Port Darwin Realities.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 204, 7 October 1873, Page 6

Port Darwin Realities.

( Warnamhool Examiner.) We have been shown the following extract from a letter, dated August 4, from Port Darwin to a gentleman here, and for the sake of those who have the “ Northern fever,” we publish it : —“ My first impressions are anything but favourable, and at the present time I candidly confess there is no opening for individual exertions. Up to the present time nothing but reefs have been discovered, and the most of those are formed into companies—in fact, I may say that up to the present there are no private individuals in possession of a claim. The consequence is that 95 per cent, of the population are sent over here under engagement to the different companies. They all arrive completely equipped, with horses, drays, tools, and provisions for the twelve months, and the result is that there are neither stores on the reefs, or accommodation houses on the road ; hence you will perceive that it is impossible for any solitary individual to carry his swag, and make for the diggings as we used to do in the days of yore. No doubt, if things turn out favourably, this will rectify itself; but unless alluvial diggings are discovered, I would not give much for the future chances. The climate is the hottest I have yet experienced, and the mosquitoes and sand-flies are absolutely maddening. Add to this the fact that a person dare not go bathing on account of the alligators. . . , Things may alter for the better, but at the present any money that is made must be got at the risk of health and life. The last season has been a very sickly one—yellow fever, and fever and ague, being very prevalent, and several parties dying. There is no nourishing food in the Territory. Live stock or fresh meat is not procurable ; salt meats only being obtainable.” The Brisbane Courier, in publishing some news regarding the Northern Territory, says: —“The greatest drawback to the progress of the district, at least by means of a European population, is the climate, which, our informant assures us, is ‘ something dreadful,’ and quite a bar to any extensive or permanent occupation by whites. When the Gothenburg left, Port Darwin fever was very prevalent, and numbers were arriving weekly from the diggings suffering also from the ague. The climate, in fact, is stated to be so unsuited to whites that the development of the Territory’s great resources will have to be eventually carried on by means of Asiatic labour, which is easily obtainable, as the Malays even at present very largely visit Port Darwin and the vicinity in their proas, and are extensively employed in the pearl and bfcch-de-ryicr fisheries/'