Governor Appreciates Eyre's Work

Reviewing the result of his exploration of Eyre Peninsula, Eyre said he regretted that it had not been more productive of interest and utility to the colonists. He added that "during the whole of our course from Port Lincoln to Point Bell, and across the interior to the head of Spencer's Gulf, a distance of six hundred miles, through, I believe, an unexplored country, we never crossed a single creek, river or chain of ponds, nor did we meet with any permanent water anywhere with the exception of three solitary springs on the coast, to which the few natives we met with appear to resort when the water left by the rains further inland is dried up. Few natives were met with on the trip but these few were friendly inclined.

Eyre paid a tribute to the men of the party. While on these trips Eyre was studying the variation of the compass. At Streaky Bay he found the variation was about 2 degrees east, near Minnipa of today it was about 4 degrees 12 minutes, and at the head of Spencer's Gulf 7 degrees east. 

On November 16, 1839, about three weeks after Eyre's return, His Excellency the Governor (Col. George Gawler) wrote him a very appreciative letter. A few extracts must suffice to show the general tenor of it. 

His Excellency wrote, "I beg to return you my very sincere thanks for the great service you have rendered the Province by your recent enterprising journey."  After recounting the barren districts passed through, the Governor proceeds,  "It required much more judgment and determination to travel such a district than one of a more fertile and habit able character," and in appreciation he said, "I have felt it proper to call after your name the Peninsula, of which you have been the investigator." After referring to the good land discovered on the east side of Spencer's Gulf and the prolongation I of the Flinders Range, which "may be expected to be the key to geographic discoveries superior in importance to any that, can be made from any other quarter in Australia, and equal in importance to any that still remains to be made in the world," the Governor said.

"Should you be disposed, when opportunity offers, to pursue this investigation, I shall be most happy to render to you every assistance that the Government can afford." It would, he continues, "reflect disgrace upon the Government and upon the colony if the expense of hazardous and important researches so judiciously, boldly, and successfully undertaken as yours have been, should continue to fall, as yours have hitherto done, altogether upon the individual by whom they were conceived and accomplished."

TRIP TO WEST 

After returning from the Port Lincoln, Point Bell and Mount Arden trip, Eyre, in company with Mr. Mundy, made a trip by sea to Western Australia, leaving Adelaide on January 31, 1840, and returning on May 9, 1840. They had taken a consignment of sheep and cattle, unloading at Albany and travelling the stock overland to Swan River, and it was said the venture would have been very successful but they had many losses in the stock, either from eating a poisonous weed or very dry herbage. 

Eyre on his return found the public clamoring for an expedition to open a stock route to Western Australia. 

Capt. Grey, later Governor of South Australia, in visiting Adelaide in March, 1840, tried to impress on the stockholders the advantage of opening up communication between the two provinces. A committee was appointed to make arrangements for an expedition to explore an overland route, the first depot in South Australia being at Fowler's Bay ; the authorities or those interested in Western Australia were to be asked to fix sites on their side of the boundary. 

To encourage colonists to contribute to an undertaking of national interest, it was stated that " the very great importance of the undertaking as leading to results and in all probability to discoveries, the benefits of which are at present unforseen . . . may pave the way to a high road from hence (South Australia) to Western Australia." 

By April 11, subscriptions amounting to £549 10/ had been promised or received. That was the position when Eyre returned to Adelaide. Here we have Grey the theorist, and Eyre the practical man. Eyre had traversed part of the route, and he was quite decided of the "utter impracticability of opening an overland route for stock." 

On May 23, 1840, Eyre wrote a long letter to the South Australian 'Register ' expounding his views, and advocating that an attempt should be made to penetrate to the centre, instead of trying to force a passage to the west. Geographically, it was said, the western route would be interesting, to learn the character of the country, to find the secrets hidden by the lofty and singular cliffs at the head of the Bight. These features might be ascertained by a light party, in a favorable season, but the scarcity of grass, want of water and denseness of the scrub was even, in the most favorable season, a barrier to the transit of stock. 

In Eyre's opinion the attention of the public should be directed to the northward, where discoveries of importance might be made, and most likely to be beneficial to South Australia and other colonies, and "from which it is possible the veil may be lifted from the still unknown and mysterious interior of this vast continent."

