Transfer to Commonwealth.

(i.) The Agreement. An agreement of transfer, afterwards ratified by the representative Parlia ments, was made between the two Governments. In accordance with a proclamation issued in the terms of the Commonwealth Acceptance Act (No. 20 of 1910), the transfer was effected on 1st January, 1911.

(ii.) The Northern Territory Acceptance Act. By the Commonwealth Act, the agreement was ratified and approved, and the Territory was accepted together with the Palmerston and Pine Creek Railway; laws and courts of justice remained in operation, powers and functions of magistrates and officials remained vested; estates and interests continued upon the same terms; trade with Australian States was declared free. The Commonwealth assumed responsibility for the State loans in respect of the Territory, paying the interest yearly to the State, providing a sinking fund to pay off the loans at maturity, and paying off the deficit in respect of the Territory. It also purchased the Port Augusta to Oodnadatta railway, and agreed to complete the construction of the trans-continental railway from Port Darwin to Port Augusta.

(iii.) The South Australian Surrender Act.The State Act approved and ratified the agreement surrendering the Territory.

(iv.) The Northern Territory (Administration) Act, 1910.-The Act provided for Government authorising the appointment of an administrator and officials. South Australian laws applicable to the Territory at the date of the transfer were declared to continue in force as laws of the Territory and certain Commonwealth Acts to apply. Power was given to the Governor-General to make Ordinances having the force of law.

(v.) Administration.-A Resident Administra tor, vested with authority in internal affairs, was appointed by the Minister for External Affairs in February, 1912.

Division into North Australia and Central
Australia.

The Northern Australia Act, 1926, provided for the division of the Northern Territory for administrative purposes into North Australia and Central Australia, separated by the twentieth parallel of South latitude. This division took effect on the 1st March, 1927.

Reversion to Northern Territory. The Northern Australia Act, 1926, was repealed by the Northern Territory (Administration) Act, 1931. As from the 12th June, 1931, the division of the Northern Territory into the separate Territories of North Australia and Central Australia was repealed.

The Hon. C. L. A. Abbott, who is the Administrator of the Northern Territory, has his headquarters at Darwin. The Government Secretary, Mr. L. H. A. Giles, also has his headquarters at Darwin, and a District Officer, Mr. V. G. Carrington, is stationed at Alice Springs in the Southern portion of the Territory.

Subject to any Ordinance made by the Governor-General under the Northern Territory (Administration) Act, 1910, the South Australian laws in force at the date of acceptance continue in force in the Northern Territory.

A Supreme Court with original and appellate jurisdiction has been established. A Sheriff, a Registrar-General, and a Health Officer are provided for, also the registration of births, marriages and deaths, and of deeds and docu

ments. Custody and control of aborigines with extensive powers of supervision are vested in the Chief Protector. Provision is made for the control Crown lands are of fisheries and pearl fishing. classified, and their mode of acquisition, entry and holding defined. By the Crown Lands Ordinance 1931-1938, the Administrator is charged with the general administration of Crown Lands in the Territory. The prevention and eradication of diseases in plants have been provided for. Under the Stock Diseases Ordinance the Chief Inspector of Stock has wide powers in regard to the movement of stock, control and prevention of diseases, etc. In 1915, a town council was constituted for Darwin and provision made for assessment, rates, etc. The

Council was abolished and the Civic Administration of the town transferred to the Northern Territory Administration in April, 1937.

for the invention of new processes, and the disMining is encouraged by the provision of rewards fields; subsidization of the industry and the issue covery of valuable deposits and of new mineral of prospecting licences are also provided for. Provision has been made for the issue of licences to search for mineral oil, and leases of land for the working of the industry. A Board is constituted for the purpose of making advances to settlers, who intend to improve and stock their holdings, to purchase farm implements, plant, etc., or to pay off mortgages, the rate of interest and terms of repayment being set out. Provision has also been made for the compensation of injured workers, for controlling the sales, etc., of necessary commodities, for the appointment of a Public Trustee, and for the imposition, assessment and collection of a tax upon incomes.

Parliamentary Representation.

By an Act of Parliament passed in 1922, the Northern Territory elects a member of the House of Representatives. The member for the Northern Territory is entitled to vote only on the disallowance of Ordinances relating to the Northern Territory. He may, however, take part in any debate in the House.

