IN NEW SOUTH WALES. 367 
coast range, in which the Balonne appears to have its 
source :—- 
* Northward from Bindango, other waters fall to the 
north-west, and I perceived in the remote distance one gap, 
in a tabular sort of rocky country, through which I hoped 
the water-course would lead; but I was disappointed in fol- 
lowing it down, for this promising little river (the Amby of 
the natives) turned to the southward of west, and I found in 
the gap only a convenient pass for our carts to the interior 
country. I named this St. George's Pass—in hopes it may 
yet become a point on an important line of route. The 
country through which this pass led consisted in general of 
sand-stone, where the tops of cliffs were distinguishable from 
the northward by the luxuriant grass upon them—a rather 
unusual feature in a sand-stone country. Southward and 
back from the pass, much good open forest land appeared 
around, as the prevailing characteristic." 
Next day a river * following to the south-west," and 
“ fully as large as the Darling," was discovered; this was the 
Maranoa of the natives. Extensive reconnoissances both to - 
the east and west convinced Sir Thomas that the course of | 
this river was not favourable to the direction of his journey; — 
forcing its way through the rocks, it flowed steadily to the 
S.W. The party left behind rejoined their chief here on the 
Ist of June; when it was resolved to trace the Maranoa | 
upwards by the right bank, and for that purpose Sir Thomas, - 
_ with a part of his men and four months’ provisions, started 
on the 4th. 
Passing several tributaries of that river, they reached a — > 
chain of volcanic summits connected with a mass of table- — — 
land; which was called Hope's Table Land. A pass between zd 
this and a higher range towards the coast was penetrate 
along a stream, which, after flowing some space to the N. 
turned like the rest to the S.W. Hence a long ride +. 
northward brought Sir Thomas to another chain of 
