ADMIRALTY INSTRUCTIONS. i) 



is the uncertainty that prevails here respecting the 

 weather which you may at that period find in those 

 latitudes, and which it is possible may be such 

 as if not altogether to prevent the execution of these 

 orders, may at least cause them to be ineffectually 

 performed, or perhaps lead to a waste of time, which 

 might be better employed on other parts of the 

 coast. If such should eventually be the case, it 

 would be prudent not to attempt this intricate part 

 of the coast during the prevalence of the north-west 

 monsoon, but to employ it in completing the exami- 

 nation of Shark Bay and of Exmouth Gulf, as well 

 as of other unexplored intervals of coast up to the 

 122nd degree of longitude ; or, with a view to the 

 proximity of one of the above-mentioned places of 

 refreshment, it might, perhaps, be advisable, if com- 

 pelled to quit the vicinity of Dampier Land, to 

 devote that part of the season to a more careful 

 investigation of the low shores of the gulf of Car- 

 pentaria, where it has been surmised, though very 

 loosely, that rivers of some capacity will be found. 



" The above objects having been accomplished, 

 (in whatever order you may find most suitable to the 

 service) you will return to the southern settlements 

 for refreshments ; and then proceed, during the 

 summer months of fine weather and long days, to 

 Bass Strait, in which so many fatal accidents have 

 recently occurred, and of which you are to make a 

 correct and effectual survey. 



" But previous to your undertaking that survey, 



