Survey parties to the Northern Territory 1864–1870

A number of survey parties to the Northern Territory were involved in attempts to found a settlement in the Northern Territory during the years 1864–1870. This article describes attempts by the South Australian Government to found a settlement in the Northern Territory, and the people who took part in those ventures. It includes lists of all known participants.

Background

In 1863, the part of New South Wales to the north of South Australia between the 129th and 138th parallels of longitude East was annexed to South Australia, by letters patent, as the "Northern Territory of South Australia", which was abbreviated to the Northern Territory (6 July 1863).[1] The South Australian Government, with the Wakefield plan for colonisation of South Australia as a basis, believed that European settlement of the Northern Territory could be achieved in much the same way: by selling "off the plan" parcels of land to investors, and a great deal of money would go into Government coffers, which would be used for infrastructure, thus attracting further investment. All that was required was another Col. William Light, another George Gawler and a location for the new capital, which from the start was to be named "Palmerston".

Finniss expedition to Adam Bay 1864

The first requirement for such a settlement was a safe harbour, and from previous explorers' experience, one stood out: Adam Bay, into which the Adelaide River flows, a river navigable for a considerable distance, where all kinds of wharfs and berths could be erected. There was little land at the mouth for buildings, but no doubt suitable areas would be found upstream.

Boyle Travers Finniss, a career public servant with some surveying experience, was put in charge of a body of some 40 officers and men, and whose task it was to establish a camp at a site of his choosing and mark out some 1000 town sites and a similar number of rural sites.

Finniss was not obliged to settle at Adam Bay; he chose it in preference to Port Darwin or Port Patterson on account of its harbour and the Adelaide River, which is navigable for a great distance inland, ignoring the lack of building materials, the low-lying boggy nature of the country. He chose two settlement sites; Escape Cliffs on the east coast of the bay, and The Narrows, a short distance up the Adelaide River, where there was a good landing for boats, and planned a connecting road of 6 miles (10 km).[2]

No substantial building was ever erected, apart from the Government Resident's house, in front of which he daily drilled his Guard, to the delight of the natives, who mimicked their exercises.[3]

No surveying could be done in first dry season due to insufficient manpower;[4] much of the stores never made it under cover, and much manpower was wasted keeping a lookout for marauding Aborigines. The Protector of Aborigines, Dr. Goldsmith, was refused membership of a party sent to recover stolen property, which turned into a reprisal, then after some horses were speared, refused inclusion in an armed party led by Finniss's son, when many shots were fired and at least one Aborigine killed.

Morale was low from the start. Only the Government Resident (Finniss) and a few favourites refused to admit that the choice of site was a huge mistake. Jealousies developed between various sections of the workforce as to who was getting preferential treatment or having the more odious duties to perform, the Government Resident and Surgeon (Sweet) were seen going off on "jaunts" with "favorites". Jealousies erupted and operations stumbled from crisis to crisis. The number of staff was augmented somewhat to replace those whose year's contract had expired; Finniss was recalled to answer accusations levelled against him, and others at the same time as witnesses or to answer charges related to the murder of several Aborigines. Some resigned and found their own way back to Adelaide. Many, whose one-year contract was over, returned at the same time.

Manton, left in charge of the depleted party, reported that it was certain there was no land within a hundred miles worth surveying, and they could do nothing more than protect themselves and their stores from the natives. In October 1866 Government ordered a recall of Manton and his men, along with those remaining of McKinlay's party on the steamer Eagle, Captain Hill, which left 11 January 1867, transhipped to the Rangatira at Sydney, and arrived at Port Adelaide 2 February 1867.

