Transcription

RUNS OVERSTOCKED DURING DRY & PARCHED SEASONS
 

STATE OF THE SOUTHERN COUNTRY DURING 1850

 

1850 - THE MURRAY DISTRICT.
 

The grazing interests of the district suffered severely during the long drought in 1850. Cattle & horses were seen laying dead in every direction - The runs on the Murrumbidgie [Murrumbidgee]  river had for some years been giving way, the Country intervening this river &
the Sources of the Murray had also been failing as a grazing Country, nor can this be wondered at from the nature of the Climate, the scarcity of rain during Many Seasons, & the heavy grazing of herds of cattle & flocks of Sheep.
 

1850 -   PORTLAND DISTRICT.

The western district of Portland during the latter end of 1850 had been dry without a parallel since its location, and the swamps the chief dependency for watering.  Stock were drying up at a pace quite alarming to the settlers. Some of whom had to abandon their runs altogether & rent pieces from their more fortunate neighbours who could spare a waterhole.
 

1850   BATHURST DISTRICT

 

The Country in the interior to the westward of Bathurst suffered severely during the long Continued drought of this & former years indeed there was no part of the Country where the usual droughts Continued So long without abatement, the country on the Lachlan is described as being
in a fearful State, the ground is totally devoid of
herbage, & the Cattle invariably in the most miserable Condition in fact in a dying State.
In one water hole at Omed [?] Plains there are supposed to be no less than three hundred head laying dead -
 
APRIL 1851.  THE MURRUMBIDGIE DISTRICT

At this date the Murrumbidgie [Murrumbidgee] district was in a most melancholy condition for want of rain - It was expected that no less than
fifty per cent of all stock would perish - The People from the back run were flocking down to the banks of the River being compelled by the want of water for the use of themselves & families.
 

 

 

 

 

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