NORTHERN TERRITORY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2006, 13 March 1914, Page 8

NORTHERN TERRITORY.

REPORT OF THE COMMISSION. RAILWAYS RECOMMENDED. The outeome of tho labours of the Northern Territory Railway and Ports Commission is a majority report signed by Mr. Frank Clarke (chairman) and Mr. David Lindsay; and a minority report expressing tho views of tho third member, Mr. A.'Coombcs. Tho Commissioners recommend tho construction of the railway line from Katherino to Oodnbadatta via Renner and Alice Springs, as nearly direct as is consistent with tho best engineering and revenue producing considerations. It is recommended that the construction be commenced at the westerly swing of the trunk line from tho Katherine, passing near Willeroo, and thonco to tho telegraph line, at or about Renner Springs. Should this westerly swing, on examination, be found impracticable, then the report suggests a branch lino south-westerly from or near the Katherhio. A connection of tho Pelew Islands with the Barklcy tableland by a line up the M'Arthur Valley to; say, Anthony's Lagoon, -ultimately functioning with tho Camooweal lino is also suggested. Tho length of the line would be 230 miles. When. Queensland extends a railway to Camooweal, and begins the construction of the great western trunk line, a branch lino from tho i main trunk line to the Queensland border will, the report says, bo a necessity, to give important direct connection of Darwin with tho eastern States, ports, and rivers. The commissioners, all three, are not impressed with Mataranka as a site for an inland capital. "The course of and the junction of the railways and trade routes," rans the majority Tcport, "will fix a position best suited for an administrative centre when such is needed." A Mining and Stock Country. Tho Territory they regard as primarily a mining and stock country. The agriculture on tho coast they do not take into serious account as affecting railway routes, but they suggest the desirability of testing the country further inland for wheat. Mining is regarded much more hopefully as a probable factor in tho immediate development of the metalliferous areas, which arc of enormous extent, and have a wide distribution. Until, however, development work has definitely j.oved, the existence of permanent ore 'bodies, tlie Commissioners decljne to recommend any lino for the special benefit of mining fields, although several will be incidentally benefited by the lines they-do recommend. The routes of trunk lines have been considered by the majority from two standpoints:— (1) The opening up of the country for pastoral occupation; and (2) tho quickest and most advantageous connection of tho Territory with the' rest of Australia. The stock industry is already proved. AVhilo expressing regret, that they, wore unable to obtain more definite and detailed evidence respecting sheep, having regard to the superiority of sheep to big stock as a factor , in developing and effecting settlement, thore was general agreement 1 among witnesses sheep could be depastured successfully anywhere south of- say, tho 16th parallel. Messrs. Clarke and Lindsay think that, on tho general evidence it would be reasonable to expect the Barkley tabloland and the Victoria River districts together to carry fifteen million sheep, and the country south of those districts, possibly in time another millian. Irrespective of large stock it is contended that tlie construction of ,tho north-south lino will facilitate the occupation of 281,000,000 acres; that is taking a strip 200 jniles on each side for the entiro length. Pastoral and Mining Development.

"While, from the information available," remark the commissioners, "it is impossible to say what proportion of this vast area is capable of profitable pastoral and mining development, there is sufficient to indicate that this proportion must bo very large. Comparing the direct north-south line with the eastern detour, via Camooweal, Westem Queensland, and New South Wales, as advocated'chiefly by Mr. Harper, representing the New South Wales Kailway Commissioners, Messrs. Clarke and Lindsay think that great advantages would accrue from the latter, and suggest that it should be subject to two breaks-of gauge." Stress is laid upon the direct line, because it will bo the means of developing a vast section of the Territory which otherwise' must remain for ever undeveloped.- It can be started from one gauge in whatever4ime and under whatever conditions the Commonwealth chooses.

Muck importance is attached to Darwin, for the following reasons:—(l) It is incomparably th'e best natural harbour on the north coast and on the main sea highway to the East; (2) it is tho best natural port for the Victoria River; (3) as a proposed naval base it cannot l be left isolated.

At £6000 per mile for the broadgauge lino tho 1250 miles recommended, exclusive of harbour, works and alterations of exjsting terminal sections, would c05t",£7,500,000; the same mileage of narrow gauge at ■'£5000 per mile would cost about £5,000,000. Mr. Coomoes's Dissenting Report. Mr. Coombes agrees with his colleagues in -regarding tho Territory as a pastoral and mining country, and although experimental work should bo carried on, owing to the many difficulties to bo overcome, ho doubts if agriculture for export at a profit is likoly to be established for a long tinio to come. Mr. Coombes is of tho opinion that tho Barkloy tableland and tho country on tho head waters of the Victoria Kiver are tho most valuablo areas of laud in the Northern Territory. Both districts are likely to bo found suitable for sheep. Although there are limited areas of fertile country, the greater part of tho remainder in tho northern portion of the Territory he regards as poor country, not capable of much development. It. will carry cattlo, but is not suitable for sheep. The .establishment of a deep sea port in tho Gulf of Carpentaria would servo an immense area of country, including tho Barkloy tableland. Mr. Coombes regards Darwin as tho port and business centre for tho country for two hundred or three hundred milos south (including tho mining fields), and.of tho coastal districts and islands 150 miles to tho west and 350 miles to the east. Ho does not consider it the natural port for tho Barkley tableland, or tho Victoria River country. But it is likely ho thinks that Wyndham (in Western Australia) will be found to be the best outlet for tho latter district. Ho reports strongly against tho .Tennant's Crcek-Pino Creek portion of tho proposed north and south transcontinental railway. He considers that instead of tho transcontinental railway running north from Tennant's Creek to Pino Creek and Darwin, it should run jiorth-east through tho Barkloy tableland, and down tho valley of tho Macartliur River, to port at Pelew Islands. Compared with the generally-accepted transcontinental route, along the overland telegraph lino to Pino Creek, this now routo would not only traverse better country, but would save 250 miles haulage from Central Australia to tho seaboard, and over £1,000,000 in the cost of construction. Mr. Coombes further recommends water conservation and bores for the country at present unoccupied, or only partly stocked, because of tho want of jjermanent surface water.