AUSTRALIA'S EMPTY NORTH.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2005, 12 March 1914, Page 6

AUSTRALIA'S EMPTY NORTH.

AN EXODUS FROM DARWIN. Tho exodus from Darwin continues Sydney "Daily Telegraph"), ■thirty-four'of tho old. Government staff arrived in. Sydney la«t week by the Taiyuan. To use tho expression'of <me of tho party, "Port Darwin is flatter now than it was four years ago," It was further stated that tho area required disinfecting. Fever, tick, and swamp cancer were prevalent near the coast, and, no matter what anybody said, tho place was no place for a white man who had to work. There wore times in tho day, it was sard, when men bad to sleep on account of tho heat; even the horses went to sleep at 10 a.m. tho weather was so hot. Thcro was no doubt that cattle could raised inland 300 or 400 miles, but or tho coast a man did not cat fresh meat once in' a fortnight. Day labour had boon stopped, and Russians were employed on public works in preference to Australians—and tills on contract work. There was little money, and, in tho opinion of those who have just returned to Sydney, it is extremely improbable tint the present arrangements regarding the administration of the Territory will continue. It was added that the general opinion among the few people left in tho Territory was that Dr. Gilruth woqlcl not return to it.