Report on the Eucla country, Western Australia

Report on the Eucla country, Western Australia.Author(s): Lempriere, Everard P.Source: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Collection, (1880)Published by: The University of Manchester, The John Rylands University LibraryStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/60229032 .

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* A

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PRIVATE.

REPORT

THE EUCLA COUNTRY,

WB8TBEN AUSTRALIA,

EVE11ART) V. LEMPPJEKE.

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PRIVATE.

REPORT

THE EUCLA COUNTRY,

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WESTERN AUSTRALIA,

EYERARD V. LEMPRIERE.



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INDEX TO EEPOKT ON THE EUCLA COUNTEY.

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General Description of the Country

Characteristics of the Country, Rock, Soil, Timber, Bushes, Shrubs

Fauna and Avifauna

Climate, Rainfall

Water on the Table-land

Water below the Range...

Conservation of Fresh Water

Boring and Sinking on the Table-land

Boring and Sinking below the Range...

Cost of Well Sinking and Boring

Advantages of Sinking compared with Boring

Prospects of obtaining Permanent Water above and below the Range

Carrying Capacity of the Country

Advantages of the Eucla Country

Disadvantages of the Eucla Country

Communication with Eucla

Moopina and Mundrabilla Stations

Review of Position as regards the Eucla Lands.

Miscellaneous

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GENERAL REPORT on the EUCLA COUNTRY.

4.

Having now completed the inspection of the Eucla country with which I was entrusted

by letter of instructions, dated October 20, 1883, I submit, in conclusion, a summary

or abstract of the detailed reports which from time to time have been forwarded.

^t Port Eucla, from which the district derives its name, is situated 7 miles west of the General 129th degree of longitude, the boundary line of Western and South Australia, approxi- Description

mately determined by Wilson's Bluff, the point where the range after trending inland Country.

from Eyre for over 150 miles, again meets the sea.

Between Wilson's Bluff and Eucla are large groups of white sandhills running

parallel with the coast, and extending in some places close up to the foot of the range.

The distance from the sea to the range at Port Eucla does not exceed 2^ miles, the

plain to the westward gradually widening out till it attains a maximum breadth of 30

miles at or about Madura.

r The ascent of the range behind Eucla Port is both easy and safe, and more s-o than

at any other point between that place and Eyre. From the top of the range there is a

gradual rise inland for the first 15 miles, when the country becomes almost level, at

least in appearance.

<\

A thick belt of scrub, consisting of mallee and ti-tree, and varying in breadth from

6 to 10 miles, extends along the entire range. North of it the country gradually opens

out; clumps and thin belts of bastard sandalwood and myall taking the place of the

mallec and ti-tree, and large flats of grass and bush intermixed appearing at intervals.

The country maintains the above character for a further 10 miles inland, when the

timber, which becomes scantier and scantier as you proceed north, is, at 25 miles from

the range, very much conspicuous by its absence. Once having lost sight of the timber to

the southward, you would probably have to travel north at the very least 100 miles

before meeting with any timber again.



"• The formation of the country is limestone throughout, of a highly cavernous (JhuracleriB- tics of the nature, with innumerable blow-holes, varying in depth from a few feet to nearly 100

feet, and forming the entrances to the caves beneath.

The limestone is crystalline and otherwise, of a white, grey, or pink colour, and contains numerous fossils. The stone makes, when burnt, excellent lime.

>

The soil is a pale red friable loam, from 18 inches deep on the flats to 3 inches, and in some cases even less, on the rises. On the flats there is a thin surface of clay, but not of sufficient depth or tenacity to carry out a system of dams or puddling. y -i

The timber suitable for fencing purposes consists of the ti-tree found in the imme¬ diate neigbourhood of the range, the bastard sandalwood, and the myall, which has been incorrectly described as mulga. The above, both in respect of durability and size, are well adapted for fencing.

