CENTRAL AUSTRALIA A LAND OF DROUGHT

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6865, 21 March 1929, Page 7

CENTRAL AUSTRALIA A LAND OF DROUGHT

STOCK LIVING ON SHRUBS. A striking account of the drought conditions in Central Australia wa3 given by Mr. A. H. 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 ho 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,” sard Mr. O’Kelly, “there is no shade.” Luring 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, there was not a blade of grass, cither green or dead, in tho whole area. The fow stock seen were subsisting on edible shrubs, of which there arc 28 different varieties. Tho saving of tho country was that water could bo obtained by digging Gft. to 12ft. in riverbeds. The water was baled out by blacks into troughs. In normal 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 lie could muster 8000 cattle. This year, if lie could muster at all, tho number would be about TOO. 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 tho Northern Tcrritorv there wore about 8000 natives. Very few of them were seen by the party, as tho blacks hardly ever had seen a motor-car. They were timid, and made off into the bush at the approach of a vehicle. Ur. O’Kollv said there was no evidence that the natives were starving. Officials at Alico Springs compnso the Government resident and secretary, stock inspector, police sergeant and two other policemen. Other police officers were at outside districts. All police horses were dead, and the travelling was done on camels.