VAST AUSTRALIA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19761, 12 April 1926, Page 10

VAST AUSTRALIA.

THE NORTHERN TERRITORY COMMONWEALTH COMMISSIONER’S DESCRIPTION. “Northern Australia” was the subject taken by Captain W. L. Smallhorn in an interesting radio address from the Exhibition on Saturday evening. . . “I am going to speak to you to-night about the Northern Territory of Australia in order to give you some conception of what this part of the great Commonwealth is really like,” he said. “In future it is to be called Northern Australia, and it is proposed that its development shall be carried out by a specially-appointed commission. * . , “With the provision ot railways and other means of communication this part of Australia is looked upon as the land of opportunity for the energetic young settler willing to put up with hardships in the beginning of his career. Even in ustralia very little is known about Northern Australia, and it is frequently described as desert country. This is a fallacy. There are certainly some parts of it which might be described as arid country, but the greater portion of it is comprised of rich pastoral areas equal to any to be found in other parts of the Commonwealth. Northern Australia is to-day in a similar position to that occupied by the various States in the early days of their settlement. “It is just over 101 years since the first British settlement was established on the north coast of Australia at Melville Island, 40 miles north of Darwin, the present capital of the Northern Territory. This action was taken as the result of sentations to the Government that a foreign power was proposing annexation. A BIG TERRITORY. “The area of Northern Australia is 523,620 square miles —five times the size of New Zealand, its length is 1167 miles, whilst the breadth from east to west is 560 miles. The whole -opulation, exclusive of aborigines, is 3260. It is difficult to estimate the number of aborigines owing to "their roving habits and the fact that they are scattered over the territory in small tribes, but it is estimated that they number from 25,000 to 40,000. "The development of the territory is of pressing importance to Australia. There is a general impression, not only in places outside of Australia, but even in parts of Australia itself, that there is something in the soil, climate, or other natural r features that prevents development. This is not so, as there is nothing inherent in the territory to prevent it being developed equally with every other part of Australia., There is a vast area in the territory just as suitable for pastoral development as are any of the rich pastoral districts in other parts of Australia. CATTLE AND CATTLE STATIONS. The number of cattle in the country is 850.060. and horses 45.W0. The area at present under lease is 200,000 sq uare miles The two largest cattle stations in the territory are Victoria Downs and Alexandria. The former has an area of 8746 square miles, and Alexandra 8,000 square miles. The number of mixed cattle at Alexandra is 42,060. The estimated carrying capacity of this place is 160,000 head 1 motored in a straight line through this place a couple of years ago, and the distance travelled was 140 miles Twenty-one bores were sunk on the station at a cost of £33,000, Each bore is equipped with a pumping plant, and most of the earthern supply tanks have a holding capacity of 430,000 gallons of water. This storage is held iii reserve in case of an emergency supply being needed when the pumping gear becomes out of order. The Barkly tableland, which is about 400 miles long and ISO miles wide, is covered with luxuriant Mitchol and Flinders grasses. A peculiar feature of this great area is that it appears to have an underground sea of good water suitable for domestic purposes. Wherever bores have been sunk Sows of from 17.000 gallons a Jay and unwards have been obtained at denths varying from 200 ft to 400 ft. These sub-artesian bores are of tremendour value to this country. IRRIGATION WORK. Some 25 bores have been sunk on the overland stock route from the territory into Queensland, so that at the present time dry stages do not exceed 20 miles. With railway communication, the whole of this country will carry sheep in place of cattle, and the clay is not far distant when the to'-fitory will bo a big producer of

wool. In practically similar country, just over the" border in Queensland, nothing but sheep are being carded on the land. GOVERNMENT (CINEMA. There is now but littto time left for Exhibition visitors to enjoy the educational service that is offered by the Government Publicity Department in the kinema of the New Zealand Government Pavilion. _ , . Lately the popularity of the model Exhibition theatre,has increased rather than diminished, arid for the past week the attendances have been particularly large at all sessions. Saturday was no exception. The crowds that passed through the pavilion all afternoon and evening paused before the entrance to the kiriema, and many e. tered, attracted by a programme of special merit. For the coming week Mr J. H. Horton, who is in charge of the kinema, has arranged a programme from a long list of films that are on hand, and to-day four excellent pictures will be screened under the ideal picture theatre conditions for which the Government kinema iu noted. First is “ m he Banana Industry in Australia,” an educational film of particular interest to New Zealanders, to whon the cultivation of bananas is an unfamiliar branch of agriculture. Then there is the interesting Canadian film, “Where West Meets East,” and “Stewart Island,” a scenic film taken nearer home. The programme is completed by “Reinforced Concrete,” another educational industrial film taken in England. EXHIBITION CABARET. In the past the sterling worth of the cabaret as an ideal place of entertainment of dance-lovers of all creeds has been sufficient to attract hundreds of visitors from all parts of the Dominion every evening. All have been delighted, and from now until the close of the Exhibition the record of success should be just as great. Yet this week the enterprising management otters a novel inducement that will undoubtedly make every session a particularly busy one. Every evening a competition will be held, and the lucky couple will each receive a three months’ pass to the Octagon, the Empire, Everybody’s, the Queen’s, or the Grand Picture Theatres. The pass will allow the winners to enter one of these theatres once a week for three months, and every evening a different theatre will be selected. All who are on the floor dancing to the perfect music supplied by Manuel Hyman and his merry band of melody-makers will partake in the exciting competition every evening, and the chances will be equal. This liberal offer is sure to be greatly appreciated by cabaret patrons who have joined in past competitions with interest and enthusiasm. The week should be one of the busiest in the history of this popular feature. WAITAKI CONCERT TO-NIGHT. To-night over 200 boys from Wailaki High School will give an entertainment in the Festival Hail, the features of which will be musical numbers by the junior and senior choirs, a comedy, '’The Boy Comes Home,” and a pierrot show. The visit of the Waitakians has aroused a great deal of interest, and patrons can rely on enjoying something really fresh in entertainment at to-night’s concert.