NORTHERN TERRITORY is a vast tract of land annexed to the colony of South Australia by commission under the great seal, bearing date 8th July, 1863, comprising all the country which lies to the N. of the 26th parallel of S. lat., and between the 129° and 138° of E. long., together with all bays, gulfs, and adjacent islands, within those limits. The E. boundary line of this territory cuts the coast near the mouth of the Wentworth river on the W. shore of the gulf of Carpentaria, and the W. near cape Domett on Cambridge gulf. The following account of the proceedings in reference to the settlement of this part of the country is extracted from Forster’s work on South Australia:—

“In consequence of the success of Mr. Stuart, in crossing the Australian continent, from Adelaide to Van Diemen’s gulf, and the favourable report given by him of the character of the country upon the northern coast, the South Australian government, having obtained the protectorate of the new territory, resolved to undertake the experiment of colonising it. A town was to be laid out in the most convenient situation, in allotments of halfan an acre each, and country sections were to be surveyed of a minimum area of 160 acres. It was proposed that, first of all, land orders should be issued for 250,000 acres of country land, at 7s, 6d. per acre, half to be sold in Adelaide, and half by the agent general in London, each section of 160 acres entitling purchasers to a town allotment. A second survey of 250,000 acres was afterwards to take place, bnt the price was to be raised to 12s. per acre.

“The first land orders were offered, simultaneously, in England and in South Australia, in March, 1864, and were all disposed of, a company having been formed in each place to buy up the residue, after the applications of the general public had been satisfied. And on the 29th April, 1864, the official staff sent to prepare the way for the settlement of the new colony took their departure from Fort Adelaide in the Henry Ellis. They consisted of:—B. T. Finniss, government resident; J. T. Manton, engineer and surveyor; F. E. Goldsmith, surgeon, and protector of aborigines; E. Ward, clerk and accountant; Clement Young, clerk and postmaster; Stephen King, store keeper ; John Davis, assistant storekeeper; W, Pearson, R. H. Edmunds, H. D. Packard, J. Wadham, and A. R. Hamilton, surveyors ; R. Watson and J. W. O. Bennett, draughtsmen; and sixty-seven chainmen and survey labourers.

