170 Land Magnetic Observations, 1914-20 



Saturday, August 1, was spent at No. 48 Well, where the feed was good, and in 

 the afternoon we explored the large breakaway of the South Esk Table-land. View 5 

 of Plate 4 is typical of the country here. When approaching No. 49 Well, another 

 party of natives was seen to run away on our approach, leaving a meal of white ants. 



On August 4, about 3 miles beyond No. 51 Well, we camped on a small lake, being 

 the first of the country flooded by the Sturt Creek. The latter is an inland river flow- 

 ing in the wet season only and emptying into the Gregory Salt Sea. Here feed was 

 most abundant, there having been good rains recently. Emus, native companions, 

 and ducks were plentiful. The lake surface was covered with luxuriant herbage about 

 1 foot high and forming the richest fodder. From here to Flora Valley station, our track 

 lay along the Sturt Creek. Water was obtained from natural water-holes along the 

 creek-bed. Some of these were very long, the two longest being about 3 and 4 miles 

 long, respectively. Game and fish were abundant. Between the sand-hills and the 

 creek on either side is a flooded area which affords good grazing for cattle. In about 

 latitude 19 15' south, we saw the first cattle of the Sturt Creek station. As there had 

 been insufficient rains here, the grass on the river flats was cut close and from here to 

 Flora Valley camel feed became scarce. Kangaroos were again seen along Sturt Creek. 

 On the evening of August 13 a stockman belonging to Sturt Creek station, the first white 

 man we had seen since leaving Wiluna, came into our camp and gave us a very succinct 

 account of the world's news up to July 31. 



On August 16, at Flora Valley, we received a hearty welcome from Messrs. Gordon 

 Brothers and Buchanan. The feed at Flora Valley was fair, while at Hall's Creek not 

 only was it poor, but there were also poisonous bushes. I, therefore, decided to retain 

 most of the camels and gear at the former place, and to give the camels the necessary 

 rest before turning back. 



On August 17 and 18, Mr. Ryan and Mr. Buchanan rode by horse to Hall's Creek 

 to send telegrams and to get mail, while I made my observations. Three days later I 

 followed with Clarke, Cronin, and 4 of the best camels. After the necessary stores for 

 the return journey were procured, August 22, Clarke and Cronin left Hall's Creek for 

 Flora Valley, and remained a week on the small lake at Sturt Creek, where the feed 

 was very good, putting the camels in good condition for the bad stretch beyond No. 45 

 Well. They reached Wiluna November 9, after a good trip, finding feed more abundant 

 on the way back as the result of recent rains. Leonora was reached November 23, and 

 the camels were returned to the Water Supply Department the following day. 



Meanwhile, at Hall's Creek I was made welcome by the postmaster, Mr. F. W. 

 Tuckett, and his wife, who entertained me at their own house. As Messrs. Gordon 

 Brothers and Buchanan were traveling to Wyndham, I purchased a buggy and horse 

 and arranged to travel with them. We left Hall's Creek on August 29. On the way 

 to Wyndham we stayed for two days at Moola Bulla, the government aboriginal sta- 

 tion, where we were hospitably entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Haly. Passing through 

 Turkey Creek telegraph station, we reached Wyndham on September 21, where I took 

 passage on the steamer Kwinana for Perth, arriving October 2. Between Leonora and 

 Hall's Creek 39 magnetic stations were occupied, and between Hall's Creek and 

 Wyndham, 8. 



Table 24 shows the stations at which magnetic observations were made and the 

 order of occupation; for values of the magnetic elements, see Table of Results. 



All the field parties met at Perth, where an intercomparison of all the instruments 

 used during the year was made and the checking of computations proceeded with, while 

 the observers awaited assignment to other fields of work. 



On November 28, in company with Mr. Kennedy, I left Perth for Adelaide. Mr. 

 Kennedy completed his duties by closing tip the affairs of his expedition to Eucla after 