The sheep-feeding bushes arc of three principal kinds—the salt, cotton, and blue bush. On the two first sheep thrive and do well. The blue bush sheep regard as a dernier ressort, and will not touch it if they can get the other two.

The principal shrubs are the " Quandong

" or native peach tree, and the " Nuera " or native grape. The former yields a fruit of which the natives are very fond, but which, it is hardly necessary to say, is a very inferior substitute for the cultivated species. The latter is a large thick bush, growing in great luxuriance on the plain below the range. Sheep are particularly fond of both the fruit and the leaf. The grape has a slightly saline taste, and contains about 20 per cent, of alcohol.

ui Kangaroos and kangaroo-rats are numerous in the neighbourhood of the rock Fauna and ° ° a Avifauna. water-holes. They are very rarely, if ever, seen on the waterless plain at the back.

Dingos, or wild dogs, are yearly decreasing in number, owing to the liberal price, 10s. 6d. (often supplemented by 5 to 10s. by the station), given for scalps by the respective Governments of South and Western Australia. On Moopina, Muir's Station, as well as on Yalata Run, a man is all the year round employed in exterminating them by poison and other means.

Emus are scarce. During the whole time I was in the Eucla country I did not see more than half-a-dozen. They are found chiefly in the interior, and rarely visit the coast except when compelled by excessive droughts inland.

Eagle hawks and crows are at present ubiquitous. Both (especially the former)



A

are destructive to young lambs, which they first torture by pecking out their eyes and

subsequently disemboweling.

These, likewise, are becoming every year scarcer, as their extermination comes

within the province of the Dog Poisoner, and are included in the " Vermin Act."

The Bustard Turkey, and the Gnow, or Mallee Hen—a kind of pheasant which

is scarcely ever found outside the thick scrub on the range—comprise the game of the

country.

The climate is extremely healthy, and resembles that of the South of France. I 1V

i • • ill- i t ti Climate consider it, without exception, the healthiest and pleasantest cbmate I have ever Bamfall

experienced.

There are no extremes of heat and cold.

4*

The rainfall, as recorded at the Telegraph Station, a quarter of a mile from the sea,

averages for the seven years ending 1882 about ten inches, which is evenly distributed

over the year. The returns for that period will be found in the appendix.

Although no record of the rainfall has yet been taken on the Table-land, there is

every reason to believe that it is greater than on the Coast, where there is little or no

timber to attract it. This greater rainfall only applies to a strip of country roughly

estimated at twenty miles from the range, beyond which point the rainfall is even less

than on the coast.

Their capacity ffitf The only supply of water at present existing on the Table-land is derived from the

few rock water holes scattered at distant intervals over the Plain

'fi varies from 3 to 2,000 gallons, but owing to evaporation, leakage, and the constant

visits of kangaroos and other animals who resort to them, they seldom, if ever, are

found full.

'-V

Several wells have been sunk below the range at different points between Madura ^

-ir^i • • -i-i-i Water below and Eucla, the majority of which have hitherto yielded a constant supply of good the Kan^e.

"stock water" (i.e., water suitable for sheep), though it must be admitted they have

never yet been subjected to any very severe test.

These wells are from 60 to 140 feet deep, depths which in each case correspond

with sea level. The remainder are useless except for condensing purposes ; the water

in them being Salter even than that of the sea.



The water found in the sandhills by digging a few feet is less brackish than that in the best wells under the range, and the supply is good. These wells, I am told, are subject to the influence of tides and winds ; the water rising or falling with the flow or ebb of the tide.

vu Ficsh water is conserved in iron tanks placed around iron roofed buildings, and in Conservation _ x a of Fresh tanks cither built up or excavated at the foot of the numerous gorges along the range, the sides of which are first cleared, and, where necessary, cemented. Sufficient fresh water for human beings and horses can thus always be conserved. y

Vlll Boring and Sinking on the Table-land.

