46 PROCEEDINGS THERE. 



the mainland and Stradbroke and Moreton Islands. 

 It is open to the northward^ but sheltered on the 

 eastward by the two islands forming- that side^ which 

 run nearly north and south. The Brisbane river 

 enters the bay about the middle of its western side^ 

 and^ having- been the means of opening* up an 

 immense extent of the finest pastoral country^ it 

 has conferred a considerable deg-ree of importance 

 upon the place as a harbour^ althoug-h beset with 

 numerous shoals and narrow winding* passages^ 

 throug"li which the tides run with g-reat force. The 

 entrance to the river has a depth of only 10 or 

 11 feet at hig-h water^ consequently^ is available for 

 small vessels only • the best anchor ag'e for larg-er 

 ones is five miles distant. The banks are con- 

 stantly shifting*^ and the channel is intricate. When 

 to this is added that the settlement^ — consisting* of 

 the townships of North and South Brisbane^ and 

 Kang*aroo Pointy is situated 14 miles from the river 

 mouth — it was not surprising' that a proposal had 

 been made to establish a trading* port elsewhere in 

 the bay, so that the wool and other produce of the 

 district, mig-ht be shipped direct for Eng*land. 



For this purpose, Cleveland Point (at the south- 

 east side of the bay) had been sug'g*ested, and the 

 Colonial Government requested Captain Stanley's 

 opinion on the subject : — which is as follows. 

 " This/' says he, '^ is the worst possible place I ever 

 saw for such a purpose ) from the proposed site of 

 the town, a low rocky point only a few feet above 



