Journals of Expeditions of discovery into Central Australia, and overland from Adelaide to King George's Sound, in 1840-1, including an account of the manners and customs of the Aborigines, and the state of their relations with Europeans

Front matter

, , JOURNALS OF EXPEDITIONS OF DISCOVERY INTO CENTRAL AUSTRALIA, AND OVERLAND FROM ADELAIDE TO KING GEORGE'S SOUND, In the years 1840-1; SENT BY THE COLONISTS OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA, OTttlj tfy J^aiutton ants Support of the ©obernment: INCLUDING AN ACCOUNT OF THE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE ABORIGINES AND THE STATE OF THEIR RELATIONS WITH EUROPEANS. BY EDWARD JOHN EYRE, RESIDENT MAGISTRATE, MURRAY RIVER. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON : T. AND W. BOONE, 29, NEW BOND STREET. 1845. TO LIEUT.-COLONEL GEORGE GAWLEB, K.H. M.R.G.S. UNDER WHOSE AUSPICES, AS GOVERNOR OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA, THE EXPEDITIONS, DESCRIBED IN THE FOLLOWING PAGES, WERE UNDERTAKEN, ChtsSt 21? o I times are rtssputfullg iniisriucB, AS A TUIBUTE OF GKATITUDE FOR HIS KINDNESS AND RESPECT FOR HIS VIRTUES, BY THE AUTHOR. LIST OF PLATES.— VOL. I. Tenberry, with Wise and Child, drawn by G. Hamilton .

Frontispiece. Departure of the Expedition ditto page 1 Opossum-hunting at Gawler Plains - - - 68 Native Graves - - - - --175 Wylie ... - J. Neil, 205 Plate I. — New Toads aud Frogs - - - 405 Plate II. — New Frogs and new Hat - - - 407 Plate III.— New Insects - - - - - 409 Plate IV.— New Cray-fish .... 43-2 Plate V.— New ShelU - - - - - 438 Plate VI.— New Butterflies - - - 434 I Lately published, in 1 vol. 8vo. with maps and plates, cloth, \'2s. AUSTRALIA, FROM PORT MACQUARIE TO MORETON B.\Y, wnu DESCRIPTIONS OF THE NATIVES, THEIR MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, THE GEOLOGY, NATURAL PRODUCTIONS, FERTILITY, AND RESOURCES OF THAT REGION. First explored and surveyed by order of the Colonial Government, BY CLEMENT HODGKINSON. " The result of his labour? in surveying this Eastern Section of Australia is a vast accession to our previous knowledge of the natural history of that region; and we do not hesitate to place it on our shelves, as the very best book of reference on the district it describes."

Fisher's Colonial Mag, Jan. 1845. " His book is likely to become the most extensively sought work of re ference now in existence, touching tbe present state, prospect, and condi tion of our colonies of New South Wales. The searchers after pleasure and profit will do well to possess themselves of this most valuable work." Liverpool Journal. " It is given in the form of a journal, abounding in entertaining narrative ofthe state and resources of the country, its natural productions, and the extraordinary character of the people by whom it is inhabited. It is not only a valuable contribution to our stock of Australian history and research, but possesses the charm of personal adventure and novelty to interest the' general reader."— Nautical Magazine. " This is a most agreeable, entertaining and at the same time most use ful book.

Preface

. In offering to the public an account of Expedi tions of Discovery in Australia, undertaken in the years 1840-1, and completed in July of the latter year, some apology may be deemed necessary for this narrative not having sooner appeared, or per haps even for its being now published at all. With respect to the first, the author Avould remark that soon after his return to South Australia upon the close of the Expeditions, and when con templating an immediate return to England, he was invited by the Governor of the Colony to remain, and undertake the task of re-establishing peace and amicable relations with the numerous native tribes of the Murray River, and its neighbourhood, whose daring and successful outrages in 1841, had caused very great losses to, and created serious apprehensions among the Colonists.

Hoping that his personal knoAvledge of and ex tensive practical experience among the Aborigines might prove serviceable in an employment of this nature, the author consented to undertake it ; and from the close of September 1841, until December 1844, was unremittingly occupied with the duties it entailed. It was consequently not in his poAver VOL. I. A

PREFACE.

