THE FEDERAL CAPITAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 13934, 16 December 1905, Page 7

THE FEDERAL CAPITAL.

THE DALGETY SITE. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. MELBOURNE, December 15. In the Federal House, tbe Federal Capital Site Bill was introduced and read a first time. The intention is to determine definitely a site in the neighbourhood of Dalgety, and provide for the acquisition of 900 square miles, with means of access by sea, the amount of compensation to be paid for the land not'to exceed its value on January 1 of last year. The House adjourned. (Received December 16> 12.4 A.m.) MELBOURNE, December 16. The report of the district surveyor regarding the area at Dalgety from which the capital site is proposed to bo chosen has been tabled. His instructions were to supply descriptions of areas of 100, 200, 632 aud 900 square miles, the first two so that tbe seat of Government should be within seventeen miles of Dalgety, also descriptions of the means of access to the sea, with a limit of fifteen miles on either side. The report states that apart from the Snowy River water supply, with its sources of power equal to any demands that may be made thereon, Dalgety possesses no advantage’over other sites. Urging the great importance of the water supply, he suggests that an area of 1550 miles, embracing the whole catchment area of the river, should be controlled by the Federal Government to preserve the water from pollution. He estimates that the values of Crown and alienated ‘lands involved range from £179,000 for the hundred miles area to £1,216,000 for the 900 square miles, and £1,744,000 for the 1550 square miles area. MR CARRUTHERB’S ATTITUDE. SYDNEY, December 15. Mr Carruthers states that he has not yet begun tbe fight for the Federal capital, but is waiting the result of his protest. Ho had hoped that the Federal Parliament and Government would decide that the undoubted rights of New South Wales would be fairly and fully recognised. A Federal Constitution Defence Association has been formed in Sydney. Some of the speakers described Mr Carruthere as an enemy of Federation.