“After arriving at his destination, the government resident fixed upon Escape cliffs, at Adam bay, as the site of the first town. The rest is soon told, though volumes have been written from the new settlement on the subject of the official proceedings there. Several of Mr. Finniss’s officers and men became disaffected, and sought, through the medium of the newspapers in Adelaide, to give publicity to their grievances, the principal of which was an objection to the locality chosen for the town. As many as could leave the settlement did so, one party having proceeded to Champion bay, a distance of 1600 miles, in an open boat. The Government called upon Mr. Finnis for explanations, and finally recalled him to Adelaide, until the complaints against his administration could be investigated, Mr. M‘Kinlay, in the meanwhile, being sent to Adam bay to report upon the general state of affairs there, and particularly upon the site of the'proposed town. Looking at the correspondence published on both sides, it is difficult to come to the conclusion that Mr. Finniss has greatly erred in his proceedings. Writing to a friend in England, he attributes the failure of the scheme—if failure there should be—to the unnecessary condemnation of his site for the capital, and to his being recalled at a time when it would have been much more reasonable to have sent him additional men and means of transport The considerations which guided him in the selection of the locality for the town he states as follows:—‘ There is an abundance of fine grazing for all the cattle of South Australia in the belt of country parallel to the coast, at the distance inland of about 25 miles, and extending along the back country of the Adelaide down to the Victoria on one side, and I believe towards the Roper on the other. I have been up the Victoria 110 miles, to Palm island, in a boat, and landed at several places. I could see enough of the Whirlwind plains, of Stokes, and of the distant hills, to be able to form a certain conclusion in my own mind that Litchfield’s discoveries on the Daly river are connected with the Whirlwind plains by similar country throughout. The extension from the Adelaide, at the back of the Alligator river, towards the gulf of Carpentaria, of this same fertile tract, I consider established by the similarity of geological formation in that direction. This belt of country comprises all the ranges, ridges, and spurs, with their intervening ▼alleys, which stretch out from the line of Gregory’s march between the Roper and the Victoria. The problem with me was, having first ascertained that there was good land enough to supply the demands of purchasers to the extent of 500,000 acres, with an unlimited back run, to connect this land with a port of call for shipping. Now, this, I consider, exists at the mouth of the Adelaide, to the N. of the Narrows. But shipping, if aided by steam, can pass up the river for at least 80 miles, and small vessels and steamers much higher. Moreover, boats and barges can be worked in almost all the creeks which branch out of the Adelaide, and carry produce either to a vessel at the head of the navigation, or to the more convenient port of call near the Narrows. I would have put the capital at the head of the navigation, but I considered it impossible for the vessels used in trade at present—sailing craft, and frequently clippers of great length—to go up the river without steam. The tides are so strong, the bends so tortuous, and the winds so uncertain and light, that they must be towed either by steam or by boats, or they would constantly get ashore on the soft mud, and lose many tides in reaching a capital so placed. I found, also, that the swamps, and marshes, and prairies—or river fiats, as they might be called—which constitute the valley of the Adelaide, would be injurious to the health of a population located within close proximity to the fogs and malaria of the rivers and creeks. I therefore prepared a town for residence within the sight and influence of the sea, and I found a level plateau, dry in the wettest season, at Escape cliffs. Its situation, on a narrow peninsula, exposes it to the influence of constant breezes either from the S.E. or N.W., or I should rather say from the E.S.E. and N.N.W., which are the prevailing winds—indeed the constant winds. It was the consideration of its evident healthfullness, and my extreme doubt as to the healthfulness of other parts more exposed to malarious influences, which made me shun all inland harbours for residence. Thus, I never dreamt of making the Narrows a principal town, but only a place of business, to be deserted at. sunset for the more genial climate of Escape cliffs. With regard to the country, Mr. Finniss says:—‘The belt of fine land which I have proved to exist 24 miles, on the average, back from the coast, is separated from the intervening land by low ridges of, say 150 feet elevation, sinking gradually to 30 feet on the coast; and these ridges run N. and S., striking the sea at right angles to the line of shore. Between them are the various rivers, all tortuous and muddy, with flat plains on each side, of a black clay soil, which in dry weather breaks up into deep cracky and in the wet weather retains the water, apparently from want of fall towards the river. These plains are clothed with long grass, as indeed are the ridges, which are composed of a sandy loamy soil, frequently of a reddish-brown hue. I consider this second-rate soil; but I have tried its character, and find that it produces cotton, I believe equal in quality to the Sea island cotton, of which I had seeds to plant, and sample to compare it with. Vegetables of all the kinds grown in Adelaide, or nearly so, may be produced in this land, not from Adelaide seeds, but from seeds of varieties acclimatised in Java and Timor. I have only now to add, that Adam bay itself affords excellent shelter for shipping for 9 months in the year. During the months of December, January, and February, there are sometimes strong gales from the N.N.W. and W., but I never saw any sea, even in the worst weather, that could cause a ship to drive from her anchors, although it would at such times be undesirable to land goods over the reefs in open boats. At first, until stores and wharfs are constructed at the Narrows inside point Ayers, ships would remain outside, and discharge at the Cliff, at a place which I have named Beatrice bay. I have no time to go into the question of port Darwin; but my reasons for not preferring that superior harbour are to be found in the fact, that its naval capabilities are perhaps its only qualification for settlement, and it has many disadvantages.’ Some interesting meteorological observations were made at Palmerston—the name of the embryo capital at Escape cliffs—for the months of January, February, and March, 1865, by Mr. Jacob Bauer, formerly connected with the Melbourne Observatory. The longitude of the locality is given as 131° 15' 55" E., and the latitude 12° 8' 42" S. The highest mean temperature for January was 86 8; the maximum day temperature for February was 97 5, and for March 98 2, and maximum night temperature 89 0 and 89 6 respectively. The total rainfall for the 3 months was 38 508 inches; the fall in January being 19 673, in February 12 993, and in March, 5 842 inches. In January it rained 25 days, in February 17 days, and in March 16 days. The fall in the last month occurred principally between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. From the 15th to the 21st of January the large quantity of 10,068 inches of rain fell. The plan for colonising North Australia, proposed by the Government, was faulty from the beginning. If, instead of first of all laying out a large town, they had accepted some of the proposals sent in to them for depasturing stock in the new territory, the usual and only safe course of settlement would have been initiated, the gradual development of which would have led to the further arrangements necessary for meeting the wants of an increasing population. Perhaps it would be well to recur to this mode now, without any greater expenditure of time and money in pursuing what, at the best, can only be looked upon as a doubtful, experiment. As there appears to be little question as to the suitability of the country for the rearing of sheep and cattle, it would be a pity if its extensive and splendid pastures were not occupied as speedily as possible.”