. VI to attend to the publication of his travels earlier, nor indeed can he regret a delay, Avhich by the facilities it afforded him of acquiring a more intimate knoAvledse of the character and habits of the Abo rigines, has enabled him to render that portion of his Avork which relates to them more comprehen sive and satisfactory than it otherwise Avould have been. With respect to the second point, or the reasons which have led to this work being published at all, the author Avould observe that he has been led to engage in it rather from a sense of duty, and at the instance of many of his friends, than from any Avish of his own. The greater portion of the country he explored Avas of so sterile and Avorthless a description, and the circumstances which an attempt to cross such a desert region led to, were of so distressing a character, that he would not willingly have revived associations, so unsatis factory and so painful.

It has been his fate, however, to cross, during the course of his explorations, a far greater extent of country than any Australian traveller had ever done previously, and as a very large portion of this had never before been trodden by the foot of civilized man, and from its nature is never likely to be so in vaded again, it became a duty to record the know ledge which was thus obtained, for the information of future travellers and as a guide to the scientific world in their inquiries into the character and for mation of so singular and interesting a country.

PREFACE.

. To enable the reader to judge of the author's capabilities for the task he undertook, and of the degree of confidence that may be due to his impressions or opinions, it may not be out of place to state, that the Expeditions of 1840-1 were not entered upon without a sufficient previous and practical experience in exploring. For eight years the author had been resident in Australia, during which he had visited many of the located parts of NeAv South Wales, Port Phillip, South Australia, Western Australia, and Van Die men's Land. In the years 1836, 1837, 1838, 1839, and 1840 he had conducted expeditions across from Liverpool Plains in New South Wales to the county of Murray, from Sydney to Port Phillip, from Port Phillip to Adelaide, and from King George's Sound to Swan River, besides undertaking several explo rations towards the interior, both from Port Lincoln and from Adelaide.

To the knowledge and experience which were thus acquired, the author must ascribe the confi dence and good opinion of his fellow-colonists, which led them in 1840 to place under his command an undertaking of such importance, interest, and responsibility ; and to these advantages he feels that he is in a great measure indebted, under God's blessing, for having been enabled successfully to struggle through the difficulties and dangers which beset him, in crossing from Adelaide to King George's Sound. With this explanation for obtruding upon the a

PREFACE.

. public, the author Avould also solicit their indul gence, for the manner in which the task has been performed. The only merit to which he can lay claim, is that of having faithfully described Avhat he saw, and the impressions which Avere produced upon him at the time. In other respects it is feared that a work, which was entirely (and consequently very hastily) prepared for the press from the original notes, whilst voyaging from Australia to England, must necessarily be crude and imperfect. Where the principal object, however, was rather to record with accuracy than indulge in theory or conjecture, and where a simple statement of occurrences has been more attended to than the language in which they are narrated, plainness and fidelity will, it is hoped, be considered as some compensation for the absence of the embellishments of a more finished style, or a studied composition, and especially as the uncertainty attending the duration of the author's visit to England made it a matter of anxious con sideration to hurry these volumes through the press as rapidly as possible.

There is one circumstance to which he wishes particularly to allude, as ac counting for the very scanty notices he is now able to give of the geology or botany of the country through which he travelled ; it is the loss of all the specimens that were collected during the earlier part of the Expedition, which occurred after they had been sent to Adelaide; this loss has been irreparable, and has not only prevented him from ascertaining

PREFACE.

. IX points about which he was dubious, but has entirely precluded him from having the subjects considered, or the specimens classified and arranged by gentle men of scientific acquirements in those departments of knowledge, in Avhich the author is conscious he is himself defective. In the latter part of the Expedi tion, or from Fowler's Bay to King George's Sound, the dreadful nature of the country, and the difficulties and disasters to which this led, made it quite impossible either to make collections of any kind, or to examine the country beyond the immediate line of route ; still it is hoped that the passing notices which are made in the journal, and the knowledge of the similarity of appearance and uniform charac ter, prevalent throughout the greater portion of the country passed through, will be quite sufficient to give a general and correct impression of the whole.

To Mr. Gray of the British Museum, the author is particularly indebted for his valuable contribution on the Natural History of the Southern coast of Australia, and to Mr. Gould, the celebrated Orni thologist, his thanks are equally due, for a classified and most interesting list of the birds belonging to the same portion of the continent. To Mr. Adam White, ofthe British Museum, he is also indebted for an account of some new insects, and to Dr. Richardson, for a scientific and classified arrangement of fish caught on the Southern coast, near King George's Sound. The plates to which the numbers refer in the last-mentioned paper, are

PREFACE.

