HE 3469 Q31W33 -f A A : 1 ^ 1 i i 8 i 8 I 2 I 1 = QUEENSLAND i ^SOONTINENTAL RAILf Al ih 'm ^^^^^^^ FIELD ]^0TE8 & REPORTS, WITH MAP M EOBT. WATSON, M.INST. G.E. 18 8 1. >>' THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES xc 1 QUEENSLAND nm 'e grown. I think this because, on similar red sandy soil near Roma, excellent grapes are grown. It has been a heavy day for tlie horses. We got to Saddler's Waterlioles, all of us, at a little before 3 p.m. I am sure there is ballast procurable everywhere. I do not think a 1 in 50 gradient will reciuire any heavy work. It appears that, all the Avay from Black's Waterlioles to Charleville, water is provided by dams. Tliis could be as well done everywhere. Wednesday, January 19. — Made a pretty good stai-t at 7.30 a.m., after a very warm night, and Hies troublesome. Horses looking better for being in paddock all night witliout hobbles. The countiy all the way is veiy fair, li'ditly-timbered, and not unlike Campaspe Plains, but there is so much good land elsewhere which does not require clearing that it must be a long time before it will pay to clear this. Called at hotel and paid for paddocking horses, and at police station, leaving the heavy tent pegs there, as we are not likely to want them. I am told that a few miles to the north there are rich open plains. The country is simple and uninteresting for tive or six miles ; then comes a maguiticent sheet of water on the right, called the Eurella Dam. From this tlie country improves, and will, no doubt, sometime or other, be cultivated. We passed Leadbeater's, a coach stage, and soon after began to follow down the nicest creek I have yet seen, Hamburg Creek, a succession of splendid waterlioles for miles and miles. At last we reached Read's, where we expected to find good feed, but, alas ! it was like all the rest. Read's is a small station, not a publichouse. Horses are all getting knocked up ; they cannot live without food. Ballast all the way ; a few ironljark, box and sandalwood trees, the latter of no account. On reaching our camping ground, about a mil(! beyond Read's, we found excellent water, but very little feed. The heat has been intense, and it continued until midnight — the Hies dreadful and the ants bad. Horses very much done up. Home ducks were got in the evening. I find the dams I have mentioned have been made by government. Thursday, January 20. — Made a good start at 7.20 a.m., having seen all the horses right tirst. When about two miles on the road, all the pack-horses overtook us but one, which the men said had broken away and was lost to sight. The constable, groom, and lilack boy were after him. We passed a lot of water-holes on our way, and there are some tolerably open plains, with not much timber or scrub. On our Avay we got a turkey. It appears that the Hambui-gh Ci'eek, on which we camped, and the Clara, join a little further down, and form the Angelalla Creek, which falls into the Warrego at Man- galore. About six or seven miles from camp, say thirty-hve miles from Charleville, we came to the first range we have had to cross. I think its summit is aljout 230 feet above the plain, and in the last quarter of a mile before reaching the summit the rise is about 130 feet. The formation is volcanic, and the stone, which is called yellow basalt, is rather soft, and there is plenty of it. There is no useful timber, and the country is very poor ; no grass, only Avretched scrub. The lowest point, I fancy, has not been selected for the crossing of the road and telegraph. Survey of this should be made. This is called tlie Angelalla Range. After reaching the summit the road is level for a mile or two, and, although there is not much grass at present, there ar(i indications of plenty sometimes. The road is stony for many miles, and gradually falls. In about three or four miles miles it has got down about 130 feet, and then a level plain continues to the dam, twelve miles from Read's and thirty-two from Charleville. Plenty of water at the dam, and good feed too, some twehc miles further on, we are told ; and there is good ROMA TO POIXT PARKER, GULP OP CARPENTARIA. 5 feed at one or two places on the way, but (jverything is wretched at the dam, and the horses will have to go five miles to feed for tlu; night. No sign of the constahle, itc, at 1.30 p.m., but at l.-'iO all turned up right. On our way we learnt from a traveller that there is nuich l)etter feed and water on the Nive River than on the Ward River. Sent the horses out to the pasture and soon heard that it Avas excellent. The coach-groom showed the way. Friday, January 21. — Got a pretty good start at 8.4.J a.m., considering the horses liad to be fetched so fax*. All the rest of the party ready to start. The country all the way to Charleville is very level. The land is of fairly useful quality, varying as to vegetation, some parts ^pretty thickly scrubbed, some almost open plain. On the whole, it is evident there is abundance of grass sometimes. On nearing Charleville there ai-e some bloodwood trees, and tliere is a new fence and rail, with cypresspine rails and bloodwood posts, neither very pretty. On arrival at Charleville found there was no feed within seven miles; no horse-shoe nails, and a lot of horses Avant shoeing. We arrivfjd at noon. Then presently came some of our men, and said two chestnut horses were missing. This is gross carelessness. I did not observe any indication of ballast all the way to-day, at least on the surface ; and there is very little timber that is of any value, only an occasional ironbark and curragong. Saw Police Magistrate Oakden and Inspector Thoi-nton. The ants and flies are dreadful. On our arrival at Charleville, about noon, we expected to find plenty of feed, so that our horses could pick up a bit whilst we got the pack- saddles, itc, repaired, and some of the horses shod. To our dismay, there was not a lilade of grass to be seen, and there was not a hor.se-shoe nail in the township. A native police-constable was at once despatched into the bush to look for grass and water. He came back in the afternoon and reported good grass and water at a place called the Clay Pans, about nine miles distant. Decided to let the horses wander about till morning, carefully Avatched, and then send them out to the feed. At the same time I telegraphed to Roma to haA-e some nails sent l)y the first coach. They cannot be here before Tuesday night, and if Ave get the horses shod and the saddles mended liy Wednesday night, Ave may get aAvay on Thursday morning. This is tAvo days later than I intended, l)ut there is no Avay out of it. Received and sent a lot of telegrams to ditt'erent people. Saturday, January 22. — Sent the horses out to the Clay Pans. Heard a most favourable account of the feed, but the Avater is thick — it may yet be good. Busy all Saturday, Avriting out draft report, ikc. The groom had to go out to Avatch the horses at night. Telegram from Mr. Lukin ; he is most anxious for information aljout the Grand Trunk Line. Sunday, January 2o. — SaAv Inspector Thornton and Mr. MTarlane about Charleville to Cunamulla and Thargomindah. I got a lot of imformation from them. Monday, January 24. — Got more itiformation from a Mr. Davis, an intelligent man, avIio has been Avith survey parties, but cannot keep from drink. This information Avill be found in another book, Avhich will be put aside for that line. Wrote my fii-st progi-ess report — Roma to Charleville, and copied my notes about Grand Trunk Line, in case it be authorised that they go to Mr. Lukin. I find Hann Avill reach Brisbane on 27th, and join me at Tambo or Blackall as soon as possible. Tuesday, January 2-5. — I got Mr. Wyatt to copy my report and also my field-notes into a book, I got a few letters from Victoria in the evening. 6 QUEENSLAND TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILWAY. The nails came and the horses were brought in for to-morrow's start; the saddler, too, is getting on all right. Wo have a thunder-storm every night, but no great fall of rain, only sufficient to lay the dust. Wednesday, January 26. — Busy all day about rations, stores, cooking iitensils, Szc; and watching the blacksmith and saddler, who both had finished about 4 p.m., so that things seem pretty straight for to-morrow. The horses look fairly well, but there are some sore backs, one very bad one. The cook has been suffering from " Barcoo " for a day or two, but is better, Learnt from Mr. Stanley that the reduced level of Charleville is approximately 927 feet above low water at Brisbane. The township of Charleville is on the east sid(! of the River Warrego. The river overflows its banks at time of flood, and the water has been known to be a foot deep in the principal street. Thursday, January 27. — Tlie horses were sent to some tolerable feed about three or four miles a\s'ay, but did not reach the camp until nearly nine, as five of them had gone away for their previous camping ground. However, after paying my bills, determining on my route, and telegraphing to the police at Tambo, we got fairly started altogether at 10.30 a.m. There had been a good drop of rain during the night, and the air was tolei'ably cool. We crossed the river at once, and proceeded up what is known as the Nive Track, the route being Charleville, Cattle Station (Gowrie), Ellangowan, Nive Downs, Landsdowne, Tambo. For the first six miles the country is open level plain, pretty fair soil, and very lightly timbered ; then it becomes more timbered and better soil ; evidently plenty of grass sometimes. There is a good sprinkling of bloodwood and blackbutt or Moreton Bay ash, besides a little box, etc. There will be no difficulty in getting sleepers for the whole distance we have come to-day. We followed the road not very far from the River Wai-rego. The flats extend a long way, and are laced with analiranches. The road is evidently three or four feet under water at times. About twenty- two miles from Charleville there is a curious lot of stone, waterworn, very heavy, and hard ; some is basalt ; some a conglomerate of cemented gi-avel, very hard and heavy ; some very large boulders. It is not far from the west bank of the Warrego, but there are many anabranches intervening. It is near a sandhill and an old sheep-yard. About three miles further on I noticed a range to the westward, at some distance. I think it must be the west side of the Ward River, because the distance between the two rivers at this point (twenty-five miles from Charleville) is only fifteen miles, as scaled from the new map of Australia. We saw the telegraph line once or twice on our way, so I think it cannot be straight. We found a convenient camping- place about twenty-eight miles from Charleville, j)ointed out by Constable Montford Bromley, who is accompanying us. Mr. Sandeman passed, on his way to Charleville, ju.st as we were camping. Plenty of good feed and water; plenty of flies too. No doubt, through all the distance we have come to-day, the country is easy and there is plenty of ballast and sleepei'S ; but thH line must be kept further from the river than the road is, probably half-way between the Kive and the Ward. It is said the land is better on the Ward, but it is sufficiently good here. Near our camp (No. S) there are some small but nice open plains, with excellent feed even now. Barometer, set 927 at Charleville, read 880 at 10.30 a.m. to-day, and 1125 at the camping-place at 3.45 p.m., tAventy-eight miles from Charleville. Friday, January 28. — Barometer at 7 a.m., 1030 ft. We got fairly away altogether at 7.30 a.m., and immediately after passing the cattle station we crossed the Warrego River. As there is no track on the west side, we kept ROMA TO POINT PARKER, GULP OF CARPENTARIA, 7 well within sight of the river for a consideraljle distance, through moderately good country, light-timbered for about six or seven miles. Then, getting further from the river, we came to better country. At about nine miles, came upon some sandhills, and stone similar to what we saw yesterday. Then some open plains, with rich black soil, some salt-bush and tussock grass, but no feed. This continued for about three or four miles, and then came some scrub, sandalwood bushes, but no grass yet. The soil looks good, as if it would grow anything under cultivation. There is a sprinkling of bloodwood, blackbutt, and ironbark, and there are patches of scrub called Dead Finish (an acacia), because it is almost impenetrable. There is water nearly all the way (12 miles), but very green and dirty. The country improves as we go northward, and becomes more open. Although there is very little feed at present, there are evidences of plenty of grass sometimes ; in fact, all the ground looks as if it was ready to burst out into vegetation on the slightest provocation in the shape of rain. We crossed the Yo Yo Creek and Burinda Creek. When about three miles from Ellangowan we began to see much better feed. They have evidently had more rain, and the ground has immediately responded. We found, or were shewn by Constable M'Grath, a capital camping-place, about one mile south from Ellengowan, where there are plenty of turkeys and ducks. Many of the horses are completely knocked up, even some of those which have carried nothing but themselves to-day. We reached the camp (No. 9) at 2.30 p.m.; barometei*, 1280 ft. The necessity for crossing the Warrego as we did arose from the fact that, on the western side of the river, the ground for a long distance is heavy and sandy, and subject to floods. I fancy the ground is flooded for a long distance on each side at times. If the line be taken between the Nive and the Ward Rivers, or in the valley of either, it will have to be kept a good distance Itack, and there is no difliculty. I am confident ballast and timber can be found within reasonable distance all the way, and the land some time or other will all be cultivated. The clearing, however, light as it is, will for some time be an obstacle. I don't think this is always taken sufiiciently into consideration. If good land, which can be got at upset price, is worth clearing at £o per acre, then is not land which nature has cleared, and which is equally good, worth £5 per acre more than the upset price 1 On our way I noticed some ranges which I think must be between the Ward and the Nive Rivers, but I do not think they can be of any consequence, as they do not present a pointed appearance. Just as we got camped a heavy thunderstorm came on. We were only just ready for it. It rained heavily for some time, and this was followed by a deliciously cool evening and night. Saturday, January 29. — Barometer at 8 a.m., 1135 ft. Got away altogether a little before 9 a.m. Splendid feed all the way from the camp to the township of Ellangowan, about a mile. Stopped a short time at the police station. The inspector or sergeant knows the north well, and thinks from what he has heard that there is no doubt whatever about our being able to drive all the way through. Got some repairs done to one of the pack saddles. The country all the way to Burinda Station — Mr. Gordon Sandeman's — is magnificent, and all showing the eftects of recent rains. About a month ago there was not a blade of grass ; now there is abundance all the way. The distance to the station from Ellangowan is about twelve miles; the first six lightly-timbered and fine feed ; then comes a most magnificent undulating plain, full of what is called summer-grass, very good feed, large tussocks, and splendid under grass. This plain continues for about two miles, and reaches nearly as far as the eye can see on either side. No timber for a long distance. Then comes undulating plains with a diflerent sort of grass, 8 QUEENSLAND TRASCONTINENTAL RAILWAY. and small patches of saplings and scrubs — vei*y little. Then, when nearing the homestead, is some fencing. Altogether, it is a magnificent sight. We reached our destination about 12.15 p.m. I- was dreadfully sleepy all the way. Obliged to drive; to keep myself from falling off the seat. Camped close to Woolshed (Camp No. 10). Barometer, 1270 ft. Called at Burenda Station in the afternoon. Mr. Sandeman not at home;, but expected to-night. Saw Mr. Inspector Thornton. He says I have not lost much from coming up the east side of the Warrego from the cattle station, as there is no proper track on the west sich; of the Nive lliver, the country being ^•ery heavy and sandy, with thick scrub in some places. Returned to Camp No. 10, at the woolshed, to sleep. I noticed to-day, close to Ellengowan, a Chinaman's garden, in which were growing luxuriantly peaches, grapes, melons, cabbages, sweet potatoes, &c. Received telegram from Colonial Secretary, that I might give any information I pleased to Lukin and Buzacott as to my progress. Sunday, January 30. — Wrote to Mr. James Forrest (Tnst. C.E.) in morn- ing, then went to Burenda Station. Mr. Sandeman came home last night, but the Duke of Manchester has not arrived yet. Mi\ Sandeman gives the same description of the land between the Ward and the Nive that Mr. Thornton does. There is no difficulty about making the railway along the divide. He says that what I shall see in going from here to Tambo, via Nive Downs, will give me a good idea of what the portion I have not seen is like. No difficulty in making a railway, l)ut everybody says, "Whenever will your traffic comef Mr. Sandeman says their dams cost them about Is. 7d. per cubic yard, in- cluding everything ; no punning i-equired, the trampling of the horses and the carts being sufficient. The distance of the dam work from the water regulates the price to a great extent. Whilst at Burenda Station, in after- noon, about 3 p.m., a terrific thunderstorm came on, and lasted for an hour. The rain fell in torrents, and I never saw such lightning or hear-d such thunder before. One clap scarcely followed the lightning, it accompanied it. It was estimated that about two inches of rain fell. Strange to say, there is no rain-gauge here. The I'ain which fell last Friday was, I believe, just as heavy, but the ground was dry, and quickly swallowed it up, but now the ground is saturated and the plains are exceptionally heavy. It was with difficulty I got back to the camp in the evening ; the horse sunk to his fetlock at every step. A stop is put to our intended start to-morrow. Mr. Sande- man/ who is an experienced squatter, does not think much of the Mitchell countiy, but he looks at everything from a present grazing point of view. He does not deny that eventually, where required, a very large portion of the ground over which I have travelled may Ije profitably brought under cultiva- tion, but not for many yeai's, nor until the population is greatly inci^eased and more capital brought into use. I am still of opinion that this will not be until the holdings are smaller. Monday, January 31. — Barometer flitting about in an extraordinary manner. Ground on plains awfully heavy. It is useless to attempt to start. Got some writing done, and, at about 10 a.m., walked to station, thinking to go before lunch with Mr. Sandeman to his dam, but the ground was too heavy. Heard the Duke was expected to-niglit, but not until late, as he was going to Nive Station, via Okewood and Ellengowan, to this place. Mr. Morrisett brought me a telegram from Mr. Hann. It came vt'a Tambo and Nive, from Brisbane. He has had an accident, and cannot join me before end of next week at Blackall. Things are looking crooked, but I suppose will come right. In the afternoon I went with Mr. Sandeman to see his garden, about half-a- mile down the creek. It is managed ))y a Chinaman, who gets twenty-five ROMA TO POINT PARKER, GULP OP CARPENTARIA. 