BIG FLOOD LOSSES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22685, 24 March 1937, Page 17

BIG FLOOD LOSSES

THOUSANDS OF SHEEP NEW SOUTH WALES PLAINS SEQUEL TO A DROUGHT GRAZIERS' HOPES DASHED [from our own correspondent] SYDNEY, March 10 Tho most serious result of tho recent heavy rains was tho loss of thousands of sheep on the north-western plains. Owing to the flooded state of the holdings, it was impossible yesterday to determine the losses, but reports indicated that they were considerable. Reports reached Garah that 2000 sheep were missing on Moorlands Station, and mobs of 1000 and more were not accounted for at other holdings. In places tho water stretched over the flat country for miles. The overflow from Whalan Creek has covered thousands of acres out from Boggabilla and Goondiwindi. On Wednesday, Mr. H. Holcombe, of Merriba Station, estimated his loss at 3900, but to-day lie discovered a mob of 1200 some miles from the homestead, standing in water 18in. deep. These animals were in a pitiful plight, but nothing could be done to assist them, and they were still in danger of dying last night. Their backs were covered with flood debris, showing that the water must have been up to their heads. The fate of the other 2700 was not known, but it is feared that they have been drowned. Losses running into thousands of animals were reported from Adavale and Willaroo holdings. The sheep wero in fine condition and carrying nine months' growth of wool.

The police at Boomi said last night that from 2000 to 3000 sheep were probably drowned. At Willimill, Broxburn, and other holdings, thousands of acres upon which sheep were grazing when the flood came down, wero still under water yesterday, and it was feared that several large mobs wore wiped out completely. It will be a few days before station hands will be able to'get about and round up the surviving mobs. The north-western area had just emerged from a two years' drought, and prospects were splendid after the rains of December and February. The soaking trjven to the country by this week's rains would have been highly beneficial, but any possible good eflects were nullitied for most graziers by losses of sheep in the floods.

RELIEF IN QUEENSLAND

RAIN WORTH £2,000,000

STATE DAIRYING INDUSTRY

Recent heavy rains in Queensland have relieved the dairying industry and the threatened serious water shortage in Brisbane. Even if no more rain falls on the watershed the city water supply is assured for the next 12 months. The Brisbane City Council last week removed the restrictions on water consumption, imposed when the city s reserve supply was half exhausted.

" The value of the recent rain to Queensland is incalculable in terms of money," said the Director of the Queensland Bureau of Industry, Mr. J. B. Brigden. Tho industry most in need of rain had been dairying, the total production value of which was estimated at £6,000.000. The losses in stock and lower production returns due to drought conditions might be set down at any. figure from £1,000,000 to £2.000,000, and it was reasonable to assume that the recent rain would wipe out all or most of that deficit. A figure of £2,000,000 might not over-state the value of the rain to the dairying If the' wet season had been delayed much longer, there would probably have been a fall in the total value of tho State's production of £5.000,000 to £10,000.000. This included the pastoral industry.