waterhole near the
bank, and also firewood off an old fallen tree, which, I think, is
probably the real ebony. Late in the evening we reached a point on the
eastern bank about three miles above Kangaroo Point.

We went ashore and in the course of a walk started on the wing two large
bustards, and also, within shot of us, two or three wallabies.

In our way up and down the river the temperature ranged on the bar from
74 to 94 degrees. The nights were agreeable, and we were fortunately not
troubled with mosquitoes or sandflies.

On the upper part of the river we saw altogether three crocodiles, but
they were so shy that they remained in sight only a few seconds.

The slightly timbered downs and plains on the banks of the Albert River
are, as I hoped they would be from their western position, of a similar
character to good inland settled sheep country of New South Wales and
Queensland; the trees that we saw are all small; but as sheep do best in
Australia where the temperature is dry, the soil rich, and slightly
timbered, and as this is the general description, I believe, of the
country and climate of the Albert River, the sheep farmer should be
willing to put up with the inconvenience caused from the want of good
timber for building purposes.

We saw large quantities of the small white cockatoos, and the
rose-coloured ones, which are to be found only in the inland settled
country of New South Wales and Queensland. The Albert River being
navigable will make the country on its banks very valuable, as I believe
sheep will do well on it, more especially as they do well on
inferior-looking country within the tropics to the north-west of
Rockhampton.

Allow me to recommend for the depot which you propose forming with the
Firefly hulk on the Albert River some place as convenient as possible to
Woods Lake, or the waterhole that I mentioned that I had found near the
head of the navigation, and as there is very little forage on board the
Firefly it would be advisable to land, as soon as possible, the horses on
the west bank of the river above the second inlet, that is, if there is
any chance of the Firefly being delayed in proceeding up the river.

I have the honour to be, etc.,

(Signed) W. LANDSBOROUGH,

Commander of the Victorian and Queensland Land Expedition.

...

(NUMBER 3.)

BRISBANE PARTY, W. LANDSBOROUGH, ESQUIRE, LEADER.

CONTINUATION OF REPORT ON THE ALBERT RIVER, ETC.

OCTOBER 15TH 1861.

(COPY.)