174 HISTORY OF FLOODS IN THE RIVER DARLING. 
in some cases nearly all died. Losses during drought, one to two 
thirds ; estimated loss by starvation in whole colonies, 1,000,000 
and over. ; 
Great drought broke up March, 1869, raining March and April, 
producing good winter feed. 
ut no more rain coming, the summer of 1869 and 1870 was a 
terrible one at Cultowa, there being no rain from March and April, 
3 inches and just running into the lagoons). The water-holes at 
Martilli, Oonondoo, and Wongalara during that time were seldom 
empty, and then only for a very short time; but from early 
1869 to April, 1870, the lakes and water-holes continued empty. 
e highest floods since the Darling was settled were October, 
1863, and March-April, 1864, the former reaching within 16 
inches of the high river bank at Old Cultowa, or nearly 38 feet 
above summer level; while the latter (known as the “Great 
Flood”) rose 3 feet in the old house, or 42 feet above summer 
level. Towns of Walgett and Bourke flooded, and others on the 
tributaries of the Darling ; but since the great flood of 1864 until 
that of 1870 there has only been one flood high enough to run 
out in the billabongs, and that was in May and June, 1867; but 
it only partially filled the lakes, and fell again rather suddenly. 
The greatest rainfall occurred here in the months of February and 
November, two great falls in the former and one in the -atter 
(November, 1858, the other years I forget) filling large water-holes 
in the billabongs, and leaving sheets of water in places on the plains. 
There was a tremendous fall of rain on some parts of the river 
and back country (known ever since as the “January Rain”) m 
January, 1866, which rose the river 18 feet at Menindie, a thing 
unknown from local rains before, and large lakes in the back 
country, not connected with the river, were filled and lasted three 
years ; but here small water-holes were not filled, although rain 
fell during greater part of three days. 
y é a 
Summer temperature very high, averaging 100 degrees n the 
shade for weeks (and twice it rose to 100 degrees at sunset) 5 
extreme, 110 in coolest part of house. Autumn, winter, and early 
spring generally delightful, with occasional frosts in coldest part 
of winter (July or early in August 
gust). P 
Summer of 1869-1870. Country fearfully dry, most tryms- 
March and April rains of 1869 not doing more than provide the 
parched and naked 
winter feed. Reflection of sun’s rays from : 
earth, together with clouds of blowing sand and dust, accompanied 
by hot, scorching winds, most intolerable ; blown sand covering: 
up fences about draughting yards. Hot winds and boisterous g™ 
unusually prevale 
nt, sometimes continuing three or four days 
SSS Ste See ee etter St PE Fo TSE Sar oe OE ay ee nae ot ae 