The only systematic attempt to test the back country for water was made some years since by the South Australian Government at Albala Karoo, a point 40 miles N.N.E. of Port Eucla, and therefore in South Australian territory. The depth of the bore was 297 feet, including the depth of the blow-hole about 70 feet, at the bottom of which the bore commenced. Salt water was struck at 297 feet. Owing, however, to an accident to the rod, by which the crown of the drill was lost, all work was stopped and the attempt abandoned, a result which cannot be regarded as satisfactory in view of the large expenditure incurred and the abandonment of the work without solving the water question.

In addition to the above, several trial wells have been sunk from time to time, by j)ersons interested in the country, but as in e\ ery case they abandoned them on sinking 50 or 1)0 feet, the trials cannot in any way be considered as assisting to determine the water question.

IX. Boring and Sinking below the Range.

Only one bore has as yet been put down below the range, and that in the early part of the jn'esent year by the Eucla Pastoral Company, at their Madura Station. 120 miles W. of Eucla.

After sinking 100 feet and striking salt water, the bore was put down at the bottom of the shaft. At 293 feet from the surface, the rods became jammed in the tubing in consequence of the water and soft chalky limestone coagulating and forming a sort of cement.

*f

Partly in consequence of this occurrence, and partly because it was considered improbable that stock water would be found at a reasonable depth, the bore was abandoned.

A further trial is now being made with the same machine (Australian auger) at a point seven miles E. of Madura, the result of which is not yet known.

*l\



If men, tools, and stores are on the spot, the cost of well sinking under the range x.

will probably not exceed £1 per foot. On the Table-land I do not think it could Boring and

possibly be done for less than £2. These prices may be considered excessive by many, Smkms

but in this case it is not what the price ought to be, but what it must be to induce men

who are earning good wages elsewhere to take a contract in what is at present a

terra ignota. To these prices must be added cost of transport of men and supplies

from Port Adelaide to Eucla, together with cost of supervision or inspection.

Boring machines, such as the Australian auger, and the " Tiffen," cannot be

4_ relied on to bore to a greater depth than 300 feet, and are therefore unsuitable for

boring experiments on the Table-land.

What is required is something between the Diamond Drill and the class of

machine above referred to—a machine which, while possessing the requisite power, can

be worked by horses or hand.

A Frenchman, Rampant by name, has, I believe, supplied this much-desired want;

and shortly before I left Melbourne I was informed by the Manager of the Eucla

Company that one of Rampant's machines had been ordered from France, and that it

was their intention to test the Eucla country with it under the immediate supervision

of the inventor. Mons. Rampant undertakes contracts to find water at per gallon on

the payment by results system.

The advantages of sinking as compared with boring are, I think, twofold. 1st.—You xi

are aware at the commencement of operations of your almost exact liability; wheieas, of g^rn?*' in boring, it is practically impossible to estimate, with any degree of certainty, what as. compared

the cost will be, as there are so many unforeseen accidents which no amount of care or

skill can avert. 2nd.—When the well is once sunk and water struck all labour is

finished ; whereas, supposing the bore to be a successful one, a shaft has to be sunk

subsequently unless the well happens to be on the artesian principle, which is extremely

unlikely in the Eucla country, as will be seen from a perusal of Professor Tate's

Report.

1^

With regard to this question I am reluctant to offer an opinion of my own. and xii

prefer to submit to you in the form of an Appendix to this Report a most able and 0^°auriii« °

exhaustive letter on the subject, kindly written me by Mr. J. W. Jones, Conservator Water above J ' J -1 and below

of Water, South Australia, than whom no one is more competent, by reason not only of the Range

his very large experience in such matters, but also of his personal examination of the

Eucla country, to form an opinion.