Personnel

NameJob/positionDepart AdelaideDepart Adam BayNotes
R. Arthurin charge of stockEllen Lewis May 1866Eagle January 1867
J. Railton AtkinsonchainmanHenry Ellis April 1864Bengal May 1865,Sacked by Finniss. From Surabaya to Singapore with Cottrell, died in India.
William Patrick AuldlabourerHenry Ellis April 1864Bengal May 1865 in charge of Sgt. Potterkilled aboriginal man 8 September 1864 near Chambers Bay, Northern Territory
Job AustinvisitorSouth Australian October 1864 (privately)
Bengal March 1865
Ellen Lewis December 1865later with Goyder expedition, OT
William N. de BathelabourerSouth Australian October 1864William Nicholson M. de Bathe (c. 1846 – 4 December 1868) was son of horse breeder James Bathe, owner of Graham's Castle, Prospect.
Samuel BakerlabourerHenry Ellis April 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865died 28 March 1868
Jacob Bauervisitor, agent for land purchasers[5]South Australian October 1864 (privately)accompanied by wife Eliza and ten-year-old son. Drowned 12 October 1866 after falling from boat[6]
Henry Baumgurtellabourer, minerHenry Ellis April 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865
S. Beardin charge of stockEllen Lewis May 1866
Robert BeardvisitorSouth Australian October 1864 (privately)
Bengal March 1865
Ellen Lewis December 1865
Eagle January 1867 ?
later with Goyder expedition
J. J. BenhamBengal March 1865Eagle January 1867
J. W. O. BennettDraftsmanHenry Ellis April 1864Eagle January 1867with Goyder expedition, speared to death
John Bohnlabourer and able seamanHenry Ellis April 1864Beatrice November 1864?
Bengal May 1865?[7]
Bastin BoucautlabourerHenry Ellis April 1864died of fever 16 September 1864; brother of Sir J. P. Boucaut
Thomas BrennanblacksmithHenry Ellis April 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865
Charles Bright[8]Reporter for The ArgusSouth Australian October 1864South Australian December 1864
Edward BurfordlabourerSouth Australian October 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865
Robert Charles BurtonlabourerSouth Australian October 1864Eagle January 1867joined McKinlay's party July 1866
later with Goyder expedition, OT
Stephen ChandlerlabourerHenry Ellis April 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865witness to murder of Aborigine 8 September 1864; died 29 March 1866 after drunken fight
G. C. ChristievisitorSouth Australian October 1864 (privately)
Bengal March 1865
Ellen Lewis December 1865returned in poor health
John ClelandBengal March 1865Eagle January 1867joined McKinlay's party July 1866
George Thomas CottrelllabourerSouth Australian October 1864Bengal May 1865, thence to Singapore with Atkinson
John Cowieshoemaker and labourer, cookHenry Ellis April 1864South Australian December 1864
James DavislabourerSouth Australian October 1864Forlorn Hope May 1865
John DavisAssistant StorekeeperHenry Ellis April 1864
Ellen Lewis September 1865
Ellen Lewis December 1865
Eagle January 1867
Firmin DeaconlabourerSouth Australian October 1864Bengal May 1865
James Deslandesin charge of stockEllen Lewis May 1866Eagle January 1867
William Dougallmore info neededHenry Ellis April 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865tried with Auld for murder of Aborigine 8 September 1864.[9]
James DouglaslabourerSouth Australian October 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865later with Goyder expedition
C. Duttonin charge of stockEllen Lewis May 1866Eagle January 1867
John Dyerlabourer and bullock-driverHenry Ellis April 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865
G. F. EdmundslabourerSouth Australian October 1864Bengal May 1865
R. H. EdmundsSurveyorSouth Australian October 1864Beatrice August 1866joined McKinlay's party as surveyor and deputy leader November 1865[10]
Francis EdwardslabourerHenry Ellis April 1864Forlorn Hope May 1865
Joseph Atkinson Ewartin charge of stockEllen Lewis May 1866Eagle January 1867Son of prominent hotelier, member of Stuart's 5th expedition.[11][12]
later with Goyder expedition.
B. T. Finnissleader and Government ResidentHenry Ellis April 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865
Frederick Robe "Fred" FinnisschainmanHenry Ellis April 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865son of the Government Resident
R. E. Fisherin charge of stockEllen Lewis May 1866Eagle January 1867
Walter Fisherin charge of stockEllen Lewis May 1866Eagle January 1867
Michael Edward Fitchchainman and Able SeamanHenry Ellis April 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865later with Goyder expedition, OT, Post Office
David Franciscrew of Bengal?fell out of boat Julia 18 January 1865 when making her fast at The Narrows, swept away in swift-moving water
James GilbertlabourerHenry Ellis April 1864Bengal May 1865
Thomas Sherlock GillmanlabourerSouth Australian October 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865
Francis Edward GoldsmithSurgeon and Protector of AboriginesHenry Ellis April 1864Bengal May 1865resigned
C. W. GrainervisitorSouth Australian October 1864 (privately)Ellen Lewis December 1865returned in poor health
D. Grayin charge of stockEllen Lewis May 1866Eagle January 1867
Charles HakelabourerHenry Ellis April 1864Forlorn Hope May 1865
Arthur R. HamiltonJunior SurveyorHenry Ellis April 1864Forlorn Hope May 1865
James Hillin charge of stockEllen Lewis May 1866Eagle January 1867
Frank W. HoodlabourerSouth Australian October 1864Eagle January 1867
John Absalom HowecarpenterHenry Ellis April 1864South Australian December 1864
Charles S. HullslabourerSouth Australian October 1864Eagle January 1867joined McKinlay's party November 1865[10]
David JohnsonlabourerSouth Australian October 1864Eagle January 1867joined McKinlay's party July 1866
later with Goyder expedition
George Kersleystaff memberSouth Australian October 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865later with Goyder expedition
Stephen King, jun.Storekeeper and Superintendent of StockSouth Australian October 1864Bengal May 1865 on sick leave
Ellen Lewis December 1865?
later with Goyder expedition
Thomas Kinglabourer and able seamanHenry Ellis April 1864South Australian December 1864
E. C. KirbyvisitorSouth Australian October 1864 (privately)
John G. Kirbylabourer, in charge of stockSouth Australian October 1864Eagle January 1867
R. M. Lewisin charge of stockEllen Lewis May 1866Eagle January 1867
F. H. LitchfieldlabourerHenry Ellis April 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865died 1867
J. V. LloydvisitorSouth Australian October 1864 (privately)
Bengal March 1865
Ellen Lewis December 1865
Charles William Machell[13]chainman and Able SeamanHenry Ellis April 1864perhaps same person as "Mitchell" on Beatrice November 1864
W. MannvisitorSouth Australian October 1864
James Thomas MantonEngineer and SurveyorHenry Ellis April 1864Eagle January 1867
Henry Martinlabourer / in charge of stockSouth Australian October 1864
Ellen Lewis May 1866
Ellen Lewis December 1865
Eagle January 1867 ?
Gilbert R. McMinnlabourerSouth Australian October 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865later with Goyder expedition
William McMinnchainmanHenry Ellis April 1864Forlorn Hope May 1865
William MoorsheadcarpenterHenry Ellis April 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865
Owen MorrisEagle January 1867joined McKinlay's party July 1866[14]
William S. Murrayseaman, labourerHenry Ellis April 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865
Charles Edwin NealstaffSouth Australian October 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865later with Goyder expedition
H. D. PackardSurveyorSouth Australian October 1864Eagle January 1867accompanied by wife Mary Packard and their four-month-old daughter (Mary made history by in December 1866 giving birth to a daughter in the Top End)
Francis James "Frank" PackardchainmanHenry Ellis April 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865
William PearsonSurveyorHenry Ellis April 1864Bengal May 1865on sick leave
Charles Pennycuickmore info neededBeatrice November 1864dismissed by Finniss September? 1864 for "joining Ward clique"[4]
Sgt. William Potterpolice trooperEllen Lewis 1865Ellen Lewis December 1865
W. Readchainman and Able SeamanHenry Ellis April 1864Bengal May 1865later on OT, killed by crocodile
J. F. Roberts[15]labourerHenry Ellis April 1864Bengal May 1865later with Goyder expedition, OT
James Rosslabourer, in charge of stockSouth Australian October 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865
W. RowlandlabourerSouth Australian October 1864Eagle January 1867
Jeremiah RyanlabourerSouth Australian October 1864Eagle January 1867joined McKinlay party November 1865[10] later with Goyder expedition
John RyanlabourerSouth Australian October 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865
Chris. SchmidtstaffSouth Australian October 1864Eagle January 1867
J. Dodson de SkeltonlabourerSouth Australian October 1864South Australian December 1864
Alfred SmithlabourerSouth Australian October 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865
William SmithlabourerHenry Ellis April 1864Bengal May 1865
Jefferson P. Stowvisitor, agent for land purchasers[5]South Australian October 1864Forlorn Hope May 1865criticised frivolous use of Beatrice[16]
Wycliffe StowlabourerSouth Australian October 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865returned in poor health
Edward StrawbridgelabourerSouth Australian October 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865
John Stuckeyvisitor, agent for land purchasers[5]South Australian October 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865
Henry Thomas "Harry" StyleslabourerHenry Ellis April 1864South Australian December 1864
G. Thompsonin charge of stockEllen Lewis May 1866Eagle January 1867
Alfred John TodlabourerSouth Australian October 1864Eagle January 1867
Edward "Ned" TuckwelllabourerSouth Australian October 1864Eagle January 1867joined McKinlay party November 1865[10] later with Goyder expedition
John VarleymasonSouth Australian October 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865
Frederick WadhamlabourerSouth Australian October 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865returned in poor health, died 6 July 1878
James WadhamJunior SurveyorHenry Ellis April 1864Yatala November 1864brother to at least one other Wadham[17]
A niece, Bertha Mary Wadham (1863–1936), was mother of Sir Howard Florey
John WadhamcarpenterSouth Australian October 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865sick with scurvy, died 30 May 1866
W. H. WalkerlabourerSouth Australian October 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865
Alaric WardlabourerHenry Ellis April 1864killed an Aborigine at Escape Cliffs August 1864, himself speared and bludgeoned to death 31 July 1865 (listed on Ellen Lewis December 1865)
Ebenezer WardClerk in charge, Accountant, and PostmasterHenry Ellis April 1864South Australian December 1864dismissed by Finniss September? 1864 for insubordination
R. J. (R. A?) Warelabourer, cookHenry Ellis April 1864Bengal May 1865ill at the same time as Pearson
George T. Warlandlabourer, in charge of stockSouth Australian October 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865
Richard WatsonDraftsmanHenry Ellis April 1864Eagle January 1867
John WhitelabourerSouth Australian October 1864Forlorn Hope May 1865
Eddowes J. WilsonlabourerSouth Australian October 1864died of apoplexy 11 December 1864
D. B. Wiltshirechainman and Able SeamanHenry Ellis April 1864Ellen Lewis December 1865
Clement YoungPostmaster and ClerkSouth Australian October 1864Eagle January 1867
John YounglabourerSouth Australian October 1864Eagle January 1867joined McKinlay party November 1865[10]
accidental death aboard Rangatira 1 February 1867[18]

