202 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY Conclusions finance, both public and private, upon a more healthy basis. Banks became more careful in their conduct of business, and merchants and shopkeepers followed their example. It may even be said that the financial position of Australia to-day is better than it has been for man- years, and especially than it was in the recent period of apparent prosperity. South Australia did not feel the strain so severely as her Victorian neighbors, mainly because her people were more cautious ; a good harvest or two, with fair prices, would terminate her troubles. The Bank of Adelaide, which had its head office in the city, was one of the very few large banking institutions in Australia that did not close its doors. Bank of Adelaidk Unfortunately the good harvests that might make all the difference did not arrive when expected, yet the financial condition of the Province is sound. The people have been patient and hopeful, and have spiritedly put their houses in order in preparation for the good years that must be before them. Prices in 1894 were lower even than in the previous year, and the harvest was below the average. In 1895 there was a slight rise in wheat, and although the harvest was no better than its predecessors, the general condition of the Province was more encouraging. The price of wheat was higher still in 1896 and 1897, but the drought continued to devastate the north country. To relieve the distress among the farmers in the remote districts, a Seed Wheat Loan Act was ])assed by Parliament, and public subscriptions were obtained. The harvest in 1896-7 averaged only i -66 bushels per acre, in 1897-8 it was 2'64, and in 1898-9, 4-91. The loss to the Province is seen in the small annual export of breadstuffs - 1 894, / 1,082, 665 ; 1895, £?>72„^72; 1896, /643,332 ; 1897,^230,868; 1898, ^261,898 ; and 1899, /7<'^375i-
