DROUGHT IN CENTRAL OTAGO

Evening Star, Issue 19772, 24 January 1928, Page 5

DROUGHT IN CENTRAL OTAGO

* SIGNS OF BREAKING [Special to tub ’ Stak.’J CIROMWELL, January 21. One of the most serious droughts the district has experienced for, many years lias at last given signs of breaking. It has extended over many months, as since late in October the lower end of the valley lias not had rain of any importance. Coming on top of a dry winter its effects were serious.' Since the middle of December the heat lias been intense .and pastures have shown unusually marked effect, while the water courses which in ordinary dry seasons gave a fair supply have been bone dry. Even such tributaries of the Clutha as Cardrona and Lindis were dry some distance above their confluence with tlm main stream. Li many parts of the district settlers had difficulty in securing water for stock, while the pastures were parched. The welcome break came late last evening, when rain set in up the valley ami steadily extended to the lower regions. It lias been raining throughout the night, and after a brief lull at daybreak it has again sot in. The fall so far will relieve, if not retrieve, the position to achieve which a much longer fall is needed, but at the present moment there is some prospect of further rain.

The drought has served to prove the inefficiency of some of the irrigation schemes, notably that from the Lindis River serving the Tarras, and this calls for very early investigation. Even in more favorable seasons the scheme has failed to supply the settlers who had contracted for water, and to this further reference will be made at an early date. So dry has the season been that the Kawarau River was almost as low as when the gates were closed last year.