172 CROSS GOOBANG CREEK. [CH. II. 



men, carrying- my theodolite, sextant, and barometer, I as- 

 cended a summit at the southern extremity of Harvey's 

 range, and which I had observed particularly from Mount 

 Juson, as being the most eligible point to form, in connection 

 with that range, a base for extending the survey westward. 

 This hill was clear of timber, and, as it commanded an unin- 

 terrupted view in that direction, I intersected every point 

 observed from Mount Juson. The highest summit of Cano- 

 bolas was just visible over the intermediate ranges, and, 

 what was also of equal importance, that of the Coutombals. 

 These ranges, already mentioned in another place, consist 

 of a group of lofty hills, situated about 12 miles to the S.S.W. 

 of Wellington valley, and being connected with the general 

 survey, enabled me here to fix this station correctly. 



As we returned across the lower country towards our 

 camp, we observed some places unusually green, and found 

 that this verdure was nourished by springs, the water lying 

 on the surface, so that in a season when the beds of almost 

 all streams were dry, we watered our horses on an extensive 

 flat of forest land. Such springs must be of very rare occur- 

 rence in this country, for in the course of my journies, 1 had 

 never before seen any. The hill, thus connected with the 

 survey, I named Mount Laidley. 



April 13. — The party moved off at half-past eight o'clock, 

 and at half-past nine it crossed Goobang creek, or chain of 

 ponds. This channel contained some deep pools, apparently 

 proof against the summer drought. The Goobang has its 

 sources in the ravines between Harvey's and Croker's ranges, 

 the coarse being towards the Lachlan. In this and other 

 tributaries of the same river, I observed, that all the per- 

 manent pools were surrounded by reeds. 



As we j)roceeded beyond the Goobang, chiefly in a north- 

 west direction, we found the country tolerably level, and to 

 consist of what in the colony is termed " open forest land." 

 We crossed one or two eminences, but the carts met with no 

 impediment in a journey of fifteen miles. 



