Heavy rains in Queensland and New South Wales this week have relieved what threatened to be the worst drought for many years. Last winter and summer were unusually dry throughout the Eastern States. and only a fraction of the normal rain has fallen since the beginning of the year.
Over a large area in New South Wales conditions have been particularly bad. Stock removed from parched areas had eaten out their new pastures, and with additional stock being brought down from the highlands for the winter, heavy losses were anticipated. In "Victoria the lack of autumn rains has also postponed the sowing of crops, and rivers and dams are exceptionally low.
At the eleventh hour heavy rain has fallen in the northern States and spreading to Victoria, and it is now hoped that in most districts crops may be sown and pastures restored before the winter sets in, arresting the germination of the seed.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.