152 AUSTRALIA AND THE AUSTRALIANS. 



miles, between Rockhampton and Oakey Creek sta- 

 tion, in North Queensland, made by Mr. and Mrs- 

 G. P. Barber and Samuel Barber, on the occasion of 

 their taking possession of a sheep station in that 

 region : 



MR. G. P. BARBER'S DESCRIPTION. 



We arrived at Rockhampton by steamer from Mel- 

 bourne, March llth, 1869. We had on board a new 

 American express waggon, built for this journey. 

 After much bargaining, we bought two harness horses 

 and one saddle horse. 



Having packed away our luggage and a supply of 

 rations, and all necessary cooking utensils, with gun, 

 axe, and tent, and a long list of sundries, making in 

 all considerably over half a ton weight, we made a 

 start for the Peak Downs, over unmade roads, bridge- 

 less rivers, and a country infested by bush rangers. 

 We were warned against camping near the Deep Creek, 

 where a notorious gang was lurking. 



Although in Queensland March is a part of the rainy 

 season, at the time of our starting the weather was dry 

 and the roads good, and there was no appearance of 

 floods ; but we had scarcely left Rockhampton when 

 signs of a change were visible, and before reaching the 

 Deep Creek, fifteen miles from town, the rain poured 



