Serious Drought in Queensland and N.S.W.

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 290, 8 December 1936, Page 7

Serious Drought in Queensland and N.S.W.

WORST POR PIETY YEARS. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. In contrast to the feeling of wellbeing and prosperity that, is apparent in Australian cities are the livelihoods of 500,000 people in Queensland and New South Wales menaced by the most serious drought for fifty years. Dairying and fruit-growing districts .have had little rain the past eighteen months, and with the hot summer again in swing the outlook is bad. Mr. J. M. A. Ilott, of Wellington who returned by the Awatea to-day from ft three weeks’ business visit to Melbourne and Sydney, said the drought extended down the coast from Townsvillo for 1500 miles and inwards for fifty miles. The northern rivers of New South Wales were badly affected, but on the other side of the range rain was plentiful.

Away from the unavoidable penalties of the weather, there was brisk prosperity and optimism in the cities. Sydney to-day could bo counted among the most modern cities in the world, said Mr. Ilott. Modern architecture was leaving its stamp, aud to those who know the city a few years ago the progress and changes were remarkable. The building of the City Mutual Insurance Company was really an architectural triumph —a magnificent block that would hold its own anywhere. Many other buildings in Sydney were a credit to the city; builders were working at pressure, changing the skyline, and fashioning a brighter capital.