THE NORTHERN TERRITORY

Otago Witness, Issue 3019, 24 January 1912, Page 8

THE NORTHERN TERRITORY

POPULATING AUSTRALIA

EXCELLENT POSSIBILITIES

INTERVIEW WITH PROFESSOR GILRUTH.

In view of the fact that the Federal Governm/ent —which has taken over the control of that vast tract of land known as the Northern Territory—is at present considering the question of promoting a scheme for the settlement of this territory, and also because Professor Gilruth has traversed a largo portion of this part of Australia, a rcpersontative of the Otago Daily Times waited upon the erstwhile chief vetinanan on the 17th instant with the of obtaining his views on the possibilities and probabilities in connection with the settle ment of this area. Tlie Professor, when acquainted with the subject of the interview, admitted that he had traversed a considerable area, of the best parts of the land, known as the Northern Territory. In response to questions relative to the nature of the country, the population, pursuits, and possibilities for the future under a system of settlement, Professor Gilruth said that in the first place people forgot two things about the Northern Territory. The forgot its distance from Australian population, and also its proximity to the teeming millions of the E.et, and, by way of illustration, he stated that Port Darwin was 15 days’ sail from Sydney, whereas the islands of tha Dutch Indies, with a total population of nearly 50,000,000—which in the twenties of last century was but s,ooo,ooo—were well under two days’ steam from tlie Northern Capital. The nearest island of this group, in tlie Timor Sea, was just off the coast of Australia, and almost connected with Sumatra. It would be seen that there was a very close connection between Australia and the East; in fact, if time were taken to reflect upon the situation \ it would bo realised that t ic proximity of the East to Australia—especially the great’ unpopulated portion—there was need for some action if a White Austral.a was to bo maintained. The coastline of the Territory was very extensive, covering as it did a distance of something like 900 miles. On this coast largo rivers, navigable from 80 to 100 miles, were to be found. These were large enough for any ocean-going vessels to enter and work with ease. As showing the importance of this coastal point of Australia Professor Gi.ruth mentioned the fact that the British Government in the beginning of last century established a military settlement at Fort Dundas, on Melville Island, thus showing its appreciation of the strategic value of such a station in these waters. It was, however, abandoned in 1849. Later, the South Australian Government attempted the establishment of a settlement at Escape Cliffs, but this proved unsuccessful, and it was eventually removed to Port Darwin, the present capital. The Northern Territory, despite the construction of a railway from Port Darwin to Pino Creek, and also the erection of an overland telegraph line, had scarcely progressed. As a matter of fact.,- if there had been any progress it Itad been of a slow and decidedly halting character; notwithstanding the introduction of labour and capital in connection with the railway and telegraph works. THE AREA. The area of the Northern Territory was something Ike 530,000 square miles or over, and was almost five tines the size of Now Zealand, while the population was only a little more than 3000, excluding Australian blacks. The whites numbered 1274. Tlie native population was very small. THE STOCK. The number of stock which comprised cattle, horses, pigs, and goats, was ex--1 cecdingly small as compared with the area of the country. There were 400,000 head of cattle and 12,000 horses, tlie goats and pigs being comparatively few, the former being kept for milking purposes, and also were used in place of mutton. There were no sheep. As a matter of fact, the country was very empty, and this was inexplicable THE GREAT PENINSULA. The port-hern portion, especially that part known as the Great Peninsula, which formed the border of the Gulf of Carpentaria, was well watered by rivers, such as tho Victoria. Daly, Adelaide, Allegator, Liverpool, and Roper. These weie the rivers ha referred to as being navigable for many miles up from the mouth by big steamers. It would be seen that there wore few parts of Australia so well-pro-vided with a permanent water supply. Along the banks o fthesc- rivers there were lar go extents of flat, undulating country most suitable for agricultural pursuits. Professor Gilruth said ho could not speak from personal experience of die whole of the territory as regards its suitability for agricultural ' purposes. He felt convinced, however, from what lie had seen during the two months he spent in that district that agriculture could bo carried on with success on a fairly large scale- Ho saw no reason why it should not. Of course, ono of

