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Tumut
- Description of the Place 18
July 1903 Examiner (Launceston, Tas) |
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What
Mr. Oliver Had to Say, Why he Rejected It. Tumut, recommended by the special
commission for the federal capital site, is reached by road from the terminus
(Gundagai) of the Cootamundra branch railway, the distance being 21 miles. Tumut township has an altitude, according
to Mr. Staff-Surveyor Chesterman, of 925ft.; but
the mean altitude of the proposed capital site would, according to the same
gentleman, be about 1300 feet above sea level. The difference in mileage, rail and
road, between Sydney and Tumut and Melbourne and Tumut, is about 70 miles in
favour of the former. The summer and autumnal heat are not
excessive. The rainfall is ample (33 inches), and
is well distributed over the four quarters of the year. The soil is very fertile on the
alluvial flats, and, on the hill slopes, quite up to the average of similar
country. The water resources are ample, and a
promising gravitation supply is offered by the Buddong,
apart from the Tumut river itself. The basin of Gilmore Creek, on which
lies the site of the proposed federal capital, is by no means without
distinctive features; and the Tumut river, which is the eastern boundary of
the proposed territory, can claim to be along the whole length of its course,
not only, perhaps, the most lovely stream in New South' Wales, but to offer
riverside landscapes that, for natural beauty, are unsurpassed, if they are
rivalled, by any in that state. "It is, therefore," (reported Commissioner Oliver in 1900)
"with no little reluctance that I
feel obliged to add Tumut to the list of the rejected south-western sites;
but this site, being 54 miles, even when connected by rail, from the main
line of communication - the south-western trunk line between the northern and
southern states - is at a perpetual disadvantage. As
against any site situated on the trunk line, Tumut is handicapped by the fact
that Sydney is 308 miles, and Melbourne 378 miles, distant, which means 110
miles of extra haulage from each capital, and proportionate lengths along
each state section of the railway. The
Gilmore Valley capital site is physically a circumscribed area incapable of
much expansion, and a large portion of the territory site is very rough and
intractable country for agricultural purposes. The
mean altitude, even allowing it to reach 1300 feet, is hardly sufficient to
ensure the required climate, especially in summer and autumn; but if Tumut
had been situated on the trunk line, with the advantages it possesses, that
site, ac-cording to the original proposal, should, in my judgment, have been
at least bracketed as on an equality with the Yass site as originally
proposed."
Tumut's
Evidence.
Mr. Oliver thus summarised the evidence
taken at a public enquiry held at Tumut on May 11 and 12, 1900:- John
Weedin, storekeeper. Climatic conditions. Resident of district, 40 years. No record of range of temperature
kept, as no official observer at Tumut. Highest temperature in his
recollection 110 degrees; and the lowest on same day, 90 degrees. Average highest summer reading for 10
years, 90 degrees, and lowest for same period 60 degrees. The highest autumn temperature
averaged 70 degrees, and the lowest 40 degrees. Prevailing wind in summer easterly, in
winter westerly and south-west. Had never known the winter temperature
to be below 40 degrees at midday. The climate was very healthy, and the
district free from epidemics. Altitude. Tumut is 930ft. above sea
level. Rainfall. He kept the local records
for the Government Astronomer. The average annual rainfall for a
period of 11 years, commencing with 1899, is 33in. The average rainfall for each quarter
of the year during the same period is: First quarter, 7.40in.; second
quarter, 9.86in.; third quarter, 8.54in.; fourth quarter, 7.17in. It will be seen that the rainfall is
very evenly distributed over the whole year. The rainfall for the first quarter of
the current year is 3.73in. R.
