ing to
unite the eastern and western surveys. I had assumed Sir Thomas
Mitchell's position at Williorara as correct, and had taken the most
careful bearings from that point to the Depot, and the position in which
they fixed it differed but little from the result of the many lunars I
took during my stay there. As I purpose giving the elements of all my
calculations, those more qualified than myself to judge on these matters,
will correct me if I have been in error; but, as the mean of my lunars
was so close to the majority of the single lunars, I cannot think they
are far from the truth. Be that as it may, I assumed my position at the
Depot to be in lat. 29 degrees 40 minutes 14 seconds S. and in long. 141
degrees 29 minutes 41 seconds E., the variation being 5 degrees 14
minutes East. Allowing for the variation, I directed Mr. Stuart to run
the chain line on a bearing of 55 degrees to the west of north, which I
intended to cut a little to the west of the park-like and grassy plain at
the termination of the creek I had traced in that direction. By supplying
the party with water from the camp, I enabled them to prolong the line to
30 miles.

On the 15th of June I commenced my preparations for moving; not that I
had any reason so to do, but because I could not bring myself to believe
that the drought would continue much longer. The felloes and spokes of
the wheels of the drays had shrunk to nothing, and it was with great
difficulty that we wedged them up; but the boat, which had been so long
exposed to an ardent sun, had, to appearance at least, been but little
injured.

As it became necessary to point out the drays that were to go with the
home returning party, I was obliged to break my intentions to Mr. Poole,
who I also proposed sending in charge of them. He was much affected, but,
seeing the necessity of the measure, said that he was ready to obey my
orders in all things. I directed Mr. Piesse to weigh out and place apart
the supplies that would be required for Mr. Poole and his men, and to
pack the provisions we should retain in the most compact order. On
examining our bacon we found that it had lost more than half its weight,
and had now completely saturated the bran in which it had been packed.
Our flour had lost more than 8 per cent., and the tea in a much greater
proportion.

The most valuable part of our stock were the sheep, they had kept in
excellent condition, and seldom weighed less than 55 lbs. or 65 lbs.