RAINS IN AUSTRALIA.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18158, 24 October 1930, Page 3

RAINS IN AUSTRALIA.

NATURE’S COMPENSATION. GOOD EFFECT ON COUNTRY. “Central Australia is now enjoying Nature’s compensation for the devastating drought, which ended a year ago,” said Mr G. A. Gahan, Commonwealth Railways Commissioner, commenting on the recent heavy rains in Central Australia. Altogether the Commonwealth Railways Department has now 100,000,000 gallons of water stored in reservoirs for locomotive purposes—a bigger supply than for many years.

Mr Gahan added that when he was returning overland from Darwin 'a few weeks ago large mobs of cattle had already set out on the long trek from North Australian runs to the railhead at Alice Springs, from which station they will be trucked in the autumn. Altogether 32,000 head of cattle have been trucked since the railway'opened.

Tourist Trafflo. Unfortunately the recent further washaways will entail heavy expense In restoring the permanent way, but continuance of the good year is a boon to the Central Australia railway, as not only is it productive of valuable revenue from livestock traffic, but also it will make the conditions very pleasant and enjoyable for the winter tourist traffic, which is now an established feature of inland Australia.