Page:Rambles in Australia (IA ramblesinaustral00grewiala).pdf/362

 and anxiety of inadequately watered stock routes, an industry in most cases on lines of crudest pioneering," a lack of fences or musterers, and, in the dry season, drinking-places that become "boggy death-traps," which hundreds, sometimes thousands of cattle frequent, "till their numbers are decimated." The opening of the Freezing Works at Darwin, and the extension of the railway are the first steps towards making it worth the while of the Territory pastoralist to remedy these defects. Freezing Works are being erected.

Agricultural lands are granted in the Territory on perpetual leases as long as the holder complies with certain conditions, such as the erection of a house within two years on his lands, and residence there for a certain number of months in each year. Pastoral leases are granted on still more easy terms, and advances are made to settlers for the purchase of building materials, plant, fencing, and stock.

The mineral wealth of the Northern Territory is as yet unexplored, and is still awaiting a more complete geological survey, before it can be estimated accurately. Gold, tin, and copper have been found in considerable quantities, but have not as yet been adequately worked.

When we visited Port Darwin the rains were