Physiography.

Tropical Nature of the Country.-The territory is within the torrid zone, with the exception of a strip 24 degrees wide, which lies south of the Tropic of Capricorn.

Contour and Physical Characteristics.-The low flat coast line seldom reaches a height of 100 feet. Sandy beaches and mud flats, thickly fringed with mangroves, prevail. Sandstone, marl, and ironstone form the occasional cliffy headlands. The sea frontage of more than 1,000 miles is indented by bays and inlets, and intersected by numerous rivers, many of which are navigable for considerable distances from their estuaries.

Inland, the country is generally destitute of conspicuous landmarks. From the coast there is a general rise southwards to the vicinity of the 17th or 18th parallel of south latitude, where the higher lands form the watershed between the rivers that flow northwards to the sea, and those that form the scanty supply of the interior systems. Towards the centre of the continent the land over a wide area is of considerable elevation, and there are several mountain ranges, generally with an east and west trend.

Climate.

On the northern coast, as in the tropics generally, there are two main climatic divisionsthe wet season, November to April, and the dry season, May to October. The changes of season are uniform and regular. Immediately after the

vernal equinox, the wet season is heralded by the cessation of the east-south-easterly monsoon, which gives place to calm and light variable winds. Intensely hot weather prevails for a few days, thunder-clouds gathering and increasing daily until they burst in heavy thunderstorms accompanied by hurricanes, and increasing in strength and frequency until the end of November, when they become of almost daily occurrence. about an inch of rain falling during each storm. During December the north-west monsoon sets in gradually, with rain nearly every day, and increasing in force until about the end of January. At this period of the year the wet season penetrates into the heart of the continent. This monsoon dies away at the autumnal equinox, and is succeeded by light and variable winds till the end of April, when the dry season commences with the setting in of the south-east monsoon. Nearly the whole of the rainfall occurs in the summer months.

Fauna and Flora.

As

Native Animals. The ordinary types of Australian fauna inhabit the territory. elsewhere on the continent, the higher Theria are rare. There are many genera of marsupials, and individuals are numerous. The birds also are typically Australian, with brilliant plumage, and not generally gifted with song. Crocodiles and fresh-water tortoises frequent the northern rivers. There are some species of snakes, mostly non-venomous, the most numerous being the harmless python. Frogs abound, the waterholding frog being common in Central Australia. The rivers contain many varieties of freshwater fish. The molluscan fauna of the coast is mostly carnivorous, the vegetable feeders being very poorly represented, probably on account of the dearth of seaweed. Land and freshwater shellfish are not abundant. Among insects, many beautiful butterflies thrive in the warm damp atmosphere. Beetles also are strongly represented. The white ant is a pest, very few timbers being immune from its ravages. Anthills in the Territory sometimes attain a height of twenty-five feet and a diameter of ten feet. Another destructive insect, particularly active and mischievous inland, is the borer. Mosquitoes and sandflies are very troublesome, particularly from January to April. There are not many

crustaceans.

Imported Stock.-Buffalo thrive in the coastal districts, but their numbers have been greatly reduced through indiscriminate shooting for the sake of the hides. Timor ponies have also been introduced. Sheep-breeding has so far not been a success, but cattle thrive well.

Protection of Fauna.-Ruthless destruction of native birds is prohibited. An Ordinance gives the Administrator power to declare that any bird is protected; and provides that permits to export protected birds, or the skins or eggs of such birds, will only be issued subject to such conditions as the Administrator directs.

Flora. The vegetation is tropical, many of the forms belonging to the Malayan and Oceanic regions. The timber trees are not of great commercial value, but in the coastal regions tropical vegetation grows luxuriantly to the water's edge. The indented arms of the coast are thickly fringed with the mangrove. On the ranges, pines, fig trees, and orange trees flourish. The Roper River drains extensive forest lands. Leichhardt pines and palms form the vegetation of the tableland, which stretches across the

Territory about the 14th degree of south latitude. On the higher steppes there are a few varieties of eucalyptus, and many fibre plants are also indigenous. On the wide expanses of plain country of the interior there is little vegetation, tree growth being very scanty, consisting chiefly of stunted eucalypts, such as the gilet gum, black box, and desert sheoak. In the northwestern districts there is an almost entire absence of lichens and mosses, though ferns are plentiful in the vicinity of the Victoria River. The following orders are well represented :Euphorbiaceae, Composita, Convolvulaceæ, Ru biaceae, Goodenoviacea, Leguminosa, Urticea.

