THE FROZEN SOUTH.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1246, 30 September 1911, Page 7

THE FROZEN SOUTH.

DR. AIAWSON WELL SUPPORTED. By Telcjrraph—Press Association—OoDJrieht Sydney, September 29. Owing to tho enthusiastic manner in which Australia is endorsing his scheme for the exploration of tho Antarctic, Dr. Mawson has decided to extend tho scope of his expedition. Already over JMO.OOO is in hand. Dr. Mtiwsou now intends to raiso tho limit of subscriptions to .£50,000. If this amount is forthcoming ho proposes to establish four instead of threo bases. The fourth will be at Macquario Island. Tho expedition will also be strengthened in other ways. RAILWAY GAUOE PROBLEM. — « | AUSTRALIAN DECISION. ilj Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. September 29, 10.45 p.m.) Melbourne, September 29. Tho Fedoral Government has fixed the gauge of tlio transcontinental railway from Port Augusta, in South Australia, to Kalgoorlie, at Ift. Siin., tho European and American standard gauge, and tho samo as that of tho New South Wales railways. Tho Commonwealth War Railway Council recently recommended tho adoption of the 4ft. 81in. standard railway gaugo for Australia. In a recent paper on tlio subject, Mr. J. H. Smith, president of tho Victorian Institute of Engineers, pointed out that of the 10,755 miles of railway in Australia, 4078 were sft. sin. gauge, 3521 4ft. Slin. gauge, and 81101 3ft. Gin. gauge. So that, if uniformity was to be obtained, whatever change was made would a fleet the greater proportion of the lines of Australia. If they laid down narrow lines that would afterwards havo to bo. widened, they were laying up a debt of expenditure that would havo to bo met at some future time. The Australian gauge must be an economic long distance gauge, and any gauge that was to suit Australia must bo one for long distance hauling. To convert all tho -ift. B!in. gauge lines in Australia to sft. 3in. gauge would entail a cost of JC4,260.000, and tho oft. 3in. to 4ft. BHn. £2,360,000. showing that to convert tho wlio'.o of the lines to the Victorian gaugo would cost about i 1,900,000 moro than to convert the gausre on tho Victorian lines to tho lesser gauge. The decision t; build a 4ft. Sin. lino fiom Port August to Kalgoorlie will complicate matters still further for tlio time beinir, as the West Australian railways a™ 3ft. Gin., and tho South Australian both 3ft. Gin. and sft. sin.