AUSTRALIAN DROUGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18364, 3 April 1923, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN DROUGHT.

SYDNEY'S WATER SHORTAGE, MARKET GARDENERS' PLIGHT RECUPERATION IN FAR WEST ' [FROM OtTB own corhespondtwt.] SYDNEY. March 28. The . reality of the abnormal conditions that have prevailed throughout the present summer has at length, been brought right home to the people of Sydney by the Water Board's drastic step in prohibiting garden hoses. Even with the constant use of these, suburban flower and vegetable gardens have suffered woefully, but they have sustained a precarious existence. But now the recent scattered storm rain which yielded up to about 2 inches in parts, but which did not add a drop to the city reservoirs, has passed away, so that the Water Board's edict means that unless a speedy change in the weather comes the gardens are doomed.

Of course, a howl of indignation has gone up- from Sydney residents, and the board is being criticised right and left for having failed to be prepared for such an emergency as at the present. However, the board is able to show that it has been the victim of financial starvation by successive Governments, which have failed to provide the loan money required to keep pace with the rapidly increasing requirements. A reservoir which, under the board's programme, should have been completed three years ago is still unfinished. The plight of market gardeners is serious, and unless some relaxation in the restrictions in their favour is made by the. board the ill-effects will be shared by the public generally, who will be faced with" a shortage of vegetables and have to pay exorbitantly for - those- available. Representations on their behalf so far nave failed to move the board, which takes the view that its first function is to preserve a supply for consumption and, domestic requirements and that it was never intended that it should irrigate Sydney gardens in time of drought. To allay popular discontent the Minister for Works has announced legislation for next session to reconstruct the Water Board. The country districts are feeling the effects of the prolonged dry weather grievously, iln some parts graziers have sold out their stock, disgusted at the long period •of lean years that have afflicted them, and moved their animals while they are able. The scattered rains recently were a veritable God-send, but they were only a drop in a bucket compared with requirements. Hundreds of water-trains are being run by the Railway Commissioners. In many country towns as much as half-a-crown per 100 gallons at Trangie, fdr instance being paid for water, and at least 10s a week is required for a family's bare requirements. An encouraging report indicating the marvellous recuperative capacities of the far western areas comes from* Olive Downs Station, about 230 miles from Broken Hill. A spell of nearly two years without a drop of rain left it as bare as an egg, and the Mitchell grass, a fine feed, just as good dry as green, was swept away. Rain which fell there in February, however, has produced a wonderful crop of it, over 300,000 acres being covered to a height of about 2ft. 6in. Mr. Thompson, of Grassmere Station, Wilcannia, who has just returned from a visit to Olive Downs, says the revival is*. simply miraculous, as. it was believed that the Mitchell grass had gone for ever. j