The following extracts from the report of Mr. Waterhouse, who was employed as Naturalist to Stuart’s expedition, describe the character of the country in the interior:

“Near here (mount Hay) are some broken ranges, some of which are running nearly parallel with the Macdonnell range, forming broad and level valleys, in which the soil is much enriched from the washings from the ranges on either side. An abundance of fine grass is found in these valleys, which, judging from a distant view which I obtained, on our return, from a high part of the mount Hay range, I think must be very extensive. A continuation of these well-grassed valleys seemed to extend in a north-westerly direction as far as I could see. From central mount Stuart we crossed again the Hanson, which was dry, but found, at a few miles further on, some water in small lagoons under some sand-hills; these on our return were dry. Near here I saw some bean-trees in bloom (Erithrina.) The blossom of these trees is rich and handsome, of reddish colour, in clusters of papillionaceous flowers ; the leaf is biloped; the foliage of the tree is scanty, and the wood exceedingly soft and spongy. We next came to the Stirling, where we camped, with plenty of water.

The Bonney, S. lat. 20° 24' 30", was the first running stream.

I had seen since leaving Adelaide. There was a plentiful supply of water here, and in parts a fine broad stream of deep water; on our return in September, there were but a few long shallow waterholes left. A few smooth-barked gum trees are growing on the banks. This creek (Attack creek) had some very long, broad, and deep waterholes, with much conglomerate rock in the bed of the creek. There were some fine smooth-barked gum trees on its banks. On our return in September, the water was much reduced, yet there was still a good supply. We next crossed the Whitington range, and camped on one of the sources of the Morphett, where we found water. This range is of a very hard, compact, siliceous sandstone. From thence we went to the Tomkinson, where we found plenty of water; and then we proceeded to the Burke, where we found some good waterholes. Most of these watercourses have the appearance of not having had water in them for many years. In the beds of the most considerable are to be seen growing gum trees of all ages, as well as acacias and shrubs. In some places, large gum trees, now black with age, that have been deposited by great floods, are to be seen scattered over the valleys near the banks. The only water I saw in these creeks, either going or returning, was in waterholes in the deepest parts of the beds ; many of these were small, and contained but a scanty supply, and often a great distance apart; they had not the appearance of being permanent. - Many of them we found dried up on our return. I found this portion of the country very poor in zoology, having met with, while travelling, very few species of birds or animals. The common rock wallaby was found throughout in rocky ranges, and the uroo kangaroo was occasionally seen in the same localities. The dingo or native dog was heard and seen throughout the continent. The birds which were seen were chiefly those that are common in the far north, such as the small rock pigeon, the blue-crested, the bronzed-winged, and brown flock pigeons; kites, on Sturt’s plains (where they feed on grasshoppers,) were very nuirerous. These ponds (Howell’s ponds) consist of a chain of small waterholes in a low part of the plain, which are supplied by surface drainage. Most of them are deep, and I should think would hold water a long time, the soil being of a tenacious clayey nature. Judging from the appearance of the surrounding country, in which there are many depressions, 1 think it probable that when it becomes better known many similar chains of ponds may be discovered. Small swamp gums are generally growing around them, but so are they also in other low localities where no water is, so that they afford no indication that can assist the explorer: the general nature of the country is such, that the waterholes can only be seen upon a near approach, and are thus difficult to find. These fine open plains are evidently very extensive, and of a dark alluvial soil of a somewhat clayey nature, covered with luxuriant grass, are very suitable for pastoral purposes. Belts of thick scrub are frequently met with, where sand has been accumulated by the action of the wind. Whilst camping at Howell’s ponds, I met with a beautiful arborescent species of bignonia, with a long yellow trumpetshaped flower. This was the only tree of the sort I found in blossom, though afterwards I met with many in fruit, which I was enabled to collect. The tree grows about 14 feet high, with a delicate foliage; the leaves are long and narrow; the seed-vessel is a long pod, with a curiously winged seed inside. The Daly waters consist of some waterholes in a conglomerate rock in the bed of a creek; the one near which we camped was about 8 feet deep, although not large. In it were many small fish of the perch