Page:Handbook of Western Australia.djvu/7



The information proffered in the following pages to those who desire some more general knowledge of Western Australia than has been accessible hitherto, more especially to such as may be seeking a new field for the employment of their labour or capital, has been derived from so many and various sources that reference to all, or indeed to many, has been found impracticable. When collected, the material at the disposal of the Editor might well be termed "ruda indigestaque moles"; it is not, however, the less to be relied upon, as the larger portion is based on documents existing in the different public offices and returns furnished by heads of departments in the public service. Yet, in the selection from and arrangement of so large an amount of matter, it can scarcely be expected that some omissions will not have been made and some errors crept in; but if the work supply an immediate want, and lead up to something more perfect hereafter, the labour will not have been in vain.

An unexpected delay in the publication has given opportunity for the insertion of additional matter of interest which was not available when the original M.S. was sent to press.

The principal events which have occurred in the interval are the following in the order of arrangement in the text.

In 1879, Alexander Forrest explored the country to the East and North beyond the DeGrey River. His route was first to Beagle Bay, and from thence crossing to King Sound he traced the course of the Fitzroy River, which he found broad, deep, and rapid, flowing through an open well-grassed valley to the junction of its affluent, the Margaret, but failing to penetrate the rugged passes of the Leopold Ranges, from which the main stream descends, he followed their course to Collier Bay, and from thence returning on his tracks, and proceeding up the valley of the Margaret, he discovered extensive well-watered plains, of which he writes, "These which are of granitic formation comprise not less than 1,000,000 of acres, and, judging from the richness of the herbage, would carry, I imagine, no less number of sheep. This is, in my estimation, the finest part of West Australia that I have seen, and I hope that before long it will be covered with flocks and herds,"—a hope which is already in process of realization. Proceeding Eastward over much good country, A. Forrest came to a river some 200 yards wide and running strong to the North, which he concluded must flow into the sea in Cambridge Gulf, and which he named the Ord, after Sir H. Ord, then Governor of the Colony; but some of his party being