NOTES OF TRAVEL— 18r)()-fi0. 



Froji Sydney westwards, and down the Darling River. 



By Hon. A. NORTON, M.L C. 



{Read before the Pioi/al Societi/ of Queensland, 17th October, 1903. ) 



When I was in Melbourne in 1859, a friend, whose business 

 required his constant presence in town, asked me if I was dis- 

 posed to take a long journey v^estward from Sydney ? He had 

 money invested in what was then the " Never-Never " of New 

 South Wales, and was anxious to obtain a reliable report upon 

 the condition of the property. I had just arrived from Denili- 

 quin, where I had handed over a draft of store bullocks that I 

 had brought from the Clarence River, and was uncertain as to 

 my next move ; my friend's request just fitted in with my con- 

 venience and my mood. Our arrangements were speedily com- 

 pleted, and I took boat to Sydney, at which place I was to be 

 supplied with all details as to road, &c., by the well-known firm 

 of Peel Raymond and Co. " We really know very little about 

 the road," Mr. Raymond said in answer to my inquiries, "but 

 you go through Bathurst and down the Macquarie River as far 

 as you can get ; then follow the Barwon and Darling Rivers 

 -down until ^ou get to Mitchell's old Fort Bourke. Not very 

 far below it the station, Tooralle, is situated. The Warrego 

 River unites with the Darling somewhere thereabouts, and the 

 nearest post office is at Walgett, on the Namoi." Then he added 

 with a warning note, " You had better be careful when you are out 

 there, for the blacks are said to be very bad." I knew Peel 

 Raymond, and was sure any information which came from him 

 would be reliable, so far as he was concerned. I engaged George 

 Davis, a smart young fellow who had lived all his life on the 