HP '.. /

10

Mil. Carrying capacity of the Country

There is no doubt now that the carrying capacity of the country has been over¬ estimated. A sheep to six or seven acres is the most that the best of the Eucla country at first will safely carry, and it would be unsafe to frame estimates on any higher calculation. On the other hand, after two or three years' occupation by sheep, the

carrying capabilities of the country will increase, when one sheep to five acres may with equal safety be reckoned on. Overstocking at first, or even stocking up to the maximum capacity of country, is most injurious. In making the above calculation it must be distinctly understood that dry seasons have been taken into account, and that the estimate applies not to a picked or limited area, as—e.g., 1,000 or even 5,000 acres, but to a tract of say not less than 50 or 100,000 acres, from which much useless and unsuitable country would have to be eliminated, such as dense scrub, samphire flats, and barren and rocky parts.

Yalata Run, at Fowler's Bay, in South Australia, comprises in all 3,000 square miles of country, only half of which I understand is utilized; a very large part of the remainder being absolutely worthless. Notwithstanding this drawback the run contains 140,000 sheep, and is said to give a net profit of about £20,000 per annum.

XIV. Advantages of Eucla Country.

The advantages of the Eucla country, then, are :—

i. Its proximity to a Port, whereby an immense saving is effected in the cost of

transport, which in many cases in the other colonies amounts to as much as £50 per ton.

ii. The absence of any very large number of marsupials and of the rabbit, the

sheep farmer's greatest curse, and the comparative scarcity of wild dogs.

iii. Entire absence of any plants of a poisonous character, and of the spinifex and kindred grasses so destructive to the successful breeding of sheep.

iv. The nourishing and fattening qualities of the grass and bushes as testified by the appearance of sheep and horses.

v. Non-appearance up to the present time of those diseases to which sheep are most commonly subject, e.g., rot, fluke.

vi. The liberal terms of lease or purchase offered by the Western Australian

Government, which compare most favourably with those prevailing in the other colonies.

vii. Notwithstanding the paucity of the rainfall, the fact that destructive droughts, such as occur too frequently in other parts of Australia, have never been known here.



<

11

The disadvantages are:— DisacW tages of the

i. The absence of permanent surface water on the Table-land. Countrv.

ii. The distance to a market where advantageous sale for surplus sheep could be obtained.

iii. The impossibility of constructing dams.

iv. The unsuitability of the country for agricultural purposes.

v. Present uncertain communication by sea with Adelaide.

vi. The refusal of the Western Australian Government to station police and

other officers in the district.

(a.) By steamer from Port Adelaide to Port Lincoln (24 hours), and thence by xvi coach (650 miles) via Streaky and Fowler's Bays to Eucla (fourteen days). tion witll There is a monthly mail to Eucla by this route. Eucla.

(b.) By schooner to Fowler's Bay, and thence to Eucla by coach (240 miles).

(c.) By ketch or small sailing craft from Port Adelaide to Eucla direct, when sufficient inducement offers, generally during the wool season (Sept., Oct., and Nov.)

There is communication by telegraph with all parts of the world.

These two stations comprise some of the best of the Eucla country, as well as the xvii. entire frontage to the range from Eucla to Carla-been-Cabba (see map) a distance of and 90 miles. This frontage is valuable on account of the permanent water supply, and the Mundrabilla

facilities afforded for constructing fresh water tanks at the foot of the gorges. Stations

Owing partly to mismanagement and partly to want of capital, these runs, though formed ten years ago, have not progressed in anything like the way they should have

' * done.

They are respectively owned by Muir and Sons (three partners), and Kennedy, McGill and Co. (also three partners). For some time past they have been desirous of



12

disposing of the properties, but in consequence of the high prices asked have not yet found a purchaser.

Muir's, for which £30,000 is asked, and which contains 400,000 acres and 6,000 sheep, is worth from £10,000 to £12,000, while Kennedy and McGill's, which contains

180,000 acres and about 9,000 sheep, is worth from £12,000 to £13,000. I am not in a

position to say if they would accept these amounts, but am inclined to think that they would in a few months' time, when the excitement occasioned by the recent visits of

prospectors and others to the Eucla country has subsided.

