his position as Surveyor-General in 1894, completing a public service career that spanned 41 years. Goyder's Line of rainfall Before the drought of the mid-1860s, wheat and barley growing had been spreading rapidly further north and the erroneous belief that rain would "follow the plough" led to the idea of cereal crops spreading up to the Northern Territory border. However, the 1864–65 drought put paid, at least temporarily, to these ambitions. Goyder, in the midst of his work in the pastoral zone, was asked to report on the problem and his response was to find out how far south crop failure had been general. The furthest points inland at which crops had not failed, corresponding approximately to the 300-millimetre (12-inch) annual isohyet – figures vary from 250 to 350 millimetres in different publications – were marked as the "Line of Rainfall". Goyder recommended that farmers should not attempt to grow cereal crops anywhere outside of the line. The idea was contrary to beliefs widespread at the time and seen by many as ridiculous in a period of great optimism, but after major losses by grain growers near to, or outside of, the line – especially in the droughts of 1881–1882 and 1884–1886 – his judgement proved to have been sound. The many major droughts in the years since have confirmed his view. Goyder's Line was first accepted significantly after a number of dry years, though improved cultivation practices have allowed some expansion in the 1980s and 1990s, despite a couple of very severe droughts. Survey of Palmerston Goyder was sent by the government of South Australia (of which the Northern Territory was then a part) to lay out the street plans for a capital to be named Palmerston. The site was chosen for its exceptionally good water supply and potential for easy communication with the rest of the continent through land or sea transportation. The site was chosen after Finniss's choice at Escape Cliffs had been rejected. With the incentive of a £3000 bonus, "Little Energy" as he was nicknamed and his team of about 128 men left Port Adelaide on the Moonta on 27 December 1868 and dropped anchor in Darwin Harbour on 5 February 1869. He selected the site on Fort Point near Port Darwin, and nearby townships to be named Daly, Southport and Virginia. They completed all four sites in 18 months. Goyder returned on the Gulnare