DROUGHT IN THE SOUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 313, 11 January 1908, Page 2

DROUGHT IN THE SOUTH.

CROPS SUFFERING. Per Press Association. Core, Last Night. Very hot weather continues in this district, and at present there is a mild drought. Crops are suffering from scarcity of moisture, and grass is also shrivelling up. A number of dredgw have had to close down owing to scarcity of water. Dunedin, Friday. The effect of the continued dry weather in Central Otago is severely felt. The thermometer on several occasions has risen to 100 degrees in the shade and 130 in the sun. Crops are ripening before their time. The grabs is dried up, but the turnip crops are good. Water for domestic purposes is running short in Alexandra. The Borough Council recently bought the right to two heads of water from Butcher's Cully, and the residents want the Government to grant a loan of £BOO to bring the supply into the town. Mining is at a standstill for want of water.

Writing under Monday's date a member of the staff of the "News," who is visiting Otago, says:—"The weather Is frightfully hot at present—to-day (Monday) was the hottest I have felt this year. The country down this way is looking splendid just now, the crops especially. The wheat crops are the heaviest for years. The need of rain, however, is beginning to be apparent. Between Christehurch and Timani the country appeared to be very parched."