Production.

Agriculture.-Up to the present agriculture has not made much progress in the Territory, although it has been proved that various industrial plants thrive. Peanuts, rice, tobacco, coconuts, mangoes, cotton, and various fodder plants can be grown. Expense of harvesting at present appears to be plantations of tobacco and cotton have given against the economic production of rice. Trial Good crops of peanuts are being obtained. Much of the coastal area is suitpromising results. able for coconuts, but except at the Mission Stations and one or two small isolated plantations, little attention has been devoted to planting.

Pastoral. The spacious, well-gras-ed

runs

and cattle breeding. It is anticipated that the of the Northern Territory are suitable for horse cattle trade with the East will develop. Large numbers are overlanded to neighbouring States, and cattle hides. The estimated number of stock which also take considerable quantities of horse on 31st December, 1936, was :

sheep, 11,162; pigs, 490; donkeys, 1,503; mules, Cattle, 855,398; horses, 31,056; goats, 17,306; 530; camels, 310.

abundant indigenous herbage is, however, well Dairying as an industry is non-existent. The suited for stock, and the making of hay and ensilage would ensure the development of the

industry.

Mining Gold, tin, wolfram, copper, tantalite, silver-lead and mica are mined. Both alluvial and reef gold are found, and there are several batteries and cyanide plants. The total mineral production in 1936-37 was valued at 127,8491., which included tin concentrates valued at 7,6967., gold valued at 92,4741., mica valued at 11,0037., wolfram and wolfram concentrates 16,3491., copper ore to the value of 1011., and tantalite valued at 2261.

Pearl Shell and other Fisheries.

In 1884 mother-of-pearl shell was discovered in the harbour of Port Darwin. Difficulty in working, principally through heavy tides and muddy water, retarded the development of the industry for many years. Subsequently, however, the opening up of new patches led to a revival, but the war gave the industry a setback. During the year 1936-37 there were 34 boats working from Darwin.

The territorial waters abound in marketable fish, and despite inadequate transport facilities a commencement has been made with a trade in fish, dried or otherwise preserved.

The value of sea products exported from Darwin overseas during 1936-37 was as follows:

Shipping, Darwin Harbour, 1936-37. 48 overseas and coastal vessels berthed, 45,619 tons of cargo including 35,000 tons of crude oil were discharged; 3,429 tons of cargo including

666 tons of crude oil and 126 tons of coal were shipped.

Internal Communication.

Railways. Under the Northern Territory Acceptance Act, No. 20 of 1910, the Common wealth is to extend the railway running from Port Darwin southward, to a point on the northern boundary of South Australia.

The Commonwealth, also, is to construct or cause to be constructed as part of the Transcontinental Railway, a railway from Oodnadatta connect with the Northern part of the Transcontinental Railway.

to

The Railway from Port Augusta to Oodnadatta has been constructed for many years, but recently in accordance with the Railways (South Australia) Agreement Act, No. 2 of 1926, it was extended to Alice Springs.

Alice Springs is situated 293 miles from Oodnadatta and 981 miles from Adelaide. The railway from Port Augusta to Alice Springs, a distance of 771 miles, is owned and operated by the Commonwealth, being vested in the Commonwealth Railways Cornmissioner under the provisions of the Commonwealth Railways Act, 1917-25.

The railway from Darwin southward is now open for public traffic as far as Birdum, a distance of 316 miles. The Northern Territory Railway Extension Act, No. 11 of 1923, provides for the construction of the railway as far as Daly Waters, an additional 44 miles beyond Birdum, but it is not proposed to continue this extension for the present. The distance between Birdum and Alice Springs is 638 miles.

