Part 12 (1/2)

On the 27th August we left Salisbury, and for an account of our journey from there to Adelaide I cannot do better than insert an extract froust 27th, 1870:--

”On Saturdaythe band of explorers from Western Australia, under the leadershi+p of Mr Forrest, made their entrance into Adelaide They left Salisbury at half-past nine o'clock, and ithin a few miles of the city were met by Inspector Searcy and one or two other members of the police force Later on the route they were one out to act as a volunteer escort At Governave them a hearty cheer as they rode up

The whole party at once rode up to Government House, where they were received by his Excellency, as introduced to all the members of the expedition, and spent a quarter of an hour in conversation with Mr

Forrest, and in exa with interest the horses and equip and severe journey perfor been handed round, the party withdrew, and were again greeted at Government Gate by hearty cheers from the crohich now numbered several hundreds They then proceeded by way of Rundle Street to the quarters assigned them at the police barracks The men are to remain at the barracks, and the officers are to be entertained at the City of Adelaide Club”

Froust 28th to Septe been most kindly received by all e came in contact We saw as much of the country as possible I disposed of my horses and equipment by public auction; then left in the stea King George's Sound on the 17th at 1 ae's Sound on the 19th, and arrived in Perth on the 27th, where ere most cordially welcomed by his Excellency the Governor and the citizens of Perth, having been absent 182 days

In the foregoing I have attes, and, in conclusion, beg tothe character and the capabilities of the country travelled over

In about longitude 124 degrees East the granite foritude 124 degrees to the Head of the Bight, a distance of over 400lih table land the whole distance

The portion itude 126 degrees 12 rees East, near Eucla harbour, or, in other words, the country to the north of the Ha rassed, and I believe abundance of water could be procured anywhere under the range by sinking twenty or thirty feet There is also under the sarassy country for the whole length of the range, namely about 160 miles I have every confidence that, should the country be settled, it would prove a remunerative speculation, and, if water can be procured on the table land, would be the finest pastoral district of Western Australia

CONCLUSION

Before I conclude, I have the pleasing duty to record my entire appreciation of every member of the party I need not particularize, as one and all had the interest and welfare of the expedition at heart, and on no occasion uttered a single murmur

Finally, sir, my best and most sincere thanks are due to his Excellency Governor Weld for the very efficient manner in which the expedition was equipped It is chiefly owing to the great zeal and desire of his Excellency that I should have everything necessary that the success of the enterprise is attributable

I have, etc,

JOHN FORREST,

Leader of Expedition

The Honourable FP Barlee, Esquire,

Colonial Secretary, Western Australia

CHAPTER 4

RECEPTION AT ADELAIDE AND RETURN TO PERTH

Departure from Gawler and Arrival at Adelaide

Appearance of the Party

Public Entrance

Complimentary Banquet

Grant by the Government of Western Australia

ARRIVAL AT ADELAIDE

On Saturday, the 27th of August, we reached Adelaide On the previous day we had left Gawler for Salisbury, where we rested until the following , e started at half-past nine o'clock for Adelaide A few miles from there ere met by the chief inspector of police and some troopers sent to escort us, and soon afterwards a volunteer escort of horseave us a friendly welcome We were heartily cheered as we entered the town and then rode to Government House, where ere received in the usson

After a brief ti the horses (which were all the worse for the long and arduous journey) also the equip of refresh lustily, and passed through King William and Rundle Streets on the way to the City of Adelaide Club My brother and self stayed there while in town, and the others at the police barracks, where man and horse enjoyed the much-needed rest and refreshment

It may interest the reader to quote from the South Australian Advertiser the description of our appearance e first entered Adelaide: ”It was a genuine Australian bush turnout, the trappings, water-dru admirably adapted for the purpose The horses looked so the immense distance that they have travelled, their condition was not to be complained of, and a feeeks in the Government paddocks will put them in capital condition