'//// TOWNS OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



291 







quality. Thirty miles to the north-west is Temora, which a few years ago was a large 

 gold-field with a population of several thousands. Its mineral returns are now small, 

 hut being in the heart of a good agricultural district it will soon regain vigour. From 

 Cootamundra a branch railway line runs to Gundagai, a thriving town situated thirty-four 

 miles distant, 

 at a point 

 which is the 

 head of navi- 

 gation of the 

 M ur rumbid- 

 gee River. 

 The bridge 

 which spans 

 it, together 

 with its via- 



1 



BEGA, FROM CHAPEL HILL. 



THE WIIAKF AT TATHRA. 



duct, is nearly three-quarters of a mile in 

 length, the low lands around the town 

 being subject to floods. The original 

 township, which was unfortunately built 

 on the river-flat, was almost washed away 

 by a freshet which occurred in 1852, 

 nearly four-score dwellings being wrecked 



and many of their occupants drowned. But Gundagai is again a flourishing place with 

 excellent prospects ; its soil is rich, and there are gold-reefs, slate-quarries, and rich 

 seams of asbestos to be developed. Adelong and Tumut are on the southern side of 

 Gundagai, and materially assist its trade. 



From Cootamunda the main line turns to the south to Jtinee, a point from which 

 the south-western branch to Hay extends, and the first halting-place on any of the 

 colony's lines at which refreshments could be obtained. On the strength of its railway 

 importance Junee has become a sturdy place ; but the town can make little progress 

 without a good system of water-supply. 



At this point, half-way from Sydney to Melbourne, the country begins to fall. 

 Junee is nine hundred and eighty-five feet above sea-level ; Albury, one hundred miles 

 farther south, is lower by four hundred and fifty feet. Looking to the west, the station 

 at Hay, nearly one hundred and seventy miles off, has an elevation of only three hundred 

 and five feet. These facts indicate the existence of a large water-shed, which the map 

 shews to be drained by the Murrumbiclgee and Murray Rivers. As explained in a 

 former part, these water-arteries materially assisted the arduous labour of the pioneer 



