The Sun.
London, England, 1862-02-24 00:00:00

1110. RE GEOG.

ISCOVE.RIE S
IN AUSTRALIA.

Kla

(From the Melbourne Age of December 26.)
The annals of Australian exploration will be largely en-
riched by the proceedings of the present year. It marks the
date of important geographical discoveries, not only in east
central and central Australia, but likewise on the west and
north-west coast, and the tract of territory immediately in-
land from that coast. Within the last six months we have
been called upon to chronicle not alone the successful
labours of the persevering Stuart, but also those of the
lamented Burke. And now we have devolved upon us a
similar pleasing task in reference to the proceedings of Mr.
Gregory, the commander of the north-west Australian Ex-
pedition. The official report of the expedition, addressed
by that gentleman to the Governor of West Australia,
which we publish this morning, opens up to view a magni-
ficent region on that part of the north-west coast imme-
diately facing Java, and the other islands which dot the
southern line of the Indian Archipelago. The newly ex-
plored territory is within easy reach of India. Indeed,
whenever it becomes a settled country, which must be at no
very distant date from the present, India will be as much
within hail of its seaports as New Zealand is of our own
ports or of those of New South Wales. The commercial
importance of the geographical position of the newly-ex-
plored territory is, therefore, easily comprehended. And
it cannot be too soon or too generally known that,
owing to the elevated character of the inland coun-
try, this new region, though intertropical, is both
habitable for Europeans and well suited for graz-
ing sheep and cattle on a vast scale. It would
seem, indeed, from Mr. Gregory's account to be less
oppressively hot than the more southern districts which
are already included within the settled parts of Western
Australia ; and it will probably be found cooler than the
Queensland country in the corresponding latitude upon the
eastern coast. It was visited during the dry season. The
rains prevail from November to March.
The means at Mr. Gregory's command for conducting
the expedition were very limited—part being supplied from
England by the Geographical Society, and part being fur-
nished by the Government of Western Australia. And, in
consequence, of this and the advanced period of the season,
he was not able to achieve the principal purpose which
he had in view, on entering upon the work of explora-
tion. This purpose was the discovery of some clue
to ascertain the direction taken by the waters which form.
the drainage of Central Australia. The most conflicting
opinions have been advanced by eminent geographers and
men of science upon this question ;—some maintaining that
the waters flow inland to the centre, others, that they flow-
coastwise and discharge themselves into the sea, like the,
rivers of most other countries. Mr. Gregory hoped hie
expedition would throw great light upon the solution of
this problem, if it should not enable him actually to solve
it. But he was unable to do either, although he almost
succeeded in getting within his grasp some positive evi-
dence on the point. Difficulties, however, greater than the
means at his disposal would enable him to sur-
mount, intervened to baffie him in this object. But there
is some considerable compensation in the fact of his 13 eying-
discovered a fertile and habitable region, which will soon.
become an attractive field for colonial enterprise.
Mr. Gregory sailed on the 2d of May last, in the barque
Dolphin, from Champion Bay, which lies on the western
coast, in about the 29th degree of south latitude ; and on.
the 10th of the same month he arrived at Nickel Bay, which
is in south lat. 21 deg., on the north-west coast. This place
formed the base of his operations. Here the Dolphin lay
at anchor whilst he and his party, numbering eight persons:
in all, proceeded inland on their exploration enterprise.
They were engaged in their journeyings into the
interior until the 23d of October, when they finally
quitted Nickel Bay on their return, and arrived at.
Freemantlo on the 9th of November. They were thus
absent six months and one week, five months of which
they were engaged in exploring the country. And
short as the period was, it resulted in geographical dis-
coveries which are almost as important as those made by
the lamented Burke in an equally brief space of time, and
are certainly more accessible. The region possesses, there-
fore, a more immediate practical value for the purposes of
colonisation at the present moment. The waters of the
coast offer an especial commercial attraction in their copious
yield of pearl oysters. Several tons of these had been col-
lected in their leisure hours by the crew of the Dolphin,
and they were valued at £6OO, exclusive of some pearls of
superior size and lustre, one of which was stated by a com-
petent judge to be worth £25.
There were two main separate efforts made to penetrate
the country inland, and in separate directions—the one
S.W., the other S.E., from Nickel Bay. And in both
they met with an abundance of water, in small and
large river courses, and extensive alms of richly grassed
land. The S.W., or coast route, which was the first entered
upon by the expedition, was pursued to a point at which
Mr. Gregory connected the new country, by triangulation,
with the territory on the Lyons River, explored by him in
1858. It resulted in his discovery of a vast extent of rich
pasture land, reaching some hundreds of miles inland, from.
the large opening on the coast known as Exmouth Gulf.
To this fine district he gave the name " Ashburton," alter
a well-known British Peer. He also experienced some