XVlll Review of Position as regards fiucla Lands

Four of the original blocks, viz., 129, 130, 135 and 136, having been condemned on account of the very inferior character of the land, it was proposed to effect an

exchange of the same for others, the property of the Eucla Pastoral Association, without incurring further expense. This has now been done, and blocks 70, 71, 72, which I examined shortly before leaving Eucla, and reported upon favourably, have been

assigned and accepted in exchange.

One of the first questions then to be decided is by what tenure do you intend

holding the new blocks. I have from time to time pointed out that the country, in the

opinion of practical men, does not warrant such a heavy rent as pre-emption involves, and that, having regard to the continued waterless state of the Table-land and the

uncertainty as to what its future will be, it is wiser not to continue to pay pre-emptive rent, but to hold the land at the reduced rent of 5/- per 1,000 acres, which practically is a sufficiently good tenure, as there is no prospect of anyone applying to purchase the land at 5/- per acre for many years to come.

With reference to the exchange of blocks, two further proposals have since been made respectively by Messrs, Wallis and Macvean, the latter of whom now represents the Eucla Association.

Mr. Wallis made the following proposal, which I quote in full from his letter. " I will let you have the two blocks in question, 352 and 353, which contain 625 miles, " at the same price that I sold E350 and 351, viz.. £10 per square mile, making you " allowance in full for the blocks bought of the Eucla Company, and taking them in " exchange. I will allow you further one half of the monies paid for pre-emptive rent. '• In other words, you paid the E. P. A. £2,500 for the blocks, and the W. A. Govern- " ment £2,400 for pre-emptive rent. The blocks asked in exchange at £10 per mile " would realize £6,250. I will take the five blocks and £2,550 in exchange."

Shortly before leaving Melbourne, Mr. Macvean, representing the Eucla Company, suggested the retention of the four original blocks, 129, 130, 135, and 136, together with the new blocks, 70, 71, and 72, on payment of £200 per block for the latter.



13

With regard to the first proposal there is no doubt whatever that the blocks

comprise some of the best and best situated land in the Eucla country, and while

advising generally that no more money should be sunk in premiums, circumstances

might I think, arise, which would make it desirable to acquire them, if still to be had.

Respecting Mr. Macvean's offer, I hope you will not be tempted to accept it. A

bad article is dear at any price, and if the country is what I represent it to be, I would

have nothing to do with it. But there is this to be said, land in the Colonies now-a-

days is bought on paper, and very often in the dark, and it is not impossible that a

purchaser might come forward and take it off your hands at the price you originally paid.

The Natives are few in number, and confine themselves to the neighbourhood of Xlx-

the coast, from whence they make occasional hunting excursions inland. Many of ous. Natives,

them are employed on the sheep stations, and are found useful in shepherding, mustering sheep, catching horses, and the like. They are an inoffensive and timid

race, and in this respect are very unlike their brethren in the North and North-West.

The quality of the wool, both at Moopina and Mundrabilla Stations is Quality of Wool

good considering the class of sheep at 8d. per lb.

The average price of the same may be reckoned

Freight from Adelaide. Special arrangement can now be made with the owner of Freight from „ Adelaide

the schooners running between Port Adelaide and Fowler's Bay to continue the

voyage to Eucla for a minimum guarantee of £50.

The population of Eucla and the Eucla District is under fifty, exclusive of Population oi

natives. By the Eucla District is meant all the country from Eyre to Port Eucla, neighbourhood.

both inclusive.

Galvanized Iron Roofing as a Rain Catcher. One ton of galvanized iron, Iron Roofing ° as a " Rain twenty-six guage, will cover 1,600 superficial feet. Five tons would cover nearly Catcher."

one-quarter of an acre. One inch of rain falling on this area would give 4,000 gallons of water. 450 feet of half-round spouting would be required.

A-

Proposed Eucla Railway. As this scheme is now virtually abandoned the Proposed •!! *• Eucla Rail-

extensive reserve (thirty miles on each side of the line) which the Western Australian way. Government offered as a concession to the promoters will, it is believed, be shortly withdrawn.