the greatest difficulties in the way of white settlement was the climatic conditions. but although the country bordered on the trollies ho was surprised to find the climatic conditions very good indeed. Of course, the heat at times was intense, and naturally the conditions were very trying, but this was near the sea coast. The sons were divided into two —tlie “ wet and “ dry.” The wet or summer season lasted from November to about the end of March, and during this period scarcely a day passed without a shower of rain. In the *’ dry ” reason heavy dews fell almost nightly, and they were of such a. character as to give the uninitiated the impression that iraan had fallen during the night. These dews naturally prevented the parching of the country in the very driest of seasons. The daily temperature in the dry season was very mild, and this, together with the dews,' was responsible for the large areas of green herbage he saw during his tour. The only olaccs where ho saw green grass or herbage was where the dry grass had been burned off. The growth in those parts was remarkable, and in places where fires had done their work there were to be seen beautiful green patches, while the unburned plaocp appeared dry and parched. While staying at Tort Darwin,a-towards the end of June, Professor Gilruth said the local residents complained of the cold, but to him the weather appeared admirable. On one occasion the thermometer registered 29 degrees below’ freezing point, and considering that they were not 2Qoft above s-oa level, and also that they were within 14 degrees of the equator, this was remarkable. With the exception of excessive heat at times, tlie country, in his opinion, was an ideal one. THE SOIL. The Territory had a great advantage in that it had a definite rainfall, and_ a climate which was almost perfect. With reference to the soil, the professor said it varied greatly in quality. That in the vicinity of Port Darwin was of a pool nature, and was of a gravelly, ironstone fen nation. The railway from the port to the village at Fine Creek did not tap any other than mining country, with the exception of a few patches her© and there where Chinese gardens were established These gave ample testimony of the excellence of the soil by the' luscious fruits of all kinds grown iu them. From a fruitgrowing standpoint Professor Gilruth said ho - had ample evidence that all kinds of fruits could bo grown. The mining land was, but for the copper, gold, tin, wolfram, and silver ore found, worthless. To the east of Port Darwin a plain of black soil extended for a considerable distance, but tliif he thought would be swampy in summer, though if properly drained it could be made to grow almost anything. Beyond the Adelaide River, and also the Mary and Alligator Rivers, there was an enormous plain chiefly of black soil, which carried only a few station cattle and a great many swamp buffaloes. The latter wore introduced many years ago by the early’ British settlers further north, and they appeared to thrive in this country. The plains could not be successfully cultivated, although attempts in this direction had been made. This was due to the fact that they wore water-logged, there being stagnant Water in abundance two feet from the' earface. Taken as a whole, the country in the northern territory—particularly that inland —was very good, and could bo adapted to almost any purpose. In some places irrigation would be necessary, and when this was accomplished it would be possible to farm sheep and grow any kind of grains. THE PURSUITS OF THE PEOPLE. The pursuits of the |>eoplo were chiefly mining, cattle-rearing, and buffalo huntii g. The latter occupation was a lucrative one, as would Ire judged from the fact that over 5000 hides wore exported annually, and the price realised for each was from £T to £1 Is. The cattle business was not a big cue when it was known that tin ro was not a cattle beast to the square mile. Tlie land was leased in areas from 200 square miles upwards, and there were many extensive areas which had never been taken up. The country was not improved in any way, there being no fences, and the herding work was done by one or two white men, assisted by blacks-. He had visited one cattle station of 3.000.000 square miles, where there wore only three white men. If a water conservation schme were introduced, and proved a success—which it should do—the existing state of affairs wen Id coon be a thing, of the past, and the country would be filled with white people. Other tilings which would develop into payable industries and had not been mentioned were rice, rubber, and cotton, the last-mentioned having a beautiful staple. COMMUNICATION. It would bo necessary to construct a railway in order that the people might have regular communication with civilisation. Such a work would not be necessary from an exjxmt point of view, ns all exports were shipped. Of course, those who were nearer a continental line would use it for tin purpose.

THE TIMBER. The timber which grew there consisted of gum and other Australian timbers. Those wore insufficient for milling purposes, but sufficient for fencing. Owing to the existence of white ants, all residential structures had to be constructed of iron. Another pest which was a good deal in evidence was the mosquito. THE RENTALS. It had been suggested that as an inducement for people to go and settle on the land they should bo given a lease of land, at one penny per square mile, but Professor Gilruth said it would not be worth collecting, and he considered that they should be allowed the lease for nothing for a period of years. In conclusion, he said he was perfectly satisfied that the Northern Territory could bo made to carry a very large population.