58 THE WOMBAT. 



system. At about half way there is some very fine scenery r 

 the road traversing a saddle for about a mile, and looking 

 away to Healesville towards the south, and over range after 

 range to the north. It then takes the form of a cutting along 

 the hillsides for several miles ; to look at it one would think 

 there was not more than comfortable room for one vehicle,, 

 but by the exercise of great care it is possible for two vehicles 

 to pass one another. This we had occasion to prove, as 

 about half way we met two bullock teams, and by the rule of 

 that road we have to go on the outside, being the lighter team. 

 There is just room and no more, for while our axle box raps 

 that of the bullock waggon, there is not more than six inches 

 to spare for the outer wheel, but we get by all right, and that 

 is all we want. For the rest of the way the road leads 

 through heavily timbered country with splendid soil, and 

 consequently very much cut up by the heavy loads of palings 

 which seem to be the staple product of the district. 



Toolangie House (now kept by Mr. Rentall) where we 

 stop, has been too lately described by Mr. Harvie in the 

 Melbourne journal for me to do more than say that we are 

 made as comfortable as we can possibly wish. An excellent 

 table and everything else " up to Dick." The river Yea runs 

 about 300 yards from the house, and from the moment we 

 come to it until we leave — because our plates are all exposed 

 — it is one series of photographic gems. We spend all our 

 time and plates, and only wish we had more of both. 



Amid so many bits of scenery it is difficult to say which 

 is the finest, but the lower falls on the Sylvia Creek (an 

 affluent of the Yea River) are very fine, and we are fortunate 

 in being there when there is a good volume of water coming 

 down. When returning from these falls we meet some more 

 bullock teams, and one of our party has a shot at them 

 fording a creek, but alas, my plates are all used and I can 

 only look on, to my great regret, for it is a thoroughly typical 

 picture. However, next day we go out again, and at the ford 

 on the Yea River we are fortunate enough to meet another 

 team just coming down to the crossing, and succeed in getting a 

 very fair picture. We also take a few shots at the felling of one 

 of the kings of the forest, condemned to death for the benefit of 

 the splitter. We most of us take one plate as the men make 

 their final cuts, and another just as the huge tree begins to 

 fall. At last the hour comes when we have to say good-bye to 

 Toolangie and return to our various occupations, and we. all 

 come away with the fixed resolve to go back again on the 

 very first opportunity. 



Yours, &c, 



"WOMBAT." 