9 shillings per week and his rations, besides the privilege of selling all that is not wanted for tlie house. Some men were here engaged making a dam across the creek in a very primitive style ; it will surely wash away at tirst flood. The workmen are ordinary station hands, engaged as teamsters, and when the ground is in such a state as to prevent the teams working, the men are employed at work of this sort instead of being idle. I am told, and in fact shewn, that the stone about here is limestone and not basaltic. It may be that the stone at Mitchell Downs and elsewhere is also not basalt ; no matter, it is all good for ballast. Embedded in the stone here I saw some fossil shells ; one a bivalve about 1 h inches long and | inch wide, firmly fixed. The stone is greenish grey after exposure to the air, Ijut dull blue when quarried. It fizzes on application of diluted nitro muriatic acid. As there seemed to be some doubt about the Duke's arrival to-night, I left, and walked with Mr. Sandeman to the camp about G p.m. I am told that the land is very much better on the Ward River than on the Nive or Warrego ; and it may be worth while to enquire into this wlien the detail survey is being made, and before the position of the line is definitely fixed. If the line is taken through poor land and the Syndicate get nothing but useless land for constructing the line, this will not bring much trafiic. I do not know that the Act defines the position of the land to be given in lieu of money for the construction. The distance back from the line is not stated ; it could not be, because the quantity per mile is not stated ; it only affirms that no block shall have more than five miles frontage to the line. Tuesday, February 1. — Barometer, 1040 ft. at 7.30 a.m., and it read 1270 ft. at same place (Camp 10) when we arrived at 12.15 p.m. on Satui'day. How it has varied in the meanwhile I don't know. I can tell the difterence in reading at the time of reaching and leaving a camp, but what it does on its account when I am travelling I cannot say, because I cannot make arrangements to have the changes on a fixed barometer noted at the same time. I think there should be a standard barometer and rain-gauge at every police station or other government office in every township. I find the Duke arrived at the station in good time last night. Saw His Grace at 9.30. He is enjoying his trij:) immensely. He never saw so fine a pastoral country in all his travels, but cannot see the necessity of a railway from Roma to Blackall. He thinks it waste, and that the line should go from Emerald to Blackall instead, as the port at Rockhampton is as good as at Brisbane. Let us now see : — Brislxane to Ptoma, 317 miles ; Roma to Charleville, 180 miles ; Oharleville to Tambo, 120 miles; Tambo to Blackall, 80 miles. 380 miles to construct, 697 miles to travel. Rockhampton to Emerald, 180 miles; Emerald to Aramac, 200 miles ; Aramac to Blackall, 100 miles. 300 miles to construct, 480 to travel, in either case, to a shipping port ; but the 180 miles from Roma to Charleville will be 180 miles of the Grand Trunk Line, and I believe the Government is committed to Mitchell, viz., 60 miles. It also forms part of the connection between Queensland and New South Wales at Bourke. Doubts are entei'tained whether or not any English Syndicate will take up the scheme unless it can be shown pretty clearly that the traffic will be sufficient to pay the expense of working. I sent the party on in the morning to camp at the crossing of the river (12 miles), whilst I stopped to have a chat with His Grace. He seemed pleased with everything, but cannot see how the i-ailway is going to pay at once ; neither can I. About noon I started with Mr. Sandeman to see his wash-dam, about five miles on my way to the camp (No. 11) on the Warrego. It is a splendid dam, and must have cost a lot of money. They have, however, made a mess of the byewashes ; but they are difficult to deal with. Reached camp about 3 p.m., on horseback B 10 QUEENSLAND TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILWAY. the last six miles. We passed over mafjnificent open plains for nearly all the way — then some poor scrublty countiy until we I'eached the river. Barometer at Camp 11, at 4 p.m., 1240 ft. In course of conversation, the Duke a.sked what rent was paid per square mile for squatting leases ; and I think the reply was 10s., 1 5s., and 20s. for the first thi-ee years. He then asked what rent it would bear if they could get a twenty-one years' lease. He said, "Would it bear <£10 per square mile?" " Oh, dear, no," said Mr. Sandeman. " Would it bear £5?" " Well, scarcely that, but perhaps it would." Now, land is frequently bought for pastoral purposes at £1 per acre, or £640 per square mile ; and the interest of this at four per cent, is equal to a rent of £2.5 12s. per square mile per annum; or, if bought at 10s. per acre, at £12 16s. per square mile per annum. The place at which our camp (No. 11) is fixed is at tlie crossing of the Warrego, called Caroline, and about twenty-eight miles above the junction of the Nive. There is blacklmtt and gum along the banks, and a soft sort of sandstone, not much good, cropping up in large lumps, very brown and soft. Wednesday, February 2. — Barometer at 7.30 a.m., 1060 ft. The country from the Caroline Crossing of the Warrego to Nive River is very uninteresting. For the first three or four miles alternate open plains, and moderately-timbered plains; then, for about ten miles, what appears to me to be useless scrub, the only redeeming feature being that there ai'e occasionally a few ironbai'k trees, which may supply some sleepers, and some cypresspine. There is not a blade of grass, and there is no appearance of there ever having been any. The track is pretty good generally for driving over, but we passed through several nasty places called " melon holes," where the waggon taxed the horses to their utmost. These melon holes are low pans, not unlike crab- holes in Victoria ; the water settles in them, and they gradually sink lower and lower. About four miles before reaching our camping ground on the Nive, near the station, we entered a paddock, and soon the feed looked better. We found a nice camping ground on the bank of the Nive before crossing. No telegrams; sent one to Barron and to Walsh. At station for an hour in the afternoon with the manager, Mr. Brodie. He says there is no difficulty whatever in running straight from Charleville to Tambo, except want of water. The country here is very beautiful, and there is a good sprinkling of timber, some of it useful. The barometer at 6 p.m., 1180 ft. The flies have not been so vicious at any camp before. This is camp No. 12. Thursday, February 3. — Barometer at 7 a.m., 1005 ft. Got a good start shortly before eight. A little difficulty in crossing the river; heavy sand and fresh horses. We presently came to, and drove for about twelve miles through most magnificent rolling plains, well grassed, and looking really beautiful as far as the eye could reach in all directions. There are a few trees here and there ; very few and very small. After about twelve or thirteen miles, we came along the edge of a very lightly-timbered and slightly-undulating country, well grassed, with short, green herbage ; and we followed a stream in which there are occasional water-holes. The river appears to be running east or south of east, and our course is west. The country gradually becomes less attractive, and within a few miles is useless, barren sandy scrub, with a good sprinkling of " Dead Finish," and a few iron- bark, Llackwood, and Ijlackbutt trees. There is limestone cropping out every- where all the way, in large blocks in some places. We reached our camp (No. 13), near the cattle-station belonging to Nive Down Station. On our way up the river, we rode abreast of some splendid reaches in the river, which I am told is the "Nive." The camping place is a very nice one, with ilOMA TO POIKT PARKER, GULF Of CARPENTARIA. 11 plenty of grass and feed. Just before we started from Camp 12 a young man, who is engaged horsebreaking at the station, came over. It seems he has been several times overland to the Gulf of Carpentaria, and says he never experienced any dilliculty. He thinks we shall be ten weeks in reaching the Gulf, as he estimates the distance we have to travel as 1100 miles if we go by way of Cloncurry. We might attempt a shorter cut across the flats, but the floods would stop us. He says we can drive perfectly well all the way, and that there is a track by which the distance is only 800 miles. I cannot under- stand this. I And we did wrong to turn from the ti-ack we were taking this morning towards Landsdowne. We should have saved five miles in distance, and had a better road. However, we have seen some line country, and have kept near what will probal)ly be the line eventually, besides having a splendid camping ground. Barometer at Camp 13, at 12.45, 121.5 ft. Friday, February 4. Bai-ometer at 7.30 a.m., 1140 ft. Got a good start a little l)efore 8 a.m. For the tirst twelve miles passed over beautiful park- like downs, with lightly-timbered country on one side. A great lot of well- to-do looking cattle all round. The prettiest sight I have seen for a long time. At about twelve miles, we crossed a fence, and immediately after- wards the telegraph line, whose bearing by compass was K. 55° W. Then we followed the telegraph line for several miles. The countiy still good, but perhaps not quite so good as the tirst twelve miles ; a little scrub here and there. The country all appears to be fenced in from where we camped last night to Tambo ; and nearly all open plains. The whole distance is said to be about twenty-eight miles; and, in the last twelve miles, there is scarcely a blade of grass; still there are sheep and water here and there. About twenty miles from Camp 13 there is a dam and a good reservoir of water; then there is a succession of water-holes in a tributary of the Barcoo. At Tambo there is no horse-feed. The horses will have to be sent out four or five miles to a police-paddock, and we must try to push on ten or twelve miles to-morrow. Two of the horses are knocked up through what seems to me to be mismanagement. The camping place (No. 14) is a very miserable one, about a mile from the township ; not a blade of grass, only dirty water and wood. Telegrams from Barron and Walsh. Mr. Harm cannot join us before to-morrow week, the 12th inst. Barometer at camp at 2 p.m., 1102 ft. All the way we came to-day there is plenty of limestone cropping up, but a great scarcity of timber. There are very few defined watei'-courses. Tambo is on the Barcoo River, and the distarace from it to Blackall is said to be eighty or eighty-five miles, and no feed for the fir-st ten or twelve miles. Sent telegrams to the Colonial .Secretary and to Mr. Collier-. With r-ofererrce to following up the dividing ridge between the War-d and Kive, irr a tolerably straight line from Charleville to Taml)0 — this would probably divide the country into two pretty equal parts; and, as the distance between the two rivers varies frorrr nothing to more than thirty miles, for some portion of the Avay the proposed twelve and a-half miles survey on each side would irrono- polise both sides of each river, and in sonre cases it would not reach either. I think it worth consideration whether or not the survey should irr all cases stop at the rivers, thus givirrg all the surveyed l)locks a river fr-ontage, and reserving a river frorrtage on the other side for the unsurveyed blocks. The maps furnished ar-e riot by any means accurate; for in.stance, the recent map of Australia, puljlished in Mell>our-ne, shows the telegraph line from Char'leville to Tambo per-fectly straight, wher-eas in fact it is nruch nror-e like a rarrr's horn, or the hind-leg of a dog, than arr arrow; and the Xive Station is shown aV)out half-way between the two rivers, Avher-eas it is on the Nive. Although the line should select nearly the dividing ridge all the way, there 12 QUEENSLAND TRASCONTlNENTAL RAILWAY. would 1)C no difficulty in pro%iding Avater for the engines at intervals either by pumping from the river or else l)y dams or tanks near the line. Saturday, February 5. — In camp all forenoon, writing, etc. "Walked to the township. Called at tlie telegraph office. Instructions to report from Blackall and all important points. Called at Queensland Bank, and got cheque cashed. Intended to have started at 2 p.m., and go on twelve or fifteen miles towards Blackall, where there is good feed; but as there was some misunderstanding as to my instructions, we have to wait until to-morrow ; and, although to-morrow is Sunday, we must make up then what we have lost to-day. A smart shower in the afternoon, laying tlie dust a little. Telegram from Acting Premier (Mr. Palmer), expressing his annoy- ance at a paragraph in the Courier, which stated that Hann is leader of my party; that he has taken steps to contradict it, and that Mr. Hann fully understands his position of bush-pilot, and that he is under my orders. I have not, of course, seen the paragraph; and, if I had, should not have taken any notice of it. Better not to have credit for doing what you have done than to have credit for doing what you have not done. Still I think, as the Transcontinental exploration is purely a railway one, the name of some one known in the railway world should be connected with it. Saw Mr. Inspector Ahearn during the day ; his fever is better, and he will be able to accompany us to-morrow afternoon. He seems to know the country nearly all the way to the Gulf, and saj-s there should be no difficulty in driving all the way. He knows Mr. F. Hann, and speaks well of him. The barometer has fallen considerably since yesterday, and 1102 ft. yesterday reads 1250 ft. this Sunday, February 6. — Writing all the forenoon some particulars to Collier for Lukin, re Grand Trunk Line, and telegraphed to Mr. Palmer in reply to his in re Hann. At 2 p.m., the barometer at Camp 14 read 1220 ft. Got the horses together, and made a pretty fair start about 2 p.m., putting in the two chesnuts as leaders. For many miles the country is open, undulating plains, with little or nothing in the shape of timber or scrub. We followed on the south bank of the Barcoo ; at least we kept within sight of its timber. There is not a l)lade of grass for miles, although the soil appears good ; the long drought seems to have killed everything. There is plenty of limestone cropping up at intervals all the way. It was our intention to have done to-day what we intended to have done yesterday, viz., to have gone twelve or fifteen miles on the road to Blackall, where there is said to be good feed and water. We went ahead in the waggon, looking back occasionally and viewing the party. Presently the chesnuts began to show symptoms of distress, and soon after gave in; so Ave took them out, intending to replace them; but, on looking back, the pack-horses were noAvhere to be seen. We waited and Avaited, and at last saAv them about tAvo miles distant, parallel with us, but clearly on another track. We tried to signal them by firing shots and waving handkei- chiefs, but without effect. They Avent on their Avay, no doubt thinking they Avere pursuing us, as there were fresh tracks on the road. There Avas then nothing for it but to yoke up the leaders again, and strike across the country until Ave hit their track, and then folloAV it. This Avas done with great difficulty, but shortly after our leaders Avere so completely done up that they could not keep out of the Avay of the wheelers. We had, therefore, to cast them adrift, and proceed Avith the tAvo Avheelers. We got on better thus for a Avdiile, and sighted the party about a couple of miles ahead, CAidently still folloAving Avhat they thought our track as fast as they could; and noAV our Avheelers came to a dead stand-still. The driver then got on the best of them, ROMA TO Point parker, gulp of Carpentaria. 13 and went away to try and overtake the party, and bring Ijack four fresh horses. It was 5.10 p.m. At 5.35 p.m. some horses came in sight, about a mile off, so there has not been much time lost, and the party cannot be very far ahead. The cook came with the driver, and took our remaining wheeler to ride after the two chesnuts, and we got clear under way at 5.50 p.m.; not such a very serious delay after all. We, in the waggon, reached the Camp, on Greendale Creek, just before it joins the Barcoo, at 6.10 p.m., and the barometer now reads 1225 ft. Fair grass and water; and yet, a week ago, before the rain came, I am told by the inspector of police, Aheam, that it was just as bare as the ground near Tamljo. Tlie cook, with the two chesnuts, came into camp before 7 p.m., all tired, the cook carrying his saddle. This is Camp 15. MoxDAY, February 7. — Got a good start at 7.30 a.m., altogether. Baro- meter at 7 a.m. read 1115 ft. A beautiful morning after a nice cool night. The country, for the first two or three miles, is open plain, Avitli a fair sprinkling of tolerable feed. The soil is good, but the drought has been severe. Then we enter some myall scrub, very lightly timbered — no timber worth anything. Very little grass, but looking as if, with very little more encouragement, it would burst forth with great luxuriance. There are even now some very pretty little patches of green. Two or three miles of this, and then alternating myall scrubby trees and open plains. There are not so many indications of stone for the first twelve miles as we have .seen on other days ; and there is not a stick of timber suital)le for railway purposes all the way ; even the trees on the banks of the Barcoo, which we have folloAved the whole distance, are stunted myall, &c., of little or no value. Now and then there are patches of water-worn, reddisli sort of gravel ; I do not know the depth. The absence of timber and ballast is conspicuous. In other respects, a line may be made on the surface, with easy gradients, wherever you like ; and I may be mistaken about the ballast. We have halted a little in the shade, at 9.30 a.m., to let the others come up. The country looks a little more un- dulating ahead ; and on the spurs and knobs there may be some stone. After Avaiting half an hour we just sighted our party, and proceeded for about four or five miles over undulating, open plains, on the rises of which there was a show of limestone and a lot of water-worn pel )bly stone spread over the surface. We came to some lightly-timbered country, and in a very short time we were on the south bank of the Barcoo. Here, as is the case of all other rivers, there are indications of rapid running floods. The bed of the river is mostly dry sand, with occasional waterholes. There are no evidences of very high floods, not more than fifteen or twenty feet above the bed of the river; Init this would flood the country on the south side to a very consideraljle extent; the evidences are rather of rapid than very high floods. There are some large whitegums liere on the river, and a few sleepers may be got from the myall and other trees if, indeed, the timber be of any durability. There is blackbutt and coolibar, but neither of them is of much use except for firewood. There is an hotel at Northampton, thirty-seven miles from Tambo, and thirty-eight miles from Blackall. We found a fair camping place on south bank of the river, about two miles west from Northampton, at aliout 1.30 p.m., and the barometer was 1120 ft. The police and Mr. Wyatt and ]Mr. Baynes remained behind to get some hoi'ses from Enniskillen Station. They ari'ived here about 7 p.m., having left the fresh horses in a paddock at the hotel, as they were troulilesome. It may be that in estimating the rapidity of the water in the Barcoo and other rivers, I may not have made sufficient allowance for the extreme friability of the soil, which is much more disastrously acted upon l>y running water than even in Victoria. 