260 NEW SOUTH WALES. 



the geological structure of this district, which is exceedingly interest- 

 ing, I must refer to the Geological Report. 



Mr. Hale and Mr. Agate made a jaunt to the Hunter river, and 

 thence to Lake Macquarie, to the establishment of Mr. Threlkeld, 

 the missionary employed among the aborigines. 



The passage to Hunter river, a distance of eighty miles to the 

 north of Sydney, is made in a steamer. The boat was small and ill- 

 adapted for the sea. 



Leaving Sydney just before dark, they reached Newcastle, at the 

 mouth of the Hunter river, about noon the next day. They, how- 

 ever, had a head wind, and much sea, to contend against. 



Among other accidents, the shipping of a sea caused much fright 

 among the women on board, and threw one poor girl into hysterics. 

 They were all glad to pass within the island of Nobboy, off the 

 mouth of Hunter river, and to get on shore at Newcastle. 



The town of Newcastle is a small village of seventy or eighty 

 houses, built on the side of a hill ; it contains two taverns and several 

 grog-shops, a jail, convict stockade, hospital, court-house, and a vene- 

 rable old-looking church. On one of the neighbouring hills is a 

 flag-staff, and on another a windmill. The business of a coal-mine, 

 and that of the building of a breakwater, for the protection of the 

 harbour, give the place an air of life and animation. 



Our travellers put up at Rowell's "Commercial Hotel;" and on 

 proceeding to make inquiries relative to the mode of reaching Mr. 

 Threlkeld's, they were referred to Dr. Brook, the surgeon of the 

 hospital, and a friend of Mr. Threlkeld. He offered them every 

 attention, and advised them to wait for Mr. Threlkeld's conveyance. 

 This delay gave them an opportunity of seeing something of the 

 place, and the natives, as well as to make drawings. The view of 

 the surrounding country from the windmill was extensive, over- 

 looking the town; the Hunter river was seen winding through a 

 well-wooded country, rising occasionally into low hills. At a bend 

 of the river the steamer was seen aground, on her way to Maitland, 

 about twenty-five miles farther up the river. The coast trended to 

 the north, and was visible as far as Port Stephens, about fifty miles 

 distant. 



There are two coal-pits, one on the hill, the other in the valley. 

 The former is the older, and has been worked about eight years. 

 Both are the property of the Australian Agricultural Company, and 

 are under the direction of Mr. James Steel. The coal is first seen 



