SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 97, 5 October 1863, Page 3

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

(From the Register.) Gold — We have been shown a specimen of conglomerate containing several large specks of gold, which was .picked up on the beabh between Brighton and Grlenelg a few days ago by a little girl. The Northern TERRiroRY.-sp-he Government have stated that they do ttol in tend to ask the House for a vote.qi money on account of the new territ^fein ihe North* and also that no .applireßfbns for land received before regulations are in force will be considered valid. The Parliament and. Exploration. — Four or five motions, comprising chief part the business in the Assembly yesterday, were met by the Treasurer with the answer that the Government had no funds at their disposal. The action of the Legislative Council in throwing out the Loan Bill— an action which Mr Bagot warmly condemns — has left the Treasurer with no alternative than to oppose all propositions for expenditure beyond that which isset down in the Estimates. Even the motion for £300 to supplement the subscriptions which the public have raised for fitting out Mr Ball's proposed exploring party was met by this financial objection, and was negatived. But the Treasurer, in discussing the subject, was unwise for not confining himself to the plea of " no funds." He undertook to advance objections to the exploration itself, and in this he unfairly i threw cold water upon an enterprise which the public take an interest in, aud which many persons, whose opinions demand respect, believe to be highly deserving of countenance and support. The Treasure? says he can see no reason whatever why the people of this colony should take the trouble lo explore the country between Chambers's Creek and the western coast, though lie would look with favor upon any scheme for opening such of the western territory as lies within the boundary of South "Australia. The first part of this statement is only in accordance with the view which the Treasurer took in reference to northern explorations when it was proposed to extend the boundaries of the colony. The hon. gentleman then thought it was absurd for the Government to attempt to reap any advantage from the labors of Mr Stuart; and he now thinks it absurd — no matter how small the expense — to encourage any further investigation of the unknown interior of the Australian continent. Our Western Territory. — A correspondent has supplied us with the following respecting the country north-west of the Great Australian Bight : — " It may be interesting lo your readers to know that a large tract of country north-west of the Great Australian Bight and of Fowler's Bay was claimed several months back by Certain individuals, ijfor the purpose of eventually forming sheep-runs thereon. Last year, •in the month of July or August, Messrs Deiisser and Mackie started from' Fowler's Bay, and arrived .it the Bight with their horses in good condition. From the wator in the sandhills called Yeieoumbancowie they made journeys of four days each. They describe the country six or seven miles north-west from this water, as one vast plain. Many parts have not a tree visible in any direction ; but the soil being of a very stiff nature* they have no doubt reservoirs will be made easily, and answer well, Although test year was a very dry season, they saw abundant proofs that more rain had fallen beyond the Bight. The grass was very plentiful and quite green, and the two exploiers were delighted with the prospect. During the whole time of their stay in that part of the country they met but seven, or eight blacks in one party, and those were very obliging, but apparently milch frightened. On returning from the Bight Messrs: Delisser and Wackie examined the county more inland and north-west of Fowlev's Bay, the result of which was that they found another large area fit to carry sheep , during the winter months, On the return of the^e gentlemen lo Adelaide, they determined to raise a company with a small capital, in order to sink for water, between Fowler's Bay and the Bight. This they eventually succeeded in doing, and from the result of the researches of a portion of jbe compnny, the members have resolved to form another company with a larger capital. Water between Fowler's Bay and the Bight will be required only for cattle and horses travelling between those places, and this they can now insure by distilling salt water if fresh be not found. The wells will be sufficient for this purpose, and ihe teamsters xvill distil the water for their own use and that of the cattle. The present company have not taken up all the good land seen by Messrs Delisser and Mackie, so that we may look forward soon to see the area, of the settled portion of the colony largely increased by additions in the West.