tribe, some skins of which I procured; these fish are of the same species as those I found throughout the country from Merchant’s springs to the Roper. I here met with a very pretty species of green and red parrot, which probably is new, as I do not find it figured in Gould’s work; also a singular black and white, with long bill curiously notched (cracticus picatus,) and several other birds, which I shet and skinned. There are several new species of handsome gum trees near these waters, the forage of which is bold, the leaves being the largest I have seen, some of the leaves were broad and nearly a foot long; one species has a very smooth bark of a pale nankeen colour; these trees give a very pretty and varied effect to the scenery. The nut trees, a species of terminalia, or, perhaps, achras, are very plentiful near here, and a second species was found with a long leaf. The gum of these trees is readily soluble in cold water, and is good to eat when pounded very small and dissolved; three large table spoonsful we found would make one quart of thick gum water. In appearance it is very similar to gum tragacanth. Another new tree was found growing on the banks of the creek; it was about 50 feet high, with a fine thick foliage; the leaves were dark green and shiny, the bark was rough, the barrel straight, and about 18 inches in diameter. The wood of this tree is exceedingly hard, and much resembles lignum vitae. I regret being unable to procure any flowers or seeds from this handsome tree. In the neighbourhood of Daly waters many very interesting plants were common, as several malvaceous plants, a species of caper, some acacias, among them acacia farinesiana, a grewia, a terminaiia. The banks of the river (Strangways) are deep and steep, and there are many small creeks running into it; the bed is with a rapid fall, and was dry, with the exception of a few waterholes in deep places, generally at a great distance apart. From this camp, still following the river, we passed over a country with good alluvial soil, well timbered and with good grass, till we arrived at the Rock camp, where we camped by some immense detached blocks of sandstone rock. To the W. and N.W. were seen many sandstone rises, one of which I ascended for the purpose of obtaining a view of the surrounding country, which I found in the direction of these stony rises appeared to have much porcupine grass, but moderately well timbered with small gum and other trees. To the E. the country appeared much better, being level, and having larger trees and good grass. The general character of the Strangways is that of a narrow, deep river, with steep banks in a clayey soil. The banks are well lined with a large species of casuarina and other trees, which keep them from falling in. The descent is rapid, which may account for the bed being dry, except in a few deep parts, where there were small waterholes. The soil near the banks was generally of a rich alluvial character, and the grass both tall and good, although dry. A few good dams, placed at intervals across the river, would keep the water up and prevent so much running away. Leaving the camp on the West Koper, June 26th, for the purpose of making the Adelaide river, we returned by following up the river in search of a ford: after passing over some excellent and well-watered country, having rich alluvial soil with most luxuriant grass and well-timbered with gum trees, we succeeded in finding a ford on the second day’s journey. The river winds very much, and the banks are so thickly lined with trees, palms, and canes, that it is quite concealed from view, and we often found it difficult to reach the water from the thickness of the growth of the vegetation on its banks. These fine springs (Keckwick’s springs) furnished a good supply of water to several rivulets, the number and extent of which were concealed by dense vegetation; several species of ferns were growing near these springs, and some of the largest and finest callistemons that we had seen. We here met with, for the first time, a beautiful species of parrot (tichoglossus rubritorquis) very similar to the one known near Adelaide as the Blue mountains. Proceeding from the springs we soon arrived at a stony rise, ascending which we came on some table land extending, in the part over which we crossed, about 13 miles. The whole of this table land was well timbered with tall, straight gum trees, of from 1 foot to 18 inches in diameter, of a species much resembling Stringybark (eucalyptus fabrorum,) occasionally a few native pines (frenela,) were seen, as well as some fan palms (Livistona) in seed, some of which I collected. After travelling about 4 hours through this forest of trees, we suddenly came on a deep precipice of rough porous volcanic rock, from the top of which we had a very extensive and beautiful view. In the foreground was a fine broad deep valley, through which a stream was running, but so overgrown with trees and palms, some of which were from 60 to 70 feet high, that the stream was completely concealed from view.

