LIFE IN NORTHERN TERRITORY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3339, 4 October 1911, Page 8

LIFE IN NORTHERN TERRITORY.

SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS A WHITE MAN’S CLIMATE.

A hopeful view of the prospects of the Northern Territory is set out in, the report of the scientific expedition led by Professors Spencer and Gilvuth. ' The expedition travelled from 15th June till 10th August in the territory. Europeans health, state the investigators, is remarkably good. They were tPld that children should be sent away at the ago of 10 or 12, but they decline to say that the practice is necessary for health. Tropical diseases such as malaria and dysentery are not endemic, except in mining townships, and need not be anticipated as long as hygienic precautions' are observed. The school children's standard of intelligence is equal to that of southern settlements, and the physique and energy of men who have spent 30 or 40 years in the territory compares favorably with men elsewhere. The healthiest and strongest men and women are those who take regular exercise, even in the heat. Life in the back country is reported on favorably. It is “decidedly Healthy,” the low winter temperature^—often 4-0 deg. —affording recuperation from the excessive damp heat of the summer. The scientists saw heavy dews, fogs and even ice. - * . • “Though this part of Australia is well within the tropics it is not really tropical in nature,” the report proceeds. “Tropical jungle is limited and scarce. But it is essential before conclusions are reached on this fundamentally important question that summer conditions and the prevalence of insects associated, with malaria, should be studied.”

Stock enjoy excellent health, seeming to possess an effective immunity from tick, which was found to be common. All parts, except the islands, which could be infected with tick are so infected but in the case of cattle bred from stock already on stations serious effects from tick need not be feared. Imported cattle should be inoculated. The scientists claim that tick infection and “red water” was introduced through Darwin when Batavian cattle were liberated in 1872, and not by buffalo from Timor. Buffalo on stations where horses are infected were found free from tick. Worm nodules verb found in all carcases examined, but they are unimportant; to the health of cattle. The paucity of cows for dairy purposes was impressive, none being used f“r milk. Three diseases, “walk-about” (fatal), “puffs” and “swamp cancer” constitute drawbacks to horse breeding, although the general condition of horses is good. Sheep culture lias scarcely been attempted, but goats are healthy, prolific and valuable for milk and 1 meat. Pigs are scarce, but in good condition. Buffaloes are of the swamp variety, excepting a. few chi, used as beasts 'of burden. "While valuable for their hides, of which 100,000* were exported during the last 25 years, buffaloes have introduced no animal disease into Australia. The scientists deal with the diseases of aborigines and their insanitary conditions, and state that natives near settlements are demoralised. They should be prevented from coming within the “wholly evil” influence of Chinese. eYt the aborigines are essential to the working of stations and are invaluable to travellers. They are well treated on the stations, and in return give their work cheerfully. It is recommended —(1) that a compulsory system of monetary wage for aborigines should not suddenly be introduced; (2) that attempts to civilise must be concerned mainly with the | children ; (3) that mission stations must be established, with trained agriculturists; (4) that Bathurst Is (and should be reserved for mission purposes; and (5) that a. systematic study of customs and beliefs of the tribes be at once undertaken.

Results of -“immense importance” have been obtained from geological and entomological studies, and large collections of specimens brought to Melbourne. The collection of mosquitoes and biting flies is as complete as possible. It is feared that the general presence of white ants presents a serious problem in tree and crop cultivation, and a careful survey of flora, and fauna is .recommended. A geological report will be forwarded on tlie return of Dr. Woolnougk from Queensland.