The Federal Capital.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 189, 15 August 1904, Page 4

The Federal Capital.

Tho House of Representatives has selected what is known as the lialgety site for the Commonwealth capital. Reporting <m the sites, Sir John Forrest says of Dalgety site that it is one he considered superior to any other. Dalgety, he days, is situated on the Snowy River, 296 miles . from Sydney, and about 353 from Meltpurne, via Bairnsdale, and is about 2500 ft above the seia. By train, when the railway from' Cooma to Bai)'npdale te constructed, it would be about eight Hours from Sydney and nine hours from Melbourne. The Snowy River is a magnificent pemanient stream of great volume—one of the finest rivers in Australia. A splendid and pure water supply is easily obtainable. The climate he describes as cool in summer and cold in winter, and lie sums it Lj>~ as splendid. With reference to the present accessibility, he says Dalgety is 31 miles from Cooma, with a good macadamised road, and the present distance from Melbourne, via Coouia, is 605 miles. To give railway communication with Sydney 31 miles of railway would have to lie constructed from Cooma, and with Melbourne 183 miles of lino Irom Bairnsdale would be required. This 214 miles of railway, he estimates, would cost prohably £1.000,000, and it would open up a large area of country now almost unoccupied, a large part apparently auriferous, though, owing to the density of the timber, not easily prospected. In any case, if the country is to be utilised . a railway must be constructed before many years elapse, and, in his opinion, it is a necessary work apart altogether from the Federal city question. Tho great volume »f thw Snowy River, with its numerous cataracts, would make generating of power by electricity easy ; and power could bo usod lor lighting, the tram services, pumping, amd all other engineering requirements.; A 50ft weir across the Snowy River would create a continuous lake several miles in length, and greatly city. The formation of tho neighbouring country is granitic, tho soil being fairly good, and well grassted. The country is open and clear, except overlooking a wooded elevation, and although tho actual site has a bare appearance, ho is satisfied l'ronijj'whal he saw of the poplar, pinuS insigmis, and magnificent applo trees, that trees will grow well if cared for. Many commanding rises are availajl \U> as sites for public -buildings. The contour of the country on both sides of the river is suitable generally for .he laying out of a city, the frontage of the river especially ibping suited for parks, gardens, amid pleasire drives. The land seems suitalljl? for agriculture and closer settlement,-and ho was informed that sheep and cattle do well. In the event of the Federal city being built at Dalgety, the Snowy Mountains and Mount Kosciusko, 40 miles away, the highest point in Australia, would -bo of everlasting interest and pleasure to visitors and tourists', as well as to residents.

In conclusion Sir John said that the Dalgety site fulfilled the qualifications to a larger and fuller extent than any other site. It surpassed all as regat!els water supply and power, water frontages, and surrounding scenery, and under no factor was it inferior to any. It had by far the best water supply, and was the most picturesque of all tho sites examined. It was situated conveniently (between Sydney and Melbourne, and when railway communication was made between Cooma and Bairnsdale, would be only eigiht or nine hours from either city. It would attract visitors and tourists from all parts of Australia in summer by reason of its climate, and the attractions of the Snowy Mountains and tho fishing in the Snowy River.