V. Kearney,
journalist. Accessibility. Tumut is 310 miles from Sydney by rail to
Gundagai, and thence by road. It is 350 miles from Melbourne, 1000 miles from
Brisbane, and 810 miles from Adelaide. Gundagai, the present terminus of the
railway, is 21 miles distant from Tumut. An extension of the railway has been
recommended by the public works committee. Nature of soil. Rich chocolate basaltic
soil, with alluvial flats, very suitable for the growth of cereals and
fruits. Undulating country. With a 20-mile radius of Tumut there
are 70,000 acres of rich chocolate soil, and 30,000 acres of rich alluvial
flats. Water supply and catchment. An unfailing
supply from the Tumut river. Catchment area almost unlimited and
ample facilities for storage. The possession of, or proximity to,
stone, timber, and other building material. Blue granite in unlimited quantities;
marble, slate, limestone, in plenty. Clay suitable for brick-making is
found on the proposed site, and sand and gravel are procurable in large quantities.
Timber, including ironbark, pine, box,
mountain ash, messmate, and urabbi, is within easy
reach. Drainage.-The physical conformation of
the country made drainage an easy matter. Sewerage could be utilised on the
farms, or destroyed by incineration. Other physical features. The proposed
site is in the midst of beautiful surroundings, the elevated portions
affording good grazing. About 20 miles from the site are the Buddong Falls, of 250ft., on the Tumut river, which could
be readily utilised as a motive power for electric lighting, etc. Facilities for food supply. Sufficient
foodstuffs could be grown in the district to support a population of 200,000.
The average wheat crop is 25 bushels
to the acre. Maize grows abundantly. There has never been a failure of
crops. In the drought season, hundreds of
thou-sands of sheep are sent from other less favoured districts. Mineral products (gold). The Adelong
gold-field is one of the richest in the colony. Chrome, iron, copper, silver, lead,
tin, asbestos are found in good quantities. Conditions favourable to commercial
and industrial development. The pastoral, agricultural and mineral
resources of the district were capable of supporting a large population, and
the conditions were favourable to the establishment of almost any kind of
industry, such as woollen mills, boot factories, tanneries, freezing works,
etc. William
Bridle,
landowner. Facilities for food supply. Over 47 years
resident of district. Tumut district premier maize-growing
centre in colony. He had raised
from 80 to 100 bushels to the acre. Lowest average crop for the Tumut
Valley was 50 bushels to the acre. Wheat averaged 25 to 30 bushels per,
acre. Some crops had gone over 40 bushels to
the acre. Oats averaged 40 bushels. Root crops
flourished. Tobacco was grown extensively a few
years back. The district would easily supply a
population of 40,000 with grain and breadstuffs. Frederick
Kindred,
stonemason. The possession of, or proximity to,
stone, timber, and other building material. Twenty-three years in his trade at
Tumut. Grey granite was the best building
stone in the district. It was obtainable in large blocks, and
worked very hard. Limestone, marble, and serpentine were obtainable in large
quantities; also good flagging slate. Clay suitable for bricks, tiles, and
pipes could be got. H.
W. Mason,
medical practitioner. Climatic conditions. Practising in Tumut for 16 years. District as healthy as any in the world;.not subject to epidemics.
Consumption was rare. He had treated
cases, but they came from elsewhere. The climate was bracing and
invigorating, with cool nights in the warmest weather. The district favoured longevity. Had only treated one case of sunstroke
in 10 years. Facilities for food supply. The soil
is exceptionally rich, especially the valleys and flats. Had some experience in farming, and
knew that maize varied from 50 to 100 bushels per acre. Had personally grown tobacco,
obtaining 2300 tons from 100 acres. District very favourable for dairying.
The weather was never too hot. Had obtained l6lb. of
butter per head per week from 70 cows during last summer. Capacity to support a considerable population.