Posts.-Postal communication is maintained by vessels belonging to Burns, Philp & Co., which maintain a monthly service between the Territory and the Eastern States. In addition the vessels belonging to the State Steamship Service of Western Australia give a service once every 60 days between Fremantle and Darwin. Inland the northern part of the territory receives its mail via Darwin or by

means of the aerial services, while the southern

districts are served via Adelaide and Alice Springs. A shipping service from Burketown, Queensland, to the McArthur and Roper Rivers in the Northern Territory is in operation, while a further shipping service is conducted between Darwin and the Victoria and Daly Rivers. The Empire Air Mail Service between Great Britain and Australia passes through Darwin and provides mail service twice each week between Darwin and the Southern capitals. A weekly air mail service also operates between Adelaide and Darwin.

Telegraphs.-The transcontinental telegraph line, covering a length of 2,230 miles, was completed on

2nd August, 1872, at a cost of nearly half-a-million sterling. The line runs in a northerly direction from Adelaide to Darwin, whence telegraphic communication is provided with Asia and Europe, via Banjoewangie (Java), Singapore and Madras.

Between Darwin and Banjoewangie the submarine cable is duplicated. High-power wireless stations have been constructed by the Federal Government at Wave Hill, in the Territory, and at Camooweal, just over the Eastern boundary, in Queensland. A sets have been installed at the Police Stations in the number of pedal wireless transmitting and receiving outlying districts of the Territory. These are available for the transmission of messages for the general public.

Land Tenure.

The Crown Lands Ordinance, 1931-1938, repealing all previous Acts and Ordinances, may be summarized as follows:

(i.) Pastoral Leases. A pastoral lease may be granted for such term, not exceeding 42 years, as the Administrator determines. The rental for the first period is fixed by the Administrator and is subject to re-appraisement on such dates as are specified in the lease or are prescribed. A lessee must within five years stock the land to the extent provided in the lease, and keep the land so stocked during the continuance of his lease.

(ii.) Agricultural Leases. Agricultural lands are classified, and the maximum area which may be included in any one lease is as follows:Division A, Cultivation Farms, Class I, 1,280 acres, Class 2, 2,560 acres ; Division B, Mixed Farming and Grazing, Class I, 12,800 acres, Class Agricultural leases are granted 2, 38,400 acres. in perpetuity, and the rent for the first period is fixed by the Administrator, and is re-appraised every 21 years. The lessee must-(a) in the case of lands for mixed farming and grazing, stock the land to the extent prescribed by the regulations and keep it so stocked; (b) establish a home within two years and reside on the leased land for six months in each year in the case of land for cultivation, and for four months in each year in the case of land for mixed farming and grazing; (c) cultivate the land to the extent notified by the Administrator; and (d) fence the land as prescribed.

(iii.) Leases of Town Lands. Leases of town lands are granted in perpetuity, the rental being Such leases must, in fixed every fourteen years. the first instance, be offered for sale by public auction, and if not so sold, may be allotted by the Administrator to any applicant, at the rental fixed by the Administrator. The lessee must erect, within such time as is notified, buildings to the value specified in the conditions of sale.

(iv.) Miscellaneous Leases The Administrator may grant a lease of any portion of Crown lands, or of any dedicated or reserved lands, for any

other prescribed or approved purpose. Such leases are for a term not exceeding 21 years, and may be offered for sale by public auction, or granted to any applicant at an annual rental fixed by the Administrator.

(v.) Grazing Licences. Licences may be granted to any person to graze stock on any vacant Crown lands or on any reserved or dedicated lands for such period, not exceeding one year, as is prescribed, and at the rent and on the conditions prescribed. (vi.) Occupation Licences. Licences may be granted for any period not exceeding five years, and on prescribed rentals and conditions, for the purpose of drying or curing fish, or for any manufacturing or industrial purpose, or for any prescribed purpose.

(vii.) Miscellaneous Licences. The Administrator may grant licences for miscellaneous purposes for a period not exceeding twelve months on prescribed terms and conditions.

(viii.) Leases to Aboriginals. The GovernorGeneral may grant to any aboriginal native, or to the descendant of any aboriginal native, a lease of Crown lands not exceeding 160 acres for any term of years upon such terms and conditions as he thinks fit.

Freehold.

Under the Crown Lands Ordinance, 1931-1938, provision is made for the granting of freehold in respect of :-(a) Town lands; (b) agricultural lands; (c) garden lands; and (d) tropical lands. The following is a summary of the freehold provisions of the Ordinance.

