[21]The Company, it appears, allowed the passengers 8s. a-day during their detention.
[22]Near this station, on the borders of a lake, is found a quantity of a kind of gypsum or talc, perfectly transparent, which possibly may yet be turned to some useful purposes.
[23]Strange to say, the Wakool is stated in the dry season to be quite salt; if so, the salt springs must predominate over the waters of the Murray, of which it receives the “backwaters.”
[24]The Royal Australian Bank have two other sheep stations in the vicinity of the Wakool, as also two cattle stations on the Neimur and Murray; the whole being under the superintendence of Mr. Walter Murray.
[25]It is not fair to inflict upon the public the minutiæ of one’s daily ailments; but when one has not enjoyed a day’s health for five years—have suffered partial blindness for four years—and for nearly two years have lain down nightly with the chance of falling into a fit—as has been my case, I think this note may be pardoned.
[26]I crave the forgiveness of these gentlemen, if I have incorrectly quoted their opinions or their words; but am reminded, as I write, of the witty words of Voltaire, when told that Admiral Byng had been shot by order of the British Government,—“C’est pour encourager les autres.”
[27]The Captain called it a spiral rock, and I understood there is only four feet water over it.
[28]The excellent arrangement of which (small as it is), it is but just to say, was chiefly due to the exertions of Mr. Younghusband’s valet, groom, and coachman; for, I believe, “James” combines these three capacities in his own person.
[29]The trees on the Murray being of large size and lofty growth, it cannot be doubted that timber cutting and rafting in all its branches will erelong be introduced on the stream; on parts of which saw mills might with advantage be erected: the timber, when cut down and sawn, being formed into large rafts, and floated down, as on the rivers of Europe and America.
[30]The result of this expedition to the Colony of South Australia may truly be called the discovery of the Golden Fleece; for by the successful achievement of the navigation of the Murray by Captain Cadell’s steamer, Sir Henry Young has obtained an immediate increase to the exports of the Province of certainly 1,000,000lbs. of wool, of the value of about £80,000. I limit the amount to about this sum, because, for another twelve months, I doubt the steamer being able to carry the estimated quantity of wool even from Swan Hill—and amounting, with two years’ clip, to £162,000—unless, indeed, the boats navigated, as is expected, from England, for the Murray, should arrive. But when the boats are equal to the freight, I conceive the addition to the exports of South Australia will not fall short of £350,000.