14: QUEENSLAND fRANSCOJ^TINENTAl, RAILWAY. Tuesday, February 8. — At 7 a.m., the barometer at Camp IG read 1020 ft. Started at 7.30 a.m. sharp, altogether, except the new horses, which liad not come from the hotel. Nice open plains, and these lightly timbered, with patches of scrul). As we near Northampton Station, the country looks better; and, although there is not a great abundance of grass at present, there are evidences of plenty at times; there are, also, nice refi'eshing pools of water all the way for miles, but these are, I think, simply due to the late rains. We stopped about an hour at the station, and there, or near there, the new eight horses joined us. Rather a nice-looking lot. We also got one from the station, apparently a good one, but with the reputation of being able to buck. We crossed the bed of the river immediately after leaving the station, and proceeded on the north side. The land looks good enough, but the large open, level plains are completely bare: not a blade of grass, and very few trees or shrubs of any sort. Wretched-looking country at the present time; but, no doubt, well grassed sometimes. There is the appearance of stone here and there. I am still puzzled as to whether it is basalt or limestone. Some of it is coarse sandstone. No matter, it is good ballast. Waited an hour, about noon, on the road, under a shady tree, to try and catch sight of party, but could not. Came on to Chinaman's garden, four miles from Blackall. No sign of feed, but some on the river two miles off. The country continues flat and bare all the way, and there are occasion- ally appearances of stone; but the timber is very poor. Reached the China- man's garden at about 3.30 p.m. There is a nephew of J. Thornloe Smith's at Murphy's station, as storekeeper or something, called Dalby. At 4.15 p.m., the party turned up, but no inspector, nor Baynes, nor Wyatt. We fixed on a camping place, but the horses have to go two miles towards Blackall to the police-paddock. We cannot camp there because we cannot get near the water with the waggon; not nearer than we are here at this Camp 17. Barometer at 4.30 p.m., 1010 ft.; near Chinaman's garden, four miles from Blackall, and about a mile or so north of the River Barcoo, on a lagoon of dirty-looking water. We are camping under the advice of the constable in the absence of the inspector. AVednesday, February 9. — Two of the horses missing this morning, the two that came home late last night. Inspector Ahearn came to the camp about 10.30 a.m., bringing a lot of letters, some nearly a month old. He drove me to the township. Called at telegraph ofiice and sent telegrams. Had luncli at O'Malley's Hotel, and remained to write some letters. Then drove home in Ahearn's buggy, which he has kindly lent me. A pretty heavy thunderstorm about 10 p.m. Thursday, February 10. — In camp all day; writing letters and preparing second progress report. Mr. Wyatt and Mr. Baynes in Blackall. Friday, February 11. — As yesterday, trouble about horses constantly straying for want of feed. In Blackall in afternoon. Mr. Hann arrived by coach, and will come to camp to-morrow morning. Called at survey oflice to examine maps ; telegraphed for some. Several letters (private). Saturday, February 12. — Drove to Blackall in the morning. Mr. Hann came out to lunch and began to look into things. He fancies that, as he has another black boy, we can do without a groom, having assistance from Mr. Baynes and Mr. Wyatt. Dro^•e to Blackall again in the afternoon. Saw Inspector Murray, arranged to shift camp to-moirow, for a short distance, to where there is better feed. Bad accounts about water and feed fui'ther north; ROMA TO POINT PARKER, GULP OF CARPENTARIA. 15 but travellers exaggerate. Mr. Hann brouglit me two thermometers, a prismatic compass, and a book of tables from iJrisbaue. Sunday, February 13. — Writing letters for an hour or two in the morning. Mr. Hann came about 11.30 a.m. and liad a look at some of the horses. At 1 p.m. we started the camp and drove to within about fifteen miles from Blackall, towards Aramac. I left the camp (No. 18) there, and went on about four miles to Inspector Murray's quarters. The country through which we have passed to-day is not very prepossessing ; it is bare, but the soil is good, and there are remnants of "Mitchell grass," which only wants rain to brinf forth feed in abundance. We saw very little stone on our way, but there must be some, as the formation is similar to that on Avhicli we saw lots of limestone and sandstone before. The timber is of very little value — in fact, all the way the want of timber is the great difficulty. Monday, February 14. — Saw some limestone in Mr. Inspector INIurray's garden, and found the place on the bank whence it came ; there appears to be plenty there. Left Mx\ Murray's at 9 a.m. Drove to Camp 18, near Junction Hotel, changed horses, and then drove with Mr. Hann into Blackall. Got telegrams from Mr, Morrisett about horses (thirteen) sent away from Roma to catch us at, say, Aramac, and from Mr. Grey about weather in the North. Called at different stores and paid bills, (ire. Drove to camp in the evening ; caught in a dust-storm on the way, and had a little rain. Tuesday, February 15. — Barometer, 680 ft.; thermometer, 85°, at 6 a.m. The horses had strayed and we did not get away till 8.30 a.m. All the pack- horses are fresh ones; and one, a determined buckjumper, struggled with his pack soon after we started, and eventually got rid of it. Mr. Hann returned Mr. Ahearn's buggy, leaving it at the Junction Hotel, to be called for to- morrow. For the first two or three miles it is open plain, and tolerable feed. Mitchell grass waiting for a little rain to be very plentiful ; better now than in a good many places where we have camped. Then a mile or two of stunted scrub and no grass. About five or six miles from the camp we left this morning we crossed a considerable creek ; not much water in it now. Can it be the Dismal Creek 1 Shortly afterwards another small one ; then country looking better at every step, but little or no useful timber except at the creeks, where, perhaps, some sleepers might be obtained. There is some blackbutt and coolibar. At about seven miles there is a very fine waterhole, in a sort of creek ; here we saw some sheep — the first stock we have seen to-dav. For the first seven miles I did not see any stone, but afterwards, at frequent intervals along the road, limestone is cropping up, and I am sure plenty will be found. There is abundance of feed, and a good many sheep scattered about in small lots. Magnificent rolling-downs, extending for miles and miles, all equal to anything to be found in Riverina, or, indeed, anywhere else. Came upon some water about noon and made a halt, as we have fifteen miles further to go before camping. Altogether we have seen com- paratively little stock considering it is such splendid country. After a spell of a couple of hours we started again. The country for the next twelve miles is not so good, at least the feed is not so. Stone still frequently cropping up, limestone, but some of it very soft and flakey ; it peels off" in cakes about one inch in thickness, like I have seen granite and basalt bouldex's do in Victoria, like an onion. . At about 4.30 p.m. we found a pretty fair camping place, on what is called the Home Creek. Feed not very first-class, still a good deal better than some we have to be contented with. There is some very soft limestone on this creek ; it will crumble with your fingers, but fizzes on the application 16 QUEENSLAND TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILWAY. of acid. Barometer, on roaclilng Camp 19, 700 ft.; thermometer, nearly all clay in a box, about 87"; but a delightfully cool breeze. Our course has been nearly due north, and the distance about twenty-two or twenty-three miles. Found we had camped very near the Home Creek head station, belonging to Mr. George Fairbairn, of Melbourne, managed by a Mr. Johnston, assisted by Mr. Carey. From the map it is 145" L5' E., and 23° 54' S. It appears that what is called "triodia," on the map, is the same as the spinif ex ; and we are told we shall see lots of gidyah, large enough for sleepers, along the Alice River ; it is said to be excellent timber for lasting and from 9 in. to 1 2 in. in diameter. Mr. Hann and I spent an hour at the station. Wednesday, February 16. — Barometer, GOO ft.; thermometer, 76^° — at 7 a.m. Two of the horses missing; but I got away at 7.30 a.m., leaving the others to follow. For several miles the country is open, or very thinly- timbered plains, with plently of limestone cropping up. The ground is bare near the track, but there are patches of feed not far off', and fine-looking downs in the distance. The soil is good, fit to grow anything; but what is to be done with the produce 1 Very little stock is to be seen anywhere, occasionally a few emus. We passed close to the head-station soon after leaving camp. It appears it is exclusively devoted to sheep, at least it is essentially a sheep-station. About nine miles from Home Creek we came upon a splendid waterhole on a creek that must be a tributary of the Alice River, and immediately we headed the waterhole we crossed the creek. The country is very bare, scarcely a blade of grass — too much travelled ; but the soil is rich, as there is a fenced paddock close by where there is abundance of feed. We now pursue a north-east course, and I fancy parallel with the Alice River. I tried to find the river, but could not. A lot of saltbush in the timber, which fringes the plain over which our track runs. It appears that the large watei'hole we saw at nine miles is on the Home Creek, which falls into the Alice River, but some distance off. After this, the country becomes a little more thickly timbered, and I fancy some of the timber may be useful. There is a good deal of a sort of box, and some very white-barked gum. I am afraid the latter is very soft. The country within five or six miles of our midday spell is very heavy for travelling — very sandy. It is called the desert; why, I do not know. There certainly is not much grass, but the trees and shrubs all look fresh and healthy enough. We found good water and good feed, and have only about eight miles to do after lunch. Started again at 1.45 p.m.; the country is slightly rangey for a mile or two, and no grass ; then very sandy; but the trees look healthy, and we meet with the first spinifex or triodia grass — not bad looking. After a few miles we come to a small creek, in the waterworn parts of which are indications of gravel, say about 1' 0" thick, and also limestone cropping out. The country is more thickly timbered, and some of the timber might be useful; there is a sprinkling of ironbark, box, and bloodwood. To get here, we have made a considerable detour: the first day from Camp 18 we bore about 25'' west of north; then today at least thirty miles considerably east of north. I cannot see why the line may not go sti-aight from Blackall to Aramac. It is quite ten miles from where we had dinner to the Camp, No. 20. It has looked like rain all day. Hope to get to Aramac before it sets in. The Alice River, which we have followed for the last six or seven miles, evidently brings down a lot of water in time of flood. Our Camp No. 20 is on its south bank. Barometer on arrival, 680 ft.; thermometer, 85°. Barcaldine Station near here. Thursday, February 17. — Barometer, 590 ft.; thermometer, 80°, at 7 a.m. ROMA TO POINT PARKER, GULP OF CARPENTARIA. 17 Got a pretty fair start at 7.30 a.m.; but one of the leading horses set to jibbing, and had to be changed into a wheeler. We crossed the River Alice immediately. Then, for a mile or so, the country is very bare and poor. Then we went through a patcli of gidyah timber or scrub, about lialf a mile, miserable stuff, not a stick amongst it worth twopence. Then for miles over tine open and slightly undulating downs with plenty of feed, and a great lot of sheep spread about all the way. Occasional patches of scruliby timber and bushes, myall, gidyah and sandalwood. Not much stone showing on surface : occasional patches ; and, from the nature of the soil, plenty not far oli". We can see a long distance to the right, all the same sort of country ; nothing, as far as I can judge, to prevent a line going straight from Blackall to Arainac. Met some drays, with a steam-engine and some machinery, about fifteen miles from camp, going to Barcaldine Station for sheep-washing. Came, about four or live miles further, to a dam; but no feed near it. It is pretty close to a station on which Mr. Brown is manager; but, as there is no feed near, decided upon going on twelve miles further after lunch. The plains or downs over which we have come to-day are as fine as any we have seen; but rain is very badly wanted. After the midday halt we came for about six miles over very hne plains, badly wanting rain. Then a little timber for a couple of miles, and poorer land. A couple of miles further, we crossed the telegraph line when it was bearing N. 20' E., our course being about N.E. We crossed it at a point twenty poles from where it had turned suddenly to the right in its course towards Aramac. Two miles further, and we came to a dam with plenty of water. Mr. Hann, on his way, heard that there had been a lot of I'ain north of Aramac, and that the Thompson was four miles wide. This was confirmed by a man we saw at the dam; but he says there is no feed near Aramac — none within twelve miles this side and seventeen miles the other. We must, therefore, go to twelve miles this side of Aramac to-morrow, and seventeen beyond on Saturday. The water in the dam is very slightly brackish. There is difficulty about getting meat. Barometer at Camp 21, 710 ft. Saw the first "flock" pigeons. A gi-eat lot came to the water, and nine were killed at a shot. I am told that sometimes thirty are killed at a shot. They are as tough as leather or the Gippsland lyi'ebird. Friday, February 18. — Camp No. 21. Barometer, 580 ft.; thermometer at 7 a.m., 85° This is Coreena Station, belonging to Mr. De Satge. His boundary-rider came to breakfast, a character of fifty years' standing, once condemned to death for killing blacks, roasting piccaninnies alive, itc, and once five years for something else. Got a good start at 7.15 a.m., and came over fine open plains for about six miles. Have crossed the telegraph line twice, its bearing each time being about N. 10° E. There is not much feed, but the soil is good, only waiting for rain. There are indications of stone all the way, but no timber very near ; and that which fringes the plain looks scrubby. We crossed a fence near this six miles from camp; and, shortly after, shot and skinned a young brown kangaroo. This occupied about half an hour, and by that time the packhorse party came up. For about a mile the open plains continue, then about a mile of miserable-lookin<>' scrub, myall, gidyah, &c.; but not a blade of grass. Then open plains for about four miles, when we I'eached the woolshed, which is said to be twelve miles from our last camp ; and we have six miles further to go to our camping place, which is 12 miles from Aramac. The plain we have lately come over is not very well ofi" for feed, evidently waiting for rain, as the soil appears good, and there is limestone. After passing the woolshed, the track makes a sharp turn to the left from about N.E. to N. 10° W. This continues for five c 18 QUEENSLAND TRASCONTINENTAL RAILWAY. miles, when we turned sharp to the right for a mile, which brought us to a waterhole on a creek, said to be twelve miles from Aramac. This is Camp 22. Barometer at 11.30 a.m., 600 ft.; thermometer, 88° in box. The country from the woolslied is fine open plain ; pretty fair feed in some places, but badly wanting rain. The camping-place is very bai'e, and the water dirty, Mr. Hann rode into Aramac, and returned about 9 p.m., bringing me a telegram from Mr. Barron, but no letters. We have to go fifteen miles beyond Aramac to-morrow for horse-feed. This Camp (22) is on the Aramac Creek. I find we can follow the Landsborough Creek, as there is feed and water. Saturday, February 19.— Barometer, 540 ft.; thermometer, 78°, at 7.20 a.m. Got a good start at 7. -40 a.m. Got out of the paddock at about 8 a.m. Then tine open plains several miles across, for about seven miles. Very little feed, but good soil waiting for rain. Then for several miles scrub, stunted myall, gidyah, and a few sandalwood bushes, but not a blade of grass to be seen. At about fourteen miles we came to Aramac, having crossed the line of telegraph twice at short intervals. At the first crossing it was bearing 320°, and at the second, 310°. Aramac is a decent little town ; we got there about 11 a.m. Called at the bank and telegraph office, sent several telegrams, and arranged about the forwarding of future letters. Mr. Sheaffe, through some storekeeper at Aramac, wants to accompany the party ; referred him to Colonial Secretary. Find we have fifteen miles further to go. Started about 2 p.m., after getting lunch at the hotel. The landlord lent me his buggy for a few days, and I drove it on to the camp, where, as usual, we found not a blade of grass, and none within a couple of miles. The police have not given us information as they ought. Got to Camp 23 about 5 p.m. Barometer, 680 ft.; thermometer, 99°. A long and tiresome journey. Find the coach starts for Withersfield at 5 a.m. on Wednesdays ; and returns, starting from Withersfield, on Thursday. Engaged box-seat for next Wednesday. Stone on surface scarce all day, but it is below, no doubt. The country we came over, after lunch, for about fourteen miles, is good, open plains, little or no feed, suftering from drought ; then miserable scrub, myall and gidyah — not a blade of grass, but good water. We crossed the Aramac Creek immediately before reaching the township ; it has a lot of water at times, no doubt, like all the others. Our camp is close to the point where the Muttaburra and Bowen Downs roads diverge. There is a Chinaman's garden close at hand, from which vegetables may be got, cabbages, onions, radishes, &c. Anything can be made to grow anywhere ; capital, babour, patience, and industry are all that is wanted. Sunday, February 20. — Got up with the intention of doing a lot of writin^i- to-day, but stupidly ate some bad sardines for breakfast, and in about an hour was taken dreadfully bad, vomiting and purging at a fearful rate. In about an hour I was completely prostrated, hardly able to stand without holdin" on. Not a drop of stimulant of any kind in the camp. Mr. Hann sent to the nearest out-station, " Stainburn," and fortunately got some whisky, which revived me ; and I soon went to sleep, and by-and-bye awoke perfectly well, except being very weak. There was no writing done that day. Arran"-ed that Mr. Hann should drive me to Aramac to-morrow, so as to be able to shift the camp on towards Muttaburra on Tuesday, as there is said to be better feed there. Monday, February 21, — Left the camp at the junction of the Muttaburra and Bowen Downs roads, about fifteen miles from Aramac, having pretty ROMA TO POINT PARKER, GULP OP CARPENTARIA, 19 •well recovered from my illness of yesterday. Mr. Hann drove me to Aramac on my way to go l)y coach to Witherstield, This is a day sooner than I need have gone, but there is no feed where the camp now is, and it is desirable to get on to Mount Cornish. I occupied myself all the afternoon in writing up a lot of letters which were in arrears, in attending to telegrams, itc, &c. In the evening there was a little rain, and it looks as if there was to be a " fall," but not much came of it ; there was, however, a good deal a few miles off. The l)arometer when I left the camp this morning read 490 feet. Tuesday, February 22. — Barometer this morning read 470 ft. In-door.s all day, writing and telegraphing. Could not account for a telegram from Colonial Secretary asking nie for report, until I ascertained that he had not received my No. 2, sent from Blackall. He could not have received it, because, as it was not posted until 11th, it could not leave Blackall before 16th, or reach Brisbane before 23rd or 24th. Received diary and letter-book from the camp in the evening, so as to be able to report from Blackall to Aramac if required, instead of from Blackall to Muttaburra. But can see now that there will be no necessity, as No. 2 Report will no doubt Ije received to-morrow. Wednesday, February 23. — Up before 5 a.m. The rain all gone ofF, but fancy there has been some towards the north. Got a good start by the coach at 6 a.m. Barometer, 540 ft. The first mile or so, as far as Pelican Creek, is open plain, good soil, but no grass. Then commences what is called the "Desert," a miserable country, open sandy plains, alternating with wretched gidyah, scrubby trees, and miserable sandalwood. Some of the gidyah trees are larger than any I have seen before, being ten or twelve inches in diameter, but very hollow and defective. I saw plenty Ijefore crossing the Pelican Creek, but none afterwards, and nothing but Avretched sand ; not a Ijlade of grass anywhere ; l)ut there has been much more rain than at Aramac ; lots of pools of water and lots of debris. They say that the country is at times flooded for miles to a depth three or four feet, and running fast. At fourteen miles we changed horses. No house, only a bush yard. Barometer, 550 ft, at 8.20 a.m. For about six miles after changing horses the country continues level, miserable desert, wath a few salt-bush stumps here and there. At about six mUes we pass out of the big paddock, and the country begins presently to rise. It is still very heavy travelling, sandy, but looking a little greener ; the grass, however, is spinifex, said by some to be valueless, but by others to be very good feed when young, after being burned down by bush-fires, for horses and cattle. The timber is somewhat diflferent. There are a few very white-barked gums and some good-sized gidyah trees. About eleven miles from end of first stage, or twenty-five miles from Aramac, we came upon some stone, a sort of sandstone, the first since Pelican Creek. The country all the way looks fresh and green, but still spinifex. We have been rising pretty regularly for the last six miles, and have now reached a height of 960 ft., then level to the end of the second stage, 28 miles from Aramac. The country here for the last two miles is very sin- gular, with the appearance of having been a large lake for two or three miles in each direction. It is nearly level, and is surrounded, except at frequent breaks, by cliffs of sandstone, in some cases thirty or forty feet in perpendi- cular height. The stone varies ; some is very soft, and there is mixed with it some conglomerate, also very soft. No doubt good ballast might be found amongst it, and Mithout much trouVile, because there is a good bold face. There is a garden here, in which potatoes and other vegetables grow readily. 