As this proposed scheme, it may be remembered, was one of the reasons which induced the proprietors of Blocks 350, 351, 134, 135, 136, 129, 130 to resort to pre-emption in order to secure themselves against the Railway Company,



14

Suitability of Eucla Country for Breeding of Goats, Camols, and O-Btriches

the abandonment of the project will therefore render it now even less necessary to

pre-empt in the future.

There cannot, 1 think, be any doubt as to the suitability of the Eucla Country for

goats (Angora), camels, and ostriches. Angora goats have clone well in many parts of the neighbouring colonies. They require less water than sheep, and are not so

particular, I believe, as to its quality; but, in other respects, the requisite conditions for successful breeding of goats and sheep are identical. Both camel and ostrich

breeding on a large scale have been established with success for some years in South Australia. For the former there has been a large and increasing demand of late for

transport purposes in the waterless parts of Australia where they are indispensable. On Yalata run there are several used for draught and other work.

With regard to ostriches the climate, soil, and food of the Eucla Country are, I believe, almost identical with many parts of South Africa, where, despite the heavy rental of land, ostrich breeding is still carried on with large profits.

In conclusion, if I have omitted to touch upon any points on which any of those interested in the country desire information, I shall be most happy at any time to furnish them with the same.

EVERARD P. LEMPRIERE,

London, December 12th, 1884.



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15

Copy of a Letter from Mr. J. W. Jones, Conservator of Water, South

Australia, on prospects of finding water at Eucla.

Office of Conservator of Water,

Adelaide.

18iA September, 1884.

Dear Sir, Referring to our conversation yesterday, and at your request, I have

pleasure in giving you my opinion as to the prospects of reaching good water in wells—

by shaft or bore—on the Eucla plateau.

Your own explorations have shown you that the coast cliff is the southern talus of the very extensive older tertiary crystalline limestone formation, of which the sketch in

margin, from my own notes, is a fair index.

S EA LEVEL.

Soil and nodular limestone, 6-fl. - A.

Grey to white crystalline limestone, with fossils, 6-4-fl. - - - B.

Bed friable do., 45-ft. - C.

White chalky limestone, 137-fl. - D.

Do., continuing below sea-level, not yet bottomed by any bore in locality.

The so-called "Hampton Range" is, as you have yourself seen, simply a portion of this cliff.

On the coast at Eucla, and thence to the westward, there are considerable low-

lying flats at the base of the cliff, between it and the sea; the surface of these flats is washed or blown, sand overlying the chalky limestone. In the sand fair stock water in small quantity has been found at shallow depths. The water is more or less brackish,

depending, I think, beyond any doubt, upon the quantity and purity of the sand beds, the good water being derived from the local rainfall. Similar conditions in many other

parts of this and other colonies show the same results, and go to prove that the fresh



w

16

water of the rainfall and the sea water do not mix to any considerable extent. I

mention this as the Government Geologist of this colony has in his published report for

1883 expressed a different opinion. I entirely disagree with his views on this matter, and think them liable to mislead anyone considering the question of water supply.

Throughout the very extensive area of the Plateau, above the cliffs, there will be

very little change in the conditions under which water will be found.

Referring to the sketch section, the deposits A, B, C, will be present throughout, and will not contain any water (either fresh or salt). The upper water will be found in

formation C, at about sea level, within ten miles of the cliffs, and, I think, gradually

rising above this level further inland. Speaking roughly, I think 300 feet may be taken

as the shallowest average, and 400 feet as the deepest. As to the probable quality and

quantity of this water, there is no very reliable information. So far as I am aware, the

only trial well that has tapped it above the cliffs in locality of Eucla is the Government shaft and bore at Albala-karoo, about 40 miles N.E. of Eucla Telegraph Station. In this

instance, at a depth from surface of 297 feet, the water was reached. (Barometrical

readings taken over some months fairly proved this water to be as nearly as possible sea

level). There was an ample supply of water in the chalky limestone, but it was very brackish indeed. I have not at this moment the analysis, but it contained quite three ounces to the gallon of various salts—it was decidedly better than our sea water, which contains 5-6 ounces of salts. Some experienced stock breeders pronounced the water to be sufficiently good for sheep educated to use brackish waters. I am, however, doubtful if any stock would do well on such water ; they may drink it if forced, but do

very badly indeed.

