miles crossed rivulet running to south; at ten and three-quarter miles examined boggy swamp with plenty of water, drainage to south.  At eleven miles on top of small rocky range.  Most extensive view ahead of level-looking country.  At twelve and a half miles boggy swamp, went round the south end of it, its drainage is northward; at fifteen miles crossed a good-sized creek with sandy bed, some oaks, the water merely trickling through the sand but sufficient for all our wants; good timber.  Camped here.  Two of the horses nearly knocked up.  Creek flows east on passing this.

Sunday, June 29.

Camp 25.  Maitland very unwell, Kirby only so-so.  There is also water in a small creek close by to south which joins this creek close by; ranges visible within a few miles to south of south-west; wind from southward chiefly but variable; I have called the creek we encamped on last night Burt’s Creek after G. Burt, Esquire, of Adelaide.  Started at 8.18 a.m. on course of 90 degrees; at half a mile crossed large rocky creek from the south with boulders of lava in its bed; there was lava also at starting; a continuation of rough lava country for three miles; bad travelling.  At three and three-quarter miles crossed strong running river or creek, granite bed; fish; with oaks, current to northward.  At six miles crossed small dry sandy creek to east-north-east; top of granite ridge at six and one third of a mile:  spelled nineteen minutes for a view; bearing of 84 1/2 degrees for a distant knoll in what appears a leading range, and a possibility of getting easily over it.  At one mile crossed a small dry creek to east-north-east; at two miles crossed dry sandy creek to east-north-east; at two and three-quarter miles crossed oak creek (dry) to east-north-east; at five and two-third miles crossed large oak creek (dry) to east by north; at one and three-quarter miles further came to lagoon, not very large but suits our purpose for a camp as one of the horses can’t be persuaded to come on.  I expect I will have to kill him to live upon for a few days whilst the other horses spell; some of them are very weak but the feed is too dry to kill him here; distance travelled about thirteen and three-quarter miles.  Saw three emus today and a few turkeys; kangaroos were also seen for the last two days; the strong running river that we crossed at three and three-quarter miles from camp this morning I have called the McKay after G. McKay, Esquire, of Mellia, William’s River, New South Wales.  The latter part of today the feed has been very dry but generally speaking it is an excellent country for any kind of stock; the only impediment to sheep is the very abrupt banks of the creeks for drays for the cartage of wool, but that would be got over with well searching; saw a native but he made off at full speed when he observed us.

Monday, June 30.