AUSTRALIAN SURVEYS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1663, 19 June 1879, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN SURVEYS.

A survey party is (says tho "Argua") being despatched from Adelaide to define with accuracy the boundary of South Australia and New South Wales, from the 29th parallel of latitude to the 26th, on the 141st meridian, and thence on the same parallel to the 13S h meridian, the south-east corner boundary of the Northern Territory and Queensland. The tract of country to bo surveyed is (states the "Advertiser") mostly sandy desert, with water here and there on Cooper's Creek and further north, but the arid nature of the district at the present time may be estimated from tho fact that Burke and Wills both died at Innamincha, which will be the main depot of the party who leave Adelaide. The surveyor in charge is Mr W. Barron, who has recently returned from the explorations towards tho west with Professor Tate. Mr Barron will be accompanied by Mr G-. Fox and eight others, including an Afghan cameldriver. Owing to the scarcity of water, horses would be useless on the expedition, and sixteen camels have been obtained from Sir Thomas Elder. These animals will .'convey two years' supply of provisions and stores from Port Augusta or Beltana to the main depot at Burke's Grave, and will then be employed as required. The approximate distance from Port Augusta to Innamincha is 450 to 500 miles, depending upon the route taken —Blanchewater or Mulligan's Station, the course being then up the Strelechi Creek. When tho trigonometrical party reach Burke's Grave they will have to return to the 29th parallel of latitude, near Fort Grey, an old depot of Sturt the explorer, in 1846, where water can be obtained, and then commenco operations. Very frequent observations will have to bo taken to ascertain the true meridian, and every mile post will bo raised on a mound surrounded by a ditch, the distances between being marked at intervals with zino plates. Lake Goyder, Lake Massacre, Eyre's Creek, and the Everard River will be relied upon for water supply as the party go north, but danger will be apprehended from tho fierce tribe of natives that are known to exist about the Queensland boundary, and Mr Barron and his associates are furnished with arms for self-defence. It will be remembered that Mr McCormack not long since found the remains of a man named Graham, who had been murdered by the blacks in that part of the country. The expedition is a necessary and in some respects an important one, and it is hoped that the little party will safely accomplish the arduous task that has been entrusted to tbsm.