MR. KVANS’ T)lSroVEP,IES. IXXV 
Evans was so favourable, tliat orders were im- 
mediately issued for the construction of a line 
of road across the mountains. When that was 
completed, the Governor went in person to fix 
the site of a future town on Bathurst Plains. 
From thence Mr. Evans, who accompanied the 
Governor on the occasion, was directed to pro- 
ceed to the southward and westward, to ascer- 
tain the nature of the country in that direction. 
He discovered another considerable river, flow- 
ing, like the Macquarie, to the west, to which 
he gave the name of the Lachlan. The pro- 
mising appearance of these two streams, and 
the expectation of all parties that they would 
be found to water rich and extensive tracts of 
country, led to the fitting out of a more import- 
ant expedition than any which had before been 
contemplated. 
Mr. Oxley, the Surveyor-General of the Co- 
lony, was appointed chief of this expedition, and 
was directed to trace the Lachlan and Mac- 
quarie rivers, as far as practicable, with a 
view to ascertain their capabilities and the na- 
ture of the country they watered. In 1817, Mr. 
O xley directed his attention to tlie former river, 
and continued to follow its windings, until it 
