ed by no notable discovery. Central Australia had now been
crossed in the same zone that had turned back the explorers from the
east, and the fact that Forrest got through, equipped with only the
ordinary outfit of horses stamped him as a leader of unusual foresight
and judgment.

Forrest's last expedition was rather a survey than a journey of
discovery. In 1883, in company with several other surveyors, he landed at
Roebuck Bay, and examined a large portion of the Kimberley Division. He
proceeded from Roebuck Bay to the Fitzroy River, which his brother had
lately explored, and examined the intermediate country as far as St.
George's Range, reporting that it consisted mainly of rich elevated
grassy plains with abundance of water. He also investigated Cambridge
Gulf and the lowest part of the Ord River.

After quitting the field of exploration, John Forrest entered the wider
arena of politics, in which his reputation was enhanced. He held the
office of Premier of Western Australia continuously for ten years, and he
still fills a distinguished position among the public men of federated
Australia. He was awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Geographical
Society in 1876, and is now a G.C.M.G. and a Privy Councillor.

19.3. ALEXANDER FORREST.

[Illustration. Alexander Forrest.]

Alexander Forrest was born in 1849, and died in 1901. He accompanied
his brother, as we have already noted, in two important expeditions, and
in 1871 he took charge of a private expedition to the eastward in search
of pastoral country. Owing to a late start, he and his party were
compelled to make for the coast when they had reached latitude 31 degrees
south, longitude 123 degrees east. This course led them to Mount Ragged,
whence, proceeding westerly, they returned to Perth by way of Esperance,
having penetrated inland six hundred miles and found a considerable area
of good country.

In 1879, Alexander Forrest led an expedition from the De Grey River to
the now customary goal, the overland telegraph line of South Australia.
He left the De Grey on the 25th of February, and reached Beagle Bay on
the 10th of April, the country passed over being like most land in the
immediate neighbourhood of the coast, poor and indifferent.

From Beagle Bay he followed the coast round to the Fitzroy, and proceeded
up that river until he encountered a range, which was named the King
Leopold Range. Here the party left the Fitzroy, of which river Forrest
speaks ver