27 
Far beyond this there was the bed of a torrent, but no longer a river, 
nor even a continuation of water except in a succession of distant 
parts. Here, then, on a high bank we pitched our tent. The rich- 
ness of the soil, the bright foliage of the shrubs, the majesty of the 
surrounding trees, the abrupt and red-coloured banks of the river 
occasionally seen, and the view of the blue summits of the mountains 
from which we were not far distant, made the scenery round this 
spot as beautiful as anything* of the kind I had ever witnessed. ’’ 
During the course of the trip two gardens were planted about 
15 miles up the river, and after some trouble friendly intercourse 
was established with the natives. The soil along the banks was ex- 
examined and an abundance of fresh water found. An ascent of the 
hills, to which the name General Darling Range was given, was made 
by Mr. Fraser. The cutter then returned to the ship, leaving the 
gig, with Lieut. Belches in charge, to make a hurried examination of 
a tributary liver (the Canning), to which the French had given the 
name of Moreau Inlet. After her return the crew of the frigate 
was employed surveying the islands of Ruttnest, Bert boll et (now 
Carnac), and Bn ache, as well as the adjacent rocks. On Buache a 
garden was planted (from which probably the present name, Garden 
Island, was derived), and some cattle and sheep left there. The 
“Success” sailed for Geograplie Bay on March 21. Here Stirling 
remained until the 25th, when he set his course for Iving George’s 
Sound, which was reached on April 2. He remained at the settle- 
ment, which did not come up to his expectations, until two days later, 
w^ lie. left for Sydney, arriving in Port Jackson on the 15th of 
the same month, having been absent about three months. 
So far as their reports go, both Captain Stirling and Mr. 
Fraser seem to have been greatly impressed with the possibilities of 
the newly -exam inerl country. The latter, who had certainly greater 
expeiience in judging, was, if possible, the more pronounced in his 
good opinion, and there is no doubt that his oninion was largely 
relied upon when the question of colonisation was under discussion. 
In concluding his report upon the natural history, soil, etc., of the 
Swan River district, he says: ‘‘I n delivering my opinion on the whole 
of the lands seen on the banks of the Swan, T hesitate not in pro- 
nouncing it superior to any I have seen in New South Wales east- 
ward of the Blue Mountains, not only in its local situation, but in 
many existing advantages which it holds out to settlers, viz. : 
(ID The evident superiority of the soil. 
(2.) The facility with which settlers can bring their farms 
into a state of culture from the open state of the coun- 
try, the trees not averaging more than ten to the aero. 
(3.) The great advantage of fresh water springs of the best 
quality, and consequent permanent humidity of the 
soil— two advantages not existing eastward of the Blue 
Mountains. 
