the local supply. This was the only means to save the town from ruin and desii- ! tution. The Trrmway Company stopped running this morning owing to want : of water for the engines &t a reasonable ' price.