CHAPTER XVIII - EXPEDITIONS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA IN 1858 AND 1861, BY MR. FRANK T. GREGORY

Summary

The newspapers of Western Australia, of the 7th of April, brought the intelligence of an exploring expedition for examining the country betwixt the Gascoyne and Mount Murchison. It was under the command of Mr. Frank Gregory, and was equipped at the joint expense of the settlers and the government. The final point of departure would be the Geraldine mines; and it was on the eve of starting. It consisted of the Messrs. Gregory, J. Roe, W. Moore, C. Nairn, Mr. Gregory's chainer, and a native. The number of horses was ten, the government contributing to the expedition the services of Mr. Gregory and his chainer, three horses, implements, two tents and pack-saddles. The settlers had subscribed £40 towards it, and the party was provisioned for two months.

Subsequent advices stated Mr. Gregory and his party to be at the Geraldine mines all well, and intending to start on the 16th of April. From this expedition Mr. Gregory returned within the proposed period, having arrived in Perth on the 10th of July, and having, according to report, discovered millions of acres of good land, growing melons and potatoes indigenously. He had given to the new country the name of Lyons.

After leaving the Greraldine mines they followed the Murchison till they came to a hill, which they named Mount Nairn, principally in a N.W. direction. The banks of the river had grassy lands, backed by acacia scrubs.