AUSTRALIAN DROUGHT.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 March 1919, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN DROUGHT.

HEAVY LOSSES OF STOCK. DESTRUCTIVE BUSH FIRES. TRAIN'S RACE WITH FLAMES. Sydney, Feb. 21. At present it is raining steadily, and reports from various parts of the State indicate that there also precious showers are. falling. It may be that the drought lias at last broken and one of our worst troubles is nearly over. But it is too soou yet to build hopes.'* When the lund for one weary month after another has lain in the grip of a persistent dryness, until all riverbeds and water holes arc empty, until there is not a blade of green over hundreds of square miles of country, and when stock are actually dying in thousands of thirst and hunger, it takes more than a couple of days of rain to put matters right. There must be a definite wet spell—not a brief soaking of the ground and then another period of parched earth and (blazing skies.

This drought is terribly serious far Australia. Certainly, it is '■ known as "the land of quick recovery," but it is not now the land of tremendous reserve strength that it was in 191-1. Hundreds of millions have been added to its indebtedness and nothing to its assets, and it can only escape the burden of its way debt by increasing its production. Instead of tliat, this drought is striking right at the root of productiveness. All the without sufficient resources to stand the strain are falling. "Clearing sales" have increased greatly in numbers recently all over the country. This year, too, the Government has undertaken the settlement of soldiers on the land on a large scale, financing them liberally. It will be the most rerious matter for the repatriation department if the scheme breaks down. One of the worst of this year's bush fires occurred a few days ago in the Otway Forest, a wide belt of timber country near the coast, about 100 miles south-west of Melbourne. About one hundred homesteads were destroyed, together with eight or ten sawmills, miles of telegraph poles, and many railway and road bridges, while a number of persons lost their lives. The flames got a good held in a. remote part of ;he forest, and then, fanned by a strong wind, swept, with terrible speed across tro countryside, destroying everything in their path—and their path was miles wide and constantly increasing. Sawmillers, farmers, and the communities of little townships fought determinedly, but in many cases they were overwhelmed. A veritable wall of flame descended upon 'Beech Forest township, and the whole population rallied to the fight. Firehreaks were made, back (ires started, the buildings were drenched with water, but the Presbyterian and Catholic chm> ches, the public hall, and several private houses were reduced to ashes. The hotel was several times afire, but was eventually saved. A train passing through the Otway Forest from Beech Forest to Colae rat into a sea of fire, and it was decided to go back. An engine was sent out from Beech Forest to help it up the steep gradients. The* another fire appeared in the rear of the train, and bridges took fire. It was a desperate situation, but the two engines got up all possible speed and charged through the burning "country. Sparks and smoke entered the carriages, and the passengers were half suffocated- The train got through, only to find the Beech Forest people fighting for their lives.

The fire.e affected by rains. d:od down after a day or two but enormous damage has been done.