(for Legend see below following sub-section)

McKinlay expedition 1866

The Finniss expedition, which had left Adelaide with high expectations had, with each depressing report from the Territory, become a drag on Government, who decided what was needed was a small exploration party, unencumbered by such mundane tasks as erecting buildings and maintaining and protecting stores, to make a clear decision as to where the fertile land was, and where the capital should be. To that end they appointed John McKinlay to lead a party of twelve, to receive all support from the Finniss party, but to go where they might. Their ship also carried instructions to Finniss to return to Adelaide to answer criticisms of his administration. McKinlay did not receive the support he expected from Finniss's successor Manton, and did not commence exploration until 20 January, when rain interfered with his travels. They never reached Cape Hawkesbury, the Roper or the Victoria. Their lowest point came in June 1866 (not the Wet Season as sometimes reported)[19] when McKinlay, Edmunds and party, having one by one slaughtered their horses for food, were trapped in boggy land by the East Alligator River. Weak and malnourished with no chance of making it back to camp alive, they killed their two remaining horses for jerky and built a raft 21 by 9 by 4 feet (6.4 m Γ— 2.7 m Γ— 1.2 m) of horses' hides around a structure of green branches, and on 29 June started paddling down to the sea, and arrived back at Escape Cliffs on 5 July 1866.[20]

After recovering from their ordeal they made several coastal expeditions, visiting Anson Bay, the Daly River and Port Darwin.[5] He returned to Adelaide to a hero's welcome, despite having achieved nothing, though he did report having seen some good land near Anson Bay,[21] and thought Port Darwin had many advantages, but lacked fresh water.