The water was also tapped at sea level in the chalk at a point about 60 miles N.W. of the Head of Bight; the supply was not tested, but the quality was very little better than sea water.

It would appear, therefore, improbable that the upper water will in any case prove ^ well fitted for stock; personally, I do not think it impossible that a better quality water can be found.

It is just possible that in some of the localities where the flood waters are collected and drained on the surface in unusual quantities to some local valleys or depressions, that this water—which is rapidly absorbed and conducted down to the chalk through the porous limestone—may be found before it has mixed to any great extent with the salt water beneath (for, being lighter, it would not readily mix).

r To prove this shafts should be sunk, and wherever the first 100 feet of hard

crystalline limestone can be escaped by commencing in caves or blow-holes, the cost will be reduced and time saved. There is a little more danger, however, to well-sinkers



17

in the bottom of these caves, and they have a strong feeling against them. The cost of

sinking within 30 miles of the coast (by contract) may be about £3 per foot, the

contractor finding everything in the way of outfit, food, water and transport.

A

I have already mentioned to you my views of the chance of good water deep seated beneath the chalk and the upper water. As you know, Professor Tate has

reported very unfavourably, and nothing positive has transpired since his report, to the

contrary. My own examination of the Musgrave Range country, about 300 miles to

the northward of Eucla, has, however, shown me that it is perhaps a little more favourable

than the Professor judged by his very limited explorations.

The following sketch is a very approximate section through Eucla and these

Ranges.

BED ROCK

The Musgrave Ranges in good seasons turn off to the sandy flats large quantities of storm water (perfectly fresh); this is at once absorbed and evaporation prevented, the water passing down to the bed rock, or to the clays immediately above the rock, and makes its way southward through the pervious beds, and, if not interrupted, may possibly reach even to Eucla beneath the chalk. There is a large margin of possibilities to the contrary, as, for instance, the flow may be interrupted and turned in another direction by an upward cur\ ature of the bed rock, or the presence of other rocks, and even though the rocks may be favourable there may be no continuation of the sand or

gravel beds, which are necessary us conducting media.



18

The depth to the bed rock is very uncertain indeed. No attempt should be made

to bore without preparation for 2,000 feet. The water, if struck, would be artesian, and would rise more or less probably to the surface; but the hydrostatic pressure would not be very great as there is no sign of any upward curvature of the bed rock to the South.

If these hastily written notes are of any use to you, I have no objection to their

use in any way you may desire, and it will give me pleasure to supplement the

information in any way in my power.

I am, faithfully yours,

Everard P. Lempriere, Esq.,

Government House, Adelaide.

JAMES W. JONES,

Conservator of Water.

Appended is Extract from Letter from R. Dewdney, who accompanied me

my Tour of Inspection of the Eucla Country in the capacity of on

Practical Bushman. E. P. L.

Commencing with Muir's country 1 may say I consider the whole to be very good, and should, when properly developed, carry upwards of 50,000 sheep. There is

plenty of timber on the country for fencing purposes, and stone for building, and if it

could be secured at a reasonable price, I should recommend the purchase of it, it

already having a fair supply of water in wells which will give the run a fair start, but

it will be necessary to put on a fresh lot of sheep to begin with.

Then there is Kennedy and McGill's run. This is all good country, and, from its

position, will work in well with this, and, with a few improvements, would carry

upwards of 25,000 sheep. This run is we know for sale, price being £15,000, with

about 10,000 sheep and other stock and plant. They have also two wells of excellent

water on the run. This, if the lease is secure, I should also recommend purchasing.

