The Sun.
London, England, 1864-04-14 00:00:00

Royal Geographical Society,

At the meeting of this society on Monday evening—Sir
R. Murchison in the chair—the subject of the feasibility of
colonising the northern districts of Queensland was brought
under consideration, by the reading, in the first instance, of
a paper by Mr. J. Arthur Scott, describing an overland en.
pedition from Port Denison to Rockingham Bay, and after-
wards by communications on the proposed new settlement
at Cape York by Sir G. Bowen, the present Governor of
Queensland. The expedition in which Mr Scott was en-
gaged occupied from the beginning of April to the middle of
June last year. He traversed the mountainous ridge that
extends along the eastern coast of Queensland, and presents
a steep escarpment on the eastern side, which is a serious
obstacle to communication between the coast and the interior,
as there are only three or four openings in a range of up-
wards of 1,000 miles through which communications can be
made. The expedition came within sight of Rockingham
Bay, which wasabout seven miles distant, but a close jungle
on the sides of a gorge in the rocks I,oooft. deep effectually
stopped further progress, as no path could be made except
by cutting through, and the supply of provisions falling
short, and the exhaustion of the party from fatigue, pre-
vented them from making that attempt. Mr. Scott described
the general aspect of the country to be fertile and well
watered, an immense track of table land, at an elevation of
about 2000 ft., being well adapted for pasturage. He came
to a beautiful waterfall that fell over rocks from a height of
500 ft., and he heard the sound of a much larger waterfall,
supposed to be 20 miles distant westward, which he did not
attempt to reach. The general appearance of the country
seemed highly favourable for settlement, and he expresse
the opinion that a road might be made to Rockingham Bay
without much difficulty by cutting the jungle. Though
within the tropics—the latitude being about 18 deg. south—
the heat was not oppressive, the thermometer not having bees
h'gher than 85 deg,, and the exploring party enjoyed good
health. Mr Scott mentioned having seen several crocodiles on
his route. In the communication from Sir G. Bowes the
capabilities of the northern districts or Queensland for set tic-
moat were spoken of highly favourable, and Cape York,
the northern promontory of Australia, though only 11 deg
from the equator, was described as possessing great advan-
tages for emigrants from the mother country, the extensive
elevated plateau inland and the vicinity of high mountain
ranges tending to cool the atmosphere.

In. the discussion that took place after the papers had been
read, Sir Charles Nicholson expatiated on the great attrac-
tions of Queensland generally as a place of settlement, but
he expressed doubts whether the Anglo-Saxon race were
adapted to the climate of the northern districts. He consi-
dered that it would be necessary to introduce Chinese la-
bourers to cultivate the soil. Mr Crawfurd also took the
same view of the unsuitableness of the climate for English-
men, and he contended that it would be unfitted also for
the profitable breeding of sheep, as their wool Would be of
no value. Captain Richards and other gentlemen took part
in the discussion, which turned in a great measure on the
respective advantages of the inner or outer passage in navi-
gating along the eastern shores of Queensland. A ridge of
coral rocks extends for a length of 1,000 miles at a short
distance from the sbore, with only a few gaps through which
ships can enter, and it was contended by some that the inner
passage along the coast was excellent and safe for all vessels,
as the reefs form a breakwater which keeps off the swell of
the ocean. The advocates of the outer passage, on the other
hand, asserted that that was the best line for general navi-
gation, though the inner passage might be the best for coast-
ing vessels. Oue of the speakers condemned the attempted
settlement at Cape York, and contended that the best means
of opening communication with the interior of the northern
parts of Queensland. would be to form a settlement to open
communication with some port in the southern coast of the
Gulf of Carpentaria.

After some concluding remarks by the president, the
meeting adjourned to the 25th inst.