TERRITORIAL DIVISIONS,—Tlie snbdivision of South Australia aud
the Northeru Temtorj-; into defiued areas of couvenieut size, in
conueotiou mt b the alienation or leasing of the pubUo laiids, tas
oul3- been found necessary to a limited extent. A lai-ge portion of
the surface of the interior, and toTrards the western border, remains
nndescribed, except under the general term divieion. The defiued
nrens, known as counties, number 87, and are situated chiefly in the
south-east part of the colony.
The following table shows the counties and their ai-eas, and the
pi-oportion of the colony outside of these limits:—
C ^ w l l
Dalhottilu ...
UacDonncI
iliis^vc
Sewcaistle
E (Oulsidc CoiintH»)—
Totnl of Xouth Australia K
Ki-rtlicrii Terriloty ..
jstralia . S7S,aai,«uO
A further subdivision into liundredK has been made throughout
the majority of the counties. The settled part of the colony has also
been divided into districts, in connection mt h local go vera men t, each
di^^sion being piesided over by a Council, elected by the residents.
TOWNS.—The tiiwns are situated, with but tew exceptions, near
the coast, and like settlements in other parts of Austrnlia, owe their
existence to various causes. In the early days of the colony, coppermining
led to the aggregation of considerable populations in the
Burra, Wallaroo, and Moonta Districts. AJ? the value of the land for
agricultm-nl purposes—especially the growth of wheat and cereals
generally—became better known, townships arose at di3ei-ont points
on its surface. The influence of trade, and the products of a fertile
soil, have given to Adelaide, the metropolis, a position of considerable
iinpoi-tance among the commercial centres of the Australian Colonies.
The effects of trade are also visible in the prosperity of such places as
Port. Pirie, Port Augusta, Wallaroo, Port MacDonneil, and Gleuelg.
A D E L A I D E . - . \ . l , . l : i i , l , . , the capital city of South Australia,
was founded in the year 1830, and received its name in honogr of the
consort of William IV. It is situated on an extensive plain, on the
banks of the i?iver Torrens, and lies about (j miles inland from the
eastern shore of St. Vincent Gulf. The settlement originally took
place under the auspices of a company foi-med for the purpose of
colonizing this portion of Australia. In March, 1837, the fii'st auction
sale of to^ni lands was held, when over 600 acres weiv disposed of,
and became the property of the new colonist^s. Prior to this, about
4^0 acres were selected at an upset price of twelve shillings per acre,
under laud oi-ders issued in England. The town, which included
originally an area of 1,042 acres, is ;voll laid out, being rectangular
in form, aud having m d e sti-eets, crossing each other at right angles,
The River Toixens divides it into two parts ; they are known
respectively as North Adelaide and South Adelaide. Business and
trade have become centred in the latter. The two portions of the city
are connected by a series of iron bridges which span the river. Many
of the streets are planted with trees, and present a veiy attractive
appearance. On the outskirts of both sections of the town are the
Park Lands. The Botanical Gardens, w-hich are situated' on the
south side of the Hirer Torrens, extending back from the left bank
of that stream, are tastefully laid out. The rivei', formerly an
insignificant watercourse, has been enlarged in volume by the
construction of a dam near the railway bridge. This structure causes
the accumulated waters to form a large lake-like expanse, suitable
for boating, aud attractive in appearance. The town includes a
number of fijie buildings, both substantial aud oi-namental. Among
those of a public character may be mentioned Government House (the
residence of the Governor), Town Hall, Post and Telegi'aph Offices,
the Goveniraent Offices, Law Court«, South Australian Institute,
Houses of Parliament, and the University. In addition to the.se,
there are the various churches and colleges.
Adelaide has several outlets within the jinrt of St. Vincent Gulf
nearest to it. Glenelg is a favourite watering-place ou the shores of
Holdfast Bay, about 6i miles distant, in a south-west direction. It
contains a population of over 2,700, and is connected with the
metropolis by two railway lines. The harbour is a very open one.
At Henley Beach a jetty has been constructed, and connected by
tram-line with Adelaide, from which it is distant about 0 miles, in a
westerly direction. Port Adelaide, as its name Indicates, forms the
principal port for the metropolis. It is situated on au extensive arm
of St. Vincent Gulf, and is the scene of a large amount of settlement.
Ou the north, south, and inland sides of Adelaide are numerous
suburbs of varying extent, population, and importance. Towards the
east and south-east, an increasing elevation above sea-level, as the
spurs from the Mount Lofty Range are approached, leuds additional
attractiveness to the settlements on this side of the city, bestowing
upon them greater salubrity of climate, and a wider extent of view.
As a commercial centime, Adelaide i-auks among the positions of
importance on the Austi-alian continent. Possessing a territory almost
unlimited in extent, aud suited to the production of most of the
necessarios of life, it forms the focus of a large and increasing import
and export trade. Its commerce extends not only to the adjoining
colonies, but reaches the principal emporiums of the world. Official
statistics fi'om the returns of 1880 to 1884, will illustrate its growing
character. The following table shows the value of the imports and
exports at Port Adelaide for the period nami-ii :—
At Gleuelg, the declared value of im|)orts and exports for the
years 1880 to 1884, were as follows :—
I9i;i »29,77:« m. r m
The symmetiy of its desigu, the park-like appearance of its
environs, the charming aspect of the situation, the acknowledged
salubrity of its climate, and the pleasing picture lormea by the
summit-s of Mount Lofty Pange rising in the background, all unite
to .«tamp the metropolis of South Australia with an attractiveness
seldom surpassed. Near the eastern extremity of the ¡ilains, spurs
from the Mount Lofty Range give the country nn undulating aspect.
S O U T H AUSTRALIA.
producing numerous fertile valleys, aud wellgrassed
slopes. These are extensively cultivated.
