THE BREAKING OF THE GREAT DROUGHT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2545, 24 December 1902, Page 75

THE BREAKING OF THE GREAT DROUGHT.

Queensland, December 6. Dear Dot, — The break-up has come at last, but not exactly as I expected it ; yet I was not far out as to the time. We did not weep for joy, as we were to have done. "When it he\ gan to rain just after lunch, I donned amackintosh (the fourth time I have had occasion to wear one for 14 months) and walked down for the mail bag and got drenched perfectly. It was good, except for the feeling that half the sat ion was sticking to my shoes'. Then it came dtnvn in lake 3 and oceans,; and bounced up like the steam coming out' of- az? ' engine when every valve is open. It gushed' do-wn th' baro hillside, filled up the excavation at the back of the kitchen house, rose a foot high on the back verandah, and ran boldly into the kitchen; it obliterated the path, in Marjie'3 garden, to -say nothing- about every whcelmark on the place. It caused the death of one' of ■ Potiki's tiny chicks, (it -died of fright, I think), and -it has put a stop -to the shearing.: I'veiad ray feet wet twice. airway, and anv now, sitting with' jny fishing boots on in. honour' of 'the occasion- . ' ..-'■' We had a big shower last week, and alxeady in some paddocks the grass is 6in- high- There^ was a fresh- in the creek, and-, three, of us went - down a. mile or so to see a small dam. We walked across though we had slight difficulty in getting dryshod over a break. Next -morning the dam was gone. We realised how narrowly we had missed a cheap trip to Adelaide. They tell us that our united weights were as the last straw on the camel's back. That's the third time I've escaped from the waters. In. the Orong River four of. us were swept off our feet into a whirlpool under a willow. I was Ihe youngest, and was unable to* scramble out, and was only rescued by Marje, and 0., who saw me floating unconsciously clown stream. At great risk they waded into the rapid current and caught me by my hair. On the other occasion C. and I were cut off from everywhere iv a flood, and had to stand on the bank of » roaring drain till a raft was built and came across the gully for us. But this break up of the drought! It is gocd, and we who have -seen the country slowly die experience such odd feelings; just as if -Lady smith had been relieved, c something like that. Christmas and New Year greetings to all, to Oroua in particular, for whose letters I look in vain. Potiki sends Christmas wishes also. December 7. Before breakfast I went down to measur* the rain, and came up in high glee, for there

Change of Water often brings on diarrhoea. For this reason many experienced travellers carry a bottle of Chamberlain'B Colic, Cholera, aud Diarrhoea Remedy with them, to be used in case of an emergency. This preparation has no equal as a cur« for bowel complaints. It cannot be obtained while on board th© cars or eteam« ship, and that is where it is most likely to be needed. Buy a bottle before leaving tom». 4J] dealera sell it. «

\ Some "seemed- excited," But father -."ißdn*t -seem, at "all co, "while* O. 'experienced „' .great difficiir^ in controlling' her^ amusement. that'-someone, at the s ir/stigation^of :Z«UQther,^meaisured the rain,. and th"en>filled' up therain-gauge. , There was only lin 168 points, (fjiSburs truly, , \ / ■■ -v KOUGH HIDER.