West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Saturday 10 January 1953, page 14


KIMBERLEY RAINS BRIGHTEN FUTURE The rains which had fallen to ease last year's drought had made prospects very favourable, Mr. George Mawley, managing-director and part-owner of seven stations in the northern part of the State, said yesterday.

Mr. Mawley reached Fremantle in the motorship Koolinda. Referring to Yeeda station in the West Kimberley, he said that, apart from cattle losses, the drought would cause a shortage of four-year-old bullocks in four years' time. Last weekend, he added, Yeeda had registered 7in. of rain, the highest registration in the area. In the past 18 months, only 476 points had fallen, although for 60 years Yeeda had averaged an annual rainfall of 24in. Mr. Mawley said that the Fitzroy was now running "half a river." To lessen the effects of future droughts bores were being put down and fencing being carried out. Fencing would contain the bullocks and prevent breeders from breeding too early. Speaking of Noonkanbah and] Nyroodah sheep stations, he said that the position there was much better than he would have believed. Shallow bores had helped considerably. At Noonkanbah last year 60. 000 sheep had been shorn and at Nyroodah, 22,000. Although it would be difficult to estimate until shearing started in March, Mr. Mawlev thought that the number this year would be about 10,000 less at Noonkanbah. At Nyroodah there would be little difference. Mr. Mawley, who also visited Ashburton Downs station, out from Onslow, said that the stock was in good condition and there was plenty of feed.