Part 24 (1/2)

Great difficulties have, however, presented theements The hostilities in which the country is involved have necessarily directed the tihts, not of Her Majesty's Government only, but also of ht have been of the greatest assistance, in another direction Of the distinguished Australian explorers now in this country some are incapacitated by reason of health, and others by the circu required in other directions, fro the coret if, now that the money has been voted and the preparations partially made, the Expedition was not able to start at the best period for co operations next year, which on the northern coast of Australia seeht to be from February to April

I enclose copies of certain portions of the correspondence which took place early in the present year between the Colonial Department and Captain Stokes and Mr Sturt, ere consulted in order to obtain the benefit of their advice, and the former of whom I had at one time the hope to secure for the command of the Expedition

You will collect froeneral view of those who have considered the subject appears to be that Moreton Bay would be a convenient rendezvous for the land portion of the Expedition; that they ht be conveyed by sea to the mouth of the Victoria River, on the north-west coast; that it would be advantageous, if possible, that they should act in concert with a Govern operations in the Gulf of Carpentaria and neighbourhood, while the land explorers were engaged in the interior

SELECTION OF COMMANDER

Her Majesty's Government are, however, fully aware that such projects, especially where they involve so enerally to the leader of such an expedition, to who his instructions into execution

They have now co the coory, assistant Surveyor, in Western Australia They have been induced to take this course both by the very high testiiven to the abilities and fitness of this gentleman for the purpose by such authorities as they have been able to consult in England, and also by your own reports concerning him, particularly that contained in your despatch of the 6th January, 1852

Should Mr Gregory accept the charge, which I trust, notwithstanding its arduous and responsible nature, you will find him ready to do, it is the wish of Her Majesty's Govern for further instructions he should proceed immediately to Sydney, where he will find such instructions awaiting hianised

You are authorised to supply Mr Gregory with the necessary funds for this purpose, which will be repaid to the Local Government, from the Commissariat chest

If you are aware of any persons in your Governory in subordinate capacities, or if he has hie, you are at liberty to place them at his disposal; but it must be understood that this pere of scientific departentlemen of this class hom her Majesty's Government have been in correspondence; any such person who may wish to join the Expedition can do so only as a volunteer

Copy of this despatch has been transmitted by the same mail to Sir Charles Fitzroy, and likewise to the other Australian Governors Sir Charles Fitzroy will therefore be fully prepared to receive Mr Gregory, and to render him all assistance in his power; and I have every reason to hope for the zealous co-operation of the several local Legislatures and Governments in a scheme intended for the development of the vast and unknown resources of their co this despatch, iory, and if he should accept the command of the Expedition, inform both the Secretary of State for the Colonies and Sir Charles Fitzroy, and the other Australian Govern done so, and of his intended ned) NEWCASTLE

JOURNAL OF THE NORTH AUSTRALIAN EXPLORING EXPEDITION, BY AC GREGORY

The preli Expedition being complete, the stores, equipment, and a portion of the party were eh, and sailed for Moreton Bay on the 18th July, 1855, and on the 22nd anchored at the bar of the Brisbane River The next day the Monarch atte taken by the Government Pilot half a rounded, and was not got off till the 26th, when she entered the river The steaed to tow the Monarch up to the town of Brisbane; but having struck on a rock near Ipswich, sank, and the steaed to tow up the river The Hawk, however, proved to be of insufficient power, and it was then decided to embark the horses and sheep, which had been collected by Mr HC Gregory, at Eagle Farm

HORSES EMBARKED AT MORETON BAY

The horses having been got on board the Monarch on the 31st July, and the sheep the next day, the steamer Bremer was employed to tow her over the Bar It was evident, however, that the Bremer did not intend to do this, for she slacked the tow-line, and then steamed ahead full speed and snapped the hawser, and went off without any explanation

Having reh, so as to reduce the draft of the forust warped over the bar and went over to Moreton Island, where about three tons of water were taken in from the fresh-water creeks near the Pilot Station

On the 12 August weighed and left Moreton Bay; and this being the last point of coht be considered to cohteen persons, as follows: coory; geologist, JS Wilson; artist and storekeeper, J Baines; surgeon and naturalist, JR Elsey; botanist, F Mueller; collector and preserver, J Flood; overseer, G

Phibbs; stockmen, etc, C Humphries, R Bowman, C Dean, J Melville, W

Dawson, W Shewell, W Selby, S Macdonald, H Richards, J Fahey The livestock comprised fifty horses and 200 sheep

The provisions consisted of flour, salt pork, preserved beef, rice, peas, preserved potatoes, sago, sugar, tea, coffee, vinegar, limejuice, etc, calculated to supply the party on full rations for eighteen ust passed Breaksea Spit, and Port Curtis nextfine with south-east winds; reached Port Albany on 26th

Landed on Albany Island, which is principally of sandstone forenerally poor and sandy covered with bush and srassy patches

Fresh water was found in a s-place on the sandy beach; the supply was so small as to be of little use, and the position inconvenient of access

The mainland appeared to be covered with much dense bush, and the rocky sandstone hills did not indicate that the country was of any great value either for agricultural or pastoral purposes