The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-07-10 00:00:00

AUSTRALIAN EXPLORATION, !

When Mr. Giles left Adelaide early in December it
was announced that the objects of his expedition were
to examine a block of country lying about 100 miles
from the coast line of the Great Australian Bight, with
a view of ascertaining its pastoral capabilities, and
subsequently to achieve, if possible, his long-cherished
purpose of crossing the continent to the settled districts
of Western Australia. The first part of this programme
is accomplished (remarks The Tinzes). Mr. Giles
reached Finnes Springs on the 14th of April, and has
telegraphed as follows :—" On March 24 left Youldeh,
which lies 135 miles north-north-west from Fowler's
Bay; Mr. Richards obtained for me a native guide, who
knew the country some distance east. He took us first to
Pylebung (64 miles), an extraordinary native dam, and a
clay tank, with clay circular wall sft. high round it. It is
a most astonishing thing, considering that it is the work of
the aborigines. Thence to Whitegin—a small rock hole
—3O miles. Thence nearly north-east we reached
Wynbring, a fine rock-hole in the crevice of granite
rock, which stands about 50ft, high, and is two or
three acres, perhaps, in extent. Youlden, Pylebung,
Whitegin, and Wynbring are all in the densest of
dense scrubs; heavy red sandhills, with thick malles
mulga, acacia, Grevilles, casuaxina, hakea, and spini-
fex ; the dead underbush so thick that the camels
could scarcely move along. Wynbring was 100 miles
from Youlden, and lying 10 deg. south of east from it.
From here the guide knew the country no further,
and declared that beyond this point there was 'nothing,
nothing.' Leaving Wynbring we came 220 miles
through the most terrific scrubs, with an open
streak of 30 miles between, to a claypan with water
in, and that saved us. The three horses died of
thirst—one at 65 miles, one at 150, and the last at 168
miles. The camels carrying water, we gave the horses
as much as possible till we were reduced to three pints.
The heat was great, the thermometer day after day
standing at 102 deg. in the shade. It was impossible
to travel at night, as we should have left every eye on
sticks in the scrubs. The 220 mile stretch from Wym-
bring to the claypan was done in eight days, the camels
averaging 28 miles per day. They are wonderful awe-
inspiring, and marvellous creatures. I never praised
God so much for anything before, and for such creatures
I thank you and and praise Him. Having found water,
our progress in was easy, each walking and riding by
turns. I just touched upon the edge of Lake Torrens.
From what I have seen I judge that there exists a
vast desert of scrub of a triangular form, the base
of which is at or near the western shores of Lake
Torrens, and the sides running north-westerly from
the southern foot, and most probably west from the
northern cone to an apex at no great distance from my
starting point, Youldeh, and I think a line north from
Youldeh would pass through it in but a short distance.
The way I came was nearly along its greatest length.
It consists of two deserts divided by a strip of open
country, about 30 miles broad. The western and
denser one I have named Richards' Desert, in grati-
tude to Mr. Richards for his own and his native's
guidance; and the eastern one I have called Ross's
Desert, as it was that that baffled Mr. John Ross, who
got through the eastern, but never entered the larger
western one. I shall hasten to Beltana, and am quite
confident of the successful issue of the expedition."