Alternating with fields of wheat,
barley, hay, aud other products, arc vineyards,
oi'chards, and gardens. The scene is vained
and beautiful, and indicates steady industry,
and iucrea.5ing prosperity.
The various manufacturing industries
found in connection with the aggregation
of population, are well represented in the
city and the neighbourhood, and add considerably
to its importance. The large
quantity of wheat gi-own throughout the
colony has led to the production of flour,
which forms one of the staple articles of
An abundance of water for the supply of
the city is obtained from the Kiver Torrens r
some distance up the stream, from Adelaide,
a dam has been constructed. The water is
conveyed thence to storage reservoirs bv
ac|ueducts and mains.
Various institutions of a charitable
character find a place in the city. AmuiiL'
these may be mentioned lunatic asylums,
homes for the destitute and oi-phans, and
hospitals.
There are uuinerous suburbs, some on.
aud in the direction of, tie shores of St.
Vincent Gulf, presenting the varying attractions
and advantages of watering-places or
pi-oximity to the sea; others, situated inland,
possessing greater elevation and increased
SBlubrity of climate. Between the majoritv
of these and the metropolis have been cnnsti'ucted
railways or tram-lines for the
convenience of residents and visitors.
The rainfall, in aud ai-ound Adeiai
reaches an annual average of about 20 iuob^-"
Population (city alone), 88,470; including
suburbs within a radius of 10 miles, 60,000.
A I . D I I f G A . - S , t . K U . . l on a small creek
of the same name, about 2.5 miles south
from Adelaide, and within 2 miles of the eastei
Gulf. The -listrict is au i.gricultural one, the i
being the principal products. Large quant
obtained from the forests in the
devote their attention to the reari
A L L A N D A L E EAST.-Th
eastem.shoreof St. Vincent
I, the various cereals and hay
quantities of red gum are
vicinity. Some of the settlers
ig of stock. Population, 145.
is small township is situated in
the south-east portion of the colouy, about 16 miles west from the
Victorian border, and lies abont 4 miles inland from Por t MacDonneil.
The district is au agi-icultui-al one, wheat, barley, and potatoes being
among the principal products. Population, 77.
A L L A N - D A L E NORTH.—A small post town on Allan's
Creek, about 8 miles north from Kapunda. The surrounding country
is largely agricultural in character, aud produces wheat, barley, and
hay. 'I'he railway line to Kapunda provides means of communication
with Adelaide. Population, 110.
ALMA.—Alma lies about 4o miles, in a direct lino, north from
Adelaide, and about midway between the rivers Wakefield and Light,
The surrounding plains aro largely fertile, and considerable areas are
under cultivation, the principal ])rodnots being cereals. Population,
liO.
ANGASTOnr.—Situated on a creek of the same name, about
40 miles, in a direct Hue, north-east from Adelaide. The district is,
for tho most part, au agricultural one, wheat being very largely
produced. Climate and soil suit the growtli of the gnipe, and vineyards
are numerous. Priiit-preserviug works have beeu established
in the neighbourhood. Rearing stock and sheep-farming are carried
on to some extent. Copper is known to exist in the locality, but. only in
small cp.autities. The buildings in this town are generally of a
substantial character. Population, 628.
A N G L E VALE. -Thi s small village is situated a short
distance south from the left bank of the Rawler River, about three
and a half miles noith-west from Smithfield Railway Station, The
snri'oundiug settlors are engaged, for tlie most part, in the cultivation
of the various cereals. The land is fertile, aud produces
large crops of wheat. The manufacture of agi-icultural implements
forms a prominent industry iu the locality. Population, 140.
A P O I N G A . - N ' e a r the source of TothiU's Creek, about 18 miles
south from Kooringa. The uistrici is i>otU pastoral and agricultural.
Deposits of copper occur in the locality, but they are of an unimportant
character. Population, 50.
A P P I L A - Y A R K O W I E . — S i t u a t e d about 10 miles north from
Calto\vie, aud about 22 miles inland from Germein Bay. Wheat is
the principal product. Sheep-farming and rearing stock are extensively
engaged in. Communication with the metropolis is by way of
Yongala Railway Station. Population, 151,
A R D R O S S A N . - T l i i s small to;vnship is situated iu Yorke's
Peninsula, on the western shore of St. Vincent Gulf, about 22 miles
from the head of that inlet. Tlie country ai-ound is largely occupied
for agricultural purposes. Population, 101.
A R M A G H . — S i f i i a t c d about 2 miles west from Clare, and 6
miles east from Blyth Railway Station. The district is both pastoral
aud agricultural. Population, 152,
• AUBURN.—Near the right bank of the Wakefield River,
about 6 miles noi'th-west from Saddleworth Sailway Station, The
surrounding oonutry, included within the district of Upper Wakefield,
is largely agricultural in character, wheat, barley, and hay being the
principal products. The almoud, olive, aud grape are cultivated to
some extent. Wine-making is carried on in connection with several
of tho vineyards. Industrial enterprise in the locality is represented
by a flour-mill and two breweries. The mean annual rainfall amounts
to about 2.5 inches. Population, 428.
BALAKLAVA.—Balaklava is situated on tho Waketield River,
about 17 miles inland, in a direct line, from its mouth, and distant
about (37 miles north from Adelaide. The district, which is both
an agricultural aud pastoral one, contains a large amount of fertile
laud. Tho principal product is wheat. The railway line to Port
Wakefield aud AVallaroo passes through it. The branch railway to
Blyth loaves the main line at this point. Population, 354.
B A L H A N N A H . - O i i a small creek of the same name, a
tributary of the Onkaparinga River, about 15 miles, in a straight
line, east-south-east from Adelaide. The district is an agricultural
one, the principal crop being wheat. Various minerals are found in