24 FEBRUARY 1923, Page 10

Those who have visited countries with a light rainfall, such

as Central Australia and Arizona, will know what the recent rains mean to the Orange Free State. The Times Bloemfontein correspondent states that " the Orange Free State has been blessed with the most bountiful rains that have fallen for over forty years." One result of the rainfall has been that the Kaffir River dam, which was completed last October, and which was not expected to be filled before 1925. is now full to overflowing.