To the N. and N.E., beyond the valley, the country was flat as far as could be seen ,and appeared to be well grassed. Far to the N.W. the country appeared hilly and well timbered. After leaving Billiatt’s springs, July 15th, S. lat. 13° 17 22", we met with frequent stony rises, some composed very hard sandstone with veins of quartz, others entirely of very white granular quartz—occasionally a little coarse grained grey granite was seen to crop out in the form of boulders, and near which was generally some blue schistoze rock of a very finely laminated nature. This part of the country is much intersected by narrow deep creeks of running water concealed by palms, bamboos, gum, and other trees growing on the rich alluvial soil on the banks; and in the valleys, which were well-grassed, and timbered with several species of gums, with occasionally a few native pines (frenala) and other trees.

On coming on the Adelaide river, which, at the part where we struck it, appeared to be about 80 yards broad, with steeep banks and deep water, the edge of which was well-lined with palms and large bamboos. The water was without any apparent current, and there was no indication of a tidal mark on the bank. Soon after leaving the river, we came on an extensive marsh, in parts thickly wooded with large gum trees. From Anna’s creek the country gradually falls, and is intersected by deep creeks of water, thickly lined by beautiful palms, bamboos, and trees. Occasionally volcanic rock was seen in small rises, and some thickly timbered belts, with a dense undergrowth of scrub and woodbine, which were passed through with difficulty. This sort of country continued till we arrived on a very extensive and luxuriantly grassed fresh water marsh, on the margin of which we camped, where there was some slightly elevated ground a short distance from the river. The next morning I went down to the river for the purpose of examining it, and I found a fine sheet of water extending in a northerly direction as far as I could see, and probably about 80 yards in breadth.

To the E. the marsh was skirted by a low rise of well-timbered ground. The bank of the river being too boggy to proceed that way to its mouth, we were obliged to skirt the marsh by following the rising ground to the E., which after passing over well wooded and watered country, with occasionally some fine open grassy flats of rich black alluvial soil, we came on a belt of marshy ground, crossing which we found on the other side a narrow belt of scrub, composed of mangrove and several sorts of umbrageous trees with a thick growth of underwood, in which was much woodbine, which we were frequently obliged to cut to clear a passage for the horses. After forcing our way through this, we came suddenly on the sea (July 24;) the tide was out at the time, and the shore presented to our view nothing but a level sheet of blue mud extending half-a-mile to the water’s edge. There was a narrow margin of sand above high water mark, on which were found a few dead shells, but no sea-weed was anywhere to be seen.

