Page:Problems of Empire.djvu/239

AUSTRALIAN RAILWAYS.

capital, and it offers special advantages to a man with a family, as the labour of every member is valuable at picking time. A great influx of settlers at the present moment would be undesirable; but, as the carrying capacity of the channels is increased, it is to be hoped that new settlers will gradually take up the land already commanded by the irrigation system.

The temporary failure of Mildura really an error of judgment.In conclusion: reviewing the whole history of Mildura, there seems to me little occasion for accusing any of the promoters of culpable dishonesty. Great mistakes have been made, it is true, but these are inseparable in a new enterprise of this magnitude. To the Messrs. Chaffey are, at any rate, due the thanks of the Colony for showing that it is possible to turn almost worthless land into a beautiful fruit-garden.

RAILWAYS.

Breaks of gauge a drawback to inter-communication.Before discussing the railway systems of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, a few remarks may be made on Australian railways generally. The first and most obvious point that arrests the attention, as well as the progress of the traveller is, that no less than three different gauges are in use on the Australian continent. Western Australia, whose railway system is detached by over 1000 miles from those of the other Colonies, has adopted the 3 ft. 6 in. gauge. South Australia has both the 3 ft. 6 in. and 5 ft. 3 in. gauge. Victoria has the 5 ft. 3 in. gauge throughout. New South Wales has adopted the standard gauge of the world, viz., 4 ft. 8½ in. Queensland utilises the 3 ft. 6 in. gauge on the various separate systems running inland from Brisbane, Rockhampton, and other ports

221