398 PROPOSED RAILROAD. 



complete our survey of twenty-three miles of the 

 eastern shore of Spencer's Gulf, on the afternoon 

 of the 29th the Beagle was running into Port Ade- 

 laide.* The ladies of the Governor, the Surveyor- 

 General, and others, honoured us with their presence 

 on the passage round. t 



It was the examination I made on this occasion of 

 Colonel Gawler's excellent road between the port 

 and Adelaide, which convinced me that a portion of 

 it might easily be converted into a railroad, as there 

 is sufficient width for a single line of rails without 

 detracting from its present value. That such an 

 undertaking would prove of great advantage to the 

 colony there can be no doubt ; and it is equally 

 certain that it would be profitable to those engaged 

 in it. The exports and imports of South Australia 

 are, year by year, rapidly increasing ; and now that 

 its vast mineral resources have been discovered, and 

 are in progress of development, no bounds can be 

 set to its probable wealth and prosperity. A rail- 

 road would be sure to attract a large amount of 

 traffic even at present. As, however, the Port of 

 Adelaide only admits vessels of moderate draught, 

 large ships must discharge part of their cargo out- 



* Besides the light vessel off the bar at Port Adelaide, a flag- 

 staff close to the southward at the pilot station serves to point 

 out the entrance to strangers. 



f I have already, in a previous page, given some account of 

 this port ; and here, therefore, I need do no more than refer the 

 reader to the accompanying chart. 



