Distribution of the Salmon Fry. 225 



minutes, fresh air being injected, and ice being 

 used, as required, to maintain a temperature 

 of 55 deg. The thermometer, unfortunately, 

 got broken here, but another was provided at 

 Bairnsdale. The weather became very hot 

 during this part of the journey. 



"At Bairnsdale, Mr. Howitt, P.M., and Mr. 

 Go old, the president of the shire, were waiting 

 to receive us. The former volunteered to 

 accompany us on horseback to the Snowy 

 river, and, from his thorough acquaintance 

 with the district during the many years he 

 has spent there, no one could better act as 

 guide. A more pleasant companion I would 

 not desire to travel with, and his readiness of 

 resource in an emergency is invaluable in an 

 expedition over such rough country as we had 

 to travel through. It will be remembered 

 that Mr. Howitt went as leader of the relief 

 party sent to learn the fate of the ill-starred 

 expedition of Burke and Wills, and that he 

 accomplished the object of his mission most 

 successfully. His son Charlton, a fine active 

 lad of 13, also rode with us, and rendered 

 good service on many occasions. 



" The Mitchell river flows close past Bairns- 



Q 