. X the admirable draAvings made from life, by J. Neill, Esq. of King George's Sound, and now lodged at the British Museum. They are, hoAvever, both too numerous and too large to give in a Avork of this description, and Avill probably be published at some future time by their talented author. For the account given of the Aborigines the author deems it unnecessary to offer any apology ; a long experience among them, and an intimate knowledge of their character, habits, and position with regard to Europeans, have induced in him a deep interest on behalf of a people, Avho are fast fading away before the progress of a civilization, Avhich ought only to have added to their improvement and pros perity. Gladly Avould the author wish to see atten tion aAvakened on their behalf, and an effort at least made to stay the torrent which is overwhelming them.

It is most lamentable to think that the progress and prosperity of one race should conduce to the doAvnfal and decay of another ; it is still more so to observe the apathy and indifference with which this result is contemplated by mankind in general, and which either leads to no investigation being made as to the cause of this desolating influence, or if it is, terminates, to use the language of the Count Strzelecki, " in the inquiry, like an inquest of the one race upon the corpse of the other, ending for the most part with the verdict of ' died by the visita tion of God.' "

PREFACE.

. XI In his attempt to delineate the actual circumstances and position of the natives, and the just claims they have upon public sympathy and bene volence, he has been necessitated to refer largely to the testimony of others, but in doing this he has endeavoured as far as practicable, to support the views he has taken by the writings or opinions of those who are, or Avho have been resident in the Colonies, and who might therefore be supposed from a practical acquaintance with the subject, to be most competent to arrive at just conclusions. In suggesting the only remedy Avhich appears at all calculated to mitigate the evil complained of, it has studiously been kept in view that there are the interests of two classes to be provided for, those of the Settlers, and those ofthe Aborigines, it is thought that these interests cannot with advantage be separated, and it is hoped that it may be found practi cable to blend them together.

The Aborigines of New Holland are not on the Avhole a numerous people ; they are generally of a very inoffensive and tractable character, and it is believed that they may, under ordinary circumstances, almost always be rendered peaceable and well-disposed by kind and consistent treatment. Should this, in reality, prove to be the case, it may be found perhaps, that they could be more easily managed, and in the long run at a less expense, by some such system as is recommended, than by any other requiring means of a more retaliatory or

PREFACE.

. coercive character. The system proposed is at least one which by removing in a great measure tempta tion from the native, and thereby affording compara tive security to the settlers, will have a poAverful effect in inducing the latter to unite with the Government in any efforts made to ameliorate the condition of the Aborigines ; a union which under present or past systems has not ever taken place, but one Avhich it is very essential should be effected, if any permanent good is hoped for. To Mr. Moorhouse the author returns his best thanks for his valuable notes on the Aborigines, to which he is indebted for the opportunity of giving an account of many of the customs and habits of the Adelaide tribes. To Anthony Forster, Esq. he offers his warmest acknowledgments for his assistance in overlooking the manuscripts during the voyage from Australia, and correcting many errors which necessarily re sulted from the hurried manner in which they were prepared ; it is to this kind supervision must be ascribed the merit — negative though it maybe— of there not being more errors than there are. CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.

Chapter I. Page

Origin of the Expedition — Contemplated Exploration to the Westward — Meeting of the Colonists, and Subscriptions entered into for that purpose — Notes on the unfavourable nature of the Country to the Westward, and proposal that the Northern Interior should be examined instead — Make an offer to the Governor to conduct such an Expedition — Captain Sturt's Lecture — Interview with the Governor — Arrangement of Plans — Preparation of Outfit — Cost of Expedition — Name a day for departure — Public Breakfast and commencement of the undertaking . . . . 1

Chapter II

First night's Encampment with Party — Reflections — Arrival at Sheep Station — Re-arrangements of loads — Method of carrying fire-arms — Complete the number of the Party — Their Names — Move onwards — Valley of the Light — Extensive Plains — Head of the Gilbert — Scarcity of firewood— Grassy well-watered Districts — The Hill and Hutt Rivers — Indication of change going on in appearance and character of the Country, traceable in the remains of timber in the Plains and in the openings among scrubs — The Broughton — Reedy AVatercourse — Campbell's Range — Course of the Broughton 22

Chapter III

Spring Hill — An aged native deserted by his Tribe — Rich and extensive Plains — Surprise a Party of Natives — Rocky River — Crystal Brook — Flinders Range — The deep Spring— Myall Ponds — Rocky water holes — Dry watercourse — Reach the Depot near Mount Arden — Prepare for leaving the Party — Black Swans pass to the North — Arrival of the Waterwitch . . . . 40 I CONTENTS.

