160 Land Magnetic Observations, 1914-20 



As heretofore, too much can not be said of the kindness and help extended to the 

 party by missionaries wherever we met them. The Hon. F. D. Cheshire, American 

 Consul-General at Canton, has been very helpful in arranging for traveling permits of 

 unusual range. Throughout, the very efficient Chinese postal service was relied on for 

 the transmission of money as well as mail, and I wish to express appreciation of the 

 good offices of Commissioner Shields of Kwangtung and Commissioner Parkin of Kwei- 

 chow, who have been helpful in affording special facilities for transfer of money and par- 

 cels and in suggestions as to routes and methods in the work contemplated. Commis- 

 sioner Smith at Sianfu, Commissioner Doodha at Chengtu, and Commissioner Hyland 

 of Tientsin deserve commendation for the special attention they have given to our 

 affairs. We desire also to acknowledge our obligation to the American Legation for its 

 good offices, and to the American consuls at the principal cities visited for valuable 

 cooperation. 



A. L. Kennedy, on Magnetic Work in South Australia, April to July 1914. 



The expedition in South Australia was organized under instructions from my chief 

 of party, Mr. E. Kidson, dated April 2, 1914. I left Adelaide April 6 by rail for Farina 

 with the following instrumental equipment: theodolite- magnetometer No. 9, Barrow dip 

 circle No. 41 (loaned by the Melbourne Observatory), 2 pocket chronometers, 2 watches, 

 tent, and miscellaneous small items. 



An Afghan camel driver was engaged at Farina, and a caravan of 5 bull camels, with 

 which we started April 13 for Mount Hopeless Bore. The journey of 137 miles led 

 through sheep stations and generally over well-grassed, slightly hilly land. Traveling 

 was good except in the vicinity of Lake Crossing Bore, where there are several miles 

 of heavy sand. 



From Mount Hopeless Bore to Innamincka, 163 miles, the track is mainly along 

 the bed of the Strzelecki Creek. The road is fairly level but very sandy, and winds in 

 and out between rows of drifting hills of red sand. The creek bed is well timbered, and 

 generally affords plenty of camel feed. Wells and water-holes are found at easy stages. 

 The 5 camels wandered off in the night at Innamincka, and we were delayed in conse- 

 quence 7 days searching for them. By good fortune, we found 3 strange camels in the 

 bush country, with which I decided to continue the journey, although it necessitated 

 abandoning some of the supplies and only allowed us one camel for riding. 



Along the 36 miles between Innamincka and Patchawarra, feed is scanty. The 

 track is level, with alternate stretches of sand and stones. Heavy rains delayed us here 

 9 days, and the Afghan camel man utilized the time searching for the 5 lost camels. 

 I found later, on arrival at Hergott Springs, that they had returned home, thus saving 

 trouble and expense. The distance from Innamincka, where they were lost, to their 

 home, Hergott, is about 200 miles direct. From Patchawarra to Cordillo Downs, a 

 distance of 50 miles, the road traverses many clay-pans and sand-hills. These clay- 

 pans were flooded after the recent heavy rains, which made traveling difficult. From 

 Cordillo Downs to Haddon Downs, 36 miles, the road crosses ranges of stony hills, and 

 is very rough for the camels' feet. From Haddon Downs to Birdsville, the character 

 of the country changes from level well-grassed plains to huge drifting sand-hills, while 

 the flood areas of the Diamentina Creek again make the going difficult near Birdsville. 

 We lost the track here, and wandered about 10 miles before we regained it. 



The road from Birdsville to Hergott Springs, 330 miles, is well defined, and is used 

 as a cattle trail, hence there is little feed for camels. The road bed is alternate stretches 

 of stone and sand and crosses many drifting sand-hills and dry creek-beds. There was 

 one stage of 50 miles without water between Carthole Water-Hole and Goyder's Lagoon 

 Water-Hole. 



