Physical Features of the Australian Alps. 109 



farming population who have produced crops of wheat and 

 other cereals that are excellent both as regards quality and 

 quantity (as high as 50 bushels of wheat to the acre having 

 been obtained close to the Omeo Lake).* I believe, therefore, 

 that from the Omeo Plains as a centre, the higher uplands 

 will be occupied quite up to 5000 feet above sea level; and 

 even should agriculture fail at this elevation, the richness of 

 the pastures will amply repay their occupation for grazing 

 purposes. 



The Gibbo River intersects more ruggedly mountainous 

 country, and has gold workings on its upper courses. 



The Wombat Creek (an eastern affluent) has also gold* 

 workings along its course, the character of the country it 

 intersects being similar to that of the Gibbo River. 



From what has been previously stated, it will be gleaned 

 that the eastern watershed of the Mitta Mitta source basin is 

 more suited for settlement than the western, which ascends 

 to the highest elevations in the colony. As a matter of fact, 

 the eastern watershed is now being rapidly settled upon, 

 including the splendid area embraced by the Omeo Plains. 

 Whether agricultural or pastoral pursuits will be most profit- 

 able remains to be seen; but, independent of this, the 

 known auriferous character of the country (practically unde- 

 veloped) is likely to cause the district to become more 

 important in the future. Hereunder I give a list of the 

 drainage areas described, classifying the land into land suited 

 for immediate settlement, good grazing land, and inferior 

 orazino' land : — 



Selectable. Good grazing. Inferior. 



Benambra Creek 40,000 80,000 29,120 



Big River 10,000 60,000 32,400 



Livingstone Creek ... 30,000 50,000 8,320 



Gibbo River 8,000 40,000 23,680 



Cobungra River 5,000 40,000 17,720 



"Victoria 10,000 30,000 11,840 



Mitta Mitta (minor) ... 5,000 30,000 14,920 



Bundara 3,000 27,000 11,600 



Wombat Creek 1,000 20,000 18,040 



Omeo Lake 15,360 — — 



Totals 127,360 377,000 167,000 



* The probable yield for present season will average 30 bushels of wheat 

 to the acre. 



