THE KIMBERLEY.

Bruce Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 1758, 15 June 1886, Page 4

THE KIMBERLEY.

SIR GEORGE GREY'S OPIJNTON. As so much attention ia attracted just now co Kimberley and its goldfield, any fresh information about that locality cannot fail to be interesting. It will be remembered that Sir George Grey wai at the head of an exploring party in the Northern part of Western Australia many years ago, although not within 100 miles of Kimberley itself. The observations, however, apply equally to Kimberley. Sir George Grey very courteously placed his experiences at our disposal. Sir George says that the climate near tlie sea coast is good, but very warm, although not injuriously so, if due care be taken as to habits of living. He was there for ssveral months, during the hottest season of the whole year, and experienced no ill effects, nor was there a single case of sickness in his party. But this immunity was only secured through observance of the strictest rules as to regimen, especially with regard to temperance. His men were not allowed to use any spirits or alcoholic liquor of any kind whatever, and to this rale of rigid abstinence Sir George in a large degree attributes the constant good health of his party notwithstanding the great heat. But at the same time he states that the climate is thoroughly tropical and much too hot for comfort or for hard work, such as gold digging, to be carried on without imminent danger, although the intensity of the heat is somewhat tempered by a cool breeze which blows constantly during the middle of the day. Sir George Grey says, however, that horses are an absolute necessity, and that it is quite impracticable to travel without them. The climate suits horses well enough, and where the soil and feed are good, they do very fairly. Any number of small active horses little larger than ponies may be procured at two neighbouring islands, Timor and Rotter, both belonging to the Dutch, and they may be bought at very small cost. They can be brought over in about two days' sail or even less. Provisions also can be obtained at. these islands — at least such food as the Natives use can be procured in abundance. The Kimberley country varies in character. Most of it is sandy or sandstone formation, which gives only a poor yield of grass, but some is volcanic, and in these localities the soil is rich and the grass good. The Natives are numerous in certain parts of the country. They were formerly very hostile and troublesome, but have now become accustomed to Europe-ins, and are generally peaceable and well disposed. Sir George Grey informs us that his men did very well, and were kept

in good health on ordinary food such as diggers generally haye — tea and damper, witb a little bacon. He suggests that vessels conveying .intending diggers would do a profitable trade by calling at the islands Timor and Rotter for horses. They could be obtained in any numbers, and conveyed to Kimberley for sale to the diggers and prospectors, a trade which would pay very handsomely. The country has always been suspected of being auriferous, its aspect and general formation being similar to that of various well-known gold bearing localities, but it is impossible to say as yet whether digging can be carried on profitably by Europeans in such a tropical climate Such is the substance of Sir George Grey's information, which was very readily and courteously afforded. — ' N. Z. Mail.