370 AUSTRALIA : 



is one of the most important passages on the globe. The 

 examination of Endeavour Strait, that channel which winds 

 immediately round Cape York, was made with all the exact- 

 ness enjoined by the Admiralty, and justified by its peculiar 

 importance. The line of steam navigation long and loudly 

 invoked for the Australian seas, in connection with those 

 great lines which already unite India, China, and Europe, 

 has hitherto been directed to the southern coasts a natural 

 effect of the rapid growth and high commercial activity of 

 the settlements in the south-eastern part of Australia. The 

 channel of Endeavour Strait will doubtless, however, be 

 resorted to hereafter in connection with the ever-growing 

 traffic of the Indian Ocean, and the rising demands of our 

 colonies continually spreading northwards in this direction. 

 Each separate sounding, or observation of wind, tide, or cur- 

 rent 3 now made, must bear upon the security and welfare of 

 this future navigation. 



These circumstances and a regard to the remarkable posi- 

 tion of Cape York commanding, it may fairly be said, this 

 great highway between the Pacific and Indian Oceans lead 

 our author to discuss a question, which has for some time 

 been before both home and colonial authorities, viz. the 

 relative value of Cape York and Port Essington, as a post 

 and settlement for aid to the navigation of these seas. The 

 latter place (600 miles to the west of Cape York, and on 

 the other side of the great Gulf of Carpentaria) was for 

 several years occupied by an officer and a few marines ; but 

 without any attempt at colonisation, and with little encou- 

 ragement to it, either from fertility of the soil, healthiness of 

 the spot, or the character of the natives in its vicinity. 

 Repeated visits to both places have given Mr. Jukes a very 

 decided preference for Cape York; and in his reasons for 

 this preference we fully concur. Its position is a main point 

 in its favour. It is in the vicinity of danger, and affords a 



