MISCELLANEA. 
115 
DROUGHT AT MORETON BAY. 
We learn that there has been great mortality 
both among horses and cattle in the bush during 
the last month, owing to the prolonged dryness of the 
season, and the severity of the weather, which had 
the effect of withering what little pasturage there was, 
and impeding the growth of the young herbage. The 
bush for miles around is strewed with dead carcases of calves, 
cattle, and particularly working bullocks ; while the absence 
of water in the natural reservoirs near the Bremer has im- 
pelled numbers of poor animals to venture down its steep 
banks to slake their thirst, but where they met their death, 
either from their inability to ascend, or from their having 
fallen into the water. The warm state of the weather a few 
days since inspired the hope that spring with its genial rains 
was coming : but we had no sooner formed these hopes than 
they have been blighted and disappointed. Yesterday we 
had a sudden return to drying westerly winds, and the 
drought continues in all its severity. The water in the 
Bremer, from its stagnant state, and the number of carcasses 
floating about, combined with the offal and other putrid 
matter from the Warrell Boiling Establishment, has rendered 
it scarcely fit for drinking ; indeed, many persons send for 
water some distance from the town, at considerable expense, 
rather than use that from the river. All around the town 
presents an aspect of sterility and barrenness very different 
from its usually verdant appearance ; and if Providence 
should not soon bless the district with rain we fear the con- 
sequences will be most disastrous to the small farmers, and 
proprietors of stock generally. Every person engaged in 
pastoral and agricultural pursuits is now anxiously watching 
the weather, rightly judging that urdess we have a change 
from dry to wet weather shortly, there will be no hope of a 
fruitful season. Notwithstanding the drought, there is one 
gleam of sunshine, and that is— the wheat crops are doing 
well, and also several other kinds of grain which have been 
sow r n this year in the neighbourhood of the town . — North 
Australian , August 5. — Empire , Sydney. 
