Jan.,-] NethkrcotI':, Cirls' Camp al Nalioiial Park. 1 27 



1920 J ' ' 



with thin, red, spidery crabs, Helcecms cordiformis. Port 

 FrankUn is a small fishing village, but our only catch was a 

 rusty jam-tin. A strong south wind now rose, and our boatmen 

 promised us a cold, wet crossing, or, as an alternative, the use 

 of the ranger's cottage (put at our disposal by the ranger) for 

 the night. The latter was accepted, and an early start made 

 the following morning. The launch was capable of holding 

 thirty-two, so eleven and luggage were easily stowed on board. 

 Soon we were sliding down between the flat mud- banks of the 

 Franklin River. The surrounding mangrove swamps and mud 

 ridges form a perfect paradise for water-birds of every descrip- 

 tion, which were there in hundreds. Leaving the river, a 

 south-westerly course was set across Corner Inlet, passing 

 quite close to Doughboy Island. Mount Singapore, the scene 

 of the prospecting for tin at present being carried on, was visible 

 to the south-east. 



By noon we were at the Park, landing at the south-west 

 corner of the Inlet, where we found the ranger, Mr. Cripps 

 (who proved our best friend throughout the trip), awaiting us 

 with buggy and horses to convey us to the Darby River, where 

 we intended making our camp. Here is situated the first 

 rest-house, a two-roomed galvanized iron structure. The 

 track to the Darby River follows the easiest route, and is 

 sometimes outside the Park. At first we followed the sandy 

 track inside the high vermin-proof Parle fence. The country 

 was unusual ; gum-trees were scarce, Banksias or honeysuckles 

 and grass- trees forming the main features of the vegetation. 

 Parallel with our track on the left was the Vereker Range, 

 boasting of good timber and fine fern gullies. Presently the 

 heavy sandy track passed through No. i gate, amidst low, 

 scrubby country. Descending into a hollow before re-entering 

 the Park, we saw in front of us a number of half-dead gums. 

 Imagine our delight on getting nearer to find them tenanted 

 with native bears, or koalas — not one, but many. 



It was from this spot our camp mascot, soon known as a 

 Dincombe Teddy bear, with fuzzy- wuzzy ears, was taken. 

 He was a small grey beastie with a white shirt-front. At first 

 he was fed on condensed milk with a teaspoon, a serviette being 

 tied round his neck to catch the half that did not go into his 

 mouth. Later we found he' was old enough to eat gum leaves, 

 and, although it was a couple of miles to the nearest trees 

 from the camp, he was never found wanting his leaves. 



Re-entering tli(^ Park by No. 2 gate, wc^ found a few of the 

 IxM.utifu] white l^>utt(i-lly tris. or Taiigil Lily, Diphiryliciiit 

 MOra'a, in llower. From here the V^erekcr Range presented 

 a line view. Again passing out of the Park by No. 3 gate and 

 r(nmding a hill, we saw below us the Darby River, and our 