Chapter IV. Page

Make arrangements for getting up stores from the Waterwitch — Leave the Party — Salt watercourse — Mount Eyre — Aspect of the Country — Lake Torrens — Return towards the Hills— Native Female — Saline character of the Country— Mount Deception — Reach the eastern hills — Large watercourses — Water hole in a rock — Grassy but hilly country — Running stream— Ascend a range — Return homewards — Decay of trees in the watercourses— Shoot a Kangaroo — Arrive at the depot — Bury stores — Make preparations for leaving — Send despatches to the Vessel . . .54

Chapter V

Break up the encampment — Arrive at Depot Pool — Geological character ofthe country — Barometers out of order — Advance to reconnoitre — Ascend Termination Hill— Surprise native women — They abandon their children — Ineffectual search for water — Return towards Mount Deception — Broken character of the country — Find water — The Scott — Rejoin the party — Water all used at the depot — Embarrassing circumstances — Remove to the Scott — Reconnoitre in advance — Barren country — Table-topped elevations — Indications of the violent action of water — Meet Natives — Reach Lake Torrens — The water salt — Obliged to return — Arrival at depot — Hostile demonstrations of the Natives. .... 82

Chapter VI

Cause of hostility ofthe Natives — AVell sunk unsuccessfully — Overseer sent to the east — The Scott examined — Rock Wallabies— Overseer's return— Another visit to Lake Torrens — Boggy character of ils bed — Extraordinary effects of mirage and refraction — Return to the camp — Supply of water exhausted — Leave the depot — The Mundy — The Burr— Mount Serle— Lake Torrens to the East — Melancholy prospects . . , .102

Chapter VII

Excursion to the North-east— Trace down the Frome — Water becomes salt — Pass beyond the ranges— Cockatoos seen — Heavy rains— Dry watercourses — Mount Distance — Brine springs — Mount Hopeless Termination of Flinders Range— Lake Torrens to the north and to the east— All further advance hopeless— Young Emus caught— Rejoin Party— Move back towards .Mount Arden — Loss of a horse- Arrive at the depot— Plans for the future— Take up stores— Prepare for leaving . # I2j CONTENTS. XV

Chapter VIII. Page

Proceed to the Westward — Channel of communication between Lake Torrens and Spencer's Gulf — Baxter's Range — Divide the Party — Route towards Port Lincoln — Scrub— Fruitless 6earch for water — Send dray back for water — Plundered by the Natives — Return of dray — Dense scrub — Refuge Rocks — Dense scrub — Salt creek — Mount Hill — Dense scrub — Large watercourse — Arrive at a Station — Rich and grassy valleys — Character of Port Lincoln Peninsula — Unable to procure supplies — Engage a boat to send over to Adelaide — Buy sheep . . . . 13G

Chapter IX

Boy speared by the Natives — Anomalous state of our relations witli the Aborigines — Mr. Scott sails for Adelaide — Dog bought — Mr. Scott's return — Cutter Waterwitch sent to co-operate — Send her to Streaky Bay — Leave Port Lincoln with the dray — Level sandy country clothed with brush and shrubs — Salt Lakes— Mount Hope — Lake Hamilton — Stony country — Lose a dog — Better country — AA'edge Hill — Lake Newland — A boat harbour — Mount Hall — Rejoin Party at Streaky Bay— Singular spring — Character of country — Beds of Oysters . . . 163

Chapter X

Country between Streaky Bay and Baxter's Range — Its scrubby character — Gawler Range — Mount Sturt — Ascend a peak — Salt Lakes — Beautiful Flower — Ascend another hill — Mount Brown seen — Extensive View to the North— Lake Gilles — Baxter's Range . 198

Chapter XI

Embark stores— Party leave Streaky Bay — Dense scrub— Point Brown— Singular well — Process of change in appearance of country — Dig for water — Friendly Natives — Extraordinary Rite— Native guides — Leipoa's nest — Denial Bay — Beelimah Gaippe — Kangaroo killed— More Natives — Berinyana Gaippe— Salt Lakes — Wademar Gaippe — Sandy and scrubby country — Mobeela Gaippe — Difficulty of getting water— More Natives — Genuine hospitality— Singular marks on the abdomen— Natives leave the Party— Fowler's Bay— Excellent Whaling Station. . • CONTENTS. XVI