20 QUEENSLAND TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILWAY. The barometer at the refreshment place (we liad dinner here at about 10.20 a.m., 2s. 6d.) at 11 a.m. read 960 ft. There is a government dam here. The horses Avhich brought us over the first stage, fourteen miles, had to be driven here, fourteen miles more, to be fed on oats, ic, and those which brought us over the second stage had to be driven from here fourteen miles this morning. This is because there is no reliable water at the end of the first stage. By the time we got here the poor things were completely done up. There has scarcely been a stick of useful timber all the way from Aramac ; still the ranges al)out here look as if tliey could supply some sleepers, ttc. After starting again with a fresh team the ground rises 1 70 ft. in about two miles, making 1113 ft. It still continues to rise, Init not so rapidly. At seven miles from Greyrock, where we changed, the elevation reached 1340 ft. This was the summit ; it then falls rapidly fully 100 ft. in less than a mile. During the first two miles, the l)lutts, whose tops are about horizontal, gradually died out. At the summit the same kind of sandstone formation sliows up boldly. Up to this the land looks good, and capable of growing anything under cultivation, but there is spinifex grass all the way, and it really does not look bad. After passing the summit the descent at first is rapid, but then gradual for many miles, and there is a sprinkling of ironbark, from which a good many sleepers might be got. Then a few box- trees, and what is called the appletree, and now and then bloodwood. Grass is better ; the spinifex seems to have disappeared. We arrived at the next place for changing horses at 1.45 p.m., but there wore no horses there. Barometer at this place and time read 1000 ft. We could not wait for horses, and had to come on with the same team about five miles, to a hotel (Texas) at the " Dry Alice," whei^e we took the horses out for half an hour and had another dinner (.5s. 6d.) (We had had one at 10.30 at the Grey- rock.) We also fed the horses. We have six miles more to go to the next changing place. Level country, fair feed, and a good sprinkling of ironbark and box for several miles before we reached the "Dry Alice" and the Texas Hotel, kept by J. Richardson. Barometer at Texas at 3 p.m. equal 9G0 ft., same as at Greyrock. At changing place, between " Dry" and "Wet Alices," at 4.40 p.m., barometer, 1050 ft. We have come .six miles through dead level country. Some iroiibark, box and a sprinkling of curragong, with very good feed all the way. I have not seen any stone, but .there is great abun- dance between the Greyrock and the Texas Hotel. From the last changing place to " Springers," the next stage, which is about ten miles, the country is flat. We ran up the Alice and presently crossed it, the river running from our right to our left, and all the way the country is gradually rising. There is plenty of timber and stone, and, although spinifex, the feed looks dry. The horses and cattle are fat, all from spinifex. The land is admirably adapted for cultivation, setting aside the question of market. We got to Springers, where there is a comfortable hotel, at 6 p.m, and decided to stop here instead of going twelve miles further on to-night, and to have an early start to make up in the morning. Barometer at G p.m. is 1230 ft. N.B, — A main line from Blackall to Aramac crosses the Alice river, the river run- ning from right to left ; a road from Aramac to Witherstield crosses the Jumpup Range, afterwards crossing the Alice River, running from left to right. It follows, therefore, that a line may be run from Withersfield to the main line without crossing either the Jumpup Range or Alice River. The waters of the Alice go into the Barcoo. Thursday, February 24.— Barometer at 5.20 a.ni., at .starting, 1140 ft. Got a good start about 5.30 a.m.; and, with a ripping team, came over about ten miles to the Greenhill Hotel (kept by Mr. Penhallunck) by 6.45 a.m. ROMA TO POINT PARKER, GULF OP CARPENTARIA. ^1 On our way we crossed the dividing range, at an elevation of about 1240 ft,, but the rise is imperceptible, and so also is the fall. At the "Greenhill" the barometer read 1040 ft. There is plenty of ironbark timber and stone all the way, and the soil appears good. There is abundance of feed, spinifex it may be ; but the horses we have l)een driving arc; quite fat and frisky on spinifex. Apart from this, it is good agricultural land, wherever circumstances require or justify it. The water from here goes into the Burdekin River and into the sea at Townsville. We had breakfast here at 7 p.m. We passed a lot of green timber called "yellow jacket," said to be tough and good; it is of suitable size, 12 in. to 18 in. in diameter. From this to the next stage, " Rocky," Ave pass over rangey country, but the spurs are of no height. For a considerable distance we follow the Rocky Creek. The land is poor, but there is plenty of stone and timber, ironbark, yellow jacket, box, &c.; not much feed. We reached Rocky at 8.40 a.m. (barometer, 905 ft.), twelve miles from last stage (at Greenhill Hotel). At Sandy Creek at 10.30 a.m. (barometer, 830 ft.), over level ground. Plenty of timber, bloodwood, ironbark, blackbutt ; some stone ; and fair feed and good soil. The change of horses is one mile further on ; a stockyard on the road. Reached Surbiton (thirteen miles) at 1 p.m. Barometer, 800 ft. For the last seven or eight miles we have come over, which is called " Surbiton Flat," rich laud and no timber, only a very few ironl)ark saplings. There is basalt cropping up in many places, plenty of it, and Mount Surbiton, a short distance oft', has no doubt plenty of basalt, at anyrate plenty of stone. Surbiton has only one house, the "Surbiton" Hotel; it is on the Companion Creek, before coming to the Surlnton Flats. There was plenty of good timber, ironbark, hardwood, and blackbutt. Arrived at the "Sunny Hills,'"' where we stop, at 5.15 p.m., after a long, tiresome stage of about eighteen miles, through uninteresting and barren-looking country. Plenty of stone, and, generally, plenty of timber, ironbark, bloodwood, blackbutt, gidyah, brigalow, sandalwood, &c. On our way we crossed several water-courses, dry now, but evidently Hooded sometimes. We crossed the Companion Creek immediately after Surbiton ; then, eight miles on, the Belyando River ; and, in three miles more, tlie May Creek ; both these are difficult. Barometer, on arrival at 9.15 p.m., 930 ft. at Sunny Hills. The stone on surface here is limestone. We had taken otf our boots and socks, and were preparing for bed, when, about 9 p.m., a message came to the efiect that the coach from Withersfield towards Aramac had completely broken down forty miles from here, and the driver had ridden on to ask us to at once proceed to relieve the passengers. There was nothing for it but to yoke up and that at once, which we did, travelling all through the dark night. The moon did not get up before 2 a.m. Of course, I saw nothing of the country till daylight, but it Avas all loA'el and liglitly-timbered. We changed horses once or twice, but I was dreadfully tired and sleepy. From dayliglit to 8 a.m. we travelled through nice-looking country, lightly timbered, with occasional patches of limestone cropping out. We changed horses at the Teresa Creek, and I found, much to my surprise, we were crossing the Drummond Range. You can scarcely call it a range at all ; just a series of little spurs, which Avould not require seven ft. of bank or cutting. The creeks no doubt must haA'e attention ; and thei'e are several pretty considerable ones. At about 8 a.m. Ave came upon the broken doAvn coach and the passengers, Avho had been there for about eighteen liours. We put them into our coach, and they started toAvards Aramac. We haA^e to Avait Avhilst Johnny, " the driA-er," goes somewhere for a buggy to take us on. I found there Avas an hotel six miles on, and decided to Avalk to it, so as to get some refreshment. There were &ve passengers. I and another walked on, the others remained. The 22 QUEENSLAND TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILWAY. highest point I noticed on the Drummond Range was 1040 ft., and Smith's Hotel at Tomahawk Creek, which I reached at 10.45, read 950 ft. I got some breakfast and had a good rest. The country is all ironbark, undulating ground until within a mile of Smith's, then level plain with moderate brigalow scrub. The soil all the Avay is good, and there is plenty of limestone and sandstone conglomerate. Just exactly at 4 p.m. the buggy hove in sight, and after the driver and passengers had liad some refreshment, we made a start with a capital team of horses. There are two routes ; by one the distance is twenty-four miles, by the other thirty-eight miles. We did the first stage, about twelve miles, in very little more than an hour. About six miles on we crossed a small creek, where there is plenty of granite cropping up. This is the first granite I have seen. The country all the way looks splendid — fresh and green, plenty of feed, moderately timbered, mostly with ironbark of suth- cient size to be useful for railway purposes. At twelve miles stage a dis- cussion arose as to whether we should take the new track, sixteen miles, or the old one, twenty-eight miles. It was now 6 p.m., and as we could get a guide we decided to try the new. I was afraid we would not reach Withersfield by 8 p.m. We rushed along at a gi-eat pace for an hour and a half, then it began to get dark. We crossed several large creeks fortunately before it got dark. But presently things began to look queer; it was ex- tremely difficult to find any track, and we had literally to grope our way. We had fortunately amongst the passengers a Mr. Rowe, a squatter from the Landsboro' Creek ; but for him we must have camped, and after travelling as we had been for the last twenty -four hours, under, in some cases, difficult circumstances, we were not very fit. However, by-and-bye we struck the main track, about what the driver called four miles from Withersfield. It was a dreary long four miles, and we very nearly got upset more than once. However, we got in just at 10 p.m., all pretty completely done up. It was dark for the last two hours, and I could not see anything of the country, but there appeared to be some very fine timber; we could occasionally feel some stone too. Withersfield is a wretched place, or else I am very tired. The barometer on our arrival read 725 ft. I got a pretty good sleep. Saturday, February 26. — Barometer, 690 ft., say 700 ft. Got breakfast in good time, and left Withersfield by train at about 8.30 a.m. They are not particular to a few minutes. Found from the station-master that Mr. Ballard, the chief engineer, had made provision for me to ride on the engine. I see the sleepers are all half-round ironbark, seven feet long, and about 10x5 in. They are only two feet centre to centre. Here very little ballast is used, only three or four inches under the sleepers. The ballast is of various descriptions — basalt, freestone, limestone, and broken to 2|-in. gauge. The rails are steel, and about 42 lbs. per yard. The gauge, 3 ft. 6 in. At Emerald I was met by Mr. Ballard, and his principal assistant, Mr. Hannan, who, I find, was at one time with my brother, G. H. W., on the Kyneton deviation and other surveys. Mr. Ballard was exceedingly atten- tive; indeed, they ])oth were. I had been afraid of a little jealousy. Nothing of the sort. I came on the engine a great part of the way, and had an opportunity of seeing some of the "low level" water provision. If I had any hesitation before, I think there is none now. The Nogoa and Comet rivei's are crossed at the low level, the water passing over them to a depth of many feet. I fancy Mr. Ballard said 16 to 20 feet. The gradients approaching the bridges on either side are steep ; I think 1 in 25 or 30 ; but they are fairly well dealt with. Mr. Ballard has adopted the parabola for his change of gradient as well as for his horizontal curves, instead of the circle, and with great success. Riding on the engine I could not, of course, see much of the ROMA TO POINT PARKER, GULP OF CARPENTARIA. 23 bridges; but the impression left on my mind is that loss timber would do the work, and ofter less obstruction to the water. I think, too, the ironwork of the points would pay for examining. I do not think there is enough iron- work at the joints, or else there is too much timber all the way. Mr. Ballard intimated to me that he and Mr. Hannan had offered to undertake the survey of the Transcontinental Line. Had, in fact, told Mr. Mcllwraith they were willing to do so. From what I saw of them both, I am sure they could do it successfully; it would be absurd to import English engineei'S for the survey, at anyrate; they would be nowhere. Mr. Ballard left me at " Dingo ;" and, as we met what is called the "up "-train here, he returned to Emerald. After this I came on the engine with Mr. Hannan, and passed over a very remarkable flat. For about eight miles the line has been under water to a depth of 12 or 14 feet; not exactly running water, but back water. The great flood was in 1875. There were four or five lives lost, and Mr. Hannan pointed out to me where he buried the bodies, viz., at about the " flood level;" most absurd to look at it now. There are several dams on the line; I think, eight ; some of masonry, others are simply the railway bank, with some precautions in the way of puddle-walls, &c. It is refreshing to see dams anywhere. Water is the great want of the colony. At Westwood I met the station-master, one of the first men who joined my survey party in 18.54, Walter Thomson, a friend of Zeal's and Swyers'. Mr. Hannan left me when we reached his oflice on the line. We got to E-ockhampton at about 6.30 p.m., and Mr. McEacharn was waiting for me on the platform. Several of the citizens had called and left cards; and I met the mayor and others during the evening, but the last two or three days of travelling have taken it out of me, and I was glad to retire early. The barometer read 150 ft. below zero, or 29.85 in. We had a smart shower on our way, about twenty miles from Rockhampton, and it looks like rain. I find from Mr. Ballard that the elevation of Withersfield is about 1000 feet above their datum, which is 100 feet below the doorstep of Rockhampton Gaol, or near "high-water level." My reading of Withersfield was about 700 feet, i.e., taking 927 feet for Charleville, and making no allowance for variation of the atmos- phere. I find the sleepers cost from 3s. to 4s. 6d. each, and th« ballast about the same per cubic yard. Mr. Ballard gave me a photograph map showing the country all the way from Blackall to Richmond Downs, on the Flinders River, except about 2° of latitude, t'.e., between 20i° and 22^"; scale, 16 miles to one inch. From this I see a line has been surveyed from Withersfield to the main track from Blackall to Aramac, meeting it near Barcaldine Head Station, where we crossed the Alice River; and I am told it is a very easy section, excepting the crossing of the Drummond Range: the length, 367, — 197 miles =170 miles. The telegraph line on this line from Blackall to Aramac is shown quite straight; and I can see no reason why the line should not be made quite straight. It would save a good many miles. There is a grand iron bridge over the Fitzroy River at Rock- hampton just now completed. Mr. Byerly was the engineer. I must get some particulars from him. Sunday, February 27. — Had a really good night's rest. Heard it raining several times, and it rained nearly all day. It had been arranged that I should be driven to Gracemere to have lunch with Mr. Archer and Mr. Byerly, &c.; but the weather was too bad. I spent most of the day with Mr. McEacharn and Mr. Lambert. To my surprise, found a card on my table, "H. Cadogan Campbell." It looks as if the drought had broken up, and the wet season set in. The barometer has fallen a little. I ought to be glad of the wet weather, but do not like the prospect of a coach journey in 24 QUEENSLAND TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILWAY. the rain or its uncertainty; but there is no use in meeting difficulties half way. Monday, February 28. — Showers all day. A lot of people called upon me. I was asked by the Chamber of Commerce to inspect the country from Rockhampton to Deep Water, but declined, as my visit was unofficial ; and, besides, what I have seen of Mr. Ballard leads me to believe the matter would be perfectly safe in his hands, ably assisted, as he would be, by Mr. Hannan. My intended visit to the "lions" of the town — the hospital, the grammar- school, orphanage, waterworks, &c., was postponed until to-morrow in conse- quence of the weather. I had lunch with Mr. Byerly, and a lot of the leading citizens, at the Leichardt Hotel; and I had a walk over the Fitzroy Bridge with Mr. Byerly. It is an imposing structure; but, of course, I could not go into details. I believe it is the only suspension bridge in the colonies. I am to have a description sent to me. Mr. McEacharn has given me a photograph of it. The cost has been, T believe, about £53,000, and the length is nearly 1000 feet. Tuesday, March 1. — Showery all day. Called at a photographer's, and got some photos, taken. I drove round with the mayor, and a lot of the leading citizens, to the various public institutions: the hospital, grammar- school, orphanage, waterworks, &c. Cannot venture on a description. Every- thing most satisfactory, painfully clean and orderly. Then had luncheon with his worship and some good company. Got some writing done in the afternoon; and, in the evening, met a goodly array at a dinner given by Mr. McEacharn. I cannot attempt to describe the hospitality of the Rockhamp- ton people; it is simply "excessive," at the same time not "oppressive." You may do as you like. I determined to get away by train tomoiTOw, not- withstanding telegrams to say the rain was heavy, and I would, probably, be detained at Withersfield ; but I want to be in a position to take the earliest chance of getting forward. I wish to be with my party. I do not like them to be camping out whilst I am under a roof, Wednesday, March 2. — I got away by the first train in good time. Several of my friends came to see me off. I am pleased to see them take an interest in the work on which I am engaged ; to this, perhaps, I have to attribute their kindness to me. They evidently do feel an interest, and they are instinctively kind and hospitable. I met Mr. Ballard at Emerald; he is not at all well. I explained to him my views about the line from Withersfield to the Main Line ; he gave me satisfactory explanations as to the choosing of the route and accepted my suggestions most kindly ; he gave me some further useful information, and some sections, &c. We got to Withersfield in due course, and there is every appearance of some rain; per- haps it is unfortunate ; I don't know. Thursday, March 3. — The weather looks dreadful ; rain, rain, rain. It cannot be helped, and perhaps it will help me on by-and-bye. But, oh ! such a wx'etched place to stop, and yet it might be worse ; the roof is watertight, the food is good, the beds are clean, the bedrooms are small, the way to which is across a very muddy yard, and the rain patters provokingly on the iron roof, Queensland is great for teaching patience. I don't think I have ever been in such a fix before, and it has come about in such a;n unexpected and un- accountable way. I never dreamt of it. In reply to a telegram sent to Aramac this morning, I received : — "Raining since Saturday last, Q^ inches fallen. No mails in from west, Rockhampton mails stopped here, unable to cross the ROMA TO POIXT PARKER, GULF OP CARPENTARIA. 2') creeks. Believe rain <,'ciieral.'' 