Personnel

NameJob/positionDepart AdelaideDepart Adam BayNotes
Robert Charles BurtonEagle January 1867joined July 1866 from Manton's party[14]
later with Goyder expedition
John ClelandEagle January 1867joined 1866 from Manton's party[14]
David CollierEllen Lewis September 1865Eagle January 1867
Thomas Bagnold CrispeEllen Lewis September 1865Eagle January 1867
John DavisstorekeeperEllen Lewis September 1865Eagle January 1867
R. H. Edmundssurveyor and deputy leaderBeatrice August 1866joined from Finniss's party November 1865[10]
Thomas Gilbanks (often Gillbanks)Ellen Lewis September 1865Eagle January 1867In charge of party after departure of McKinlay
Thomas GlenbushmanEllen Lewis September 1865Beatrice August 1866Brother-in-law of McKinlay
John HornerEllen Lewis September 1865Eagle January 1867
Charles S. HullsEagle January 1867joined from Finniss's party November 1865[10]
David Johnston (often Johnson)Eagle January 1867joined 1866 from Manton's party[14]
later with Goyder expedition
George Gibson MayoEllen Lewis September 1865Beatrice August 1866
John McKinlayleaderEllen Lewis September 1865Beatrice August 1866
Dr. J. Stokes MillnerSurgeon and Protector of AboriginesEllen Lewis September 1865Eagle January 1867with Goyder expedition
G. P. MorrisEllen Lewis September 1865Eagle January 1867
Owen MorrisEagle January 1867joined 1866 from Manton's party[14]
William PotterPolice trooperEllen Lewis September 1865Ellen Lewis December 1865
Jeremiah RyanEagle January 1867Joined from Finniss's party November 1865[10]
Francis William ThringEllen Lewis September 1865Eagle January 1867Stuart's third officer on his two longest expeditions.
Edward "Ned" TuckwellEagle January 1867joined from Finniss's party November 1865[10]
Samuel WattsEllen Lewis September 1865Eagle January 1867
John YounglabourerEagle January 1867joined McKinlay party November 1865[10]
accidental death aboard Rangatira 1 February 1867[18]
Legend
Leaving SA
  • Henry Ellis April 1864 Henry Ellis, ship, 412 tons; Capt. Phillips left Port Adelaide 23 April 1864, arrived Adam Bay 20 June 1864[22]
  • Government schooner Yatala, Humbert, left Port Adelaide 18 May 1864. Capt. Humbert was dismissed by Finniss October 1864.[23]
  • South Australian October 1864 steamer South Australian, 435 tons, J. Pain, left Port Adelaide 29 October 1864 arrived Adam Bay December 1864[24] with 47 passengers, including 40 Government appointees.
  • Surveying schooner Beatrice 93 tons, Hutchinson R.N., left Port Adelaide 9 April 1864 for Northern Territory. Arrived Adam Bay. Returned from Koepang with supplies 1 October 1864, returned Port Adelaide 14 December 1864.
Lt. Frederick Howard R.N. succeeded Commander Hutchison as officer in charge January 1865; left Port Adelaide 18 February 1865 arrived Adam Bay 8 April 1865 with pay for men, took Auld to Port Darwin for brief exploration.[25] explored Adelaide River May 1865,[26] September 1865 exploring Victoria River, then to Koepang for provisions;[27] Sourabaya for supplies December 1865; Departed Adam Bay August 1866 arrived Port Adelaide arrived with McKinlay and three or four other passengers 26 September 1866.
  • Bengal March 1865 Bengal left Port Adelaide 3 March 1865 with 6 passengers[28] arrived Adam Bay 21 April 1865.
  • Ellen Lewis September 1865 336 tons, Stephen Hellon master. John McKinlay and party of 12 left Port Adelaide 25 September 1865, arrived Adam Bay 5 November 1865.
  • Ellen Lewis May 1866 Ellen Lewis left Port Adelaide May 1866 for Adam Bay with stock and 11 passengers.
Leaving NT
  • Beatrice November 1864 Beatrice left Adam Bay 9 November 1864,[29] arrived Port Adelaide 14 December 1864.
  • Yatala November 1864 Yatala left Adam Bay 9 November 1864[29]
  • South Australian December 1864 South Australian left Adam Bay c. 10 December 1864 with Ward, King, five others[30]
  • Bengal May 1865 Swedish barque Bengal, Peterson master, left Adam Bay 6 May 1865 for Surabaya with 13 passengers; two transshipped to Singapore; the rest by Douglas to Melbourne, thence to Adelaide.
  • Forlorn Hope May 1865 seven men left Adam Bay 6 May 1865 on an open sailing boat, dubbed Forlorn Hope, purchased from skipper of Bengal
  • Schooner Beatrice left Adam Bay for Adelaide
  • Ellen Lewis December 1865 Ellen Lewis left Adam Bay 1 December 1865, arrived Port Adelaide 13 February 1866 with Finniss, Litchfield and 30 others.[31][32][33]
  • Beatrice August 1866 Beatrice left Adam Bay 14 August 1866, arrived Port Adelaide via Koepang 26 September; McKinlay and three or four passengers only.
  • Eagle January 1867 Steamer Eagle, Captain Hill, left Adam Bay 11 January 1867, transhipped to Rangatira at Sydney; arrived Adelaide February 1867.[34][35]

Cadell expedition 1867

In January 1867, realising they had no alternative site chosen for the capital, the South Australian Government instructed Captain Francis Cadell to assemble a party to investigate the coast of the Northern Territory, to choose areas suitable for agriculture, and a site for the settlement. Cadell and a few associates left for Sydney, where he engaged the wooden steamer Eagle for six months, with the option of extending for another three or six. There he also hired a crew (preferring not to employ South Australians)[36] which would have included a number of woodcutters to feed the steamer's voracious boilers once the coal had been consumed. He had the ship refitted in Brisbane, and on 20 April the party of 26 men left for Victoria River.[37] Cadell had an interesting nine months' expedition and made several useful findings, including the true nature of Flinders' Probable Islands in Arnhem Bay. He named the strait between Elcho Island and the mainland Cadell Strait after himself and the mainland peninsula Napier Peninsula after his surveyor. He discovered the mouth of the Roper River,[38] and the condition (untouched) of the Escape Cliffs settlement. They visited Koepang for re-provisioning. They also returned to Burketown, Queensland at least once for the same reason.[38] He took only 20 horses, so was unable to investigate far inland, and made no strong recommendation for the site of the capital, though his choice ultimately fell on the Liverpool River, in Arnhem Land.[39]

A. T. Saunders (1854–1940), South Australia's noted amateur historian and critic of Cadell the self-publicist and influence-peddler, had little to say on this page in his history. One contemporary newspaper editor however, held nothing back in his satire on Cadell's pomposity.[40]

Personnel

NameJob/positionDepart AdelaideJoined SydneyReturned AdelaideNotes
Francis CadellLeaderCoorong February 1867Aldinga February 1868
John M. CreedSurgeoninformation neededsupported charges of Cadell's cruelty.[41]
George Fraserblacksmithinformation neededaccidentally shot himself dead c. September 1867[39]
R. HodgesCoorong February 1867on a previous Cadell exploration party[42]
M. MasonCoorong February 1867
T. MorrisCoorong February 1867on a previous Cadell exploration party[42]
Francis Napiersurveyor/engineerinformation neededDied 1875 without death notice or obituary, but clearly a favorite of Cadell.[43] Author of Voyage from NSW to the North Coast of Australia, 1867[38]
G. PhilcoxCoorong February 1867

No information has been found on Hodges, Mason and Philcox, who have also been listed as Hodge, Massen and J Philcox[44] and nothing on the 20-odd from Sydney and Brisbane.

Legend

Coorong February 1867 Left Port Adelaide 26 February 1867 on Coorong for Sydney, where he chartered steamer Eagle and light draught steamer firefly; picked up a surgeon and exploring party

He returned to Sydney by Eagle 21 January 1868, paid off his workers, disposed of stores, remained in Sydney while the Duke of Edinburgh was in town, then by the Aldinga to Adelaide on 13 February 1868. No mention was made of any associates, but the South Australian public was wearied of the continued waste of money on "frolics" in the Territory, and by Cadell in particular.

