Exploration in Northern Queensland.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5024, 18 February 1885, Page 2

Exploration in Northern Queensland.

Messrs Stockdale and Ricketson arrived at Palmerston overland from Kimberley a few days ago. Rlr Stockdale reports that they landed on the west side of Cambridge Gulf, opposite Adplphas Island, on December 11. They struck west through 90 miles of fearfully rough mountain country, as they had not time to choose their route. They were the first whites who had been there. Thence they proceeded south towards the Fitzroy, . examining along the watershed of the rivers flowing west. They then went east for some distance, and camped. While two of them struck, northwards to the depot of stores left near the Gulf, about 60 miles west of the Ord, two men remained behind, presumably prospecting. Messrs Stockdale and JJicketson, leaving the main party to follow, slowly pushed for the telegraph line without pack horses. They unexpectedly struck Messrs Fisher and Lyons' Victoria Biver Station on New Year's morning, when their rations were just exhausted. They tbenee journeyed to Katherine, arriving there on the 10th January. Mr Stockdale says that they went through the finest pastoral country be had ever seen, and he has seen the best country in the Wimmera and sonthf^ east. • Although it was the dry-. season, there was splendid feed, and " the country was magnificently watered. They never used their large water-bags during 'the trip. It was grand sheep country. Water conservation is unnecessary- there, aud they found plenty of springs, waterholes, and creeks. They discovered five rivers larger.'than the Ord, and named them the Lorimer, the Lawrence, and the M'Leod Adam, after wellknown Melbourne pastoralists; the Stock* dale, after the late Mr Edward Stockdale* of the south-east, the discoverer's uncle; * and the Forrest, after Mr Alexander Forrest. The valley of the Adam is from four to six miles wide, and be* tween precipitous mountains—a wonderful formation. They travelled 30 miles, but were unable to reach the river. The mountains on both sides were 2000 ft. above the river, and difficult of descent! The river is 80 yards wide, and it took an hour and a half's steady climb to ascend the other aide. Mr Stockdale estimates the length of the Lorimer at 250 miles the, Stockdale 200 miles, the M'Leod Adam 150 miles, the Lawrence and the Forrest 100 miles. They all rise in the Leopold Ranges, and empty into Cambridge Gulf. The explorers saw numbers of water-holes from one to three miles long, and from 150 to 250 yard* wide. The only means they had of tryine their depth was by diving, and although they were good swimmers they could not nnd the bottom. Cambridge Gulf is not the natural outlet of the country on the Leopold Ranges except on the western, seaooard. They saw a few natives—bij?. fine-built men, but very peaceful. They had plenty of fisb, but game was scare*. The explorer? will not express an opinion as to the mineral resources of the country, / . as these, not being in their line, they had. ■£ no experience to guide them. t|