158 farmer's creek. [ch. i. 



of that name in Wales. It is enclosed by other heights 

 named Mount York and Mount Clarence, and is watered by 

 a small stream called the river Lett.* A wooden bridge has 

 been erected across this stream, and the site of a village 

 marked out on the bank opposite to it. When such a spot, 

 has once been determined on for the establishment of a town 

 or village, and divided into small allotments, available to 

 blacksmiths, wheelwrights, coopers, innkeepers. Sec. the land 

 is no longer liable to be sold in a section of a square mile, 

 according to the land regulations. Much attention is neces- 

 sary, during the progress of colonization, to prevent the mo- 

 nopoly of the land, in thoroughfares where water is to be had. 

 The convenience of the public, and the encouragement of the 

 mechanic, who is indeed the pioneer of colonists, cannot be 

 sufficiently studied, in affording facilities for the establishment 

 of inns, and the growth of population along great roads. 



The aspect of this valley is very different from that of the 

 mountain region, and equally so from that of the lower 

 country, on the Hawkesbury. This change is obviously owing 

 to the difference in the rock. Granite appears here, for the 

 first time, on this road ; and we accordingly find those bold 

 undulations, and that thinly wooded surface, which usually 

 distinguish the formation in Australia. It is at this point, in 

 general finely grained, but the felspar partly decomposed, 

 with distinct crystals of felspar unclianged. 



From the pass of Mount Victoria, I travelled to Bathurst 

 by an entirely new road, opened in a direction, first recom- 

 mended by me in 1827. 



At fourteen miles from Mount Victoria, is Farmers Creek, 

 so named altera useful horse, which fell there and broke his 

 neck, when I was surveying and marking out tlic line of 

 ro;id. The formation of the descent to this mountain stream 

 wiis ;i work of considcriiblo labour, and at that time several 

 gangs of prisoners in irons, were employed upon it. Crossing 

 Farmer's creek iioiir its junction with Cox's river, the road 

 * A iiiinic (leriveil from rivuhd, mihI h very jjoofl one, being j.liarl. 



