DROUGHT IN THE NORTH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15706, 7 March 1913, Page 6

DROUGHT IN THE NORTH.

OUTBREAK OP TYPHOID. SERIOUS POSITION. (Pee Unix£d Press Association.) ' AUCKLAND, March 6. Xrolonged dry -weather ias been experienced in the far North of Auckland tfiis summer, and in some part 6 it is reported that no rain has fallen since October. uJj Hlconren! ' enc€ distress has resulted, as water supplies have become very short. At various times cases of ™ ts f among the Maoris have been reported, but have, fortunately, not proved to be serious outbreaks. Within the past jew days, however, news ha 6 been sent to the District Health Officer that typhoid fever has broken ont among the Maoris at the OBacawai Settlement, abont a dozen miles inland from the Bay of Islands, oteps were taken to have the Natives looked after, and a field hospital with a nurse in chaTge has been established. In consequence of the prolonged dry weather stock in the North Island' is, suffering severely, as the grass is nearly fiL 005 "/ ly drie<J U P and affor<ls Jittla eed. Large areas have been burnt during the season, and fern and grass alike have been cleared right off. (From Our Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, March 6. An Auckland viator who 1 has lately returned from a top in the north told' a Herald representative to-day that the Tho iv | n need of rain, ihe condition of the Natives was very bad, for they had not the slightest idea of 3T, S ortmary requirements and would not adopt modern methods. White were in difficulties in obtaining water in some cases, and be quoted m W u , th ° olJ y water available had to be obtained by means of a wu' at . expense, from the SI tffy, ? f a tidal c «-eek. The value of the supply, however, was very questionable, for the stream was being used by the llaons f or bathing, washing He H undesir able purposes. STw rpriSed ' h ? &lid - tbat tnerewere" Nfrtime iJ"? 65 ° f tWhoid the 2S' Waa afraid that * the not 80011 chan S e the state of affairs would assume a very serious aspect.