PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE. 3 



Coast Rivers. 

 It lias already been sliown tliat the coast district lias abundant rain, 

 the annual fall ranging from 36 to 76 inches. Most of this rain is 

 brought in by easterly winds, laden with moisture, which, when they 

 reach the mountains, rise up over them ; and in doing so they drop 

 abundance of rain in accordance with a well-known law of nature that, 

 if a cloud rises it drops some of its moisture, and this abundant downfall 

 feeds the numerous rivers. We find, then, no less than fifteen rivers of 

 various sizes, but all helping for navigation and the general water supply 

 necessary for husbandry. Beginning, we pass these rivers in review : 



1. The Tweed River flows into the sea at the northern boundary of 

 the Colony, its abundant stream is fed by the rain on the highest of 

 the coast mountains ; it flows to the north-east 30 miles, but its naviga- 

 tion is by its bar harbour made only possible to small craft. 



2. The Richmond Eiver, immediately south, rises in part in the same 

 high range as the Tweed, and flows through some rugged pastoral 

 country and large areas of very rich soil, parts of Avhich are covered 

 with valuable timbers, and it reaches the sea in 120 miles, and drains 

 an area of 2,400 square miles. It is navigable in one branch to Casino 

 40 miles, and the other branch to Lismore 65 miles. Products, sugar 

 and tropical fruits. 



3. The Clarence River. Rising in the mountains it reaches the sea 

 after a course of 240 miles, in latitude 29" 26'. It is one of the finest 

 rivers of the east coast, and drains an area of 8,000 square miles, which 

 is rich in minerals and tropical vegetation. Climate perfect in winter, 

 but warm as Southern Europe in summer; it is, however, tempered by 

 the trade wind, and abundant rains. The river is navigable for 136 

 miles, and is in places half a mile wide. 



4. The Macleay River rises in the northern tablelands, flows through 

 magnificent gorges, with many waterfalls, one of which is 240 feet ; in 

 places the mountains rise almost perpendicularly from the river to 3,000 

 feet. The river is 200 miles long, passing through a country very rich 

 in timber, it drains 4,800 square miles, and is navigable for 30 miles. 



5. The Hastings is a fine stream flowing into the sea at Port 

 Macquarie. It drains 1,400 square miles of country, with abundance of 

 fine timber and rich alluvial soil. 



6. The Manning River rises in the mountains near Nundle, flows 

 easterly through a fine timber country and rich soil, draining an area 

 of 3,000 square miles ; navigable 20 miles. 



7. Karuah River rises in the Mount Royal Range, flows for 45 miles 

 through rich agricultural soil to the sea at Port Stephens. It drains 

 an area of 600 square miles. 



8. The Hunter River rises in the Liverpool Ranges, and makes a 

 south and east course for 200 miles to the sea at Newcastle ; it drains 

 7,900 square miles, and is navigable for large steamers 35 miles. The 

 Williams, one of its tributaries, is navigable for 20 miles to Clarence 

 Town; and the Paterson, another tributary, is navigable 18 miles. The 

 whole of the Hunter River district is very rich in pastoral and agricul- 

 tural products; it is famous for its vineyards, its corn, and its tobacco; 

 and minerals are not wanting, the finest deposit of coal in the Colony 

 is found here. 