'I'liis from tlic. telegraph master at Aramac. There is some satisfaction in fe(;linft Melbourne until the time I reached Mount Cornish. I also sorted my things, taking only wliat I may actually require, and packing up the surplus to go to Brisbane by some opportunity. All is in a black port- manteau. We aJid it may possibly get to Brisbane about the same time. Wednesday, March 2."3.— After the usual bucking and jibbing, which has always to be gom; through after a spell, wo got well away at aV)out 9.30 a.m. All till! country from Mount Cornish Huts to Muttaburra appears to have been flooded. We crossed a lot of anabranches, and, by-and-bye, the Thompson River, which has a bridge over it. After some time, and having crossed more anabranches, we ])assed over the Landsborough, which also has a bridge over it. Both are evidently submerged many feet in time of flood, I noticed, at one or two of the anabranches, that fording-places have been made with stone, about two or three inches gauge, quite loose, and yet not a stone has been disturbed by the late floods, although the water must have been several feet deep over them. It seems the Mount Cornish Creek is called the Thompson after the Towerhill Creek has joined it, and the Thompson and the Lands])orough joined a])Out three miles below Muttaburra. Below the junc- tion would, no doubt, be the place for a bridge; but very great provision must l>e made for the water wherever it be built. I know of nothing in Victoria approaching it, the Wodonga Flat Ixnng the nearest, and that would not reijuire half so much water-way. After leaving Muttal)un'a, the country is stony for a mile or .so ; then heavy sand, light scrul) all the way for two or three miles, sandalwood, gidyah, &c.; then more lightly-timbered, with a mixture of Ijoree. This goes on alternately with flne open plains until the junction of the Ureeidiill and Kensington roads is reached, al)Out six or seven miles from Muttaburra. On our way I noticed some anthills, but did not see any on the road from Aramac to Mount Cornish. Plenty of stone all the way; a sort of broken-ujD and conglomerate. We had our lunch at the junction of the two roads ; and, immediately afterwards, the country began to improve. Up to this it has not Ijeen i:)repossessing. Now it becomes more open, and presently flne open grassy plains, a little sprinkling of timber, clusters of small trees or scrub. About twenty miles from Muttaburra, we camped on Bangall Creek, in a good-sized paddock. By this time it was 5 p.m., and beginning to rain a little, but not threatening much. When passing through Muttaburra, I sent a telegram to the Colonial Secretary, informing him of our start under what I considered favourable circumstances. Copy to l)e sent to Collier. When they will go to Aramac I don't know, as the; mail will not leave l>efore next Tuesday. On our way Ave crossed several small water- courses, but none of any consecjuence. We saw Mount Leichardt all the way on our right, and Mount Mitchell at a greater distance on our left. Thursday, March 24. — Came on to rain during the night, and rather heavy from about 3 a.m. until daylight, when it got a little better. We deter- mined to make an efl'ort to push forward; indeed, it was no choice, for at this our present camp (No. 26), if a flood came, we must be washed away, as the ground on which we camped was so near the creek (Bangall) that it has all been under water during the late floods, although high and dry now. It is not pleasant pi-eparing to start on a wet morning; however, we managed to get away about S.30 a.m. As the roads were bound to be heavy, Ave put in the new team of strong horses. They are only intended for emergencies. Tliey Avent splendidly ; slow, but sure. We seen got out of the paddock, and ROMA TO POINT PARKER, GULP OP CARPENTARIA. 2d went on for miles of good country, fine open plains, on which sheep have been feeding since the rain, and before the ground was dry. This detracts from its appearance, but the soil is there. We came presently to some fine rich flats, which have evidently been flooded recently. Then we crossed the Bangall Creek again. The flats have been flooded to a consideraljle depth. For a mile or two on each side; of the ci'eek, there arc fences of wire across the flat, and, at a consideraljle distance from the creek, there is debris left up to tlie second or third wire; and, when there is the slightest hollow, imper- ceptible almost to the eye, the water has gone over the top rail and left its mark. There is a dam near where we crossed the creek. It has been damaged by the recent flood. The injury appears to me always to happen at the ends, suthcient provision not l)eing made for the overflow. It is very ditticult to make this provision, as, if a byewash be cut, the original surface is disturbed, and the action of the water is frightful; the byewasli would soon be eaten down to the original level of the bed of the creek, in which case the dam would merely cause a diversion of the creek. It might l)e done by greater protection to the ends of the dam, by solid masonry or some way by timber. This dam is built of stonework, with a puddle wall, to which I think sufticient attention was not paid. There must be plenty of stone about; there is plenty everywhere, I am sui-e; but there is that same scarcity of timber, indeed, total absence for any useful purpose, except for firewood. After crossing the creek, and getting over the ground subject to floods, we got on to some magnificent downs, equal to any I have seen, with just a bunch of scrub here and there. The rain was not heavy; indeed, it frequently stopped altogether; but the road over the rich soil is very bad 'for travelling. It came on to rain where we stopped for the midday halt, at about 1 p.m. It continued to rain all the afternoon, and the ground became frightfully heavy. Our brave horses still went on slowly, but surely. "Without them we could have done nothing to-day, so they have earned one-fifth their cost already. We crossed Bradley's Creek about 2.30 p.m. We could not camp there, as there were 16,000 travelling-sheep camped close at hand, so Ave went some miles further on. We travelled at least eight miles more before we found a camp capal)le of taking care of us for a week if anotlier flood came, which seemed not improbable. The country and the soil is all that could ])e desired — I'ich rolling downs, as rich as any I have seen. Thex-e is a great variety in the herbage ; in some places it is good, and reminds one of a field of wheat in May or June at home ; in other places, sometimes for miles, although the soil seems the same, the ground is choked with weeds, which seem to have driven away and superseded the useful grasses altogether. There is plenty of stone, but not a stick of useful timber, and nothing visible in the distance for miles. The country seems to have lieen flooded for a very long way on each side of every creek and watercourse ; indeed, it looks to me like a very dangerous country, more so than any other I have seen — a country to be avoided if better can be found, and that a better can I doubt not. I do not wish to be hasty in coming to a conclusion as to a general principle which should guide the construction of the Transcontinental Railwav, but I am getting nearer to it every day. At the close of the day we had the satisfaction of believing we were fifty miles from Muttaburra, or lialf-wav to Winton. When near the end of our day's journey, we met an unfortunate carrier, with waggon and four-horse team camped. His horses were gi-azing in the most lovely pasture; but the ground was subject to being flooded, and he was just now, 5 p.m., thinking of yoking up so as to get on to some safe ground. He had reason to dread the flood, for about three weeks during the first flood, when attempting to cross the Western, within fi\e miles of Winton, the flood caught him, drowned five valuable horses, and destroyed ^0 QUJfiENSLAND TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILWAY. the whole of liis freiglit, salt from the Aramac for Winton. The water went clean over the waggon, and, of course, the salt melted at once. We passed a good sjorinkling of saltbush to-day. Friday, March 2.^. — It has been raining pretty much during the night, but Ave had it dry for l)r(>akfast. We determined, if possible, to ci'oss the East and W(;st Darrs to-day, a distance of about hfteen mikis. The roads are dreadfully heavy. We tried four of our best old horses, but they were no good, and had to fall back upon the new team, although they had all the hard work of yesterday. They, however, tackled it, hai'di as it was. All the way during the day we Avere travelling over rich brown soil, just wet enough to make the wheels clog. They first became like disc wheels, then the sticky stuff went on increasing until the wheels jammed against the sides of the waggon, and all came to a dead stop. The wheels then had to be cleaned with a shovel, a considerable work, and one that had to be performed many times during the day. It seemed at times hopeless to think of reaching the place for camping which we had fixed upon and set out for. The horses were fairly beaten, and seemed unable to stir, when a crack of the whip led the leaders to make a bound, which separated the connection between them and the pole, and away they went ; their reins slipped through my hands like some- thing greased. They did not, however, go far ; they were easily caught, and seemed to see it was a mistake that had let them away. Damage was soon repaired, and fortunately the road soon became better, and we were able to proceed without stopping to Ijrcathe every half minute. We were now about seven miles from the camping place, and, until this change in the road came, the case appeared hopeless. We got on better now. At 4 p.m. we crossed the Darr River, one of those deceitful streams that it is impossible to provide for — a very insignificant stream, not at all indicating heavy floods, but looking as not to 1)0 trusted. We have passed over a lot of ground subject to floods to-day. Splendid soil, but l)are of good feed; in some places there were good big ])ushes of good grass, Ijut few and far between ; in many other cases the ground was almost taken possession of l)y weeds ; the soil, however, is fit for anything. I think this has been the hai'dest day, by far, that Ave have had, and yet Ave have only come fifteen miles; a mile an hour was quite the extent sometimes. Then Ave arrived at a miserable camping place, little or no wood, and Avhat there is is too wet to burn. It has been raining all day, and it looks as if it meant to rain all night. There must l>e another flood coming, and this is such a miserable camp (No. 28). Saturday, March 26. — It did rain nearly all night, heavily at times ; and appearances are decidedly against us. Mr. Hann is indefatigable, and, at about 8 a.m., started ahead to look for a l)etter camping place; it Avould be of no use to shift from this except to go to a better one. This has been A^ery miserable ; but the delay for a feAV hours enables me to look over the maps and entries in my diary, Arc, not altogether Avasted. At about 11 a.m. Mr. Hann came back, having found a much better camping place about seven or eight miles Avest from this. It was at once decided to make for it. The country all around is frightfully boggy. The gi'oom preferred to go seeking the horses on foot, Avithout anything on except turned-up trousers. The j)Oor little black-boy, " Pagan," is ill to-day, and Avill not say Avhat is the matter Avith him ; perhaps it is their Avay. I started in the waggon, at 12.30 p.m., leaving the rest to folloAv. We proceeded a couple of miles, the ground being slightly l)etter than yesterday, then Ave got stuck ; the I'uts were so deep as to impede the Avaggon; the leaders liroke their fastening again, and Ave had to stop for repairs for about half an hour. We then, after considerable plunging, ROMA TO POINT PARKER, GULP OF CARPENTARIA. 31 "management," "persuasion," S:c., ,t;ot away, and, after crossing a rather deep creek, the first after the " imperceptilihi divide," wo got on well for a couple of miles, thinking our difficulties were over for the day, and the party with Mr. Hann went on. But again we came to a heavy country, and the leaders got away, making a worse breakage than ever. More repairs, more patience required ; but no more repairs can be done. We are hopelessly hogged for the night, and can go no further without fresh harness ; and then I am afraid the waggon will go. Mr. Hann came back, but could make nothing of it; so the party is camped three miles on, and I d(!cid(?d to sleep in the waggon alone, sending forward such food as the men would require for the night, and keeping out enough for myself, for whicli very little will suffice. I retain(!d a lantern to keep me company, but this brought all sorts of buzzing things into the waggon, and I preferred being quite alone. There was not a sound aliout; there could not be, as there are no trees and no place where anything could rest, no shelter of any kind : a miserable, lonely, open, boggy plain, good soil but no grass. It is strange that these plains, for a great many miles, have very little useful vegetation on them, and yet the soil looks good, very similar to a great deal between Aramac and Mount Cornish, only more sandy, and subject to strange floodings. The water takes extraordinary freaks, going in all directions possible. I believe if a section were taken along the road, it would not at all show where the water in floods would cross it. There are no regular undulations which should guide the water. I fancy there must be a lot of shallow pans connecting with each other, and conveying the water in all sorts of possible and improbable directions ; and then there are lots of holes through which the water e^'idently gets away, and somewliat similar to crali- holes in Victoria. The country, so far, from Muttaburra is not desirable for a railway, if better could be found, and I know it can. Sunday, March 27. — I had been very much delighted during the night at seeing a good many stars about, and the weather altogether looking better. About 9 a.m. Mr. Wyatt came home, bringing some materials for kindling a lire to boil the kettle for the tea, which was on its way with some breakfast. Presently Joe, the driver, came in sight and I soon got something to cat. Mr. Wyatt remained with me all day ; he was occupied chiefly in copying my diary, etc., and I in writing letters. I find Mr. Hann started alone, leading a pack-horse, at daylight, to ride to the Vindex Station, to get something to pull us out. He thought the distance fifteen or twenty miles, though in the map it appears to be thirty miles. Joe came again in the evening with more food, and at sundown I was again left alone — so quiet — not a sound of a living thing except the twittering of some little bird or insect which I could not discover. There were some slight showers during the day, but the sunset was promising. Monday, March 28. — Bogged for forty hours, from 5 p.m. on Saturday to 9 a.m. on Monday, about half-way between Muttaburra and Winton. I had quite made up my mind to spend another day and night in this miserable hole, but about 8.30 a.m. horsemen and horses hove in sight. I liad before this, about G.30, got up, lighted my fire, boiled my tea, cooked my breakfast, and ate it, so I was prepared for anything. I found Mr. Hann rode seventy miles yesterday, i.e., thirty -five to and thirty-five from Yindex Station, to get something strong in the way of harness, itc; determined to have me out of it. He brought chains and whipple-trees. The leaders were yoked singly, one before the other, and the four worked splendidly together ; we got clear away at 9 a.m., but the progress was terribly slow, the bogging and clogging of the wheels nearly as bad as ever. The wheels had to be cleared every 82 QUEENSLAND TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILWAY. twenty or twenty-five yards ; Tappington, the horse-minder, on one side, Shekelton, the driver, on the other. On we went in tliis tiresome fashion for six mortal hours, and then we reached the camp ; Mr. Hann with us all the time, to assist in case of breakage, but there was very little. The country over which we passed was very much the same as for the last two or three days : rich soil, plenty of stone, no timbei', subject to very extraordinary floods. I found we did not cross the divide until to-day, about a mile before we reached the camp ; like all other ranges, it is almost imperceptible. This is a much better camping place than the last two or three, but water will soon be scarce. There is no timber Avithin sight — only a few bushes, a little larger than gooseberry-bushes. Barometer, on reaching Camp 29, when corrected with Mr. Wyatt's, 780 ft., Charleville being 927 ft. Tuesday, March 29. — Mi\ Hann rode on a few miles first thing to examine the road, and see whether or not there was any prospect of our making any progress; it was decided there was not. We remained in camp all day ; the weather was fine for drying the ground, and we hope to get on to-morrow. I was engaged all day gathering materials for my Progress Report No. 5, which must be written from Winton. Got a tracing, a very rough one, a skeleton from Muttaburra to Cloncurry, showing alternate lines between Muttaburra and Kynuna. Tiresome work waiting in camp when the weather is fine; there is no help for it. The rate of four miles in six hours is not Avorth while. The barometer fell a little during the early part of the day, but recovered in the evening. The sunset Avas good. Wednesday, March 30. — Barometer, 28° 98', or 580 ft. against 780 ft. when I got here on Monday ; this looks hopeful. The horses had strayed and were late coming in. We got started about nine o'clock, with two of the good horses as wheelers, and two of the old police gi'eys as leaders, but they would not do anything, and we had to make up the team with the four good draught horses bought at Mount Cornish. Then we got on splendidly, slowly of course, but safely. We had only to clean the wheels once before lunch, which we stopped for at noon. The ground is drying perceptibly every hour. At about one mile from the camp we crossed the east boundary of the Vin- dex sheep station, belonging to Mr. Ohirnside, of Werribee. I think the east boundary of the Vindex is the west boundary of the Darr Station. Up to the boundary the soil continues the same, rich brown or chocolate, but the feed is still very poor. Immediately after crossing the boundary (the fence line is pegged out, but fence not erected), there is an immediate change. The herbage is quite difterent, and goes on improving all the way. First the grass is as high as the horses' knees ; then, after a while, it is no exaggeration to say, it is up to the horses' bellies. We camped for the mid-day halt on a tributary of the Western River, rather a branch of the Oondoroo Creek, which falls into the Western at Vindex. There is plenty of stone cropping up at tolerably frequent intervals, but not a stick of useful timber within sif^ht, though the almost boundless plains are a perfect picture. We crossed a few tolerably well-defined water-courses, and the country is evidently far less diflicult to deal with than any of the previous forty miles. From our noon camp to the one for the night. No. 30, about five miles short of Vindex, the country is all that any man could desire. I don't mean to say the girth- high grass continues all the way, but there is quite enough everywhere, and the watercourses are well defined, and, though not large, are frequent. There need be no difiiculty in dealing with the water all the distance we have come since lunch, about sixteen miles, making altogether twenty-four miles to-day. The ground is getting in capital condition. The horses will ROMA TO POINT PARKER, GULP OF CARPENTARIA. 