The following extract from the South Australian Register of 26th December, 1862, also bears on the same subject:—“Our readers will doubtless be glad to have an oppor­tunity of perusing such statements as are recorded by other explorers relative to the country which has now been opened up by Mr. Stuart, and which lies between the scrub recently passed through and the sea coast which formed the terminus of his journey northward. We are fortunately able to supply full particulars on this subject from having obtained a copy of Leichhardt’s journal, which contains a detailed description of that part of Arnhem’s Land, which lies between the Roper river and Van Diemen’s gulf. When Leichhardt described this country in 1846, public attention was struck with his account of the magnificent scenery which he had passed through; but, though a strong impression was produced, the new country appeared to the people of these colonies so far distant, and so completely unconnected with existing settlements, that no more immediate results were anticipated from the explorer's discovery than it his travels had been in Borneo or Java. But now the case is different. The glowing description given by Leichhardt of a country separated from Sydney and Adelaide by a dangerous journey of many thousand miles, will be applied in the diary of Stuart to a country within easy access of our northern boundary, and likely, at a very early date, to be occupied by stock from this colony. When Mr. Stuart states that, the public will be astonished to learn the particulars of this part of his journey; and when Mr. Keckwick remarks, as he does in a communication given elsewhere, that the beauty of some part of the country, with its palm-trees and other tropical vegetation, was remarkable, our readers will have no difficulty in understanding the extent of these statements after the report which Leichhardt has given of the same region. The Roper river, which Stuart struck soon after getting through the belt of scrub, is thus described by Leichhardt:—' As far as the tide extends, this river is from 150 to 200 yards broad, deep, with steep banks lined with dense hedges of the pandanus, of the drooping tea-tree, and several other brush trees, amongst which jasmin in blossom rendered the air fragrant with the perfume of its flowers. Vines hung from tree to tree, and a fine luguminous climber, with green flowers, big pods, and big brown seeds, grew in abundance.’ These seeds, crushed and boiled, formed, it is said, a very nutritious food. Speaking of the Roper in another part of his journal, Leichhardt says:—" The country along the river is openly timbered, particularly its upper part, which opens into flne plains, and would be well-adapted for pastoral purposes. There are, however, many rocky ranges, bluff isolated hills, and mountains which frequently approach the river, and render the travelling along its banks difficult.” The South Alligator and the East Alligator are afterwards fully described by the same explorer. He says:—“The valley of the upper East Alligator, which I rather should call Goose river (for nowhere we observed so many geese, and what is called an alligator is no alligator, but a crocodile,) is one of the most romantic spots I have ever seen in my wanderings. A broad valley, level, with the most luxuriant verdure; abrupt hills and ranges rising everywhere along its E. and W. sides, ana closing it apparently at its southern extremity; lagoons, forming fine sheets of water, scattered over it; and a creek, though with salt water, wind­ing through it.” Descending from the high land through which these rivers run, and approaching the coast now reached by Mr. Stuart, but more to the eastward, Leichhardt gives a full account of the low country around Van Diemen’s gulf. One of the first things which attracted his attention was the appearance of buffalo tracks, which increased as the expedition neared the sea shore. Describing this part of the country Leichhardt says—“ The stringy bark, the melaluca gum, and the leguminous ironbark are the prevailing timber. The cypress pine is abundant on the neck of the peninsula, the cabbage-palm with long pinnetified leaves grows along some of the creeks, and even on the ridges, and forms a grove and almost a forest at Mortejolk. Along the creeks and in the swamps the tea-tree grows to a stately size, and yields an excellent timber. The small fan-leaved palm is very abundant; the little gooseberry-tree becomes a low shrub.” As the party proceeded, herds of buffalo were seen, until, as Leichhardt says, the whole country became as closely covered with buffalo tracks as a well-stocked run in New South Wales could be with bullock tracks. The natives whom Leichhardt met in the neighbourhood of Van Diemen’s gulf were friendly. Many of them used Malay words, and some of them, from having been in contact with sailors, were acquainted with a little English. Some attempts at theft were detected amongst them, but there was exhibited none of that ferocity which had been met with amongst the natives on the other side of the gulf of Carpentaria. The chief result of his journey through this country was, he thought, that it demonstrated the existence of a practical route between the eastern part of the continent and the Alligator rivers. It seems never to have entered into his imagination that the fine country which he was passing through could be possibly approached from South Australia, or that the magnificent rivers which he was descending would at any time be regarded as possible outlets for a direct overland trade between these colonies and. the Indian ocean. Gregory, who in 1856 made a journey from the Victoria river, around the head of the gulf of Carpentaria, to New South Wales, passed at no great distance beyond the belt of scrub which Mr. Stuart has now penetrated. It was an object with Gregory to keep as far inland as possible. But the country towards the centre of the continent looked so hopeless that he went round by the Roper river, and availed himself of that useful stream as Leichhardt had before, and as Stuart has now done, though for a different purpose. Gregory describes the country in the neighbourhood of the Roper as the best with which he met after leaving the Victoria. The ranges he found were of basalt, and there were feed and water for stock in abundance. This concurrent testimony in favour of the country around the Roper is valuable, for it appears, from Mr. Stuart’s chart, that it is by the way of this river that the tableland and the sea coast beyond must be reached. It is in that direction, after failing in all others, that he has now succeeded in penetrating the bad country which repelled him in his last expedition—the bad country which made Gregory shun the interior, and which had previously caused Leichhardt to hug the coast as much as possible. It is by way of the Roper that the whole river system of Arnhem’s land can be reached. By bringing this valuable coast country into direct communication with South Australia Mr. Stuart has done more than he would if he had explored new lands in the interior. He might have shown us, as some explorer doubtless will before long, what kind of region lies between the centre of the continent and Western Australia. An immense country never yet trodden by the foot of white man there still remains to be examined. But no discovery of new territory could be half so important as this extension of Mr. Stuart’s previous track to a part of the coast which is supplied with good harbours, and backed by a fertile tableland, across which vast rivers take their course downward to the sea. We look upon this extension as practically giving South Australia another sea frontage. By a coincidence, which we have a right to accept as a good omen, the great river which Mr. Stuart followed down already bears the name of Adelaide, and is thus associated with South Australia in the minds of all persons.”