rugged and stony country, which so damaged the red of
the horses that he was obliged to return without completing
the full observation and examination of the territory
in this direction. Had he had a better equipment,
both of horses and of such materiel as horse-shoes, he
would have been able to surmount the difficulties which
beset him, and which would not have been reckoned of any
moment by a better provided party. On the return route
he passed through a broad tract of well-watered and fertile
arable land, and through open grassy plains of limitless
extent. He reached Nickol Bay on 19th July, and found
a party of natives encamped there, and on the most amica-
ble terms with the Dolphin's crew. 780 geographical
miles were travelled over in this trip. After eight or nine
days' rest, and the horses being re-shod, the party again-
started for the interior ; this time towards the S.E. The
country passed over is described as intersected with soma
very large, and several small, rivers. The soil in many'
places showed open • grassy plains, good arable land, and
sometimes elevated stony ranges. Water-fowl and fish (some
like herrings) were abundant. The hilly region abounded in
water-springs; and beyond it, to the east, lay a magnificent
region of agricultural and pastoral land, watered by a large
river named the " De Giey." Further on, they came upon.
another river—the " Oakover"—of which we have the fol-
lowing notice given in the report :—" The scenery in the
vicinity of this river was truly pleasing. Undulating plains
of waving grass extended far away to the northward ; while,
the banks of the stream, which was here two hundred yar".ta
wide, were overhung by a broad belt of cajeput trees, ths
rich umbrageous foliage of which afforded us a most e
.gree-
able shade during the many days we afterwards f allowed
the picturesque windings of this fertilising strer upon
which was conferred the name of Oakover.' Keep-
ing still in a southern and eastern direction,
they arrived, on the 2d of Septembe upon an
open plain of red sand raised into high win. 1-ridges. And
although there were indications of a large •
river some forty
or fifty miles off, which, if followed up would, in Mr.
Gregory's opinion, do much to solve 4.. he question of the
drainage of Central Australia, he we .s obliged, from the
loss of some of his horses and the worn-out conditicn of the
others, to commence his retreat to the coast. This great
question of the physical geography of Australia, then, still
rests in its former obscurity, notwithstanding the efforts
made on this occasion to arrive at its solution. Return-
ing by a northern course they found that the " Oakover"
forms a junction with the "De Grey," and runs'
northwards to the sea in a combined char"
nel, from two hundred to four hundred yards wide--'
a magnificent stream. On this new route they,'
also passed through an abundance of goy)
grazing and agricultural land. Another confluent a
the "De Grey"—the " Shelley"—was also examined to the
southward, and the exploration here, too, showed er
" good country," They returned to Nickel Bay ju Oct.
17, having on this trip travelled 985 geographiclil
The total area traversed in both trips was 1,765 g,er,graphi'
cal or 2,040 statute miles; and for the most part this large
tract was found suitable for a numerous EuroTi,ean p. opula"
tion engaged in pastoral and agricultural pursuits. TV
country rises inland in vast terraces of many miles extent
rising one above the other; and Mr. Gregory is of opinion
that in the parts he visited there are about three rnillions ai
acres fit for pasture, and about one-tenth of that good
agricultural land. Amongst the indigenous fruits the/
found in abundance a sweet plum, "very palatable"; the
greaorpwientgedwiwldit;h and,
ge wild fig, also excellent ; a kind of bread-fruit tree ;
strange
an in maanndy pbleaacuestifw the
figerwom ere' ,
large melons (sweet and water) ; and a small gourd. To-'
bwaacsc o
richly
was
interspersed with noble palms forty feet high. There wars
ducks, pigeons, andcockatoos seen, and a few swans and ems'
The alluvial fiats are described as being well suited for the
growth of cotton ; the upland country for cereals, and pasture'
The natives were not numerous nor troublesome. And
thus, whilst we here in this south-eastern corner of the
Australian continent are contriving measures to repo
l
population from settling upon our soil, as thottel
it were the last scrap of unoccupied land on the, globe, 4‘
fertile region of millions of acres on the nortll-west coast'
and within a few weeks' sail of us, is thrwn open to our
gaze, as if to shame the majority of
o'.:Lr law-makers into as
abandonment of their narrow-minded and ruinous 101
policy.
ob

The adjudication in the case of Mr. Scott Russell'
disputed by him, has been confirmed by Mr. Commissioreir
Goulburn, after a protracted examination into the facto rul
argument on the law by counsel on both sides. Mr. Scott
Russell has already appealed to the Lords Justices against
the order, and the case will probably be argued before Wl'
in the early part of next week, probably the 2Gth inst.
The pythoness is continuing to perform her 111
cubatory duties with true maternal perseverance, the burial.°
of eggs being carefully gathered within each coil. Tho eel.
pent has not yet broken her fast, but appears in excellent
health. It is expected that the process of incubation 01'11
occupy about three weeks longer.
at
NETLEY HOSPITAL—The General Hospital
Netley, con.rary to the universal expectation,
opened this year. Every preparation had been made for Itt
use during the approaching season ; but it was decided a
the eleventh hour that it would not be needed.—alli"
&roc. Gaiotto, is not to .11