Trans- Australian Telegrph. — A South Australian correspondent of tho Lyttelton Times furnishes that journal with an interesting sketch of tbe proceedings of the telegraph construction party. He concludes his narrative with the following description of the country through which the line passes : — " Starting from Port Augusta it goes over a long stretch of plains till it passes the south end of Lake Torrens, and then the country is broken by ranges, spurs and creeks. The first station is at Beltana, the Dame of a squatter's run ; this point being about 150 miles from Port Augnsta. After this the line still runs parallel with the lake, then round south of Lake Eyre, and they northward, crossing rivers, ranges and plains till Mount Margaret ia passed, and Mr. Bagot's line of about 600 miles ends at Sarah. Most of the route so far is stony, and the country desolate looking ; timber has been scarce, and poles, both wood and iron, had to be carted distances up to 400 miles. There has been a good deal of sand on the latter part of this section and stretching into the Government division of tbe line. For many miles it was never necessary to use the crow- bar in sinking the post-holes. The country improves as Macdonnell Range, latitude about 23.30, is reached, and there is beautiful pasture here. After this, table land, plains, ranges, and scrub are passed over, much of the land affording excellent pasturage. The country is well wooded, and for most of the central division poles were got within easy reach. The Northern division begins at about 19.30 on tolerably high ground, and is well timbered all the way to Port Darwin. The character of the country in this division varies very much. Some of it is stony and worthless ; some splendid feeding ground ; large tracts are well adapted for tropical cultivation. Beautiful ranges are passed through, and creeks and rivers crossed, some of these, however, drying up in exceptional seasons.
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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 152, 27 June 1872, Page 4
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330Untitled Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 152, 27 June 1872, Page 4
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