The Transcontinental Railway.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 228, 12 November 1887, Page 12

The Transcontinental Railway.

Mv J. U. Browne,- the engineer of the proposed transcontinental line between Eucla and Port Augusta has arrived in Adelaide. It will be remembeied that Mr Browne and party a few weeks ago neaily lost their lives from want of water w hilst exploring some of Ihe country to be tiaversed by the pioposed line. Much of this country was hitherto unknown, the name of the Great Victoria Desert having been given to it. Mr Browne describes this as another libel on Australia, as nowhere is there a dooert on the whole route, and where it was thought little or no lain fell downpour.-, were experienced in the months of August, and September, the rainfall being more copious than was ever known on the West Coast of New Zealand. The portion of the continent through which Mr Browne pab?cd is almost Hat, the greater part being of gianite formation. Water, which fall-; on it in great abundance, can be procured a few fceb below the suriace. The Hampton "Range plateau, situated along the coast of the Australian Bight, is a tine plain co\ered with belts oc grass and mallee. This plateau is of limestone formation. Mr Browne says thali if the negotiations were allowed to proceed the railway is sure to be constructed as far as Western Australia is concerned. He hub spent £800 in acquiring information about the route of the piojected line, and intends to return to London as speedily as possible for the purpose of conferring with the directors.