West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Saturday 16 April 1892, page 3


THE RECENT STORM AT THE

, NOR-WEST.

The Nar'. West Times of the 26th alt, gives the following particulars in connection with the recent storm at the Nor'-West The rainfall at the Lower Yule station was 4in-, and that at the upper station in., but there was not sufficient to make the river road at either place. At Inthanuna they have been very

fortunate. Before the severe storm a few thunder showers fell on the hills and the

principal flocks went to the spot, presumably in search of green feed. When the storm came on they were comparatively sheltered, none having succumbed when Mr. Cusack found them. The same propitious circumstance happened at Andover. It had been noticed that a flock of sheep were straying towards Bassett's Road when a thunder shower passed over the neighbouring hills. The sheep must have adopted exactly the same course as those at Inthanuna, for they were all found in a gully feeding on green

grass.

Messrs.. Meares and Withnell, of the Sherlock, estimate their losses at 100 cattle and 3,000 sheep.

A traveller from the Ashburton reports that there was no feed from there to 80 miles this side of Mt. Mortimer ; but this was before the storm had reached that country. From there to Karratha there is good feed, the rains having made the grass sprout at Red Hill, the Harding Junction, Yarraloola, and Chinginarra. We have received a telegram from Condon stating that 14in. of rain fell at Eel Creek, Messrs. C. Coppin and Sons' station, on February 29, sweeping cattle, sheep, and horses before it. The homestead was left on a small island, being completely surrounded by water. They had a heavy loss in sheep. Mr. Anderson has received word that out of nearly 100 cattle, 1,500 sheep, and 40 horses on the Pardoe station, only ten of each are left on the run. Messrs. McRae and Pearse's schooner Dawn at the time of the storm was at Mermaid Strait, raising the wrecked lugger Alice, which sank some time back. The hurricane was so severe that the vessel parted from her anchors, and the captain and crew considered it prudent to abandon her. She was ten miles distant when picked up.