Deposited memos to Chief Commissioner of Crown Lands and finders of deposits under a tree here marked MK (conjoined) from Oct. 20 to Dec. 17, 1861.  Dig arrow at 1 o’clock.  Bullock dray started at 8.30 a.m., eight bullocks in team and three loose; crossed north end of swamp; then small sandhills; then creek or watercourse cutting my course at rightangles; passed south end of considerable-sized flooded flat, connected by last-named watercourse.  Pole of cart just broken.  Left cart and proceeded with some of party to Goonyanie Creek.  Great difficulty in getting a suitable stick for the pole; sent Mr. Hodgkinson and Palmer with the bullocks back to our late camp on Coodygodyannie to get a pole there if possible; left bullocks there for the night.  They returned unsuccessful.  Hunted Goonyanie Creek up and down myself with but indifferent result, but must cut one such as is to be found and make shift with it till a better can be procured.  A great number of natives here; the creek northward ceases one quarter mile from this and loses itself on a polygonum plain—­no doubt forms again.  South of this it continues for about one and a half to two miles and is lost on flooded flat.  There appears to be a great quantity of fish here; some very fine ones being caught this afternoon, one of which must have weighed from four to five pounds (a perch).  Although the water here is very much reduced since I was here about the middle of October the water in two holes is yet pretty deep; no great quantity of grass here.

Wednesday, December 18.

Natives walking about greater part of last night.  Two of them came into camp, one of whom was known and allowed to remain; the other (a stranger) was started at once.  At their camp, which was about one hundred yards off, they kicked up a great row for a long time.  Started Mr. Hodgkinson with Palmer and a native to Lake Coodygodyannie for the bullocks, and Davis and Wylde out to the broken cart (about three miles off) with water, on two camels, for the party left in charge of it, namely Kirby and Maitland, today increased by Wylde on account of so many natives.  The bullocks duly arrived during the day, having gone back to the old camp.  Immediately proceeded to cut such a pole as was to be had here, and took it out to the dray to be got in readiness to suit as well as possible the purpose required, and returned to camp with the bullocks.

Thursday, December 19.

During the night a native dog came up to the sheepfold and was shot by Frank (a native).  The natives, encamped a short distance from here, hearing the report of the gun, immediately took to flight and with them the native Bullingani who was of so much use to me; however another is easily got.  Some of them returned in the morning.  Temperature during afternoon in sun 145 degrees.  Was unable to get dray ready early enough to go a stage, but brought it in here in the afternoon, ready for an early start tomorrow morning.