128 OrE COAL A>-D COAL POETS, 



al30ve the sea-level, such rise being necessary for the discharge 

 of coal into large ships from the staithes and coal shoots, and 

 guided almost only by both our aneroids, we kept the uniform 

 level along the near banks of Long Cove, going through every 

 place as it came in our way, and in one place meeting a garden 

 with a fountain, statues, and garden ornaments, which we feared 

 might have to give way to the iron-horse. Within two miles of 

 our starting we crossed the old Parramatta Eoad, and struck 

 straight for the northern arches of the Petersham viaduct (under 

 which the line would have to pass for its level course on to the 

 staithes or shoots), and we went then by Canterbury, across 

 Cook's Eiver, and in by Cup and Saucer Creek to Tom Ugly's 

 Point at George's River. Along the Avhole of this course Ave 

 found a practicable line. 



We returned to Canterbury that night. Next morning we 

 went back to the Petersham A'iaduct, and defined an excellent 

 siding from our Hue of the day before to turn off into the Peter- 

 sham station close by — for the use of the passenger and general 

 produce trade of Illawarra. 



It was our desire to see if a better line for the coal trade could 

 be obtained by going through the head of the Cook's River and 

 Marrickville country, and then on to Cook's Eiver Dam, and by 

 Seven-Mile Beach levels on to George's Eiver. To this we 

 found a formidable obstruction close to the A'iaduct, in the form 

 of the " Wardell Hill " and road, which could not be got over 

 without considerable expense, and too sharp in curve from under 

 the arches of the viaduct ; added to which there -would have been 

 objections by reason of heavy compensations for passing through 

 numerous villa and other properties nearer Sydney, besides this 

 route being longer than by our direct Ime via Canterbury. 

 This is, however, yet an undecided matter. 



Next day, November 20th, we were joined at Tom Ugly's ferry, 

 at George's Eiver, by Mr. Blake and his son, who took us about 

 three miles in a spring-cart, with a few days' provisions on to 

 Gymmea Bay, in Port Hacking, where a boat awaited us. The 

 intermediate easy elevation and depressions having been noted by 

 Mr. Stephens, we went by the boat across by the north-western 

 arm of Port Hacking into the Port Hacking Creek itself; then 

 by rowing about three miles up the creek against the tide we 

 reached the junction of Kangaroo Creek, under rain, and found 

 shelter for the night under an overhanging rock or cave. 



Next morning, Saturday, we started at 4 o'clock, in order to 

 make the most of a falling tide with our boat, and then after 

 passing up Avith considerable difficulty, from the shallowness of 

 water, Ave reached the point where Ave intended to leave the boat. 

 Having breakfasted here, we started again at 9 o'clock, on foot, 

 carrying the least possible amount of baggage, and thus began 



