The Winter in and around Lyell 



As then arranged, our party was to follow the main 

 river to the limit of navigation for the launches, and 

 there to establish a base camp which would be stored 

 and kept supplied with provisions and other necessaries 

 by one of the launches, while the other would remain 

 there for use in case of emergency. 



As we were now officials of the Government we could 

 not, of course, be allowed to take up any mining claims, 

 but as our discoveries of salt, coal, and basalt in the 

 country south of the escarpment were made before our 

 appointment, we were handsomely compensated for our 

 interest in them, and were allowed to sell our land and 

 the mineral rights to a company formed at Lyell, for a 

 sum which covered all our expenses up to date, including 

 the purchase of our steamer, and left each of us a good 

 round sum in hand. 



189 



