beyond the River Darling, in which nearly all the successful 
394 H. G. McKINNEY. | 
artesian bores are situated, is not likely to be used to any con- 
siderable extent for other than pastoral purposes. This being so 
the object to be aimed at here is the increase of the stock-carrying 
capacity of the land. The attainment of this object depends mainly 
on the provision of an ample supply of water for the stock and of 
reserves of fodder for assisting in tiding over dry seasons. Through- 
out a large portion of the north-western district, these require- 
ments can be met in part by artesian supplies of water. There is 
therefore, strong reason for drawing on these supplies to their 
fullest extent, and making use of them to the greatest advantage. 
As already mentioned, irrigation in connection with pastoral 
properties has in some cases, particularly in the Central Division, 
diminished in recent years owing to the exceptional rainfall. 
Since 1886 the record of maximum annual rainfall has been twice 
broken, namely in 1887 and 1890; not only so, but, with the 
exception of 1888, every year since the beginning of 1887 has 
been above the previous average in regard to rainfall and to floods 
in the rivers. <A resident of the Gwydir district of twenty-seven 
years’ standing, lately informed me that during the whole of that 
period there was no such succession of floods as that experienced 
in the last few years. The most sanguine will scarcely expect 
this state of affairs to last much longer. Since the last severe 
drought the number of sheep in this Colony has nearly doubled, 
other live stock have increased very largely in number, and the 
importance of agriculture, dairying, and fruit growing have 
advanced in at least a corresponding degree. Under these circum- 
stances the question suggests itself, ‘‘ How are we now prepared 
for a drought”? This is a question of the first importance and 
one which requires to be examined from several points of view. 
In the last ten years the number of sheep in this Colony has 
increased from 36,115,000 to 58,080,000, and other live stock 
have also increased largely, though not in the same proportion. 
Selectors in the Central Division and homestead lessees in the 
Western Division constitute an important increase in the number 
