UNFAVOURABLE REPORTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 257, 5 November 1897, Page 5

UNFAVOURABLE REPORTS.

(By Cable.—Press Association.)

MELBOURNE, November 4.

The lecent sanguine anticipations in reference to the wheat crops of Victoria and South Australia appear to be somewhat premature, and the recurrence of dry weather is again, causing alarm. The "Age" says that complaints of want of rain are general throughout the western and north-western portions of Victoria, and in some portions of the Mallee country, the failure-of the wjieat crop is now admitted. Timely rains during the next week or fortnight may do something to improve the conditions, but all hopes of a * bountiful harvest must now be abandoned. Against, that gloomy outlook it is satisfactory to have good accounts from the Goulburn Valley and Murray districts, and.for the north-eastern portion.of the.colony. The crops there are more promising than for a number of years, and if the present hopes are realised they will add materially to the gross yield. What is most striking this year is the shortness of the growth of the wheat plant, which is very noticeable throughout the west and north-west districts. Hay is likely to be scarcer and dearer, and this expectation doubtless will induce a large area to be cut for hay instead of being harvested. The "Age" continues that South Australia appears to be seriously threatened with another failure of the wheat harvest. On the outer line the crops have been utterly ruined owing to the absence of rain, whilst those within the line have made no progress during, the last month. The best looking crops are at Derby, and it is stated they will be cut for hay. The most favourable estimate at the E resent moment is an average of three usliels to the acre, which will give about 40,000 tons for exporting.