THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN EXPLORING EXPEDITION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LII, Issue 5805, 3 October 1879, Page 6

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN EXPLORING EXPEDITION.

(From the South Australian Advertiser, Sept. 2a) Mr Alexander Forrest, the leader of the Western Australian Exploring Expedite has submitted the following official report to Sir H. Ord, the Governor of Westers Australia :

Katherine Station, O. T. Line, Sept. 19. We left Beagle Bay on April 20, travelling east to King’s Sound, near Disaster Baj, thence keeping a short distance inland to the Fitzroy River, 20 miles. From south lat. 17deg. 41min., long. 123 deg. 36m in., we crossed a large river running into King’s Sound, which we followed to its head, besides numerous other streams. The country was all well grassed and watered. Thence we followed the Fitzroy upwards to lit. 18deg. 30tain., long 125 deg. 20min. The river then ran generally about north-east to lat. 17deg. 42m1n., long. 126 deg. lOmin., where it entered a high table range two thousand feet high, and wo were unable to follow it anj further. There were splendid alluvial flats, well grassed on each bank of the river, for at least 20 miles. From the Fitzroy, under the foot of the high table range to Secure Bay, in lat. 16dog. 24min., long. 124 deg. 28min., the country was well grassed and watered, but very rough. Here our first difficulties commenced, the high range falling abruptly into an arm of the sea. After some trouble we succeeded in getting over the high range, but all attempts to get away further towards the Glenelg were without success, although the Stephen Range was visible in the distance. After spending a fortnight in making roads and losing ten horses, owing to the rough nature of the country, we then walked ten miles, and found that it was utterly impracticable to got through these ranges to the Glenelg, and as we had followed the high range all the way from the Fitzroy, it was useless to return by our outward tracks to see if it were possible yet to find a pass. After some trouble we got out of them, and keeping about 20 miles south of our outward tracks we passed through a fine grass country well watered, reaching the Fitzroy on July 8. The question now became, should I return to Beagle Bay or explore eastward to the boundary of the Colony. The latter coarse was decided upon, and with 13 horses, all that was left, and provisions for 50 days, we started, following up the eastern branch of the Fitzroy, which left the main river in latitude 18dg. 4min , to latitude 18deg., longitude 127 deg. 40min., where we crossed the dividing range. There was splendid grass country, well watered all the way. Thence we proceeded to the boundary of the Colony, which was crossed in 16deg. 50min., the country between being some of the best in Australia; clear, grassy plains and running springs at every mile. We also followed a large river coming from the westward, in longitude 12Sdeg lOmin fjr 20 miles northwards. It then ran north-west, and being short of provisions and having a sick party, I regret to say I was unable to follow it any further. There was good grassy country as far as the eye could reach on each aide of the river. From the boundary of the Colony we bore north-east, crossing Stmt* Creek in latitude Ifideg 30min, and the Victoria at ite junction with the Wickham. The country was all well greased and watered. From the Victoria we bore east-north-east, through a splendid country to latitude lodeg 50min, longitude 130 deg 30min, and here for the first time we were unable to find water ahead. After hunting for some days, ana losing time, our horse* by this being reduced to eight, owing to our having to live on them, and my party being far from weu, I decided on risking it and making a p for the telegraph line, and on the - , left with Hicks on the two best horses, reaching the line on Sept. 1, having only found one ■mall water for 100 miles. After gangP the line some distance I met a Go ment party repairing the line, who fanw lent me horses and rations. I return to my camp on the lltb, and fou n , well, and wo reached here in safety to _ . > receiving every kindness from Mr and Murray of the Katherine Station, conclusion, this expedition has been moans of discovering the watershed 0 Fitzroy and other large streams, also an e* tent of good country well watered, equal 20 millions of acres, suitable for pastoral P poses, besides a large area for the grow sugar, coffee, and rice; besides, no tim _ trouble has been spared by myself mg® p a correct map of the country, and aUmug no one regrets more than I ao myself t have not been able to accomplish the north exploration, still I trust the large tent of good country opened up will co ™v ir . sate the Colony for the cost of the u taking. The health of my party . bad, Carey suffering for nearly three mo * My brother had a severe attack of , 9U j and the two natives are still much red • The rest of us are in good health. My one and all, have done their best to * ur , the euooess of the expedition. Large uu® . of native* were seen, but in no single had we any (rouble with them. on V r i v Fitzroy to here we have had to walk ne J the whole way, and the scale of rations very poor. I have worked hard—more than I have ever done in my life—to thie expedition to a success, but owingt° rough hills over which I could possibly no control, as my horses would not at face them, and, as will be seen, ten of t were lost, we tried hard to get north w» success.