The district could be self supporting,
if population increased by 50,000. Without calling on outside districts,
they could supply foodstuffs to a population increased by that number. Mining was progressing, and would help
to support a large population. Alfred
Henry Chesterman, district staff surveyor. Altitude. Produced map of the proposed
territory. Considered the site most suitable. The altitude of Tumut is 925ft., and
that of the proposed site from 1000 to 2000 ft; the average, roughly, about
1300ft. Nature of soil. Generally granite,
with outcrops of basalt and volcanic rocks, and varied from alluvial flats to
forest country, suitable for cultivation, and high ridges. Belts of limestone were in close
proximity to the site. The granite was a bluish grey. Slate formation existed in the
north-east corner of the territory, with slate outcrops on the eastern
slopes. Water supply and catchment There are
three watersheds-Tumut river, Adelong creek, and Sandy creek. The possession of, or proximity to,
stone, timber, and other building material. Freestone quarries near Gundagai.
Marble was obtainable in the higher portions of the site, Granite is plentiful. Ownership and value. The proposed territory comprised
64,000 acres, of which 41,800 acres are alienated and 22,200 acres are Crown
lands. He valued thee alienated lands, as
unimproved, at £151,000, made up as follows: 41,000 acres country lands .... £104,000 300 acres town lands ............... £37,000
500 acres suburban lands ......... £10,000
As improved,...........................
£322,000 viz. Country lands ......... £172,000 Town lands ............. £125,000 Suburban lands ......... £25,000 Crown lands, including reserves, commons,
etc, comprised 21,500 acres country lands, 300 acres in the town of Tumut,
and 400 acres suburban lands, mostly within the Tumut Common. W.
H. Hilton,
council clerk.- Ownership and value. Excluding Government land, streets,
and church property, the value of land in the municipal
area of Tumut is £112,000, as improved. The population of the municipality is
1439, and that of the police district 4170. The average annual death-rate of the
police district is 1.2 per cent. Frank
Taylor,
solicitor. Climatic conditions. Had come to Tumut on account of his
health. Had derived great benefit from the
climate, which was inimical to pulmonary complaints. Charles
Edwin Blomfield, resident engineer, Department
of Public Works. Water supply and catchment.- Had inspected the proposed territory,
with the view of reporting upon the facilities for water supply. Had taken the hill at Gadara as the
proposed site for a storage reservoir. Had visited the Buddong
Falls, from which water could be conveyed to the proposed site by piping
about 20 miles. The Buddong
creek is a tributary of the Tumut river. A large part of its watershed is an extensive
timber reserve of unalienated land. At the time of his visit a large
supply of clear water was flowing in the creek. It was clearer water than that in the
river. The falls are about 1800ft. above the
datum hill, and about 2000ft. above sea-level. There would be no difficulty in
storage. Did not measure the discharge, but
there was sufficient water flowing to supply 500,000 people. With-out storage there was enough
water to supply 40,000 people. The water could be carried to the
Gilmore and down the valley. It could also be taken close to the
proposed federal site without a dam being necessary. There was sufficient fall to generate
electric power if necessary, and by going higher up the river a supplementary
supply of large volume could be obtained by gravitation. Alexander
Davis,
farmer. Facilities for food supply. Produced samples of wheat and oats he
had grown; the former averaged 42, and the latter 56 bushels to the acre. Excellent flour is made from the local
wheat. Malting barley could be grown, also potatoes and maize, Grapes, apples, pears, and
other fruits grow luxuriantly. Mixed farming was very successful in
the district. Two first prizes offered by the Government for mixed farming
were won by Tumut. The possession of, or proximity to,
stone, timber, and other building material. Timber suitable for all kinds of work
is obtainable within easy distance of Tumut, comprising ironbark, pine, gum,
box, mountain ash, messmate, and urabbi. Clement
Vernon,
builder. Climatic conditions. Endorsed previous witnesses' testimony
re climate. No better could be found anywhere. Robert
Donaldson,
member of Parliament for the district. The possession of, or proximity to,
stone, timber, and other building material. Had experience as a bridge contractor.
Within a radius of 15 miles from
Tumut, mountain ash and messmate existed in inexhaustible quantities, measuring
from three to five feet in diameter at the butt, and very little less at a
height of 50ft. Capacity to support a considerable population. The district supplied the town with
stock, and could, if necessary, raise enough to supply the requirements of
40,000 people. |