AUSTRALIA'S CAPITAL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 333, 21 October 1908, Page 13

AUSTRALIA'S CAPITAL.

YASS-CANBERRA CHOSEN BY THE HOUSE. DESCRIPTION OF THE SITE. Cfeoh oub special coerespondent.) Sydney, October 10: To the surprise of those who have followed the debato closely in tho Federal Houso of Representatives on tho question of tho capital site, Da.lgoty was beaten by six votes in tho final ballot on Thursday, and Yass-Can-borra district selected as the site for Australia's capital. Of course, this vote does not finally settle the question, as the name must now be included in a Bill, which will have to be carried by both Houses, but as the Yass-Can-berra district is favoured,by tho people of New South Wales, its choice in Thursday's ballot must immensely affect the result, and probably one is safe in saying that the new oity will be' in that district. Of course, on tho other hand, the vote of the Senate, where there was a very large majority for Dalgety on the last ballot, may entirely alter the complexion of things, and delay the matter for another few years. In the selection of a Federal capital, apparently, years do not count.

Tho Yass-Oanborra site is a combination of two oligiblo localities, Yass and Canberra. At one time Yass was strongly in the running, but it dropped back again when tho Federal members made a tour of inspection two years ago, and saw Canberra for the first timo. Then this sito became a formidable competitor of Dalgety. However, as the Victorians made a set against it on the ground that, as they held, its water supply, would prove inadequate, the New South Wales members decided this week, before tho ballot came on, to run, in addition to Canberra itself, another site called YassCanbcrra, embracing country further north than Canberra. This astuto move brought about the defeat of Dalgety. A PICTURESQUE CAPITAL. The new capital, should Yass-Canberra bo retained in the Bill, will he in one of the most picturesque districts of New South Walesj and one of tho most readily accessible. Yass Junction is within five hours' journey of Sydney, and twelve of Melbourne. Tho district is bounded upon the north by the main southern line of railway between Sydney and Melbourne, and on the cast by tho lino running from Goulburn to Cooma. Hence tho construction of railways .direct to tho sito should bo comparatively inexpensive. Had _ Dalgety been chosen, on the other hand, its present inaccessibility would have mado it necessary to build expensive railways at ones. The Yass-Canberra country is also healthy. As the traveller approaches it from Yass, he finds it gradually rising from 1700 ft. until, at Canberra, it is 2000 ft. high abovo sea-level, and at Lake George, 20 miles to tho east, tho altitudo is 2200 ft.' The Murrumbidgee River, forms tho boundary of the capital sito at tho west, and behind this.river tho Murrumbidgee Mountains rise for tho hoight_ of 4000 or 5000 ft. Those "who know the district declare that it possesses an ideal clinjate, likened to that of Devonshire or Southern Tasmania. Mr. E. W. O'Sullivan, who was at one time member for Queanboyan, says that at Canberra you may see tho wattlo and waratah blooming in September, and tho hedges in full bearing in early spring. The icountry is'now'.; devoted; to agricultural and pastoral pursuits, but it is said to' be rich in minerals, as copper, silver, and lead havo been, found near Yass. No better-supply of building material could be found anywhere than about Yass, some of the sandstono which was used for building material 40 years ago in that town and m Queanboyan.n showingnot the slightest signs of decay.Jo-day. „ jW. are, also large deposits orma^bloHi' tfiti district. The counis undulating, with hero and there onen plains, belts of .timber, and low hills. Tlie soiJ- is exceedingly fertile, yielding immense crops of wheat and maize. The Yass district is renowned for its apples and other fruits, but the wool-growing industry is its principal source of prospority. AN ASSURED WATER SUPPLY. The existence of tho Barren Jack schcmo will give an assured water supply for millions of people, should it be needed. Under this scheme, a weir is being thrown across, the Murrumbidgee River at "Barren Jack, which will impound in the hills a body of. water as big as Port Jackson. - It- is- tho biggest engineering : task yet undertaken'iri tho Commonwealth in the way of irrigation, and will prove of immenso "benefit to the State. Tho Now Sooth Wales members wero united in Thursday's ballot in the final vote, only ono of them, Mr. Ewing, Minister for Defence, voting for Dalgety. The first ballot sent Lake George'to the bottom of tho list, but this hardly mado any difference, as tho Lake is practically within the Yass-Can-berra torritory. Dalgety topped tho list with 27 votes against 19 for Yass-Canberra. In tho second ballot, Albury and Orange dropped out, while the total for Yass-Can-berra rose to 22, Dalgety falling to 26 by reason of the fact that one member had omitted to sign his voting-paper. Dalgoty pulled up on the third ballot, however, seouring 28 votes, whilst Yass-Oanborra was seven votes away in second place. Tho Canberra sito proper got only ono vote, and Bombala, a placo regarded somo years ago as very likely to become the Federal capital, received no votes -at all this time, and thus fell out. Canberra was "nest to go,, on the fourth ballot, whore Dalgety, receiving a solid support, was still in the lead with 2S votes, Y ass-Canberra having now lost, two votes, which apparently went to Lyndhurst, lying third, but a long way behind, and only ono vote ahead of Tooma.

THE FINAL BALLOT.

Sir William Lyno was fighting for Tooma, a site in his own electorate, and one of the, most porfect spots, he declares, in Australia. Having realised tlmt' Tumut had no chance, ho gathered support for Tooma; and hence it reached tho eighth ballot as one of tho last three. Here Yass-Canborra. took tho load, amidst the excitement of members, and camo out in the lead with 81 votes against Dalgety's 27. Tooma was out of it, with only 14; and Sir William Lyne, finding that no furthor effort could .bo mado for that_ sites, threw the weight of his influence into tho scale for Yass-Canberra. The ninth and last ballot resulted:— Yass-Canberra ... ..; ... 39 Dalgety ... .„ 33 There was groat cheering on tho part of the Yass-Canbcrra men, whilst tho • supporters of Dalgety sat silent. The House was too excited to settle down to business. Mr. Poynton got up to speak about tho next subject on tho order-paper; but nobody was prepared to listen to him, and tho Primo Minister, interpreting tho general sentiment of tho Chamber, got tho Speaker to announco a temporary adjournment. So members wont out into tho lobbies, having added another interesting chapter to tho history of Australia. Naturally, of course, tho peoplo of Yass wero jubilant when an urgent telegram from Melbourne) announced tho rosult of tho ballot. Tho two great questions to bo considered now are: What aro tho views of tho New South Wales Government as to the territory to bo handed ovor to tho Commonwealth for tho capital, and will there bo access from Yass-Canborra to tho sea? It is behoved that Mr. Wado will be prepared to meet tho Commonwealth in any reasonable way to sccuro a sito so favourably regarded by tho majority of tho people of New South Wales; and, therefore, tho settlement of tho Federal capital question may bo nearer than many peoplo supposed at this time last week. It is proposed that an examination of the Yass-Canborra country shall bo mado by surveyors, or by a board, in order that a report may bo obtained as to tho best localities within tho area for a site. Tho subject is to be considered at a meeting of tho Federal Cabinet on Monday. Probably tiio vote of tho Senate on tho question will be taken next week. If this sito is retained, wo shall want a better namo for tho capital than the very clumsy. "Yasa-Oanboira." \