A USTRALASIA ILL USTRA TED. 



squatters who were the first to put the great western and south-western plains to a 

 profitable use. The Murrumbidgee, which was a shallow stream near Cooma, becomes a 

 large body of water at Gundagai. In all it runs a course of thirteen hundred and fifty 

 miles, and along nearly one half of this distance it is navigable. Near Balranald it falls 

 into the Murray, which flows along the southern boundary of the colony, being navigable 

 nearly all the distance. When it was ascertained that two great rivers joined the 

 Murray, and that it was possible to sail from the interior of this colony to the sea or 

 to points close to sea-ports, two very important conditions of settlement were satisfactorily 

 met. It was plain that supplies could be obtained, and in return produce sent away. 

 It is necessary to mention these particulars at this point, as nearly all the towns about 

 to be visited are the outcome of the system of settlement which the rivers encouraged. 

 Many years ago, when all the traffic of the great south-western pastoral country was 

 performed by steam-boats and river-barges, the wool, hides and tallow were all shipped 

 for England from the sea-ports of South Australia and Victoria. The occupiers of the 

 country had faint hazy notions that at some time in the far-off future the centre of 

 Government, to which they grudgingly contributed, might send them railways. There was 

 on the rivers great discontent, which gradually gained force until it took the form of 



GUNDAGAI. 



an appeal for separation. It was urged that the river-country should have the control 

 of its affairs, and should be named Riverina. This proposal met with powerful opposition, 

 and was ineffective. The Riverine towns were much agitated, and vows of vengeance 

 Sydney and all her friends were made and duly registered. Victoria was 

 perfectly willing to include the dissatisfied territory within her boundaries, but the 



