DREAM ACHIEVED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22712, 26 October 1935, Page 4

DREAM ACHIEVED

WATER PIPE-LINE TO MISSION IN RAINLESS AUSTRALIAN AREA (From Our Own Correspondent) SYDNEY, October 16. “Koporilja water flowing to station full stream; natives overjoyed.” This message sent by pedal wireless from Hermannsburg Mission Station, Central Australia, and relayed to Melbourne by telegraph from Cloncurry (Queensland), announced the completion of the waterpipe line to the aboriginal mission from Koporilja Springs, five miles distant. Hermannsburg is one of the oldest missions to aborigines in Australia, with a history of more than 50 years of ministration to the Arunta and associated tribes which roam the inhospitable area of the interior about 80 miles west of Alice Springs. It is conducted by the Lutheran, Church. It is an area which is almost rainless, and the water supply available on the site is insufficient for the basic needs of the little community of missionaries and, their aboriginal adherents, about 300 souls. It was the practice to cart water by camel or donkey wagon from the springs, which gave an abundant supply of about 15,000 gallons a day. The movement to provide a pipe line began when Miss Violet Teague, a Melbourne artist, and her sister, went to Central Australia on a painting expedition. They were guests at Hermannsburg for some time, and when they returned they organised an exhibition, to which many leading artists contributed, to provide money to bring the spring water into the settlement. The aid of a newspaper was sought, and £lß4l was subscribed by the public. Many Australian authors contributed by giving autographed copies of their books for sale for the fund. Aboriginal implements for sale were presented by collectors. Talking films, . projector, and operators were provided free for picture shows, and collections were made at many holiday resorts. Various transport organisations carried the pipes free, or at reduced rates, by sea, rail, motor truck, camel and donkey transport from Melbourne to Koporilja and the aborigines at the mission station undertook the labour of laying the pipes, a task which necessitated excavations six feet in depth in solid limestone rock in some parts. The new supply will enable the mission to provide more extensive hospitality to wandering tribesmen who flock to the station in hundreds from time to time. It will also make it possible to grow vegetables extensively, for the soil is fertile, the only difficulty being the provision of water. As water gushed into the settlement from the six-inch pipe-head there were rejoicings at Hermannsbuvg.