Lanterna Rally

Author: William Henry Tietkens

Publisher: Theclassics.Us

Published: 2013-09

Total Pages: 40

ISBN-13: 9781230287638

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1891 edition. Excerpt: ... '2' "'..-.." CENTRAL ATJSTBALIAN 'tb'at a ' supply. "oi-" Seeds and dates promised by the Conservator of Forests had not arrived. A blunder appears to have been made by the Railway Department in misdirecting the parcel. The opportunity now afforded for planting date palms in Central Australia is passed. The experiment would have been both valuable and interesting, as I was anxious to have tested certain localities where I knew good soil and permanent water existed. Date palms in fruit at permanent watering places would prove an inestimable blessing to the famished and wearied traveller in tropical Australia; and nothing would have given me greater satisfaction than to have been favored with the pioneer work of so philanthrophic an undertaking. Thursday, March 14th, 1889.--Bond Springs. The party, consisting of myself, David Beetson, Fred. Warman, a black-tracker (Billy, from the ranks of the native police at Alice Springs), and a small native boy, left the Bond Springs station at 1 p.m. Previous to starting we were all most hospitably entertained at dinner by Mr. R. Taylor, the manager. During our two weeks' stay this gentleman assisted me in every possible way that could be prompted by a kindly nature and a lively interest in the cause of our work. Our caravan consisted of twelve camels--four for riding, two for carrying water, the remaining six carried loads (averaging 4cwt. each) of provisions estimated to last for nearly four months. They had considerably improved in condition during the journey from Crown Point, and marched off with their burdens with ease. I had decided to follow the north slopes of the MacDonnell Range westerly to Glen Helen station. Travelled three miles west to low, well-grassed, stony hills; then, on a bearing...