Chapter XII. Page

Land the stores and send the Cutter to Denial Bay— Party remove to Point Fowler— Leave the Party— Beds of Lakes— Dense scrub — Coast sand-drifts— Fruitless search for water— Distress of the horses— Turn back— Leave a horse— Find water— Rejoin Party — Send for the horse— Country around depot — Take a dray to the westward Wretched country— Fall in with Natives — Misunderstand their signs— They leave us — Vain search for water — Turn back — Horse knocked up— Go back for water— Rejoin the dray— Commence return — Search for water — Dray surrounded by natives— Embarrassing situation — Bury baggage — Three horses abandoned — Reach the sand-drifts — Unsuccessful attempts to save the horses — Send for fresh horses — Search for water to north-east — Recover the dray and stores — Rejoin the party at depot near Point Fowler — Return ofthe Cutter . . • • 229

Chapter XIII

Future Plans— Reduce the number of the Party— Send the Cutter to Adelaide — Report to the Governor— Monotonous life at camp — Remove to another locality — Geological character of the country — , Flint found — Again attempt to reach the Head of the Bight — Reach tbe sand-hills, and bury flour — Friendly Natives — Exhausted state of the horses — Get the dray to the plain — Bury water — Send back dray — Proceed with pack-horse — Oppressive heat — Send back pack-horse — Reach the Head ofthe Bight — Surprise some Natives — Their kind behaviour — Yeer-kumban-kauwe — Their account of the interior ... . 256

Chapter XIV

Proceed to the westward — Cliffs of the Great Bight — Level nature of the interior — Flints abound — Return to Yeer-kumban-kauwe — Natives come to the camp— Their generous conduct — Meet the Overseer— Return to depot — Bad water — Move back to Fowler's Bay— Arrival of the Cutter Hero — Joined by the King George's Sound Native — Instructions relative to the Hero — Difficulty of fixing upon any future plan— Break up the Expedition and divide the party — Mr. Scott embarks — Final report — The Hero sails — Overseer and Natives remain— Excursion to the North— A Native joins us Sudden illness in the party — Final preparations for leaving the depot . . . , CONTENTS. XVII

Chapter XV. Page

Return of Mr. Scott in the Hero — Mr. Scott again sails for Adelaide — Commence journey to the westward — Opportune arrival at the sand-hills — Large flies — Take on the sheep — Leave the Overseer with the horses — Reach Yeer-kumban-kauwe — Joined by the Overseer — Tormenting flies again — Move on with the sheep — Leave Overseer to follow with the horses — Character of country along the Bight — Scenery of the cliffs— Leave the sheep — Anxiety about water — Reach the termination of the cliffs — Find water . .311

Chapter XVI

Go back to meet the Overseer — Party arrive at the water — Long encampment — Geological formation ofthe cliffs — Move on again — Dig for water — Traces of Natives — Send back for water — Parrots seen — Cool winds from north-east — Overseerreturns — Continue the journey — Abandon baggage — Dense scrubs — Driven to the beach— Meet Natives — Mode of procuring water from roots . . . 335

Chapter XVII

Horses begin to knock up — Compelled to follow round the beach — Timor pony unable to proceed — Gloomy prospects — Overseer begins to despond— Two more horses left behind — Fragments of wrecks — Water all consumed — Collect dew — Change in character of country — Dig a well — Procure water — Native and family visit us — Overseer goes back for baggage — Disastrous termination of his journey — Situation and prospects of the party . . . 352

Chapter XVIII

Go back with a Native— Spear sting-rays— Recover the baggage— Cold weather— Overseer reconnoitres the cliffs— Unfavourable report — Difference of opinion as to best plans for the future — Kill a horse for food— Injurious effects from meat diet— Native boys become disaffected— They steal provisions— Native boys desert the party— They return almost starved— Party proceed onwards to the westward— Clifls of the Bight— Country behind them— Threatening . 380 weather — Murder of the Overseer CONTENTS.

Appendix

. PAG E Description of some New Australian Animals, by J. E. Gray, Esq. F.R.S. . . . .40 Catalogue of Reptiles and Fish, found at King George's Sound, by Deputy Assistant Commissary - General Neill. The Reptiles named and arranged by J. E. Gray, Esq., and the Fish by Dr. Richardson . . . 412 Description and Figures of four new Species of Australian Insects, by Adam AVhite, Esq. M.E.S. . . 432 Description of two new Invertebrated Animals from Australia, by J. E. Gray, Esq. F.R.S. . 435 Description of some new Australian Lepidopterous Insects, by Edward Dodbleday, Esq. F.R.S. &c. . 437 List of Birds known to inhabit Southern Australia, by John Gould, Esq. F.R.S. . JOURNAL OF EXPEDITIONS IN CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA, IN 1840.

