END OF LONG DROUGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19460, 16 October 1926, Page 13

END OF LONG DROUGHT.

HEAVY RAIN IN QUEENSLAND.

SERIOUS REDUCTION OF STOCK.

ABOUT 6,000,000 SHEEP LOST*

[from our own correspondent. ] SYDNEY, Oct. 7.

The worst spell of dry weather that New Zealand ever had would not be classed as anything serious by the pastoral areas of this country. Copious rains which have just fallen in Central Queensland have ended in that area what has been the most dreadful experience of pastoralists since the Continent wide drought of 1901-02. An example t F haw drought has affected Queenswid may be gauged from the size of the flocks. In 1892 Queensland sheep numbered 21,708,000; in 1901, 10,030,000; in 1902, 7,214,000. In those 10 years the State lc,;t over 14.000,000 sheep. Then came a period of beneficence and by 1914 the flocks had been built up to 23,130,000, but in the following year heavy losses again reduced them to i 5,950,000.' The numbers fluctuated during the next 10 years, good seasons alternating with bad. At the end of 1925 the flocks had been bred up to a total of 20,663,000. From the recent drought, just at present there might be exaggerations of losses, but conservative estimates place them at not less than 6,000,000. A few weeks ago a grazier between Hughendon and Winton gave his rainfall for the ■ period from March, 1925, to August, 1926—nearly 18 months—as 172 points, and that in little showers which, as he expressed it, "did more harm than good." The losses of cattle are more difficult to estimate, ©wing to the large export trade of beef, but here again, judging on the losses of past droughts, at least 300,000 head of cattle perished as a direct result of the drought. Heartbreaking Experiences. These are only direct losses. In addition, there are losses to be taken into account through poorer quality of wool, mutton and beef. No New Zealander who has not had the heartbreaking exI perience of an Australian drought season can understand how those Central Queensland pastoralists would welcome the recent rains, how thsy would run outside as the first great drops of the tropical rain disturbance would come pelting down and laugh with glee, how hearts burdened with months and months of painstaking efforts to save starving stock would leap with joy, how the very sheep, cattle and horses themselves would realise the breaking of the drought and drag their enfeebled bodies in new endeavour to live until tho grass had sprouted and the station dams had filledYet in this dreadful drought the losses have been rendered less great by tho werk performed by modern transport. There were no motor trucks in the fearsome ordeal of 1901-02 on which huge crate-like frames could be built to carry three or four hundred sheep at a time to places where pasturage was more plentiful. Yet this is the exact manner in which one enterprising pastoralist removed 15,000 sheep some hundreds of miles. Again, the railways were not so well organised at the beginning of the century to fight the drought. Value of the Railways. In the last drought the Queensland Railway Department has done great work in moving starving stock and carrying fodder. Tho Government gladly agreed to such carriage at greatlyreduced rates. At some times every waggon and overy engine that could possibly be spared from other services was devoted to this work. During the seven months ended July 31 last the "railways carried over 2,000,000 sheep and about 18,000 cattle to relief country and since then hundreds of thousands of sheep ar.d tens of thousands of cattle have been transported. It is not exaggerating to say that the life of every single one of thoso animals was saved by thiii move. Stock, weak and requiring tho utmost care, have been carried in one instance 1455 miles, from station to station, and with remarkably small loss, In the case mentioned the consignment consisted of 16,000 wethers and the toUl loss was only 206. In another case 5000 sheep were carried over 1000 miles without loss of a single animal. Not only can Queensland point to this work with pride from a business point of view, but also with considerable gladness from a humane aspect, as anyone who has seen sheep and cattle struggling in the last throes of starvation and thirst in drought will endorse. Outlook in New South Wales. Seasonal prospects, already regarded as good in New South Wales, have been greatly enhanced by the widespread rain of last week. The rain has been especially welcome in the north-west, where it appears to have been heaviest, and where more moisture for the wheat crops was much needed. With the conditions favourable during the next two months, everything points to a good wheat harvest." It is considered not improbable that when the Government Statistician issues his annual returns and estimates, the area under wheat will be found to be somewhat reduced this year. That will be regrettable, in view of the good season.

The pastoral outlook is especially favourable. There have been heavy yardings of sheep and lambs in Sydnev, but while prices have not changed much they have been firm. That is considered due in some measure to the likelihood of Queensland buyers coming into New South Wales for sheep with which to stock up again. The West Darling country is in great heart. When the Governor traversed it recently, he was told by men of long experience out there that not for 40 years at least had there been a better season. The outlook generally is very bright. HUGE LOSSES OP STOCK. NEW ZEALANDER'S ESTIMATE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN COBKESPONDESTT. ] CHRISTCHUKCH. Friday. "It is estimated that the drought which has lust- bi'oken in Queensland has caused the 'loss of 7,000,000 to 8,000.000 sheep. The State has also suffered a loss of cattle which is just as great in proportion to that of sheep," states Mr. G. D. Greenwood, who has returned from a visit to Queensland, where he has pastoral interests. Queensland, he said, had experienced the worst drought in its history since the years 1901, 1902 and 1903. Pastofalists had been feeding their sheep on maize, a ration of 2oz. usually given being insufficient to keep life in a big sheep. In some instances the. sheep were so weak that they could not be driven to the shearing shod and the plant had to be taken out .to them. Indeed, in passing through the country, he saw many sheep and cattle too weak to get out of. the way. No pastoralist who h«kd no* seen a Queensland drcraght could havfr the slightest- coiicspfcksn of tiie^bcdiiaoasi.