I think I am safe in saying that you will then command the pick of the country, and if this were done you might, I think, let other blocks to the north go.

With careful management the country I have here mentioned, thrown into one run,



4 19

should, in a few years, return a good income. Transport is cheap, and the principal difficulty I see is a market for surplus stock, but no doubt this can be overcome.

As to the country generally, it is fit for pastoral purposes only, and seems to me to

be a good wool-growing country, and sheep evidently thrive well in every respect.

As to wheat-growing or other cultivation I think this is out of the question, unless

for hay, and I believe in some good seasons a crop of this may be obtained. My advice

is, therefore, that all attention be turned to getting a good class of sheep on the run.

Go to no further expense than that of putting present watered and necessary winter

country into working order for the first few years, you will then have an opportunity of judging whether it is worth while or not of going to a greater expense of obtaining water in the back country.

Land Regulations of Western Australia so far as they affect the

Eucla District.

TENURE.—LEASE AVAILABLE TO 31st DECEMBER, 1893.

conditions of lease.

The rent for each thousand acres or part of a thousand acres to be five

shillings for each year of the first half of the lease, and ten shillings for each year of the

*> remainder of the lease.

(B) The lessee may at any time during the first seven years of his lease, select

from his run any land which he desires to hold under an unconditional pre-emptive right

to purchase on the following terms :—

1.—All unconditional pre-emptive rights to be for the term of the leaes, or until

purchased sooner.

r^- 2.—The land to be so selected to be in blocks of not less than one thousand acres.

3.—The rent to be five pounds for each thousand acres, paid in advance, annually.



20

4.—All such unconditional pre-emptive rights may be redeemed in fee on the

following terms:—

If within the first seven years of the lease, by payment of two shillings and six¬

pence, and during the remainder of the term, of five shillings, for each acre redeemed.

(C) All surveys of pre-emptive rights to be made at the expense of the holder.

Note.—No stocking or improvement conditions. Land can be held by payment of rent only.

X

Memorandum of rainfall taken at Eucla for seven years and eight

months, kindly provided hy C. Todd, Esq., C.M.G. :—

RAINFALL.

January Febry March.. April May June July August Sept. October Nov Dec.

62

Inches.

1876.

0-580 0-020 4 820 0-430 2-400 0 370 0-920 0-410 0'350 0-410 0 570 0-050

11-330 65

Inches

1877.

0 100 0-790 0-070 8-070 1-650 0 630 0-930 0-145 0-185 0 110 0 160 0 930

13-770 69

Inches.

1878.

0138 0-690 0-350 0-738 1-058 1-020 0-335 0-636 0-698 0-145 0-565

6-373 98

Inches.

1879.

0-050 0 064 0-663 0-767 0-944 0-652 2-158 2-371 0-938 0-182 2-096 0-104

10-989 78

ays. ays. Inches 1-1 <** o Inches. P Inches. H

o Inches o J5 o o ?5

1880. 1881. 1882. 1883.

0-126 5 1-735 7 1-937 11 1-044 0-046 2 0-030 0 — 7 0-095 3-371 2 0-047 8 0-910 6 0-312 0-553 3 0-273 10 2-214 5 0-205 1-361 7 0 744 12 1-747 12 1-004 0-070 10 1255 14 1-280 3 1-008 0-462 6 0-281 4 0-150 14 1-266 0-590 9 1084 11 1-120 9 0 777 0-515 10 0-428 6 0 088 0 552 7 0 965 10 1476 0-599 3 0 157 6 0-969 0-311 5

69

1-262 4 0 238

67 8-556 8-261 92 12-129 5-711

Is i\ k

Average Rainfall for 7 years, 10-201 points. The rainfall at Madura Station for the last six months of 1883 was as follows:—July, 2-42 ; August, 1 85 ;

September, 1-58; October, 0-28; November, 0 57 ; December, ml; total, 6-70.

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Documents

Report on the Eucla country, Western Australia