DROUGHT IN AUSTRALIA.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9736, 26 May 1897, Page 5

DROUGHT IN AUSTRALIA.

HEABTRENDING ACCOUNTS.

STOCK SEDUCED TO SKIN AND

BONE.

Press Asaoc— tjou—Bv Telegraph—Copyright.

Melbourne, May 25.

The specialist commissioned by the Age to visit the drought-stricken districts gives heartrending accounts of the state of affairs in the greater part of Biverina. He says that, coming on the top of two previous bad seasons, the devastation of the stock and orops is worse and wider-reaching than has ever been experienced. The losses of stock are already enormous, and whether rain comes soon or not it must aggregate 100,000. The horses, sheep and cattle are reduced absolutely to skin and bone, and stand forlornly in the paddocks, never attempting to graze, having long since realised the futility of trying to obtain* 1 sustenance from the bare parched earth. The mortality is greatest among the lambing ewea. A few of the ewes which have the strength to walk away abandon their lambs as soon as dropped. There will be absolutely no lambs saved, and it will take three years to stock up the runs.

Many sheep in the drought districts are also dying from the effects of continuously eating dry feed. Where strong enough to travel the stock is being sent to tMe boiling-down works. Even the grass on the mountains, to which the stock was driven during previous droughts, has failed on this occasion.

Adelaide, May 25.

Rain has been falling since yesterday, and it is reported to be general throughout the country.