Governor's Visit to West Coast

On March 22, 1858, His Excellency the Governor (Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell) advised the Colonial Office that he was about to visit as near to the western boundary of the Province as he could get. The extension of the western boundary from the 132nd degree of longitude to the 129th was a momentous question, with the gradual opening up of the western tracts of land, more especially after Hack's favorable report of the Gawler Range.

The Legislative Council and the House of Assembly had petitioned the Governor to take measures for the annexation of the trip. After the trip which is about to be related he was able to write, "I may observe that the information I acquired during my recent trip makes me regard an early settlement of the (annexation) question most desirable."

To enable the Governor-in-Chief to make the trip he prorogued Parliament from May 1 to June 15. The schooner Yatala had been put into commission to take Capt. Douglas (harbor master and naval officer) with Mr. G. E. DeMole for the purpose of making surveys of the ports and coast on the western side of the Peninsula, so the Governor-in-Chief took advantage of the trip to go as far as Fowler's Bay, expecting to return from Streaky Bay, either by Lake Gairdner or Port Lincoln as circumstances permitted.

This vessel left Glenelg on March 22, 1858, for Streaky Bay, with His Excellency and Mr. Samuel Davenport (afterwards Sir Samuel Davenport). It was expected that the party would be absent about six weeks. The boat arrived off Cape Borda on the afternoon of March 25, leaving letters for the Blanche to take to Adelaide, thence the Yatala proceeded on her journey to Fowler's Bay. In previous articles (Douglas's, Warburton's and Gerharty's explorations) references were made to this journey, so it will not be necessary to refer, in detail, to the western end of the trip, beyond saying that the Yatala reached Fowler's Bay on March 30.

Capt. Douglas said he wished to explore north of Streaky Bay, but Eyre's report was so unfavorable he decided against it, saying, "In this opinion I was sustained by His Excellency, who before reaching Fowler's Bay and witnessing the unpromising character of the country intended to do me the honor of being of the party to proceed inland." The Governor-in-Chief named Port Eyre, letting Fowler's Bay stand for the big open bay.

Under date July 2, 1856, P.T. Geharty, when making an exploration north and north-west of Streaky Bay, named a lake at the back of Fowler's Bay as ''Lake MacDonnell" as related previously. From April 7 to 11 the boat was anchored in Petrel Bay, St. Francis Island, and the next day anchored off St. Peter's Island, whence the vessel proceeded to Davenport Creek (named by the Governor after Mr. Davenport). The creek was left on April 15, and from then to the 18th they were exploring the "hitherto unknown waters of Smoky Bay."

TO NORTH AND WEST

The southern portion of this bay is a shoal, so they returned northward, then westward, passing between Eyre's and Franklin Island to the south and St. Peter's Island to the north. The channel was named Waterwitch. Through baffling winds the party did not reach the southern bight of Streaky Bay until April 20. It was said that the good channel and "so excellent a natural landing place" did away for a long time with the need of a wharf.

The first shipment of wool — upward of 40 bales — from that part of the coast had been effected easily a few months previously. This wool had been grown on the run recently occupied by Mr. Gibson. Police-trooper Geharty, well known as the most thorough bushman in the western part of the Province, was awaiting with horses, so His Excellency and Mr. Davenport left Streaky Bay at 3 p.m. on the 21st, camped at Mr. Gibson's station that night and reached Parla the following morning. A recent shower gave them sufficient water there, but the long continued drought debarred them from going in to Hack's country. They had a distant view of the Gawler Range from Parla.

The party turned southward to Mount Cooper and camped there the night of the 22nd. They climbed the hill and viewed the surrounding country. Next day they rode to Venus Bay and on to the police station at Cherriroo.

MOUNT WEDGE ASCENDED

On the 24th they rode by Mr. Symes's station to Mount Wedge and ascended to the summit. The distance was about 31 miles from Cherriroo. They camped that night in a clump of pine trees at the foot of the mount. April 25 saw them at Bramfield, a station of Price Maurice's, where a short spell was made, then on to the police station at Three Lakes (Tungketta?) where they slept.

On the 26th an early start was made for the 20 miles to reach Lake Hamilton (Price Maurice's) about 11 a.m. A further ride of 23 miles brought them to a camp site some distance south of Mount Drummond, where some excellent soil and much picturesque scenery was found. On the 27th the party travelled to Mount Greenly, which was ascended, thence to Warroo, another of Price Maurice's stations. The inner harbor of Coffin's Bay, which he visited, the Governor in-Chief named Douglas Harbor, after the captain by that name. The beautiful fresh water lake of Wangaree was seen and Castle Inn, Port Lincoln, was reached at 1 a.m. on the 28th. The distance traversed in 6½ days from Streaky Bay, including minor detours, exceeded 240 miles.

The Marion was not expected to leave Port Lincoln until Saturday, May 1, so His Excellency visited Poonindie again, as well as the country north of Tumby Bay. Haigh's station, 4½ miles from Port Lincoln, with its alpaca and angora goats, was inspected. The angora goats had increased from 4 to 13. A halt of two hours was made at Poonindie, then Tennant's station five miles further north was visited. The various deserted workings of the once promising copper mines at Mount Liverpool were visited. In the moonlight they made their way to a well, on Mr. Harvey's farm near Tumby (?) Bay. (It is written Tum, but doubtless Tumby was intended.)

Early next morning, accompanied by Mr. Harvey they rode into Tumby (?) Bay. The view of the extensive agricultural district in the vicinity pleased them. Much of the land had been purchased. The party then rode into the hills west of the bay and inspected the deserted Port Lincoln copper mines, returning to Tennant's station, where they were hospitably entertained. Mr. Tennant accompanied them back to their hotel at Port Lincoln. They arrived there at 7 o'clock, and the following day His Excellency and Mr. Davenport embarked for Adelaide in the Marion (134 tons; H. Ward, master). This boat sailed from Port Augusta on April 29 and Port Lincoln on May 1. and arrived at Port Adelaide on May 2. The passengers listed were His Excellency the Governor and servant, Mr. S. Davenport, Mr. Humphreys and Miss Hailes in cabins, and 14 in the steerage.

(Another instalment next week.)