DROUGHT IN VICTORIA.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 53, 4 March 1926, Page 7

DROUGHT IN VICTORIA.

CAPITAL SHORT OF WATER. : BUSH FIRES RECUR. ■ HEAVY TIMBER LOSSES i.By Ca'ilc—Press Asso.-iatiou.—Copyri;r3t.> (Reoeivvd 12.30 p.m.* MELBOURNE, this day. Owing to the continuance of dry weather, the metropolitan water supply has. failed to meet the demand made I upon it this summer. The use of water for garden purposes ha~. therefore, h. en strictly prohibited, while several public • baths have had their supply cut off and (have thus been forced to close. i full more stringent regulations are forecasted it. a* appears likely, the situation lipi-oines more serious. I The continued dry weather is also makI ing the subduing of the bush (ires more difficult. There is again danger of an- j other disaster, and a strong northerly [ wind is materially increasing the gravity I of the situation. j Big fires are reported from Mount ' Plenty and the neighbouring districts. | whore gangs of fire-fight-?rs are strenuously battling against them. On Mount Plenty alone over a million sterling worth of mountain ash lins been destroyed, while a plantation of pine trees valued at a million is almost in the direct track of the oncoming fire. The phosphate works are a'so in danger, and strenuous efforts are being made !tn save them.— (A. and X.Z.) STAKT OF BUSH FIRES. SUMMONSES ISSUED. MELBOURNE. February 23. Senior Detective Brace to-day issued I three summonses against persons eharg- ; ing them with causing bush fires at . J Mount Martha and Healesville.