LAND OF DROUGHT

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 March 1929, Page 11

LAND OF DROUGHT

TRIP IN CENTRAL AUSTRALIA

A striking account of the drought conditions in Central Australia was given by Mr A. 11. O’Kelly, chairman of the Federal Board of Inquiry into the shooting of blacks in Central Australia, who recently returned to resume his magisterial duties in Cairns. In giving an account of his trip, Mr O’Kelly said that he travelled 9170 miles, changing trains 19 times.

In Central Australia, the temperature never dropped below 105 degrees. A temperature of 117 degrees in the shade had been experienced, “and,” said Mr O’Kelly, “there is no shade.” During the month the Board was in Alice Springs, the members travelled 1700 miles, mostly over desert, in motor-cars. The country was suffering from drought which has extended over five years, and there was not a blade of grass, either green or dead, in the whole area. The few stock seen were subsisting on edible shrubs, of which there are 28 different varieties. The saving of the country was that water could be obtained by digging 6ft to 12ft in riverbeds. The water was baled out by blacks into troughs. In norniiil seasons the country would carry up to five beasts to the square mile. The smallest area taken up by any one settler was 500 square miles, for which the nominal rental was Is a square mile. One settler informed Mr O’Kelly that two years ago he could muster 8000 cattle. This year, if he could muster at all, the number would be about 700 . Another settler had 900 head two years ago, but to-day not one. ■ The white population was estimated at 250 men, women and children. In Central Australia and the Northern Territory there were about 8000 natives. Very few of them wei-e seen by the party, as the blacks hardly ever ha dseen a motor-car. They were timid, and made off into the bush at the approach of a vehicle. Mr O’Kelly said there was no evidence that the natives were starving. Officials at Alice Springs comprise the Government resident and secretary, stock inspector, police sergeant and two other policemen. Other police officers were at outside districts. AH police horses were dead, and the travelling was done on camels.