Town Lands. The holder of any existing Town Lease or of a Town Lease that may hereafter be granted, may, at any time, apply for a grant in fee simple of the lands included in the lease, and the grant may be made, provided that, in addition to complying with the conditions of the lease, the lessee has securely fenced the land; erected on the land a residence of the value of at least 501., within the first twelve months of the lease; resided on the land continuously for twelve months immediately prior to the application; and paid the purchase money and all moneys due in respect of the land. The purchase price fixed by the Administrator with the approval of the Minister shall not in any case be less than 57. per block.

Agricultural Lands. Agricultural Lands consist of any lands within an area declared to be an agricultural area for the purposes of the Ordinance. The holder of any existing Agricultural Lease or of any Agricultural Lease that may hereafter be granted, may at any time apply for a grant in fee simple of the lands, or portion of the lands, included in the lease. A grant of the fee simple may be made, provided that the applicant, in addition to complying with the conditions of the lease, hassecurely fenced the land over which the fee simple is required; cultivated not less than one-tenth of that land; stocked and kept stocked the land as directed by the Administrator; erected a residence and buildings on the land of the value of at least 50%. ; and paid the purchase money and all moneys due in respect of the land. The purchase price fixed by the Administrator with the approval of the Minister shall in no case be less than 2s. 6d. per acre. The maximum area of agricultural lands which may be granted in fee simple to any one person is 1,280 acres of Class 1 lands, or 2,560 acres of Class 2 lands.

Where the lands included in an agricultural lease, or leases, include both Class 1 and Class 2 lands, the maximum area that may be granted in fee simple shall be the maximum area that could be so granted if the lands were all of the same class. For this purpose one acre of Class 1 lands shall be deemed to be equivalent to two acres of Class 2 lands.

Leases of

Garden Lands. Garden lands consist of Crown Lands or dedicated or reserved lands within ten miles of a town, which have been declared by the Administrator to be Garden Lands. Garden Lands may be granted for vineyards, orchards or gardens, but for no other purpose. The maximum area of a lease of garden lands may not The holder of a lease of exceed ten (10) acres. garden lands may at any time apply for a grant in fee simple of the land or any portion of it. A grant of the fee simple may be made, provided the lessee has complied with the conditions of the lease; fenced the land; cultivated and kept under cultivation at least one-third of the area for a period of not less than two years prior to the issue of the grant ; erected on the land a residence and buildings of the value of at least 50%., and is permanently residing on the land; and has paid the purchase price, which shall be not less than 10s. per acre.

Tropical Lands. Tropical Lands consist of areas north of the 16th parallel of South latitude which have been declared by the Administrator to be tropical lands, for the purposes of the production of cotton or tropical products. Any Company incorporated or registered in the Northern Territory may, upon entering into an agreement in the prescribed form, hold an area of tropical lands, not exceeding, in the aggregate, 20,000 acres, for a term of 14 years. Every such agreement shall be laid before both Houses of Parliament, and no transfer of any agreement shall be permitted by the Minister except to a Company, but not to a Company which would thereby hold more than 20,000 acres of tropical lands. If the Company fails to comply with any of the terms, conditions, or provisions of the agreement, the Minister may resume the whole or any portion of the lands, and, on such resumption, all improvements (except tenant's fixtures), upon the land resumed will become the property of the Crown. The agreement will provide that the Company shall use the land for the growth of cotton or other tropical products, and that it shall plant, during the first three years of the term, one twenty-fifth of the land, and keep cultivated the said one twenty-fifth of the land so planted, and, during the last four years of the term it shall cultivate and keep cultivated at least one-fifth of the land. The Company will also be required, after the first seven years of occupation, to pay an annual rental of 1d. per acre per year or portion of a year thereafter until the completion of the purchase or other determination of the agreement. The Company will be entitled to a grant of the land in fee simple at any time during the term of the agreement, on payment of 2s. 6d. per acre, and provided that it proves to the satisfaction of the Minister :-That it has spent 10s. per acre in the aggregate in cultivation and for necessary plant and machinery; that it has produced from the land two hundred pounds weight of cotton, or tropical products of an equal amount in value, for every acre held under the agreement; and that it has cultivated onethird of the land.