33 have a splendid night of it, as much feed as they can eat, and very little distance to go for it. It is only twenty miles to Winton, and Ijy making an early start we may go as far we intend before camping for a mid-day meal. Barometer on reaching Camp 30, 29.18 in. or -100 ft. Fine sunset. Baro- meter continued to rise during the evening. Thursday, March 31. — Barometer, 29.30 or 310 ft. We got a comparative early start at 7.45 a.m., with a change of horses, as the i-oads are now pretty good. There was a lot of plunging and jihljing. No collars had been on for a month; however, after a little persuasion, we got away and slashed along nicely for about half a mile. Tlien came a piece of heavy ground, and the four gallant greys caved in. Then came more plunging, accompanied by breaking of harness ; but we persevered, and were rewarded, for, after this was over, the " collars warmed," and they went as nicely as any team could go. About three miles on we came on five wool-drays, badly iiogged, which had been thei'e more than a week. The country so far is very beautiful, but the watercourses are not so well defined as they were yesterday. We went along the south side of the Oondoroo Creek, until we came opposite the Vindex Station, when we crossed it. We passed a lot of countiy which has been heavily flooded over the wire fences. If ever a line be made to Winton, it must keep on the north side of this creek. We called at station. It consists of ten ten-mile square-blocks — 1000 square mile.s, and is capable of carrying 250,000 sheep if fully stocked. It is splendid looking country. There is plenty of good feed all the way; not up to the horse's girths, but as much as might be consumed without trampling to waste a great deal. There is a very prominent range of hills extending for a length of thirty or forty miles. The foot of the nearest point is five miles from Vindex Station ; and, as far as I can judge, its general bearing N.W. and S.E. It has no name, unless it be what is called the Opal Range on map. I sent Mr. Wyatt and Mr. Baynes to bi-ing me a sample of the stone. After lunch we came along gaily for a couple of hours, then made our mid-day halt, quite cei-tain of reaching Winton at 4 p.m.; but, when within a short distance of it, we heard, to our consternation, that Mills' Creek was flooded and impassable. ^Ir. Hann rode forward and returned to confirm the news, so we have to camp once more within a mile and a-half of Winton. Sent my letters into Winton, and two telegrams, one to the Colonial Secretary, the other to Collier. Oh ! how tiresome it is. Barometer on reaching Camp 31, on Jessamine Creek, close to Mills' Creek, 325 ft., or 29.28. M^r. Wyatt and Baynes did not turn up at the camp; but I heard from Mr. Hann, who rode into town in the evening, that they had found their way to Winton. Fine sunset. Friday, April 1. — Barometer, 260 ft., or 29.35. Mr. Hann rode over to the creek first thing to see whether or not the waters Avere subsiding, but soon returned to say that there was very little diflference. Presently we saw a dray, which had been camped some days, going towards the creek, evidently intending to make an attempt. Mr. Hann went to watch them over. On his return he thought it not safe for me to attempt to cross in the waggon. I occupied myself for a couple of hours preparing draft of my Progress Report No. 5, Aramac to Winton. Handed it to Mr. Wyatt to be copied, he and Mr. Baynes having returned to the camp early. I then decided to go at once to Winton on horseback. Mr. Hann accompanied me. Our horses just managed to keep their feet on the ground all the way, not having to swim; but my legs were wet up to my knees. Mr. Hann returned to prepare for crossing the creek with the camp and party. I remained at Winton, writing letters, oggy at the watercourses ; and for several chains on each side it Avas dreadful, but w^e got through, and reached the lirst of the Diamantina l)illabongs about 10.30 a.m. We crossed it and several more before we came to what I considered the river proper ; not that there was much ditterence between it and the others, except that in it the water was running, and in the others not. There are flood-marks pretty high up in the scrubby trees, perhaps twenty or twenty- five feet above the bed of the river ; and as the country all round is very flat, the river must during the late flood have been three or four miles wide at least. Got to the old Da,<;worth Station, which is now deserted, about 11.30 a.m., and there we had our lunch and changed horses. We met here a Mr. Scafe, who lives on the "Great Dividing Range." He gave us a not very enco I raging description of the dilhculties we shall have to contend with before we get to Cloncurry. The country through which w^e have come to- day consists of rich open plains, and plenty of grass, but most dangerous for sheep in very Avet weather, being very boggy. There is stone cropping up here and there, but there is no timber of any use ; even on the Diamantina the trees are very scrubby. Some posts might be got for fencing, and a sleeper here and there, but not worth looking after, only fit for tirHAvood. About three miles after lunch Ave came to a A^ery bad ci'eek ; it is shoAvn on plan, but Avith no name. It brings doAvn a tremendous lot of Avater to the Diamantina. When the flood is up it must extend a mile each side, and be twenty-five to thirty feet deep in centre. Now it looks little or nothing. It may be a billabong from the river ; there is debris high up in the scrubby trees. Here Ave got dead bogged and had to put in the emergencies, and they took us through. Then in about five miles Ave came to Crescent Creek, Avhich we had been told it Avould be impossible to cross, as there Avas a dray l)o,nged exactly in the middle of the track ; but Ave came through Avithout any diffi- culty, and soon after released our " emergencies."' The flood marks are a A'ery long distance from the Crescent Creek. Our neAv team brought us on Avell until Ave came within quarter of a mile of Avhere Ave Avere to camp, about fourteen miles from Kynuna. Here Ave got Avorse bogged than ever before, because the horses Avere perfectly helpless, and all doAvn, higgle-de-piggledy. HoAveA'ei*, Ave got them free, and fell back again on the " emergencies." In the meantime avc had placed a lot of branches, a good thick layer, for them to start from, and then to Avalk on; and they, as usual, pulled us through, but not before they had smashed some more of the original harness. We got to a nice camp at 6 p.m., Avhere the sandflies and other HiesAvere almost really enough to drive one mad. Mr. De Kock has l)een Avith us all day. and assisted us materially in shoAvini;- us the Avay. We need not have crossed the Diamantina, but there Avas no track on the eastern side. The floods, at least the usual ronains of them, may Ije seen everyAvhere. The body of Avater must have l)een immense, both sides of the riA-er being much alike. The country through Avhich Ave have passed to-day is A-ery leA'el. The soil is splendid, and any ROMA TO POINT PARKER, GULF OF CARPENTARIA. 37 quantity of feed; plenty of stoiie at intervals, but no timber. Camp 36, Barometer, 430 ft., or 29.15 at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 6. — Barometer, 30S ft., or 29.29; thermometer, 62^ Got a good start at 7.4.5 a.m.; and, to our surprise, the team went away without any difficulty; the leaders, however, were uneven. We came at a rattling pace for about, half an hour; then we got dreadfully bogged, and, in the struggle, the pole snapped beyond all repair. This is about the worst fix we have been in. We got the "emergencies" to pull out the waggon; and, haviiig found a sapling, a new polo was soon made, Tappenden's skill coming in handy. The repairs were finished by 11 a.m., when we dined. This mishap has sadly interfered with what we intended doing to-day ; but misfortunes will happen, and do sometimes when least expected. We found some difficult watercourses to cross in the afternoon; but the police-horses did it well, and we got to the Kynuna Station about 5 p.m., a good fifteen miles if one. Here we camped for the night. Mr. Hann and I had dinner at the station, and learnt from Mr. Wilson that if we had tried to come up on the east side of the Diamantina, we should have been worse off than on the west side. He says we must go to Bell Kate to cross the river, and will probably find water about ten miles towards Cloncurry, after we have crossed the Dividing Range. It seems we have two or three boggy creeks to cross before reaching the river ; but otherwise the road is good, and he fancies four days ought to take us to Cloncurry, with ordinary luck. The proper name of this station is Kynuna, after a large waterhole near. Mr. Wilson gave me a nice-looking piece of white sandstone, of which he says there is plenty. It is very soft when (juarried, soft enough to be cut by an ordinary crosscut saw into slabs for paving, &c. Our camp (No. 37) is about half a mile from the station. Omitted to read the barometer. The country through which we have passed is very much the same as for several days past — rich soil, with plenty of feed; but terribly subject to floods. Thousands of stjuare miles must have been covered with water during the late floods. Thursday, April 7. — Barometer, 305 ft., or 29.30; thermometer, 64°. We got a good start. Xot quite so much j)lunging as usual, still some. Then we went away at a rattling pace for five or six mih:'s, until we came to a creek that we were afraid to tackle without the "staunch team.'"' All this occa- sions delay and annoyance. The weather looked threatening last night, l)ut it is all right again to-day. The staunch team took us through without the least difficulty, and then we released them, and took the othei's back again. We had been told the distance from Kynuna to Bell Kate was seventeen miles. I am sure it is a good twenty miles. We reached the station at 12.40, haWng been travelling five hours. We find we can only go two miles beyond the river Diamentina after crossing to-day, as there is no water afterwards for seventeen miles, and the country very heavy. We shall then be beyond the Great Dividing Range. The country we have come over to-day is very flat; and, being pretty near the river, is subject to heavy flooding. The soil is as rich as any; but the feed, althougli l)eautiful, is not, I think, good; too many weeds wdth it. The stations about here seemed to be Avorked entirely by blacks. At Kynuna all are black, except the mailman and his wife; and the wife is a half-caste. There are a lot of gins and children, all nearly as naked as they can be. The men were away. Some other trilte had been encroaching, and the men had gone to fight them. The young gins are said to be very useful among horses and cattle ; in fact, capital "stocknnni." There was one little creature thei-e at their camp only three weeks old. After dinner we got the strong team in, as there was plenty of difficult country and 38 QUEENSLAXD TRAKSCONTINENTAL RAILWAY. the river to cross. We at once commenced crossing a lot of nasty liillabongs, deep and boggy; but all went well until we came to the last and worst, and then our pole snapped oft' like a carrot; fortunately, it was long enough still to answer, and, in about half an hour, Ave were under way. Mr. Hann, and all the packhorses, itc, had gone on to ftnd a camping place. We followed their tracks as well and as long as we could ; but, by-and-l)ye, missed tliem ; fortunately, we were seen from the camp, and st^t right again l)efore much time was lost. It then came out that the last and worst billabong that we crossed, w^hen we l)roke our pole, was the Diamantiua, and I had been looking for it for miles after we had left it behind. I think we have all had enough of tlie Diamantina. After crossing the river and its flats we came to rich, open plains, with nice dry spurs here and tliere. The soil is very rich, and there is stone in the mountains, of which there are several near here ; but there is no timber, except a little coolebar along the banks of the river. There is also sandstone all the way, aj^art from the mountain supply. I think the camp (No. .38) is about four or Ave miles north of the river. Barometer, 480 ft., or 39.10 at 5.30 p.m. Friday, April 8. — Barometer, 420 ft. or 29.17; thermometer, 59". Got a good start at 7.35 a.m. The first two or three miles pretty rough, not very; then we reached the Great Dividing Range, and the barometer read 440 ft. or 29.15. To call this the "Great" Dividing Range is a mistake, and cal- culated to mislead; it might be called the "Imperceptible Ridge Dividing the Great Waters," or the "Carpentaria Ridge." To the ordinary traveller, indeed to a careful observer, unless aided by instruments, it has scarcely any more material existence than the imaginary line which encircles the globe at its centre, or the dotted lines which separate the torrid from the temperate zones. After crossing it the ground begins to fall very slightly. For miles and miles nothing is seen but magnificent gi'een pastures, with just sufficient patches of scrub to give it a park -like appearance ; there are also occasional small stony ridges, where the scrub is more plentiful and varied. There is sandstone crop- ping out, similar to that seen all the way from Roma. The soil is rich brown or chocolate, but the herbage is not good ; in many places it is completely choked with weeds. We crossed several rather nasty watercourses, and are in constant fear of coming to grief. Our pole is again showing symptoms of distress, and there is no beaten track. We are obliged to steer by sun and compass. We hap23ened to come upon some water at 11.30 a.m., and then had dinner. Thermometer at noon, 71". We were all ready for a start at 12.30 p.m. with a new team, and, of course, there was the usual kick-up and breakage ; the latter, however, was soon repaired — only the staple of the whippletree broken. We got clear away at 1 p.m., and, as the ground was fairly good, we made good progress, and must have done nearly five miles an hour for four hours. We camped on what we believe to be " Martin's Creek," near its junction with the M'Kinlay. The country has preserved tlie same park-like appearance all the way. The bushes are a little thicker in some places than in others, and the country in some places a little bit rangey, T)ut very slight; stone all the way — sandstone, with lime in it. We had to cross two or three rather troublesome creeks and a great many watercourses, but did it W'ithout accident. There is not the same liability to floods as on the Diamentina. We found a good many new" shrubs and flowers, some of them very pretty. The country I have come over since dinner will be common to all the three lines mentioned in my Report No. 5. It is all perfectly easy. There is very little earthwork, plenty of stone, but no suitable timber. Barometer, 405 ft. or 29.18 at 5 p.m.. Camp 39. We crossed one point, this after-noon, where the barometer road 500 ft., the summit being only 440 ft. at the Divide. ROMA TO POINT PARKER, GULF OF CARPENTARIA. 39 Saturday, April 9. — Thermometer, Gl"; Itarometer, 300 -it. or 29.31. Got all started sharp at 8 a.m. Of course, with a fresh team tliere was a little difficulty, hut not much. We were somewliat uncei-taiu as to our exact position on Martin's Creek, but we struck out forN.W., and after nearly three hours' driving, during which we must have travelled twelve or fourteen miles, we reached Beau Desert Station (Hickson's), on the M'Kinlay Creek, five miles below the junction of Martin's Creek. Mr. Hann picked up Mr. Hickson on the way. All the morning we were travelling through the same rich, undulating plains, with occasional 1 rushes, which look from a distance like fine large trees. Even in the creek (M'Kinlay 's) there is nothing of any useful size. The country looks very beautiful everywhere, but the herbage is not, to my mind, very satisfactory. There is abundance of what I have called a weed taking possession of the ground eveiywhere. It is said to be eaten with avidity and profit by the horses and cattle when young. Tliei'e is, besides this, a great variety of heritage, or weeds, or whatever it may be, and lots of creepers. Mr. Hickson proffered every assistance to enable us to cross the creek at the station, instead of going four or five miles down the creek and so much out of our way. By cutting away the bank a little, the strong team were able to pull us through. Then the country for about seven miles is one succession of billabongs. At times the creek is flooded, and, overflowing its banks, becomes about four miles wide, and fully thirty feet deep at its bed. The same magnificent country still continues. In places the soil is not quite so good ; the portion which has been flooded has caked over on the top, and the grass and weeds will, I fancy, soon show symptoms of drought ; but Mr. Hickson, the manager of the Beau Desert Station, told me the feed never failed there during the last dry time, though water became scarce. It is true they had some thunderstorms which did not extend to other parts of the colony. About seven miles from M'Kinlay Creek, as we considered the billabong difficulties over, we changed for a lighter team. The M'Kinlay Creek is much more defined than many of the rivers we have crossed. The best timber on it is, I think, coolebar, but too small to be of any use. Stone is plentiful : sandstone, with some lime in it. After changing our team, we came for about seven miles through thick, tall grass, preventing our travelling faster than a walk. Then came more frequent patches of gidyah scrub, and presently a lot of troublesome billabongs, which must belong to the Gidyah Creek ; very troublesome, because it took so long to find a place where we could cross. At 4.30 p.m. we came to a very bad one, and here, as we quite expected, our pole snapped ; did not exactly break oft", but it was only 1 ly patching up with chains and very careful driving that we did about half a mile, when we came to a worse billabong than any seen before, and here, before crossing it, we camped for the night, and to put in a new pole before going any further. Barometer, 320 ft. or 29.27. This is Camp 40, on a branch of the Gidyah Creek, Sunday, April, 10. — Barometer, 250 ft., or 29.25; thermometer, 62°. All the repairs, new jjole. Arc, were completed, and we got away at about 8.40 a.m. For hours we met with a succession of troublesome billabongs, taking up a great deal of time searching for crossing-places, and going in all sorts of directions. Fortunately our team — the strong one — never failed us. We started with gidyah scrub, which by-and-bye got thicker, and intermixed with other descriptions of scrub. Now and then we came upon a good-sized open plain, and on some of the creeks there is a little variety in the trees, if trees they may be called ; now and then a white gum, a bloodwood or a bau- hinea. Now and then we could go a mile without any interruption, but this did not often occur. The scrub gets thicker, difficult to drive through ; and 40 QUEENSLAND TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILWAY. there is little or no grass for a cousicU'raldo distance. Tlie soil, too, looks poor. We have made less progress per hour than for many days past. At about noon the country ahead looked better. We think we have done with Gidyah and Holy Joe's Creek, and after dinner hope soon to reach the Fullar- ton Creek, whicli is said to bo a very nasty one ; however, we have always surmounted our ditliculties up to the present. After dinner we took an almost due north course, although, liy going north-w(!st we could have struck the Fullarton sooner. It appears that the i-oad from Normanton to Cloncurry crosses the Fullarton about eighteen miles north from where we sliould have struck the river Imd we gone north-west. As it was, w(! struck it after tra- velling about twelve miles over very rough country, some middling scrul>, some tine open plains with patches of scrubby timber, fair soil and plenty of f(^ed ; and then belts of very bad scrub, very difficult to get the waggon through ; then plains again, lightly timbered. The country is very bad for travelling over, scarcely aMe anywhere to go faster than a walk. In fact, the day .so far lias been a most tedious one. About 4.15 p.m. we came upon the Urst of the Fullarton Billabongs, not by any means a formidable one, and an examination of the river itself showed it to be much better than expected ; liut we decided on putting in the " emergency team," and they took the waggon through billabong and creek without a moment's hesitation. An im- mense deal of water evidently comes down here in Hoods, extending to and connecting with the billabong, the distance between the two being quarter of a mile ; but I do not think the country on either side is flooded to any great distance. Our course pretty much of the way from Beau Desert has been nearly N.N.W., and if we continue the same course to-morrow we ought to strike the road from Hughenden to Cloncurry in about six or seven miles, and we may probably, with great good luck, reach Cloncurry to-morrow night. We have seen very little stone to-day, and there is no timber good for anything except fencing. Barometer, at Camp 41, 400 ft. or 29.18. Monday, April 11. — Barometer, 320 ft., or 29.27, at 6 a.m. The horses — six of them — had strayed, and did not turn up at the camp until 8 a.m. As the waggon was all r(;ady and horses in, we started at once, Mr. Hann lead- ing, and leaving the pack-horses to follow. We took nearly a N.W. or N.N.W. course over tine open plains, occasionally dotted with clumps of bushes and small scruliby trees ; there was good feed, Imt not so luxuriant as some we have seen ; soil not quite so good. Then we came occa- sionally to belts of gidyah scrub, very difficult to get the waggon through; next, alternating with flne open plains. The feed on some of the plains is so thick and so high that at a little distance horses that have not packs on, and that are not ridden, are almost hidden from view. We had some very nasty creeks to cross, and could not make much progress on the plains beyond a walk, with, occasionally, a little spurt for a mile or so. After crossing a very nasty creek, which was cleverly done by four of the police horses, we stopped at noon for dinner. We had lost sight of the pack-horses for some time, but they put in an appearance by the time the tea was made. We con- sider we have come about fourteen miles this morning, keeping about a N.W. direction, in the hope of striking some track or the Williams River. We had great trouble in catching the waggon-horses after dinner, and Mr. Hann nearly came to serious grief over it. He had to lasso one of the wheelers, " Old Stumpy," and as lie went forward towards him, after a great deal of pulling and struggling, the horse reared, made for him, and struck him full force with both fore-feet, one on the head, and tlie other on the shoulder. Down he went like a shot, and we were afraid he was killed ; but it was only a case of "stuimed." He soon, got up, and, fastening the horse to a tree, ROMA TO POINT PARKER, GULF OF CARPKXTARIA. 