Goyder expedition 1869

After four years of hearing nothing but reports of lack of progress in surveying land they had paid for, land-order-holders in England and Australia (mostly speculators with no intention of ever settling in the Territory) began agitating for a refund of their money, with interest, and would not be mollified by explanations of the difficulties involved, and the expense to which the Colonial Government had been put. In March 1868 it was decided to offer a refund with interest to those who wanted out, and to those who were prepared to hang on for an extra year, a sweetener in the increase of the plot size from 160 to 240 acres (later increased to 320).[45] Public tenders were called for the surveying of 420,000 acres, which The Advertiser cynically reckoned would result in no, or exceedingly inflated, bids and would therefore be undertaken by the Surveyor-General's department.[46] The outcome was a little of both: George Goyder (the Surveyor-General) offered to organise and lead the expedition, and survey 420,000 acres (1,700 km2) receiving his usual salary plus a bonus of Β£3,000 for successful completion within a year at a cost of Β£25,000, not counting shipping costs. Parliament leapt at the proposal, such was Goyder's reputation for integrity, energy and vision. The fact that the South Australian Government was losing no time and grudging no expenditure on a successful outcome, and putting their best man in charge of the venture, restored much confidence in the investors in Northern Territory property.[47]

Goyder's plan was to appoint six 1st Class Surveyors of his choosing; they would appoint their own 2nd Class Surveyors and Cadets, and where possible the "arms and legs": the chainmen, trenchers, cook and stock handlers, otherwise these appointments would be made by Goyder from men he knew. He agreed with the purchase of horses and cattle from Brisbane, but rejected suggestions that any men should be picked up there; he wanted men he knew and who respected him. They would land at Port Darwin and work their way towards the fertile lands of the Upper Adelaide and Victoria Rivers.[48] He insisted on all provisions being supplied in Adelaide to his specifications (10,000 lbs beef and mutton prepared by the Melbourne Meat Preservation Company (S. S. Ritchie's process), rather than relying on store cattle and sheep.[49] He also ordered 20 tons of dry-ground flour, being less affected by tropical conditions than the moist-ground flour used by bakers).[5] and personally inspected by him.

Goyder gave strict instructions to his men that for their own safety, interactions with the natives should be strictly limited: none to be allowed in the camp; strictly no touching Aboriginal women under any circumstances, the greatest source of animosity; never to go out alone, and not to leave the camp unarmed; to use firearms as a last resort and to aim at a person only when one's own life was in peril. To respect Aboriginal property, and not to engage in any form of retribution. Two men, Hardy and Greene, ignored this last injunction and smashed several of their canoes and pushed two others into the current, for no good reason, and received a dressing-down from the Surveyor-General.

The men worked hard and efficiently and the whole of the surveying job was completed by August 1869.

Personnel

Includes some information on those of Goyder's parties who remained or returned to the NT to participate in Charles Todd's Overland Telegraph (OT) Line construction.

