THE DROUGHT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 13 February 1908, Page 4

THE DROUGHT.

THE DBY WEATHER IN GOLDEN I BAY.

SCARCITY OF WATER.

FIRES EVERYWHERE.

(From a Motupipi Correspondent.)

The dry weather continues, and fires are in every direction, and at times the smoke is quite trying. Many of the settlers have stayed up ail night watching the fires and protecting their homes, everything being so dry that the fire takes all before it, and the scarcity of water adds to the danger. For miles along the Takaka river not a sign of water is to be found. Cattle and horses have to be driven miles for water, and when the poor animals return home they are tired and again thirsty and ready for more water. The roads are so dusty and the sun so hot that when the wind blows it makes one wish for rain. Some of the old settlers say they have never known such a dry season. There is not a blade of grass to be seen. The fields are brown with dry grass and rubish. Tho fruit trees, too, are suffering for want of rain, the fruit coming off and lying thick on the ground. Some -who had walnuts seemed to think titers would be a good crop this year; but the unripe fruit has fallen off and lies in quantities under the trees. If the drought continues much longer there will be little benefit when the rain does como. Vegetables, too look as if they had been scorched by the sun.