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SAND-DRIFTS IN WESTERN NEW SOUTH WALES. 
In the Western plains, and thence to the centre of the continent, there occur 
drifting sand-hills which often destroy vegetation, including trees. The subject is 
of very great importance to all concerned in the welfare of the far west, and 
particularly in regard to conservation of existing vegetation. The subject is dealt 
with in two papers, entitled “The Sand-drift Problem in Arid New South Wales,” 
by Colin J. McMaster, Chief Commissioner of Western Lands, and “ The Sand-drift 
Problem in New South Wales,” by myself. Both papers will be found in the 
Proceedings of the Poyal Society of New South Wales for 1903. 
The following photograph and descriptive note on some sand-hills in New 
South Wales, I owe to the kindness of Mr. A. W. Mullen, L.S., Western Land 
Board, Bourke. 
“ The photograph represents the Drift Sands known as the ‘ (fin Bottle,’ or 
Goonery Sands. These sand-hills in the County of Barrona are situated 55 to 
58 miles from Bourke, on the Wanaaring cleared road. The sand-hill shown is not 
more than about 300 to 400 yards wide, and extends in a northerly and southerly 
direction, crossing the Wanaaring Boad at right angles. 
“There are a series of these Goonery sand-hills extending over about 3 miles 
in width, and probably 10 in length. Between each sand-hill there is a clay flat. 
The sand ridges are from 200 to 400 yards wide, and the flats from 400 to 800 yards 
wide. The Gin Bottle is the largest of the Goonery sand-hills. In good seasons 
the soil does not move to any extent; but in drought, under the influence of 
prevailing westerly dry winds, the western side of these hills becomes wind-swept, 
the surface or sand being shifted on to the eastern side of hill, covering up vegetation 
in its course. 
“ In the 4 Gin Bottle,’ the tops of shrubs and small trees may be seen 
sticking out of the crest of the sand on the eastern side. The shifting of these 
sands only occurs in severe drought, when the surface of the ground has become 
dry and loose, and the surface covering has decayed. In the last severe drought, 
this sand-hill would advance, perhaps, 20 feet, and such a drought may not occur 
again for twenty years. I do not consider that these sands driven by windstorms 
do harm, as a thin coating of red sand is blown on to the grey plains, and helps to 
make the grey soil more friable and fertile. 
“ To hind sand-shifting country in the west, I recommend Spinifex or 
Turpentine Bush. If the sandy red soil west of the Darling is deprived of its 
natural covering of scrubs and shrubs, it is likely to become wind-swept and a 
desert, as the whole of the surface soil would be removed during a drought, and 
the result would be a subsoil known locally as ‘ scalded country,’ upon which 
nothing grows.” 