NameJob/positionLeft Port AdelaideLeft Port DarwinLeft Adelaide for OT projectNotes
George Sydney Aldridge[50]Surveyor, Cadet, 2nd ClassMoonta December 1868Gulnare January 1870
James Henry Aldridge [51]ChainmanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870OT cadet under Knuckey & C. Giles
C. AlmerscarpenterKohinoor February 1870Omeo August 1870OT under Knuckey and C. Giles
George A. ArmstrongAxemanMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869
Job AustinAxemanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870Omeo August 1870OT labourer under Harvey & Roberts
William BarlowAssistant PhotographerMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869
Robert W. BarrowAxemanMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869
George BayfieldAxemanMoonta December 1868Govt Resident's staff as teamster, OT as teamster.
Friend of Deane and engaged to his sister Ny.
Robert BeardIn Charge of HorsesMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870had been on Finniss's 1864 expedition
Tom BeeSurveyor, Cadet, 1st ClassMoonta December 1868Gulnare January 1870Omeo August 1870Born 4 July 1850 in Brompton, England, educated at AEI, worked on OT under McMinn & Musgrave, later postmaster several SA towns, died 21 November 1919 in Millicent, South Australia.[52]
David Landel BeetsonSurveyor, Cadet, 2nd ClassMoonta December 1868Gulnare January 1870acted as land selection agent,[53] prospected for gold, had (with S. King and C. Schmidt) first private house in Palmerston, insolvent, died in WA.
Frederick John Bennett[5]WellsinkerMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870
J. W. O. BennettDraftsmanMoonta December 1868Bennett and William Guy speared by Aborigines 24 or 25 May 1869. Bennett died 28 May, the day after Dr Peel removed, under chloroform, broken spear point which had passed into chest cavity.[54] Buried on Fort Hill, Darwin.
Michael BennettTeamsterMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869
Edwin S. BerryDraftsmanMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869
Henry John BoordPolice trooperGovt Resident's staff; became publican, Windmill Hotel, Nailsworth, Commercial Hotel Grenfell Street, died 27 July 1885, aged 41
Henry S. BosworthChainmanMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869
Joseph BransBoatman/labourerGulnare February 1869Kohinoor February 1870Appointed to Govt Resident's staff
J. S. BrookingSurveyor, Cadet, 1st ClassMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870Deputy Surveyor-General of W.A., retired 1896, died November 1916.
Joseph BrooksPhotographer and DraftsmanMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869perhaps poundkeeper near Balaklava
Philip Henry BurdenSurveyor, Cadet, 2nd ClassMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869In 1875 draftsman with Surveyor-General's Dept.
Martin BurkeTrencherMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870
James BurtonCoxswainGulnare February 1869Omeo December 1871Govt. Resident's staff; later with OT under A. J. Mitchell
R. C. BurtonStaffMoonta December 1868Gulnare January 1870overseer with OT. An American, he was later with W.A. Government
Thomas CherryChainmanMoonta December 1868labourer on Govt. Resident's staff
Robert CollardAxemanMoonta December 1868labourer on Govt. Resident's staff, then joined OT party
William CollettAxemanMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869Omeo August 1870OT laborer under Harvey & Roberts
William Cooknot knownGulnare February 1869appointed Port Darwin's Pilot and Harbor Master June 1892
W. H. Cornish[55]ChainmanMoonta December 1868later had career with Survey Department
Walter DalwoodAxemanMoonta December 1868Moonta March 1869[56]sent back to Adelaide as invalid,[5] but he was also wanted for bigamy (jailed).[57] died July 1894
Daniel Dominick Daly (signed himself D. Daniel Daly)Surveyor, 2nd ClassMoonta December 1868Gulnare January 1870nephew of Sir Dominick Daly
George Price DeaneAxemanMoonta December 1868Omeo December 1871stockman on Govt. Resident's staff, later with OT under A. J. Mitchell
James DivineOfficers' cookKohinoor December 1869Joined by wife and three children; appointed to Govt Resident's staff
David Donley (also Donnolly)Steward,[5] Chief Cook and repairer of instrumentsMoonta December 1868joined Gulnare as cook April 1869[5]
James Hereford DouglasAxemanMoonta December 1868Gulnare January 1870
F. DroughtPolice corporalGovt Resident's staff
Henry EdwardsChainmanMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869Returned to NT with wife and children January 1870 per Kohinoor
T. Edwardslabourerlabourer on Govt. Resident's staff
Joseph Atkinson EwartAxemanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870Omeo August 1870OT laborer under Harvey & Roberts, later resident of Roper River area,[58] killed himself by pistol shot at Wandi, Northern Territory, on 17 May 1901.[59]
William John Hillary FarrantAxemanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870Omeo August 1870OT laborer under Woods & Jarvis
William FisherChainmanMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869Omeo August 1870OT wireman under Knuckey & C. Giles
Michael Edward FitchboatmanKohinoor February 1870Omeo August 1870OT laborer under McMinn & Musgrave
Paul FoelscheInspector of PoliceKohinoor December 1869NT Government appointment
Michael FrancisAxemanMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869Omeo August 1870OT cook under Knuckey & C. Giles
Donald FraserAxemanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870
Charles FryTeamsterMoonta December 1868Appointed to Govt Resident's staff; joined by wife and three children per Kohinoor January 1870. Died in Gothenburg disaster
Adam GaireCookMoonta December 1868
R. GallattlyCookKohinoor December 1869Govt Resident's staff, temporary replacement for Paul Hoppa
William John Gepp[60] Veterinary surgeon, farrier and blacksmithMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869Had own business 1893
John GeraldAxemanMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869Omeo August 1870John Gerrald was OT labourer under Woods & Jarvis
C. Giles, jun.Surveyor, Cadet, 1st ClassMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869[61]
Gulnare January 1870
Omeo August 1870OT leader under Knuckey
G. W. GoyderSurveyor-GeneralMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869
Charles Newton GreeneSurveyor, Cadet, 1st ClassMoonta December 1868Gulnare January 1870
William GunnTrencherMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870
William GuyAxemanMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869speared in buttock by Aborigines at Fred's Pass May 1869 in same attack that killed Bennett. Guy, treated by Dr Peel, recovered.
Dennis Haire (also Heir)AxemanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870
William M. HardyDraftsmanMoonta December 1868Gulnare January 1870
William HarveySurveyor, 1st ClassMoonta December 1868Gulnare January 1870Omeo August 1870OT Inspector w/ Roberts
H. Hatchmore info neededKohinoor February 1870on Bengal August 1871 for OT
Robert HayballTeamsterMoonta December 1868Appointed to Govt Resident's staff as a labourer. Joined by wife and children January 1870 per Kohinoor
William Brelsford HayesGardenerMoonta December 1868Govt. Resident's staff. Died 18 June 1878 at Palmerston two months after being acquitted of attempting to shoot at a native.
Richard HazardCookMoonta December 1868Hazard, a "coloured"[5] man aged 42, died (of pneumonia?) at Fort Point 9 August, 1869, buried alongside Bennett[62]
Patrick HealeyTrencherMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870
Henry HemmingStaffMoonta December 1868worked with Goyder before, later prospector.[63]
Alex. HicksStaffMoonta December 1868
Richard HintonAxemanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870
W. W. Hoare[64]Doctor's AssistantMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870Watercolour illustrations of Schultze's specimens. Returned to England[65]
William HodgelabourerKohinoor December 1870Govt Resident's staff
William George HollandStaffMoonta December 1868
Wilhelm Ludwig HomeyerStaffMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870A friend of Richard Schomburgk, he advocated cultivation of wattles[66]
F. W. "Frank" HoodStaffMoonta December 1868Appointed NT Government Accountant, Postmaster, Storekeeper
R. A. HornAxemanMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869station manager brother of T. S. Horn.
T. S HornTrencherMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869
Matthew HoustonChainmanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870
William HoustonAxemanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870Omeo August 1870OT labourer under Knuckey & C. Giles
W. Howe, sen.more info neededGulnare September 1869[61]
George R. HughesAxemanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870Omeo August 1870OT labourer under Knuckey & C. Giles
Henry H. IrwinAxemanMoonta December 1868Gulnare January 1870
David Johnston (often Johnson)AxemanMoonta December 1868Gulnare January 1870Omeo August 1870OT laborer under McMinn & Musgrave
Renney KapplerPolice trooperGovt Resident's staff
Michael KeeleyAxemanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870
George KelleyCook''Kohinoor December 1869Govt Resident's staff?
J. G. KellyShip's carpenterGovt Resident's staff
Pat. KellyAxemanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870Omeo August 1870OT labourer under Knuckey & C. Giles
Alexander "Alick" KennedyStaffMoonta December 1868Moonta March 1869[56]Sacked by Goyder for deserting his post and disobeying orders[54]
George KersleyAxemanMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869Omeo August 1870OT cook under Woods & Jarvis
Stephen King, jun.Surveyor, 2nd ClassMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870
R. R. KnuckeySurveyor, 2nd ClassMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869Omeo August 1870OT inspector w/ C. Giles
Heinrich or Henry Ralfs KrΓΌss[67]AxemanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870Omeo August 1870OT labourer under McMinn & Musgrave
Peter KrΓΌssTeamsterMoonta December 1868died in NT January 1874 while member of a prospecting party[68]
