NFW SOUTH WALES. 



The second division likewise extends tlie whole length of the Colony 

 and comprises the whole of the high lands ranging in altitude from 

 1,000 to 7,000 feet; the greater part, however, is from 2,000 to 3,000 

 feet. Here, also, the rainfall is abundant, from 26 to 50 inches per 

 annum, and, as a consequence of this rainfall rivers and smaller streams 

 are very numerous, making this section of the Colony a well-watered 

 area. {See maps.) There are vast areas here of first-class soil for the 

 growth of cereals and fruit, and all of this section is good for pastoral 

 purposes. 



The third division includes the great plains of the w^est intersected 

 by the Darling, Lachlan, Murrumbidgee, and Murray, with many 

 smaller rivers. The rainfall varies from 10 inches in the extreme west 

 to 2-5 inches in the eastern part. [See maps.) The soil is chiefly good 

 for pastoral purposes, the rainfall being too small for agriculture, 

 except in the south-eastern part, wdiere the comparatively abundant 

 rains of winter, spring, and summer, coupled with most suitable soil, 

 make wheat-growing a profitable investment, and the finest wheat 

 of Australia is grown here. In the early days of the Colony much of 

 this flat country was without sui'face water in dry years; but a large 

 capital has been devoted to making tanks that are invaluable and the 

 wells of artesian water afford an abundant and perennial supply. Of 

 these an enormous number have been made, which yield, literally, 

 rivers of water, and the number is being added to every year. Prac- 

 tically these wells and bores have solved the difficulty as to surface 

 water in dry seasons. The distribution of rain is best seen in the small 

 map of rainfall ; and the temperature map gives the seasonal tempera- 

 tures_, the mean, and the highest and lowest temperatures. 



Inland Rivers. 



The inland rivers of New South Wales are the longest and most 

 important in Australia. The Murray, which is the most permanent, 

 has never been known to be dry. Fed, as it is, by the snows of the 

 vSnowy Eange, capped by Kosciusko, the highest point in Australia, 

 it is always in flood in summer, for the summer melts the snow. It is 

 navigable for 1,703 miles, 1,216 in New South Wales, and 487 in 

 South Australia. The Murrumbidgee, its chief tributary, is 1,350 

 miles long, and the Lachlan, its other tributary, is 700 miles long. 



The Darling is really a tributary of the Murray, and discharges into 

 it at Wentworth ; but it is by far the long-er river of the two, and is 

 navigable from Wentworth to Walgett, 1,758 miles. It must, however, 

 be understood that its existence depends upon rain. Its tributaries are 

 important streams measured from the Darling to their sources : — 



Tributary. Miles long. 



Culgoa 1,.124 



Warrego... ... ... ... ... ... 1,210 



Macquarie ... ... ... ... ... 750 



Namoi 600 



Bogan ... ... ... ... ... ... 450 



Gwydir ... ... ... ... ... ... 445 



Macintyre ... 350 



From the head of the Culgoa to the sea, via the Darling and Murray^ 

 is 3.869 miles. 