Chapter I. Origin Of The Expedition

— CONTEMPLATED EXPLORATION TO THE WESTWARD MEETING OF THE COLONISTS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS ENTERED INTO FOR THAT PURPOSE NOTES ON THE UNFAVOURABLE NATURE OF THE COUNTRY TO THE WESTWARD, AND PROPOSAL THAT THE NORTHERN INTERIOR SHOULD BE EXAMINED INSTEAD MAKE AN OFFER TO THE GOVERNOR TO CONDUCT SUCH AN EXPEDI- TION—CAPTAIN STURT'S LECTURE — INTERVIEW WITH THE GOVERNOR, ARRANGEMENT OF PLANS — PREPARATION OF OUTFIT COST OF EXPEDITION — NAME A DAY FOR DE- PARTURE PUBLIC BREAKFAST AND COMMENCEMENT OF TgE UNDERTAKING. Before entering upon the account of the expedition sent to explore the interior of Australia, to Avhich the following pages refer, it may perhaps be as well to advert briefly to the circumstances Avhich led to the undertaking itself, that the public being fully in possession of the motives and inducements Avhich led me, at a very great sacrifice of my private means, to engage in an exploration so hazardous and arduous, and informed of the degree of confidence reposed in me by those interested in the undertaking, and the sanguine hopes and high ex pectations that were formed as to the result, may be VOL. I. , B ORIGIN OF THE EXPEDITION. better able to judge how far that confidence was well placed, and how far my exertions Avere com mensurate Avith the magnitude of the responsibility I had undertaken.

I have felt it the more necessary to allude to this subject now, because I Avas in some measure at the time instrumental in putting a stop to a contemplated expedition to the westAvard, and of thus un intentionally interfering with the employment of a personal friend of my OAvn, than whom no one could have been more fitted to command an undertaking of the kind, from his amiable disposition, his exten sive experience, and his general knowledge and acquirements. Upon returning, about the middle of May 1840, from a visit to King George's Sound and Swan River, I found public attention in Adelaide con siderably engrossed with the subject of an overland communication between Southern and Western Australia. Captain Grey, now the Governor of South Australia, had called at Adelaide on his way to England from King George's Sound, and by furnishing a great deal of interesting information relative to Western Australia, and pointing out the facilities that existed on its eastern frontier, as far as it was then known, for the entrance of stock from the Eastward, had called the attention ofthe flock masters of the Colony to the importance of opening a communication betAveen the tAvo places, Avith a view to the extension of their pastoral interests.

The notes of Captain Grey, referring to this subject, ORIGIN OF THE EXPEDITION. 3 Avere published in the South Australian Register neAvspaper of the 28th March, 1840. On the 30th of the same month, a number of gentlemen, many of whom Avere owners of large flocks and herds, met together, for the purpose of taking the matter into consideration, and the result of this conference Avas the appointment of a Committee, whose duty it was to report upon the best means of accomplish ing the object in view. On the 4th, 7th, and 9th of April other meetings Avere held, and the results published in the South Australian Register, of the 11th April, as MIoavs: — OVERLAND ROUTE TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA. " At a Meeting of the Committee for making arrangements for an expedition to explore an overland route to Western Australia, held the 7th of April, the Hon. the Surveyor-general in the chair, the following resolutions were agreed to : — That a communication be made to the Government of Western Australia, detailing the objects contemplated by this Committee, and further stating that the assistance of the Government of this province has been obtained.

That a communication be made to the Hon. the Surveyor general, the Hon. the Advocate-general the Hon. G. Leake, Esq. of Western Australia, with a request that they will form a committee in conjunction with such settlers as may feel interested in the same undertaking, for the purpose of collecting private subscriptions, and co-operating with this committee. Resolved, that similar communications be made to the Govern ment of New South Wales, and to the following gentlemen who are requested to act as a committee with the same power as that of Western Australia: Hon. E. Deas Thomson, Colonial Secre tary; William Macarthur, Esq.; Captain Parker; P. King, R.N. ; Stuart Donaldson, Esq. ; George Macleay, Esq. ; Charles Campbell, Esq. B CONTEMPLATED EXPLORATION 4 That this Committee would propose, in order to facilitate the progress of the expedition, that depots be formed at convenient points on the route ; that it is proposed to make Fowler's Bay the first depot on the route from Adelaide, and to leave it to the Government of Western Australia to decide upon the sites which their local knowledge may point out as the most eligible for similar stations, as far to the eastward as may appear practicable.