CENTRAL AUSTRALIA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10272, 27 June 1911, Page 4

CENTRAL AUSTRALIA.

At the conclusion of an article on the country as seen in a trip from Port Augusta, to Macdonnell Ranges, the writer, W. M. Burton, says:— "It is estimated there are 80,000 square miles of good pasture land in this portion of Central Australia. Horses bred here are noted for their stamina and general development, and it appears to iae the Angora. goat would thrive. Goats are to be seen in large herds, brat only the common variety. .. The trip to tlie MaodonneiTl Ranges from Port Augusta does not impress one as a great national railway route. The writer has* travelled from Pine Creek to Tenmao&t's Creek and across the famous prairie land® of the Barky Tableland, and down the Georgina River. This country leaves a lasting impres-1 siion, and it would appear to be the most suitable route for a taiansc^ii L tihental railway. Central Australia, I if; not, a desert, rims pretty close' to. it! But the possibilities of the j range' country, with a. ldtin. rainfall, j are not to be overlooked. It is a good pastoral country, and agricul- j ture' is quite possible. The country to the west of the Queensland border is very good pastoral country, but water is scarce. No permanent water exists. It can be obtained, however, by sinking ~fi few feet. Tlie water is supposed to be an underground channel of one of those great sandy livers, which drain a large area of the Miacdonnell Ranges. The conserving of water by dams should be easy. A great quantity of good pasture land has erroneously, been styled desert by many explorers and travellers. ; *