J. M. LambellAccountant and PostmasterMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870Omeo December 1871OT under A. J. Mitchell
Charles LaycockCookMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869Omeo August 1870OT cook under Knuckey & C. Giles
Arthur Frederick Lines (1845–1914)ChainmanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870A. H. Smith married his sister. daughter of Oscar J. Lines.
Charles LinesAxemanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870not clearly related to A. F. Lines
John Loudon (not London)AxemanMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869
Thomas LovedayTrencherMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870
R. J. Loveday, junAxemanMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869
Cornelius LowtherAxemanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870boatman/labourer on Govt. Resident's staff
John LowtherTrencherMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870Omeo August 1870boatman/labourer on Govt. Resident's staff, OT under Knuckey & C. Giles
Hugh Campbell MacCallum
bka H. C. McCallum
cadet Surveyormore info neededActed as secretary to Goyder, who suffered rheumatism. Appointed to Govt. Resident's staff
J. MasseyPolice trooperGovt Resident's staff
Donald McAulayWellsinkerMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870
J. McIntyreteamster/labourerGovt Resident's staff
Terence McIntyreWellsinkerMoonta December 1868Gulnare January 1870
Alexander L. McKaySurveyor, Cadet, 1st ClassMoonta December 1868Gulnare January 1870Died in Gothenburg disaster
Alexander McKenzieCookMoonta December 1868Gulnare January 1870Omeo August 1870OT under Beckwith & Wills
George Galbraith McLachlanSurveyor, 1st ClassMoonta December 1868Appointed to Govt Resident's staff. Died of lung disease 19 March 1873, at Port Darwin
Gilbert R. McMinnSurveyor, 1st ClassMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869OT inspector with C. Musgrave
James McPhersonAxemanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870
A. E. Millar (also Miller)not knownGulnare February 1869Gulnare September 1869
Charles A. Miller (also Millar)not knownGulnare February 1869Kohinoor February 1870
James A. Millerboatman?Gulnare February 1869boatman/labourer on Govt. Resident's staff
J. Stokes MillnerSurgeon, Protector of AboriginesKohinoor December 1869Appointed to Govt Resident's staff, whole family died in Gothenburg disaster
W. Whitfield MillsSurveyor, 2nd ClassMoonta December 1868Gulnare January 1870on Elder Scientific Exploring Expedition, 1891–1892, prospector in W.A.
Alex James MitchellSurveyor, 1st ClassMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869Omeo December 1871later with OT. Described by Edwin Smith as brilliant but erratic,[5] he had four or five children by Annie Sloper Cornish, then in 1877 eloped bigamously to America.[69]
E. Martin MoyseWellsinkerMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870
Patrick Molloy
(often Mulloy)
TeamsterMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870OT teamster under Woods & Jarvis
W. Charles MusgraveChainmanMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869Omeo August 1870OT sub-inspector under McMinn; died in Gothenburg disaster
Charles Edwin NealStockmanKohinoor December 1869Govt Resident's staff appointment?
Thomas NeateAxeman/MasonMoonta December 1868Omeo December 1871Govt Resident's staff, later with OT under A. J. Mitchell
North Smithmore info neededKohinoor February 1870
John G. NottageStore AssistantMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870
James ObornTeamsterMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870
H. D. PackardSurveyor, Cadet, 1st ClassMoonta December 1868Appointed surveyor on Govt Resident's staff. Mrs Packard and children arrived by Kohinoor January 1870.
John Harrison Packard[69]ChainmanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870brother of H. D. Packard, became prominent surveyor
Charles J. PalmerTeamsterMoonta December 1868Gulnare January 1870Omeo August 1870OT teamster under Woods & Jarvis, died on the OT.
Dr. Robert PeelSurgeonMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870
John PenroseblacksmithKohinoor December 1869Govt Resident's staff appointment
William "Billy" PlaistedChainmanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870mason/labourer in Govt Resident's staff
Robert PriceTeamsterMoonta December 1868
R. Riceteamster/labourerGovt. Resident's staff
George RichardsAxemanMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869
Alexander "Paddy" Ringwood[70]DraftsmanMoonta December 1868Govt Resident's staff, worked on OT, later meteorologist under C. Todd
Edward Cecil RixDoctor's assistantKohinoor December 1869Govt Resident's staff; medical officer to OT
J. F. RobertsSurveyor, Cadet, 2nd ClassMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870Omeo August 1870OT sub-inspector under Harvey
Jas. RobinsonAxemanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870Omeo August 1870OT labourer under McMinn & Musgrave
William Rowe, jun.StaffMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870Omeo August 1870OT saddler under Knuckey & C. Giles
William Rowe, sen.In Charge of HorsesMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869
Edward J. RyanAxemanMoonta December 1868labourer on Govt. Resident's staff
Jeremiah "Jerry" RyanAxemanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870stockman on Govt. Resident's staff
Michael C. RyanAxemanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870
Walter L. SamsonStaffMoonta December 1868Gulnare January 1870
T. Sayers (also Sayer)BlacksmithMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870
Alfred SchultzeAssistant BotanistMoonta December 1868son of Frederick
Frederick Schultze[71]BotanistMoonta December 1868Stayed on by request of Government Resident.
Andrew Smithnot knownGulnare February 1869
Arthur Henry SmithSurveyor, 1st ClassMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869brother-in-law of Goyder; made bathetic suicide attempt in 1868,[72] died 24 September 1909 in Perth, WA.
Edwin Mitchell Smith[73]Surveyor, 2nd ClassMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869
H. Q. SmithPolice trooperGovt Resident's staff
John W. SmithAxemanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870Omeo August 1870OT laborer under Harvey & Roberts
Charles SpencelyCookMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869Appointed Govt Resident's staff but returned with wife and children per Kohinoor 1870
N.? Wm? SpoonerGoyder's boatman[74]Gulnare February 1869Kohinoor February 1870
C. W. L. SpriggSurveyor, Cadet, 2nd ClassMoonta December 1868Gulnare January 1870with public service when he died 1875
William StanboroughChainmanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870Omeo August 1870OT labourer under Woods & Jarvis
Thomas StevensSteward,[5] CookMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870
Robert Rowland StevensonAxemanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870
William George StrettonPolice trooperGovt Resident's staff, career public servant[75]
Joseph Middlemore ThomasSurveyor, 2nd ClassMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869with Lands Titles Office until retirement 1904[76]
Edward "Ned" TuckwellMechanicMoonta December 1868Appointed to Govt Resident's staff. Joined by wife and four children per Kohinoor January 1870
(Samuel) Grosvenor WaltersAxemanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870Omeo December 1871OT under A. J. Mitchell
Alfred WarrenTrencherMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870Omeo August 1870OT head teamster under Knuckey & C. Giles
Benjamin Wellsassistant carpenterGovt Resident's staff
Charles Frederick WellsSurveyor, Cadet, 2nd ClassMoonta December 1868Omeo December 1871Govt Resident's staff, later with OT under A. J. Mitchell
R. WellsCarpenterMoonta December 1868
David WilsonTeamsterMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870
Frederick M. WilsonAxemanMoonta December 1868Kohinoor February 1870
A. T. Woods[77]Surveyor, 1st ClassMoonta December 1868Gulnare September 1869Omeo August 1870OT inspector w/ Jarvis
Legend
Leaving SA
  • Moonta December 1868 Ship Moonta, 627 tons,[78] T. Barneson, departed Port Adelaide 23 December 1868,[79] but was held up three days at North Arm before getting underway,[80] arrived Port Darwin 5 February 1869.
  • Schooner Sea Ripple 126 tons, T. Bicknell, intended as a link between Darwin and Koepang, and for exploration purposes, should have left Adelaide with building materials in January 1869 but was condemned as unsuited to the region. Gulnare was purchased in her place.[81] Of course Goyder and party had no knowledge of these delays and feared the worst.
  • Gulnare February 1869 Schooner Gulnare, 150 tons, Capt. Samuel W. Sweet (also a noted photographer), left Adelaide 12 February 1869 arrived Port Darwin 27 March 1869.
  • Gulnare left Adelaide 23 June 1869 for Koepang and Port Darwin, arrived 23 August 1869. No passengers, though with the sudden revival of interest in the Territory, many put their names forward.[82]
  • Kohinoor December 1869 Barque Kohinoor, 280 tons, Capt. Bicknell, left Adelaide 16 December 1869 with settlers,[83] arrived Port Darwin 21 January 1870
  • Omeo August 1870 Steamer Omeo chartered by Darwent & Dalwood officers S. King, W. McMinn, Burton, E M Bagot had contract for distributing provisions from depot at Mount Margaret, Harvey Bacon had a store 200 miles to north.. 5 gangs (from north) Harvey, A T Woods, Beckwith, McMinn, Knuckey; each 120 miles of line.[84]
  • Omeo December 1871 Steamer Omeo chartered by Charles Todd.[85]
Leaving NT
  • Moonta March 1869 Moonta left Port Darwin 4 March, arrived Port Wallaroo 23 April with curios and botanical samples, poss. passengers: Dalwood, Kennedy.
  • Gulnare left 30 April 1869 for Koepang and Adelaide, arriving 7 June 1869.[86]
  • Gulnare September 1869 Gulnare left Port Darwin 28 September 1869 arrived Adelaide 15 November 1869.[61] Donley part of crew, may have left ship at Port Adelaide.
  • Gulnare January 1870 Gulnare, Capt. Sweet, left Port Darwin 21 January 1870 arrived Port Adelaide 27 March 1870 with 12 officers and 7 men.[87]
  • Kohinoor February 1870 Kohinoor, Thomas Bicknell, left Port Darwin 6 February 1870 arrived Port Adelaide 10 April 1870.[88]