41 punished him in sucli a way as only an an^^ry man could. TIk; horse struck at him a^aiu, in a most scientitic way, with ont; of his fonvfeet, but fortu- nately missed liim, or it would have been serious. The liorse clearly knew what he was about, and what Ik; was punished for. At last he gave in, went quietly into harness, and bc^haved like; a r(!ally .^ood horse all the afternoon. In about live or six miles we came to FuUarton Creek, which was easily got over without changing liorses. All the others, except Stumpy, were most troublesome at stai'ting, but all had now (juieted down.' In about two or tliree miles more of maguiticent country (the country has all Iteen magniti- cent since dinner), we came to another creek (Eldei-'s), which we knew nothing of before, and here it was deemed prudent to put in the emergency team, and right well they did it. It was by far tin; most difficult crossing we had met with. The banks were so steep, after getting down on one side, that we had to go along the bed of the river for about 200 yaixls, and then go up an incline as steep as the roof of a liouse. How we did it I don't know, l)ut there wasn't a hitch. This I believe is the last stream of any consetjuence before we reach Cloncurry, which is said to be twenty miles distant ; but no reliance can be placed upon " laish miles." We estimate we have come twenty-live miles to-day. Camp 42; barometer, 360 ft. or 29.24. This camp is on the west bank of the Elder Rivei-, not shown on plan. Tuesday, April 12. — Barometer, 250 ft., or 29.35; thermometer, 65", at 7 a.m. Got a good start at 7.45 a.m. A lovely morning, and very little plunging or jibbing. Country pretty level, open plains, with a sprinkling of bushes. Plenty of grass, mixed with spinifex ; and, after live or six miles, spinifex seems to gain the ascendant. It is very tall, and does not bear very favorable comparison with the grasses I have been travelling through lately. We crossed several little watercourses. There are occasional ant- liills, and there have been a few — very few — all the way from McKinlay's Creek. At about nine or ten miles from the Elder, we came upon a very nasty creek. It took more than half an hour to find a tolerable crossing- place; })ut we got clear of it, and hoped it might be the end of this sort of thing ; but about two miles on we came upon the worst creek of the lot, not by any means the largest, but so deep and so narrow that we should be quite certain to break the pole if we attempted to cross without letting down the waggon by hand'; so we cut away the ground, removed the horses, locked the liind-wheels, and let the waggon skid down. The " emei'gencies" then took it out easily oa the other side. We have been coming through the most " luxui'iant spinifex" for a long time, and, soon after crossing the last creek, the ground began to rise and look very poor, covered with quartz and other water- worn pel)bly stones. We came upon a track at last; and, on it, crossed a creek. We now stopped for dinner on some very dirty water. Mr. Hann thinks this must be Bishop's or Fisher's Creek, and we could not be more than a few miles from Cloncurry. In this we were very much mistaken. After a short time, we surmounted a ridge, from which Mr. Haun pointed out to me a mountain, at whose foot the copper mines were. I estimated it at fifteen miles distant, and a little west of south. We had evidently come much further north than we imagined. It was now four o'clock, but we determined to push on ; indeed, there was no help for it, as there was not a drop of water with the party. Mr. Hann went ahead to search every gully for water, but without success. The sun went down, and the twilight was over, and still no Avater. Fortunately there was a good moon; and, by its light, we deter- mined to strike out south-west for the road from Fort Constantine to Clon- curry, which follows the river. At about 8 p.m., we struck the road. Mr. Hann at once rode on to seek the township, and we followed at a smart F 42 QUKEXSLAXn TRAXSCOXTIXEXTAL RAILWAY. trot. By-au(l-bye we met him. He liad Iteeii to the township, and now took us to the rivei- to camp for the night. It Avas a most fortunate thing tliere was moonliglit, or we should have heen in a sad plight on the open plains all night, without a drink of any kind; but all ended well, and we were secure at 9 p.m. Mr. Hann found there were no letters at the post- office. No mail had conic in for several weeks, but one was expected on Tlmrsday next. Wednesday, Aprll 13. — Barometer, 320 ft., or 29.27. On inquiry and consideration, I tind we did precisely the right thing in heading the range yesterday. It extends from the copper mine to the front, where we headed it a distance of about sixteen miles, and could not be crossed by a line direct from Beau ])esert to Cloncurry. In fact, the main line cannot come nearer to Cloncurry than within fifteen miles; but the country is admiral »ly adapted for a l)ranch. I was busy for two or three hours in the morning preparing my Sixth Progress E^eport; then rode into the township; and, with Mr. Hann and others, went to the mine. ]VIr. Henry is one of the proprietors. It really is a wonderful sight. The richness of the ore is amazing, a great deal of it yielding .50 per cent, of copper ; and some, but only small pieces, lieing pure copper. The quantity appears to be unlimited. (I am guided by Mr. Henry's representations.) A good deal has been sent to Sydney for smelting. It has fetched about £28 per ton, and cost — Raising, say ... ... ... ... ... £0 H Land carriage to Kormanton ... ... S 10 Freight to Sydney ... ... ... ... 110 £10 .■) Wortli there 28 Leaving profit ... ... ... ••• £17 15 A very nice little thing, and quite legitimate, if true. The mine is not being worked at present; but there is about £40,000 worth (Mr. Henry's state- ment) of ore on the grass. Tiie cause of the stoppage was the failure of one of the London partners, a Mr. Colley. We, /.s in diameter. This is immediately below whei'e the branches spring out; and it is good for about eighteen inches or two feet downwards from this. I think one might live for days on it. About a mile after dinner we came to the Cabbagetree Creek, a very nasty one, very steep on both sides; however, we had the " emergencies'' in, and it was soon over, but immediately afterwards the whippletree hroke. It was fortunate this did not happen at the very steep incline coming up from the creek. In about four or five miles we reached the eastern l^ank of the Leichardt river, a most formidable affair. It has evidently been a puzzler to many others, for there are the remains of huts and other things that tell of long camping. There had been a crossing 46 QUEENSLAND TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILWAY. (lescont excavated by previous travellers; but running water had got on to it, and it was in a very dilapidated condition; however, pick and shovel, and hearty good will soon repaired it, and we proceeded. We were clear across in forty minutes from the time we halted. The river is, I think, more than a quarter of a mile wide, sandy bed, steep incline on east side ; better on west. There are a great many cabbagetree-palms, some fifty feet high, and a new tree which I do not recollect seeing before. It is an eucalyptus, very large. Each tree would turn out thirty to fifty sleepers, and the timber looks hard and good. There are also some good-sized whitegums; plenty of feed all the way, and pretty good-looking soil ; l)ut a good deal of spinifex. Stone plentiful — all granite, or nearly so. Some gravelly conglomerate, cemented firmly together. Found a good camp (No. 40) at 5 p.m. There are sparsely distributed anthills all the way from McKinlay Creek to the Leichardt River, Monday, April 18. — Barometer, 150 ft. or 29.47. Two of the horses missing; this delayed us for a time, but we got away at 8.30 a.m., including the usual and indispensable kicking and plunging. The country is level, at least falling uniformly, and we followed the west bank or nearly of the Leichardt. Plenty of good feed all the way, and the soil seems pretty good. There is a peculiar grass here whose seeds are the terror of horsemen ; and I am sure would be the death of sheep ; the seeds would eat into and go com- pletely through them. The seed is about five feet from the ground, just convenient for catching a horseman's knees, and Avhen once it gets its nose into his trousers or anything it works its way forward. We came to the place at which it is proposed to re-cross the Leichardt at 10.15 a.m.; so the distance cannot be more than ten miles, and we had expected fifteen miles. I have not noticed any stone this morning. We had to wait here for the "emergencies" and the pack-horses. To pass the time Mr. Hann cut down a cabbagetree-palm. I had no idea there was so much labour in getting the cabbage ; it took him fully half an hour with the little assistance I was able to give with a tomahawk. The tree was about twenty-five feet high and ten or twelve inches through at the bottom. After the tree was down, several of the lower l)ranches had to be cut away before the real cabVjage, fit to eat, was got at ; then, when the core came out, it was about eighteen inches long by four inches in diameter, of the most delicious, nutty, white substance, as nice as the finest fill)ert. About 200 or 300 yards above where we crossed the River Leichardt, we saw a recently-marked tree on the west bank of the river, branded broad-arrow over L over 10; it cannot have been done many weeks. We crossed just at the junction of a considerable creek, joining the river from the west. I cannot find that it has any name. We crossed the river without much difficulty, a few trees or sapplings had to be cut down, and the hind- wheels had to be locked. The bed is gravelly; and on the east side, where we crossed, there appears to be a bed of gravel, good for ballast. We had dinner after crossing, just exactly at noon. Our dinner camping-place was one of the prettiest I have seen. We then had a fresh team, and as the road was good, and we had the mailman's track, we came along at a rattling pace, keeping pretty well within sight of the river all the way. The country is flat, or very slightly undulating ; well grassed and lightly-timbered plains — liloodwood, l)auhinea, what I call blackbutt or Moreton Bay ash, and whitegum. There are ant-hills. I find the whitegum has been used for buildings ; but the Avhite- ants destroy them. There is plenty of stone in and near the river. We came about fifteen miles after dinner, and then camped in a Aery pretty part of the river, where there is abundance of feed and splendid sheets of water. We met the mailboy on our way ; he was going to Cloncurry. I gave him tele- ROMA TO POINT PARKER, fiULF OF CARPENTARIA. 4/ f,'rains for the Colonial Secretary and Mr. Collier. The river, where we crossed it the second time, is pretty mucli the same as where we crossed it first, as far as the cost of a bridge is concerned ; about the same piovision would liave to be made for water. On our way, to-day, down the east side of the river we did not meet with any troublesome creeks, l)ut we ci'ossed several curious places called "breakaways," where some scores of acres of the soil, to a depth of three or four feet, had l)een washed away as clean as if it had Ijeen excavated, looking very much like irregular side-cutting pits. The grass-seeds have not been quite so Itad on this side of the river. Barometer at 5 p.m., 140 ft. or 29.47. During the afternoon we saw more horses and cattle than we have seen since we left Mount Cornish, and all in first-rate condition. This has been a most satisfactory day as far as progress goes, and all looked well when we camped, but the pack-horses were a very long time coming, and when they came we found Tappenden, the groom, had had a nasty fall and roll over with his horse. He was seriously hurt. It occurred about ten miles from the camping-place, and he could only proceed very slowly, Mr. Baynes accompanying him. Shakelton went at once to look for him, it was now dark (7 p.m.), but came back about 8.30 p.m. un.successful. Mr. Hann then went, and at 9.30 p.m. they all came in. Tappenden was very much shaken and bruised, but nothing broken ; we put him to bed. Shortly after a row connnenced between Mr. Hann and Mr. Wyatt ; it originated about the fetching of water from the ci'eek. Mr. Hami has an unfortunate temper, and completely lost it so far as to challenge Mr. Wyatt to see who was master by fighting, and, failing to get Mr. Wyatt to respond, he struck him in the face two or three times. This was most unjustifiable ; Mr. Wyatt behaved with a great deal of forljearance. What jDi'evious provocation there may have been I do not know ; evidently something has been rankling ; but nothing could justify the blows. Mr. Hann is a most indefatigable, energetic, and useful man ; but his temper is a pei-fect curse, and, 1 think, would soon lead to mutiny in any camp. It is such a pity. Tuesday, April 19. — Tappenden has had a pretty good night, but is unable to proceed on horseback, so he will go in my place in the waggon, and I will ride. We got away about 7.45 a.m., without any fuss. Mr. Wyatt spoke to me about last night. I expressed my i*egret, but could scarcely blame him. Mr. Hann also spoke to me, and I told him he was very wrong to strike Mr. Wyatt. The two men are totally different in all respects. We came through some splendid country all the way to Kerr's Station (Camilroy), about twenty miles to-day, fine undulating plains, lightly-timbered, and most luxuriously- grassed. Very few creeks or watercourses ; those that there are are well defined ; only one creek of considerable size, about five miles from camp. This we crossed at its junction with the Liechardt ; in fact, we crossed it in the river, or rather rounded its mouth. We saw a lot of cattle, all well to do, sleek and happy. We passed a lot of pretty lagoons, l)ut they will soon be dry. The river, wherever we saw it, was very beautiful, and the country very fine. When we stopped for dinner I was under the impression that we were close to the station (Camilroy). I afterwards found we had fully five miles to travel. We found Mr. Curr at home, and I stopped with him during the remainder of the afternoon. Mr. Hann came to dinner. IMr. Curr is very doubtful about the Point Parker harbour, and speaks of the enormous rivers to be crossed to get there — the Liechardt, the Nicholson, the Gregory, ic. He thinks a har])our could be found or made east of the Liechardt. We camped near the station. He says there will be no difiiculty in reaching Brodie's (thirty miles) to-morrow, as the road is good. He con- firms what Mr. Hann and others have said about the large rivers that would 48 QUEENSLAND TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILWAY. liavp to 1)0 crossed if the line went down west of tlie Liechai'dt. The country has been splendid all day ; ahundance of feed, with a good deal of Mitchell grass. He says cattle get fat in spinifex country. We saw plenty of stone, and SOUK' sleejjers might he got (hloodwood, &c. ). Riding on horseliack does not agree with nie very well — I became very tired. Tappenden is evidently badly shaken. T\w flies are dreadful. Did not r(>ad liarometcn- ; forgot it. Camp 48, Wednf:sdav, April 20. — Barometer, 000 ft. or 29.36 ; thermometer, 9S". Put down barometer 1000 ft., as there will be further fall. Got away soon after 8 a.m. Tappenden going in the waggon and I on horseback, but the road was very rough, and he could not stand tlie jolting, so we had to change. Mr. Curr accompanied us for five or six miles, to show us the way. At about ten miles we came to the junction of t\m Grunpowder Creek, which comes in on the west side of the Leichardt. Mr. Hann and I rode across to see it. It is just as large as, and very much like, the Leichardt. I saw my first crocodile in the river, but very little of him, only his eyes and forehead. He was veiy shy. We camped here for dinner about noon. The country we have come over to-day is a magnificent open plain for many miles, splendidly grassed ; then, when nearing the river, lightly-timbered with bloodwood, coolebar, &c., but not of any useful size. The feed continues very abundant, and evei'y now and then there are splendid lagoons, some of which hold their water nearly all the yeai'. Plenty of water in the river and Gunpowder Cx-eek. After dinner we passed through the same magnificent country for about twenty miles, and we reached Brodie's Station about 5 p.m. Taking into consideration the richness of the soil, the abundance and goodness of the feed, the grateful shadow of the timl)er, and, above all, the splendid supply of water in the Leichardt, supplemented for a great part of the way by lagoons ex- tending a considerable distance inland, I have not seen any better land for agricultural or pastoral jiurposes in any of the Australian colonies. In Mi-. Brodie's house there are a good many whitegum slabs, and they are looking remarkably well. Discovered a break in the fore-carriage of the waggon. Decided to remain hei-e to-morrow and repair it, although it will occupy some hours. Referring to the unfortunate stockman recently murdered by the blacks, Mr. Curr told me that the stockman and a black boy were hunting for stray cattle, when they came upon the blacks' trail, which they followed to their camp, then they drove away the blackmen and kept possession of the gins, with whom they remained in the camp. Presently the stockman fell asleep, one of the gins stole his rovolver, and gave the signal to the blackmen, who came and put a spear through both of his thighs, pinning him to earth, and then beating out his brains with their nullahs. They then cleared out. This is the boy's version, but he did not report the matter for four days. It seems the stockman had been thrashing him for some days, and it is thought he may have had his revenge. Mr. Curr told me that he and others had pursued the blacks and shot five ; that the police were coming to give them a further " dressing," as that was the only thing they understood. It seems hard upon a man, whose gin or child is stolen, to shoot him because he objects, but I believe there is no help for it except speedy and ostensible annihilation. The conduct of many of the whites to the l)lacks is simply disgraceful. The name of Brodie's Station is Lorraine. It is about sixty miles above Floraville, and on the Leichardt River. They Avere exceedingly hospitable, and we had all our meals with them. This is Camp 49. Thursday, April 21. — Barometer, 940 ft. or 29.70; thermometer, 71°. The whole of the day, up to nearly 4 p.m., was occupied in putting a new fore- ROMA TO POIXT PARKER, fiULF OF CARPENTARIA. 