Nov. 9, 1857.] BETWEEN MOUNT SERLE AND LAKE TORRENS. 27 
weather, will in all probability be extended to Weathered Hill this 
season. 
On the 9th of June I left Mount Serle on my way to town, after 
communicating with Mr. Painter, and receiving the report of his 
progress in the work upon which he was engaged. 
During the journey I visited the stations of many of the settlers, 
from whom I received much useful information, and to the kindness 
and experience of Mr. Thomas Gill, who supplied me with sketches 
and local names, I owe the ease with which I was enabled to recog- 
nize places previously visited by himself and Mr. Hack. 
As Lake Torrens may probably become a depot for future obser- 
vations in the northern districts (a properly-constructed boat being 
placed upon its waters, enabling their nature and extent to be 
ascertained, and serving as a connecting link between the two 
shores), I may be permitted to suggest what appears to me to be a 
very easy method of improving the line of road to that locality, and 
of rendering a tract of at least 30,000 square miles of country 
available for pastoral purposes. It is, that the Government should 
initiate a series of wells by boring — following the principle used in 
the construction of Artesian wells, but avoiding the use of expensive 
cylinders, substituting in their stead inexpensive pipes, capable of 
being soldered together during the progress of the work, and so con- 
structed at the head as to ensure their protection after the water 
had been obtained. 
That this could be done at no great cost, there is little reason to 
doubt, it being well known that the large quantities of water flowing 
from the ranges to the plains are not lost by evaporation, but by 
absorption, and that it would again find its way to the surface, if 
not prevented by intervening strata of rock or clay ; and as to 
penetrate through these strata is all that is required to obtain a 
supply of water on the surface of the ground, the expense would be 
but the tear and wear of the apparatus, the labour of the men 
required to work it, and the cost of pipes. 
That the first well should be sunk at Port Augusta ; and, after 
water had been obtained at that place, the apparatus should be 
placed at the disposal of the settlers upon the western plains, who 
would then have ail opportunity of forming watering-places at 
pleasure, and the mountain road would cease to be used as a general 
line of traffic, and persons desirous of securing runs could obtain 
land, estimating the probable cost of a sufficient supply of water, 
by knowing the expense incurred in sinking the well at Port 
Augusta ; and that port would be hastened towards that important 
position among the ports of the province, which, sooner or later, it 
