ompany took up land, under the above conditions,
between the Albert and Tarra rivers. It was in Orr's name, and is
still known as Orr's Special Survey. A surveyor was appointed to
mark and plan the boundaries; he delegated the work to another
surveyor. Next a re-survey was made, then a sub-divisional survey,
and then other surveys went on for fifty years, with ever-varying
results. It is now a well-established fact that Orr's Special Survey
is subject to an alternate expansion and contraction of area, which
from time to time vitiates the labour of every surveyor, and has
caused much professional animosity. Old men with one foot in the
grave, in this year 1895, are still accusing each other of embezzling
acres of it; the devil of Discord, and Mercury the god of thieves,
encamped upon it; the Port Albert Company fell into its Slough of
Despond, which in the Court of Equity was known as "Kemmis v. Orr,"
and there all the members perished.

Mr. John Reeve had a land receipt, and wanted land. After he had
taken up the station known as Snake Ridge he looked about for a good
Special Survey. He engaged Davy and his whaleboat for a cruise in
Port Albert waters and McMillan, Sheridan, and Loughnan were of the
party. They went up the narrow channel called the Caledonian Canal,
examined the bluffs, shores, and islands of Shallow Inlet, and at
night encamped on St. Margaret's Island. When shelter was required,
Davy usually put up the mainsail of his boat for a tent; but that
night was so fine and warm that it was decided to avoid the trouble
of bringing the sail ashore and putting it up. After supper the men
lay around the fire, and one by one fell asleep; but about midnight
heavy rain began to fall, the sail was brought ashore, and they all
crept under it to keep themselves as dry as possible.

The next morning was fair. On leaving the port it had been the
intention of the party to return the same evening, and the boat was
victualled for one day only. There was now nothing for breakfast but
a little tea and sugar and a piece of damper: no flesh, fish, or
fowl. Davy was anxious to entertain his passengers to the best of
his ability, especially Mr. Reeve, who, though not of delicate
health, was a gentleman of refined tastes, and liked to have his
meals prepared and served in the best style. Fresh water was of the
first necessity, and, after so much rain, should have been plentiful,
but not a spoonful could anywhere b