49 carriac^e to th(^ wa,<,'gon. Our best hand, Tappenden, lieing disaliled, not able to do anything lieyond looking on and giving his advice, the work fell upon Mr. Hann and Shakelton. I think they have made a sjjlendid job of it, and am very much in hopes we shall reach our destination without furth(!r repairs of any conse(juence. Tappenden is so much bruised and shaken that it was deemed best he should spell for a few days at Mr. Brodie's and join us at Burketowu or Normanton. We made a start at 4 p.m., and did about seven or eight miles through the same splendid-looking country as for the last two or three days. Then we camped on the Ijanks of the Leichardt, amid splen- did pasture and close to a very fair water-hole. The country is lightly tim- bered with l)ox, bauhinea, bloodwood, Arc. I wrote Walsh this morning, and sent telegrams to Colonial Secretary and Collier, Mr. Brodie taking them to Normanton. The chances are that they will reach their destination before some of those sent from other places several days earlier. This is Camp 50 ; barometer, 1060 ft., or 29.57, at 5.30 p.m. This is about 100 yards below marked tree, broad arrow over L over 85, on west bank of river, recently cut. The barometer shows that the table-land where we are camped is about 55 feet above the bed of the river, or above the water, which is three feet deep; and the highest flood has been two feet over the table-land. The Itaroineter has fallen considerably during the day. There is lightning and thunder, and indications of rain. Camp 50. Friday, April 22. — Barometer, 950 ft., or 29.70. It began to rain heavily about midnight, and continued during the night, but the barometer is higher this morning. The weather continued very uncertain during the whole day, with frequent showers, and little sunshine. At one time we were almost certain to make a start after dinner, but the rain came on again, and, as everybody's clothes were wet, it was decided to dry them as well as possible and make a start in the morning. There was plenty to do in writing up notes, distances, itc. It appears that up to the present time we have travelled 1123 miles since we left Roma, on 14th January, and, as there have been fifty camps, we must have travelled fifty days, or an average, when travelling, of nearly 22.5 miles per diem. But, in addition to this, I travelled by coach and train to Rockhampton and back, about 850 miles. The delay to-day has enabled us to put together a lot of information about the camps, distances, &c. My eyes are better, but still itching most painfully. The barometer has been falling ever since the morning, and in the evening read 1040 ft., or 29.58. Saturday, April 23. — Barometei-, 1040 ft., or 29.58; thermometer, 68°. Heard a noise in the river about 3 a.m. (lot out, and found a flood coming down. It continued to increase, and by daylight there was a very consider- able stream running rapidly. This was just twenty-four hours after we had the heaviest rain here. There must have been much heavier rain up stream, and we have reason to fear it may impede our crossing at Floraville. My eyes are much better this morning. The river was still rising when we got away at 8 a.m. The country nuich the same as for the last few days ; tine soil, line feed, light timber (bloodwood, bauhinea, Arc.) After about seven or eight miles, less timber, the soil changes from brown to darker, which the rain has made very boggy. Horses down to fetlock at evei-y step, and soon began to show distress. We had to put in the strong team at 10.40 a.m. At 10.20 a.m., or about ten miles from Camp 50, we saw a marked tree, broad arrow over L over 95, some distance back from east bank of river. This boggy ground is sadly impeding our progress, and knocking all our calculations upside down. The pack-hox'ses are able to keep up pretty well. Even the G 50 QUKKXSLAND TRANSCOXTINKXTAL RAILWAY. strong team nearly caused us to lose faith in them. They had a grand struggle to start with ; the bog did not continue far, l)ut presently we came to a Avorse one, and one of the wheelers went down. This brought us to a long stand-still ; but shortly we got aAvay again, only to go a mile or two, when the off-wheels went down to the axles like a shot. The otf-wheeler and the two leaders all went down, completely beaten. It took us a long time to get right. It is vei-y unfortunate, for we were heading the flood, and but for these delays should have crossed the Leichardt in safety. Now no one knows when we may. But we had our dinner, notwithstanding. We had proceeded with varying luck as to the state of the ground for a few miles, still retaining the " emergencies" for fear of accident, when Mr. Hann, who had been ahead exi)loring, returned to say that he had come upon a creek which lie had entirely forgotten. It was not a large one, but one extremely diliicnlt to appi'oach. After a very careful examination up and down for about an hour, it was decided it was impossible to cross it. The only thing now was either to remain until the ground had dried, probably two or three days, or to go round the mouth of the creek after it had joined the river. The Hood was fast following us down the river, but we were still a little ahead of it, and it was decided to adopt the latter course and round the mouth of the creek. We were not unmindful of the danger of adopting this course, for we might be bogged in the river and the flood might come upon us ; but we were all anxious to get on, and so started. The banks of the river are rather steep, but we got down safely and then found the sand was ex- tremely difhcult to travel over. Our horses, too, staunch and true as we knew them to be, had been a little bit cowed by the two nasty hoggings they had already had. The creek empties itself into a billabong of the river whose effluence is about half a mile above, and its confluence half a mile below the junction of the creek. Its bed is higher than the lied of the river by several feet. Its effluence has a bar still higher than its bed, and also much higher than the confluence. There is an island, pretty well timbered, between it and the river, several feet, say twenty feet, above the billabong, but some- times covered in floods to a considerable depth. The water had not yet commenced to come in at the effluence, but was just beginning to back in at the confluence, and the river still rising. The danger was imminent if any- thing happened to delay us whilst we were in the bed of the billabong ; the water would be upon us, and we must leave the waggon and save ourselves. There was not a tree, or stump, or stone to which the waggon could be moored, and it must, if the water rose sutticiently high, be carried helplessly down the stream. Presently our worst fears seemed about to be realised, for, on crossing some water about eighteen inches deep, by swerving a very little from our intended course, our waggon and horses became most terribly bogged. In addition to the eighteen inches of water, the wheels and the horses' legs had gone another eighteen inches into the sand. After struggling, kicking and plunging in a most distressing manner for several minutes, all four were at last down in the sludge, entangled in their own harness and each other's, one apparently hopeless mass of confusion ; and all this time the flood increas- ing. It was a most critical moment, and not a second to be lost. All hands were mustered round, and somehow the horses were soon got free, but how I don't know. The harness was terribly smashed and miserably entangled. At last the leaders were connected with the end of the pole, some of the sand was cleared away in front of the wheels, and theji the two horses who seemed to know what was required from them, and four willing hands at the wheels, altogether, w'ith a long pull and a strong pull, landed the waggon safely on harder ground. The other horses were soon fixed, and the waggon was got on safe ground just as the flood was beginning to back in furiously from below. ROM A TO POINT PAKKER, nULF OF CAKPEXTAIUA. ol Half an liour more would have left the waggon helpless in the bed of the Idlla- bong until it was washed away. The danger was now over, but there was yet another difficulty to surmount, viz., to reach the talileland. A great deal of clearing and excavation had to be done, as the hank was precipitous; the sun, too, nearly down, and the twilights in the tropics Avell-kuown to be ex- tremely short, misei'al)ly short on occasions like this. However, our brave horses took us to our camping-j^lace safely, to our great relief and surprise. This has been a most troublesome and exciting day, one that will not i-eadily be forgotten by those that were present, but will scarcely he realised by any- one else. The evening was line, and there is reason to hope we may get on better to-morrow, as there are no more creeks between this and Floraville ; but the flood has sadly interfered with our intended progress. However, "all's well that ends well." Camp .51. SuxDAY, April 24. — Barometer, 1000 ft., or 29.24 ; thermometer, 69\ There was a good deal of "titting and contriving," hammering, stitching, and riveting to be done this morning, and we did not get away lief ore 8.40 a.m. The ground was so boggy that we were afi-aid to go beyond a walk, which means two miles an hour, and thus we went on for hours, the weather tine, and the country looking beautiful. But for the recent rain, we might he bowling along seven or eight miles an hour instead of crawling as we are. At 11.1.5 a.m. we came to a halt, as there was a creek ahead, and it was uncertain whether we could cross it without going a mile or two up to head it or nearly so. Mr. Hann and the cook went aw^ay to explore. They came back in about an hour, having found a crossing-place near the junction, after exploring several miles up without success. But we had to put in the " emergencies."' The creek proved far less formidable than anticipated. Thei-e was no water in it, no bogghig ; only loose sand, which let the horses and wheels down about eighteen inches ; the " going in' and "coming out" were pretty steej), but the horses went straight ahead, and within five miiuites we were over. Thei'e are some trees here, such as we have not seen before — liroad leaves, 6 in. x 4 in., and plenty of them ; the most perfect shade of any I have seen. Mr. Hann says it is the "pear tree," but he is not certain. After crossing two or three more creeks and one open plain, "\ve came to a tine lagoon, and camped for dinner at 1.45 p.m. We are promised better country this afternoon, and Ave want it badly, to make up for loss of time and patience during the last few days. We saw some india-rubber ti'ees on our way ; small, scrubby- looking things ; no foliage; something like a blackthorn just beginning to bud ; if cut, a milky fluid comes out, but very slowly. I suppose this is the fluid from which the rubber is made. The lagoon on which we had dinner is supplied dui'ing floods from the Leichardt. It is dry in some seasons. There is very little timber. Some sleepers may be got on the river, but I don't think the ti-tree can be relied on to furnish any large quantity. There are some good-sized bloodwood trees, but I notice that many of them are hollow. No .stone to be seen for the last few daj's, but the nature of the soil indicates some underneath. We had a new team after dinner, but did not, for a mile or two, come upon anything that could be called trotting ground, and by that time our leaders were pumped. A^'e put in a fresh four, and then ^ve made good progress. The country still continues much the same as for the last feAv days, a little less timber and occasional indications of sandstone. It is said there a great many crocodiles in tlie river near here. I was called to see two or three, but they tui-ned out to be logs or stones. At last, however, I snv a most unmistakeable one on a boulder; saw him move, crawl into the water, and disappear all but his head. Tlii.s Mr. Hann hit with a bullet from the rifle, but bullets do not hurt them, 52 QUEENSLAND TKANSCONTINKNTAL RAILWAY. cxcopt in some soft place behind tlie arm. We readied a good camping-place on a nice lagoon about two miles oti" the river. We have coineahout eighteen or nineteen miles to-flay. Our progress is slow and very aggravating, but we must reach Floraville to-morrow, and cross the river if possible. This camp is 52. Barometer, 1050 ft., or 29.57, at 5 p.m. There is some rather soft conglomerate stone here; it would make very fair ballast, but there is no lack of ballast anywhere. Monday, April 25.— Barometer, 970 ft., or 29.67 ; thermometca-, 63". We started at 8.5 a.m., and, after about two miles, came to the river. We followed it for about two miles, and then came upon some rocks of conglomerate on each side of the stream. I think foundations might be formed on them, one on each side of the main stream, not more than sixty yards ajiart. These rocks or cliffs ai-e about twenty feet above the level of the water. There is now a slight flood in the river. In very ordinary floods, no doubt, the cliffs are under Avater. They extend back level from the river for a considerable distance, and are sometimes flooded to a depth of twenty or thirty feet. This place is about twenty miles above Floraville, and a little alcove Shingle Creek, which comes in from the eastward. It is not a bad site for a railway bridge. We found some very hard stone here, like cornelian. Shortly afterwards we came to Shingle Creek, whose bed is one mass of rocky bouldei-s, enough to try the remaining strength of the waggon. Then for miles, rather for hours, w(^ were travelling the roughest of plains ; good soil enough, no doubt, but jolting enough to shake the Christianity out of any man. Tlien we went down into some l)roken country, and for a few miles it was harder and a little smoother. The sorghum grass covers the plain, and it is like driving through a sparsely-cropped wheattield. Some of it is ei.nlit feet high, and it is most irritating to the poor horses. There is also a sprinkling of Mitchell grass. We stopped for dinner at 12.45, and here a carpet-snake six feet eight inches long was killed. After dinner, with a fresh team, we had more than the usual tussle, but the gi-ound is enough to try the tempers of man and horse. I am in constant fear of my neck being dislocated by my head coming so frequently into violent contact with one of the uprights of the cover of the waggon. We went on with varying success (mostly ill-success as far as the ground went) until half-past four, and then our team was completely pumped. We had to let them out and fall back upon the '' emergencies," having five miles more to reach Floraville, and the ground still uncertain. Just before we came to the camping ground, with the sun nearly down, our connection between the pole and the leaders was broken. We soon repaired, temporarily, with a chain, and got in safely just before sundown. It has occurred to me that if the trouldesome sorghum grass through which we have been driving and swearing all day be allied to the sugar-cane, Avhy should not the sugar-cane grow luxuriantly also 1 It appears, after all, we have done twenty-four miles to-day, but the incessant jolting has been trying. Camp 53. Bai'ometer, 940 ft., or 29.70, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 26. — Barometer, 870 ft., or 29.77; thermometer, 72", at 6 a.m. Immediately after breakfast. Mi". Hann and I started on horseback to see something of the big fifteen-mile waterhole, st. 7 lb. to 10 st. 12 Hi. 18 8 1. QUEENSLAND. TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILWAY from ROMA to PT. PARKER. (ME. WATSON'S REPOKT ON TRIAL SURVEY OF PROPOSED ROUTE FOE) Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command. Railway Survey Camp No. 7, Charleville, 24th January, 1881. PROGRESS REPORT No. 1. ROMA TO CHARLEVILLE. Sir, I have the honour to report that I have driven over tlie country from Roma to Charleville, starting from Roma on the 14tli Januaiy, and reaching Charle- ville on the 21st. For the first sixty-seven miles {i.e., seven miles west from Mitchell) the country is easy for the construction of a railway, there being, comparatively, no earthworks except surface forming and ditching; and this, indeed, may be said of nearly all the countiy from Roma to Charleville, with such exceptions as will he hereafter mentioned. The first stream of any consequence is a creek called the " Bangowangeria," near Mount Abundance Home Station, and this is evidently flooded to a great height sometimes — I should say 35 ft. to 10 ft. above summer level ; the next is the Maranoa River, near the township of ]\Iitchell, which, although dry as a road for scores of miles in summer, still in floods overflows its banks and covers the country to a considerable depth for a long distance on either side. There are several smaller watercourses, all of which show indications of great rushes of water at times. I must leave for further information and consideration the question of dealing with the watercourses — whether to construct the bridges sufficiently high to provide for all floods, or to let the water in high floods go over the line, and submit to temporary delays and repair damages afterwards. There is plenty of ballast all the way within easy distance, mostly basalt, but great scarcity of timber for bridges or sleepei's. After the first sixty-seven miles the country becomes scrubby and mon^. uneven, poorer too, scarcely a blade of grass to be seen anywhere, but still plenty of stone ; and the line may he kept on, or nearly on, the surface, with a gradient of 1 in 50, with very little earthwork. There are a few ii'onbark tj-ees, which could be used for sleepers, at many places along th(; line ; I think suflicient ironbark and box timber could be got abreast of the Line to supply 62 QUEENSLAND fRANSCONTINENTAL RAILWAY, the necessary sleepers, hut probably this would not include more than five (5) per cent, of tlu; whole distance, the remainder would have to be provided from somewhere else, I am afraid, at considerable cost. There is very little country that can be called " ranges," very little that cannot be dealt with at compara- tively small cost; the principal range is the "Angelalla Range," about thirty- five miles eastward from Charleville. The earthwork, if the line follow anything like the telegraph line and present road, will be considerable ; but I am satisfied fiom what I have seen that an easier and more gradual ascent may be secured and a lower summit found for the railway. A detail sui'vey of this portion of the line should be undertaken as soon as funds are avail- able. There is a great deal of country through which I passed similar to the Campaspe Plains, in Victoria, where excellent wheat is now grown, and which, as necessity may justify or require, will come under cultivation. I am rather afraid of the ravages of the white ant, as in several of the town- ships the buildings are placed upon stumps or piles 3 ft. or 4 ft. above the surface of the ground, with projecting tin caps. I noticed that from Black's Waterholes to Charleville a great many dams have been constructed by the Government with excellent results, and I cannot see why this cannot l)e done all over the country ; all that is required is the outlay of more capital, and this, I fear, will never be attained until the hold- ings are very much smaller, and the security of tenure more satisfactory. To me it is evident that a man who has to make a living from 40,000 acres {i.e., \'2}r m. X 5 m.) must make it produce more per acre than he who has 4,000 square miles ; this can only be done by exti^a expenditure, extra labour, and he, the former, has security of tenure whether he purchase or lease his land either from the syndicate or the Government, and every extra ton of produce goes to swell the revenue of the railway — a market must be found somewhere, and at the same time the general consumer is benefited. My field notes and my previous experience lead me to the conclusion that the country from Roma to Charleville may be classed with the country from Stawell to Murtoa in Victoria; similar lines would cost about the same in the two localities if the price of labour were the same in both cases, but the the gauge of the line and the character of the permanent-way materials being difierent, allowance must l)e made. I shall be able to j^repare an approximate estimate of the cost per mile as soon as I can get some information which I have asked for from the Victorian Government. On the whole, I believe a good, useful, efi^icient line can be made at reason- able cost ; that ^- (one-third) of the adjoining land is excellent, equal to any I have seen in the Australian colonies ; that -^ (one-sixth) is indifferent scrub ; and h (one-half) will eventually come under cultivation as it may be required. I have,