Miscellaneous. Miscellaneous provisions of the Ordinance provide, inter alia, that:

-

(a) A husband and wife shall not hold jointly in fee simple a greater area of land than the maximum area which may be granted to ary one person under the Ordinance; (b) no person shall be entitled to hold in fee simple, for his own use and benefit, whether by grant from the Crown or by transfer from any person, a greater area of any lands than the maximum area which may be granted to him in the name of the Crown in pursuance of the Ordinance; (c) no alien shall be entitled to acquire any land in fee simple; (d) no application from an alien for the fee simple of any land shall, therefore, be accepted unless it is accompanied by the statutory declaration of the alien that he has resided in the Northern Territory continuously during the period of 12 months immediately preceding the application and intends to apply within five years after the date of the application for a certificate of naturalisation; (e) the grant of any land in fee simple shall be subject to the following reservation:-A reservation to the Crown of all minerals and mineral substances in or upon the land, including gold, silver, copper, tin, metals, ores and substances containing metals, gems, precious stones, coal, shale, mineral oils, and valuable earths and substances, together with the right to authorise any persons to enter upon the land to mine, work for, win, recover and remove them or any of them, and to do all things necessary or convenient for those purposes.

Area held under Leases, Licences and Permits.

as far as East Cape, thence N. W. to 8° S. lat. in the neighbourhood of Mitre Rock, together with the territory lying south of a line from Mitre Rock, proceeding along the said 8° S. parallel to 147° E. long., then in a straight line N. W. to the intersection of 6° S. lat. and 144° E. long., and continuing W.N.W. to the intersection of 5° S. lat. and 141° E. long., thence proceeding Southward along the 141st meridian of E. long. to its intersection with the right bank of the Fly River, thence by the right bank of the Fly River bearing Southerly to its intersection with the meridian 141° 1' 47'9" of East longitude, thence by the said meridian bearing South to a point on the Southern coast of the Island of New Guinea at the middle of the mouth of the Bensbach River, together with the Trobriand, Woodlark, D'Entrecasteaux and Louisiade groups of islands, and all other islands lying between 8° and 12° S. lat. and between 141° and 155° E. long., and not forming part of Queensland; and including all islands and reefs lying in the Gulf of Papua to the north of 8° S. lat."

New Guinea, the largest island in the world if Australia is excluded, lies some 80 miles to the north of Queensland, between 0° 0′ and 12° 0' S. lat., and between 130° 50′ and 154° 30′ E. long. Its greatest length is 1,490 miles, and its maximum breadth 430 miles; its area being about 234,768 square miles. The islands which lie near Papua, and which form part of that Territory, number, great and small, about two hundred. Of these the principal ones are: Kiriwina (in the Trobriand group of D'Entrecasteaux), Woodlark, Normanby, Goodenough, Fergusson, St. Aignan, Rossel and Sudest.

History.

The island of New Guinea was discovered in 1511 by Antonio de Abrea, and it was touched at by several of the early navigators. The islands lying to the south-east of New Guinea were visited towards the close of the eighteenth century. by Torres in 1606, and by French navigators The waters that are adjacent to the islands, and to the south-eastern coasts of New Guinea, have at different periods been partly surveyed and mapped by British warships.

The whole island to the west of 141° E. long. is Tidore. The Dutch have established a post on the claimed by the Dutch as suzerains of the Sultan of south coast of New Guinea, known as Merauke, which is in charge of a Resident. It is a little to the West of the S. W. extreme of the AngloDutch boundary. That portion of the island which lies tothe eastward of 141° E. long, and to the north of British New Guinea belonged to the German Empire and is now administered by the Australian Government, under a mandate issued by the Council of the League of Nations. The Govern ment of Queensland annexed that portion of the island not claimed by Holland to the British Empire on the 4th of April, 1883, but this proceeding was not ratified by the Imperial Government. The Intercolonial Convention held at Sydney in November and December, 1883, passed resolutions urging the annexation of Eastern New Guinea, and undertook to recommend their respective Legisla tures to provide for defraying a part of the cost of a Protectorate if one were established by the Imperial Government. On the Australasian colonies agreeing to guarantee 15,000l. a year to meet the cost, a Protectorate was proclaimed by Commodore Erskine on the 6th November, 1884, over the south-east coast of New Guinea and the adjacent islands.