248 
HINTS FOR FUTURE EXPEDITIONS. 
from which at any time the survey of the more central parts 
of the continent could be so effectually carried on ; for in a 
country like Australia, where the chief obstacle to be ap- 
prehended in travelling is the want of water, the facilities 
afforded by the Murray and its tributaries, are indisputable ; 
and I have little doubt that the very centre of the continent 
might be gained by a judicious and enterprising expedition. 
Certainly it is most desirable to ascertain whether the river 
I have supposed to be the Darling be really so or not. I 
have stated my objection to depots, but I think that if a 
party commenced its operations upon the Murray from the 
junction upwards, and, after ascertaining the fact of its 
ultimate course, turned away to the N.W. up one of the 
tributaries of the Murray, with a supply of six months’ pro- 
visions, the results would be of the most satisfactory kind, 
and the features of the country be wholly developed. I 
cannot, I think, conclude this work better than by express- 
ing a hope, that the Colonial Government will direct such 
measures to be adopted as may be necessary for the exten- 
sion of our geographical knowledge in Australia. The fa- 
cilities of fitting out expeditions in New South Wales, ren- 
der the expences of little moment, when compared with the 
importance of the object in view ; and although I am labour- 
ing under the effects of former attempts, yet would I wil- 
lingly give such assistance as I could to carry such an object 
into effect. 
