NORTHERN TERRITORY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 41, 18 February 1911, Page 5

NORTHERN TERRITORY.

CHANGING THE NAME OF THE CAPITAL. By Telegraph.— Press Association.— Copyright. MELBOURNE, 17th February. The Federal Government has^Mcided to change the name of the capital of the Northern Territory from Palmerston to Darwin. [Arrangements wore completed recently for further exploration work in the north-eastern portion of the Territory. The work will be undertaken by Captain 11. V. Barclay. The headquarters of the operations will be Newcastle Waters. One of the principal matters to engage Captain Barclay's attention will be an inspection of the stock route from Victoria Waters to Anthony's Lagoon. The route is at present serviceable, but it is somewhat deficient in wells along certain sections. Captain Barclay's work will include tho sinking of fresh wells, so as to make the route thoroughly and permanently serviceable. Ho will also further explore the country northward from Anthony's Lagoon towards the M'Arthur River and the Boraloola Settlement. Southward from Anthony's Lagoon the land has been shown to bo of proved fertility and sfcock-carrj ing capacity. If the land lying to (.lie noith, between Anthony's Lagoon and the Gulf of Carpentaria, is found to be of like promise, then the mouth of the M'Arthur River will form the natural outlet of a fairly largo province of good country. It is probably the most stiitablo port ior the Territory on the shores of the Gulf, and if the vesulttj ot Captain Barclay's expedition justify action in this direction, the Government will consider what is to ba done towards establishing a port at the mouth of tho M'Arthur River.]