EYRE'S OFFER ACCEPTED 

At a dinner with His Excellency (Col. G. Gawler), Eyre put forward his arguments and volunteered to lead a party northward ; further, he would find one third of the horses required and pay one third of the expenses. Capt. Sturt, in giving a lecture two days later, advised the public of Eyre's offer, and stated that a trip of 500 miles into the interior should not cost more than £300 and the price of the horses, and such a trip with its attendant discoveries would confer "a lasting benefit to the colony, and hand down to posterity the name of the person who undertook the command of the expedition." 

Next day it was decided that Eyre's offer should be accepted. Capt. Sturt at a meeting on June 5, voiced his opinion that a considerable space of barren land in all probability existed inland, or perhaps a body of water, beyond which good country would in all probability exist, and it was hoped the expedition would solve the unknown condition.

In making preparation to depart, Eyre stated that he received valuable aid from everyone he approached, particular mention being made of the loan of books and instruments, to the preparation of charts, and so on. He engaged Edward Bate Scott to accompany the party. Scott had been to the west with him, and had proved to be "an active, intelligent and steady young friend." Capt. Frome allowed his own servant, Corporal Coles, of the Royal Sappers and Miners, to join the party. 

Eyre had a free hand in outfitting and equipping the party, thus avoiding unnecessary delay, so when asked by the Governor to fix a date for the departure, he was able to specify June 18— less than a month from the time he mooted the northern expedition. Eyre, in his published journal of the expedition, states that the year 1840 was an unpropitious time to equip a party because of the high cost of outfitting gear, and mentions that nine horses (including one purchased from Mr. Dutton, at Port Lincoln) cost £682 10/-. In addition to these horses, he supplied three himself, and also provided a light cart, as well as other sundry articles. The Government supplied two horses. The final cost of the expedition was £1,391 0/7. The receipts to make up the amount were provided as follows: — Donations by the Government. £100 ; subscribed by the colonists, £582 4/9 ; sale of drays and part of equipment, £28 ; paid by Eyre, £680 15/10. The cost quoted did not cover the total expense, for many services were not charged for, for instance nothing was debited against the expedition for the use of the cutters Waterwitch or Hero, nor for arms and ammunition, which were supplied by the Government. Books and instruments were donated and Eyre himself supplied a lot of sundries. 

START OF JOURNEY 

On June 18 (the anniversary of Waterloo, in which battle His Excellency the Governor had taken a conspicuous part) the whole party except Baxter, who was at a station up country, was entertained at breakfast by His Excellency, and Mrs. Gawler. In saying farewell, the Governor expounded on the benefit expected to be gained from the expedition, and said he hoped that Eyre would be able to plant the flag on the tropic of Capricorn, as nearly as possible in the 135 or 136 degrees longitude. 

To carry out this idea some ladies of Adelaide, among them being the Governor's daughter and Miss Lipson, had worked a Union Jack for Eyre, and Capt. Sturt, on behalf of those ladies presented the flag to him. Eyre, visibly and deeply affected, returned thanks, and said that if he failed he hoped to "have the consciousness of having earnestly endeavored to succeed." 

The Colonial Chaplain (Rev. C. B. Howard) offered an affecting and appropriate prayer, and at noon the party left Government House. A large party of friends accompanied them for some distance from the city. Eyre had a sheep station on the Light, where a stay of two days was made. All the sheep had been sold and the time was required to break up the station. The overseer and one of the men joined the expedition at that place. The party consisted of Eyre ; E. B. Scott, his assistant and companion ; John Baxter, the overseer ; Corporal Coles; John Houston, driving a three-horse dray; R. M.Robert, driving a three-horse dray; and two aboriginal boys, Neramberein and Cootachah, for driving the sheep, tracking and so on. They had 13 horses, 40 sheep and stores calculated to last three months. The Waterwitch was taking further supplies to the head of Spencer's Gulf. This whole was estimated to last about six months, sufficient if no obstacles intervened and the country was practicable, to allow the party to reach the centre and return, or if practicable to cross to Port Essington on the North-West Coast.