1835
Friday 29th May 1835
‘I would not not recommend anyone to come in until the tide was running in when the surff is smooth at the mouth – as we were sailing up the Port heard a Dog on the shore howling – cannot think what brought it there just called upon deck to see about 100 Geese flying near the Vessel they seemed very large and flew up the Port before us – we Anchored in a small Bay about 12 miles up the Port, and went on shore before we got into the Boat we saw a Dog on the sand we put off and came up to the Dog which proved to be a Native Dog of N. H – which had surely left the Natives within a Day or so as He came quite close to my Natives and did not appear at all afraid, but would not allow them to take hold of Him – our Dogs after some time took after Him, and ran Him into the water, where we shot Him – He was a large Dog, and much the same I have seen in N. S – Wales we fell in with the tracks of the Natives, which was only a day or two old also Huts on the Bay where they had been eating mussels, it cannot be more than two days back – we then went in the Bush, about 4 miles and passed over some beautifull Land and all good sheep country rather sandy, but the sand Black and rich covered with Kangaroo Grass, about 10 Inches high and as green as a field of wheat, we then went in another direction for about 4 or 5 miles over verry good sheep Land gentle rises, with wattle and oak, with stunted Gum none or verry little of this timber would split – we made the Bay again and crossed before we came to a beautifull plain about 3 to 400 Acres of as rich Land as I ever saw with scarce a tree upon it – the Grass above our ancles, we saw several forest Kangaroo, but our Dogs being on ship board were stiff and could not fetch any saw several Native Huts and the marks on one tree where the Natives had been yesterday – we then came down the Bay, which consists of excellent Land rich black Sand the worst of it the other black soil but all covered alike thickly with Grass, of the best discription – we saw some bare Hills about 6 miles off which appears Grassy Hill – to the top
I propose visiting them to morrow, I may expect a good view of the country from them to the N. W – the Blacks, are sleeping on shore to Night – we walked about 12 miles – the Capt. quite knocked up – the wind blew hard up to 12 0clock.’
Thursday 4th June 1835
‘I think on the avarage, moust beautiful Sheep Pasturage I ever saw in my Life. I am sure I can see 50,000 Acres of Land in one direction and not 50 trees, in short the only trees in the great extent I have above mentioned are She Oak and none more then 10 Inches in diameter The only thing that will be felt in a short time or a few years will be the want of fire wood . . .’
Journal, State Library of Victoria, MS 13181