Suitability of Climate and Pasture for Stock.

Very few cattle have as yet been introduced into the district, but many thousands are on their way from Queensland, intended for the Ord pastures. Upwards of 30,000 sheep have been imported into the Fitzroy country, and they appear to thrive well, as all reports of seasonable lambing appear to be favourable. Some of the flocks have suffered from a kind of ophthalmia; but whether this has been caused by the fumes of the ammonia on shipboard or climatic influence is as yet uncertain. On the Delamere Station, Northern Territory, where a few sheep are kept, Mr. Alfred Giles, the superintendent of Dr. Brown's stations, informs me that in this, the fourth year, he cannot see any deterioration in clip or quality of the wool. The pasture being similar to what is known to be the best in Queensland, it is only reasonable to expect that with such a climate the district is equally well suited for sheep-farming. Another good indication is the abundance of game—bustards, ducks, geese, emus, and pigeons being numerous. page 130 A pheasant cuckoo, closely resembling the English pheasant, afforded Grey excellent sport on the meadows of the Glenelg. The salsolaceous herbage on Sturt's Creek undoubtedly proves the suitability of that country for horses and sheep.