18 Journey into the Interior of New South Wales. (Jan. 
sent over them; and the tracts of fertile soil and rich pasturage 
which the new country affords are fully extensive enough for any 
increase of population and stock which can possibly take place for 
many years. 
Within a distance of ten miles from the site of Bathurst there is 
not less than 50,000 acres of land clear of timber, and fully one 
half of that may be considered excellent soil, well calculated for 
cultivation. It is a matter of regret that in proportion as the soil 
improves the timber degenerates; and it is to be remarked, that 
every where to the westward of the mountains it is much inferior 
both in size and quality to that within the present colony ; there is, 
however, a sufficiency of timber of tolerable quality within the dis- 
trict around Bathurst for the purposes of house-building and hus- 
bandry. 
The Governor has here to lament that neither coals nor lime-stone 
have been yet discovered in the western country; articles in them-* 
selves of so much importance, that the want of them must be 
severely felt whenever that country shall be settled. 
Having enumerated the principal and most important features of 
this new country, the Governor has now to notice some of its live 
productions. All around Bathurst abounds in a variety of game ; 
and the two principal rivers contain a great quantity of fish, but all 
of one denomination, resembling the perch in appearance, and of 
a délicate and fine flavour, not unlike that of a rock cod. This fish 
grows to a large size, and is very voracious. Several of them were 
caught during the Governor’s stay at Bathurst, and at the halting 
place on the Fish River. One of those caught weighed 17 Ib. ; 
and the people stationed at Bathurst stated that they had caught 
some weighing 25 Ib. Pe SN) 
The field game are the kangaroos, emus, black swans, wild geese, 
wild turkies, bustards, ducks of various kinds, quail, bronze, and 
other pigeons, &c. &e. The water mole, or paradox, also abounds 
in all the rivers and ponds. 
The site designed for the town of Bathurst, by observation taken 
at the Flag Staff, which was erected on the day of Bathurst receiving 
that name, is situated in latitude 33° 24’ 30” south, and in longi- 
tude 149° 37’ 45” east of Greenwich, being also 27+ miles north of 
Government House, in Sydney, and 941 west of it, bearing west 
20° 30’ north, $3 geographic miles, or 951 statute miles; the 
measured road distance from Sydney to Bathurst being 140 English 
miles. 
The road constructed by Mr. Cox, and the party under him, 
commences. at Emu Ford, on the left bank of the river Nepean, 
and is thence carried 1014 miles to the Flag Staffat Bathurst. This 
road has been carefully measured, and each mile regularly marked 
on the trees growing on the left side of the road proceeding towards 
Bathurst. 
The Governor in his tour made the following stages, in which he 
3 
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