The following is an extract from the South Australian Advertiser of January 26,1863: “In a kind of postscript to his journal, addressed to the hon. the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Mr. Stuart thus sums up his views of the newly discovered country: — In conclusion, I beg to say, that I believe this country (i.e. from the Roper to the Adelaide, and thence to the shores of the gulf,) to be well-adapted for the settlement of an European population. The climate being in every respect suitable, anti the surrounding country of excellent quality and of great extent. Timber—stringybark, ironbark, gum, &c., with bamboo, 50 to 60 feet high on the banks of the river—is abundant, and at convenient distances. The country is intersected by numerous springs and watercourses in every direction. In my journey across I was not fortunate in meeting with thunder showers and heavy rains, but, with the exception of two nights.

I was never without a sufficient supply of water. This will show the permanency of the different waters, and I see no difficulty in taking over a herd of horses at any time.’ ” On Mr. Finniss’s departure from the new settlement, Mr. Manton was left in charge as Government resident, and between him and Mr. M‘Kinlay disagreements soon Sprung up—the latter stating that he was totally unfitted for the post, and that instead of forwarding researches into the country he remained at head quarters impeding all investigation. M‘Kinlay, however, penetrated to a considerable distance into the interior and found some good country, but was obliged to return in consequence of the floods he experienced during his journey, and having expended nearly all his provisions, and being unable to retrace his steps by land had to perform a considerable portion of his backward route in a boat, constructed of saplings and skins. After reaching the settlement, and still finding disaffection and misunderstandings amongst the officials there, he left for Adelaide, which place he reached in October last, when he bitterly complained of the conduct of Mr. Manton, his report stating, in effect, that under the system of mismanagement which bad been carried on, the undertaking had proved a failure. On this, the Legislature, after some deliberation, came to the conclusion that they could not, without breaking faith with those person who had invested money in the scheme, abandon it, and advertised for tenders for the completion of the survey of that part of the country lying near the new settlement. Whether this will be carried out, or whether the scheme will prove a successful one, remains yet to be seen.