THE QUEENSLANDER TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILWAY SURVEY EXPEDITION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5388, 4 July 1878, Page 3

THE QUEENSLANDER TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILWAY SURVEY EXPEDITION.

(From the Queenslander* June 22.) An expedition has been by the proprietors of this journal, autl will in a few days be under way, for the purpose of making a flying survey of the territory between Blackall and Port Darwin, with a view of determining the character of the cohntry, and the practicability of constructing a trans-con-tiuental railway. We have* for the past four years held a firm belief in the practicability of the construction of a trans-continental railway ou the basis of land grants. It is, of course, in the remembrance of our readers that in 1874 a proposal Was made to the Macalister Government by a number of capitalists, including some of the most notable railway men of the southern colonies, to construct a trans • continental line from the then terminus (Dalby) of our Western line, to a point on the Southern shore of the Gulf of Carpentaria. From various causes the .projected work fell through, but the capital and skill needed for the work were then available, and the land that would have been alienated for the construction of the work could have been well spared from the enormous area of our uualieoated territory. Since that time it has been shown that a suitable port for tho terminus of so great a work does not exist ou the shores of the Gulf of Carpentaria, and this fact has made it apparent tbdt the natural terminus of such aline, no matter by whom constructed, is Port Darwin. This being conceded, wo contend that an effort should be made by the Governments of the two colonies concerned to bring about an understanding that would lead to a full discussion and examination of the feasibility of the two colonies uniting to accomplish a great national undertaking. The gain of working in accord is obvious. South Australia would be certain of the immediate development of her Northern Territory, and assured prosperity of Port Darwin as a great commercial centre, while the profit of Queensland would accrue in the rapid settlement and population of our great North-western country, which can never be profitably occupied while weighted with the present difficulties and cost of transport. In previous articles on intercolonial railways we have explained that the South Australians are now engaged upon the construction of the first section of a transcontinental railway of their own. This section extends from tort Augusta, in the south, northerly to Government Gums; while a survey has been authorised of a short section of the line at the northern end, and from Port Darwin to Pine Creek. If the line to the Gums were extended due north it would meet tho north-western extension of pur system a short distance from the point where the twenty-first parallel of latitude cuts the boundary between the two colonies. This being the case, the policy of South Australia should be to concert measures with Queensland to junction their railways as near the point indicated as practicable. By devoting her efforts to construction from Port Darwin towards Government Gums, South Australia would he carrying out her own railway policy while reciprocating our efforts to accomplish the trans-continental. Blackall and Port Darwin are about 1400 miles apart, the intersection of the boundary and the 21st parallel being about half way. It is, however, not sufficient to indicate a true policy on a great public question in Australia to make converts of the Governments concerned. They are, as a’ rule, too much concerned with the personal arid immediate necessities of the hour to take the initiative in auy great work until it has received the approbation of the community, and been elevated into the significance of an engrossing public question that must be confronted and disposed of. It is our hope that we shall be enabled to arouse the public mind to the enormous importance of this question, and hence the organisation of our expedition, the result of which we hope will be that actual examination of the country, and a description of its character and capabilities, will satisfy the public mind how comparatively easy of accomplishment would be the only national undertaking ever projected in Australia, ’ In starting our expedition from Blackall, it must be understood that we do nob propose to advocate any special connection with that point of either the Brisbane or Rockhampton extensions; on the contrary, controversy upon the rival claims of these lines to drain tho traffic of the Western country should be excluded from any consideration of the larger scheme at the present time. We may, however, express our conviction that, if ever a trans-continental railway is an accomplished fact, Rockhampton will be entitled to the same advantages as Brisbane, and doubtless will obtain them. The chief aim of the expedition will be to obtain a full and reliable description of the country that will be traversed by a through line across the continent. It will be the business of the leaders to ascertain what are the chief natural obstacles that exist on the proposed route, and the readiest way of surmounting them. It is believed that the comparatively level nature of the interior will enable tho party to keep an almost direct course to Port Darwin, so that there will be little prospect of auy future deviation, but ample provision will be made to enable the party to thoroughly investigate any difficulties that may present themselves, and determine their importance. The comparative levels of the line traversed will be carefully noted, and the exact position of the party determined, at regular intervals by observations. .Ample field notes will be kept to admit of the preparation of plans of the entire route, on which will be shown the natural features of the country traversed, the flood levels rioted as far as possible, and the height above the sea marked. Ascertaining the size and probable permanency of water-holes will be of importance, due regard being had to the rainfall at the beginning of the present year and during the year preceding it. Where dry tracts of country exist, any natural advantages apparent for the formation of reservoirs will be described. The supply of timber for construction purposes along the line, as also of ballast, will receive the attention necessary from their importance, The geological formation of the country will bo duly noted, and all mineral-bearing rock, or ores of any kind that may be met with, will be brought in. Lastly, an account will be kept of the general features of the country met with as regards its suitability for pastoral settlement, its mineral resources, and its climate. In the published report a description of all objects of interest met with, apart from the main purpose of the trip, will be given. Sketches of all noteworthy landscape features met with will be taken for publication in the illustrated papers, accompanied by a suitable description of the most notable features of the journey. Although settlement by pastoral occupation is fast bridging the unoccupied country between the Queensland boundary and the Northern Territory, so much of the country as has been observed has been examined in a very hasty and superficial manner, and beyond the general fact that it is in many places good fattening country, though sparsely watered, nothing certain is really known. The present expedition will, it is hoped, afford information of great value to the country, and be the means of assisting the rapid development of the great resources of the interior, besides determining the feasibility of a trans-continental railway. Such is a brief sketch the “Queenslander Trans-continental Expedition,” and it is one that will, we trust, secure for us tho ungrudging support of our fellow-journal-ists throughout the colonies. It is entirely our own project, to be carried out solely at our cost, and is designed in the interests of Australia. It is expected that the party will be fully equipped for a start from Blackall by July 12. The leader of the expedition is Mr. Ernest Favenc, a gentleman who has high claims for the arduous work before him. He is a firstclass bushman ; a journalist.©! tried ability, having been for many years a valued contributor to these pages ; and a good artist. Mr. S. Gulland Briggs will be the surveyor and second in command, a selection that has the entire approval of very competent judges. It is due to these gentlemen to say that they tackle their work under conditions and on terms that augur the very best results, since public spirit, more than profit, has induced their undertaking a most arduous work, .