The Pahiatua Herald. with which is incorporated THE PAHIATUA STAR. Published Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. FRIDAY, SEPT. 15, 1893.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume I, Issue 50, 15 September 1893, Page 2

The Pahiatua Herald. with which is incorporated THE PAHIATUA STAR. Published Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. FRIDAY, SEPT. 15, 1893.

Thk calamitous results of the protracted drought in England and the extern of irs compass are hardly yet realised in th° Antipodes ; but a perusal of Homo papers gives a faint idea of the tremendous losses entailed. It is indeed sorrowful reading. From all sides come tales of desolation and ruin. At the time the last mail left England tin moisture in the ground had long since b CGiii * • \!;ai:xl.-d ; ponds were dried w»; c< ws .ad failed to yield the usual quantity of milk ; prices were ruineu dy low; and over the whole country was a pall of desolation and despair. In the principal dairying districts, S>m Tsetshire, for instance, farmers had parted with entire herds f :• nominal pres, believing themselves ioidunate in making the first loss ib. East. Never has such a dark outlook, illumined by not a single ray of light, been known for at least three generations, and from the hearts of the most optimistic all hopes of a termination of the drought before the coming of winter had fled. For the first time for 10 years the Mid-Somer-set Agricultural Society was unable to hold its annual cattle show owing to the widespread distress amongst the farmers and other supporters of the annual gathering. Referring to the matter of the drought generally the leading county paper says :—“ One sad result of the drought reaches us from the Meudip Hills district. If there is scarcity for growing grass anywhere it is on hilly fields. In the Mendip neighborhood many meadows are absolutely barren of all feeding stuff and of water. Last week a yeoman who had consumed all his provender, and was unable to secure cake or food of any kind, going into his grounds saw lying dead two of his oxen. Rather than the rest should perish in a similar manner, he took his gun and shot dead all his remaining stock. To add I<> the calamity, much of the grass cut for | hay is so dried and of the nature of j stubble that it is next to worthless :>s I food. One experienced yeoman says I the outlook in the West of England this season has not been comparable for seriousness for full three generations.” All this must excite commiseration amongst the farmers of the colonies for their brethren at Home; and at least in Australia people can sympathise feelingly and with a vivid remembrance of their own misfortunes from the same cause. That old saw, perhaps somewhat selfish in its essence, “ Tis an ill wind that blows nobody good,” applies strikingly to the present situation in England. Agricultural and dairy products have, by reason of the unprecedentedly dry summer, reached a remarkably high price ; and to a great extent colonial farmers have reaped a harvest from their somewhat limited exports, while, perforce, their products have been brought more directly under the notice of the British public than hitherto. This may be, and doubtless is, a selfish view to take of the; prevailing distress at Home; but looked at philosophically it is justified. The colonies ’ had their turn and their share of t ic misfortunes. They could not ward off the disaster from England but they have helped the English people and profited themselves through the evil days of the last few months.