EXPLORATION OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2996, 2 November 1882, Page 3

EXPLORATION OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

The telegraph master at Katharine, on the overland telegraph line, informs Mr Todd, superintendent of telegraphs, that Messrs Sanders and Johns arrived there yesterday evening from Western Australia. They report that they left Roeburn, Nicol Bay, Western Australia, on the 10th April, arrived at Mount Fitzroy River on the 24th May, and were detained at Fitzroy for six weeks waiting for the vessel with provisions. They made their final start from Fitzroy on the Ist, August, and followed the Leonard River, from Stokes Bay to its head waters in the Leopold Range. They endeavored to cross the mountains, but were unable to do so, and from this point skirted the range east by south till they crossed the Fitzroy River, and by following up. one of its branches they succeeded in reaching the summit of the Xteopold Range. They found they could not descend on the north side, there being precipitous cliffs and, very rough ranges. They crossed the Dividing range at the head of the Ord River. They found strong colours of gold for 40 miles down • the river. This was the only gold discovered on the journey. Having crossed over from the Ord River to the head of the Wiokham River, they followed the latter down for two miles, and crossed over to the Victoria River, which they followed down for 60 miles. After this they travelled north-east to Dalcamre cattle station, thence to Springvale and the telegraph station. A great portion of the journey was over rocky, barren, and worthless country. The natives troubled them twice, but only on the Leopold Ranges. The country was well watered from the Fitzroy to the overland telegraph line. .Mr Johns was very ill during the whole journey from the Fitzroy River. The party consisted of four—Messrs A. Johns, J. W. Quinn, a black, boy,■ and Mr Sanders, the leader —“ Australasian.”