28o AUSTRALASIA ILLUSTRATED. 



Goulburn is a stretch of country, nearly fifty miles in extent, suited to a mixed system 

 of farming Both climate and soil favour the production of fruit, but there are few 

 orchards, the settlers, though equally strangers to opulence or to poverty, lacking that 

 ener-v necessary to develope the varied resources of so rich a district. At Marulan, a 

 small town near the railway line, are quarries of marble and lime, large quantities of 

 which are sent to the metropolis. 



A glance at the map of New South Wales at once discloses the reason why Goul- 

 Imrn became first a favourite camp, next a permanent settlement, and then gradually 

 put on the garb and aspect of a city. A chain of ponds, known as the Mulwarree, 

 joined to the Wollondilly River, afforded an ample water-supply for pastoral purposes, and 

 the surrounding country being materially aided by Lakes George and Bathurst, many of the 

 pioneer squatters secured large freehold estates in the neighbourhood. Even in the early 

 days of its existence, Goulburn was remarkable for the variety and extent of its industries. 

 It was admirably laid out in wide streets, the blocks for occupation being in every case 

 rectangular ; large stores were erected, flour-mills were set to work, and tradesmen began 

 small businesses which have since developed into large and important local manufactories. 



The settlers on the soil zealously supported the efforts of the townsmen ; large 

 areas were placed under crop ; orchards were formed, and tanneries, fellmongering works 

 and boot factories were started. About a quarter of a century ago the town became a 

 city, Episcopalians and Roman Catholics having chosen it as a favourite centre for their 

 dioceses. The Church of England Cathedral is a beautiful building of a chaste Gothic 

 design, and the interior fittings are in thorough keeping with the sacred character of 

 the edifice. The Roman Catholic Cathedral is a commodious, handsome structure, while 

 Presbyterians, Wesleyans and Primitive Methodists have also liberally contributed to the 

 architectural treasures of the city. But the principal buildings in Goulburn are the Post 

 and Telegraph Offices, which are surmounted by a high tower ; a model gaol, not long- 

 since completed ; the railway buildings ; and the well-built and only recently finished Court 

 House and other public offices. The local Agricultural Society, a vigorous institution, has 

 a show-ground which is considered a model for enclosures of the kind. The city is 

 surrounded by valuable estates, upon which stock-breeding is conducted on scientific prin- 

 ciples, ami horses and cattle bred in the district have established an enviable reputa- 

 tion ; but it is with merino sheep that its greatest triumphs have been achieved. At the 

 annual intercolonial stud-sheep fairs held in the metropolis, the sheep from the 

 southern city frequently top the market. A branch line of railway, which passes through 

 some excellent agricultural country, has been constructed from Goulburn to Cooma, the 

 central town of the great pastoral plains of Monaro. 



Lake George, situated twenty-five miles south-west of Goulburn, and guarded by 

 spurs of the Great Dividing Range, is the largest lake in the colony, being twenty-five 

 miles in length and eight miles in breadth. The evaporation from this vast sheet of water 

 is very great, and thirty-five years ago its bed was perfectly dry. It is now, however, well 

 filled, and although the water is slightly saline, it is a great boon to the occupiers of 

 the land in its neighbourhood. 



Before proceeding farther inland along the line of the Great Southern Railway it 

 will be convenient to take a glance at the South Coast District the harbours and bays of 