1868 article about Daly's administration

From an article entitled "The Administration of Sir Dominick Daly, K.B." in the Adelaide Register, dated 28 February 1868:

SETTLEMENT

From the close of Stuart's first overland journey in 1859 little doubt seems to have been entertained by his fellow-colonists as to his ultimate success. So enthusiastic was our then Governor, Sir Richard MacDonnell, about the capabilities of the newly-discovered country that he applied to the Colonial Office for its immediate annexation to South Australia. The Duke of Newcastle replied that it was too soon to speak of that until the practicability of the overland route had been demonstrated. During the next few years additional evidence was discovered, not only by Stuart himself, but by Burke and Wills, McKinlay, Landsborough, and other contemporary explorers. The Duke of Newcastle was applied to a second time, not in the interests of South Australia, however, but of Queensland. Ignoring altogether the large share of credit due to South Australian explorers, and the prior claim of the South Australian Government, he offered the whole of the north coast to Queensland, the then pet colony of Downing-street. She had the modesty to confess that one-half of the white elephant would be enough for her, and so a line was drawn at the west side of the Gulf of Carpentaria. South Australia repeated her request for Arnheim's Land, unfortunately with success. The Waterhouse Ministry, before they retired from office in July, 1863, had the satisfaction of hearing from the Duke of Newcastle that their resolutions passed in Executive Council on the undesirability of annexing the whole of Northern Australia to Queensland had carried conviction to his mind. All that portion between the 129th and 138th degrees of east longitude was to be handed over to the "temporary guardianship" of South Australia. So ended the prologue to our Northern Territory melodrama. The first act must needs open with a Ministerial crisis, and in the transformation scene those who had opposed annexation became its executive, while some of its official originators enrolled themselves in the opposition. Among the founders of the Adam Bay settlement were a Chief Secretary (Mr. Ayers), a Treasurer (Captain Hart), and a Commissioner of Crown Lands (Mr. Glyde), who on the shady side of the House had spoken against annexation as a very equivocal benefit. They had deprecated the ambition of the Waterhouse Government in proposing to send stock overland, and within twelve months they shipped from Port Adelaide a full-blown colony, with Government Resident, Secretary, guard of honour and valet-de-chambre for His Excellency, Police and Police Inspectors, Surveyors and Surveyor Generals, labourers and gentlemen farmers β€” altogether a perfect specimen of a ready-made municipality. But hothouse colonization did not suit the climate of Adelaide River. Disgusted with two years' experience of it, we tried a little exploring again, and Mr. McKinlay spent a pleasant winter on the East Alligator River at the expense of the Northern Territory Fund. To complete the programme of dilettante colonization our only further requirement was a marine survey Γ  la Marco Polo, which Captain Cadell has given us. Now we can turn round and conscientiously say to the land-order-holders β€” the would-be cotton-planters and paddy-cultivators of Adam Bay β€” that we have done our best for them in that particular direction. Had the Duke of Newcastle been alive, with what gusto might the land-order-holders have poured their grievances into his sympathetic ear ; what invidious comparisons might they not have drawn between the Queensland style of settlement and our own ! There on one side of the boundary is Escape Cliffs, with its abandoned stores hid away under tarpaulins, and "the old Chief Mira" as special constable keeping guard over them. On the other side is Burke Town, a flourishing depot for the squatting stations on the Plains of Promise. From Queensland stock has been allowed to eat its way gradually down the Flinders, the Cloncurry, and the Albert Rivers. It has not only cost nothing to the Brisbane Government, but has been a large source of profit to the country. From South Australia not a single head of cattle has entered Arnheim's Land, unless by sea, and after eating its head off half a dozen times over on the voyage, seventy thousand pounds spent on a four years' infatuation, and the net result isβ€” two hundred pounds worth of marine stores left on Escape Cliffs as a souvenir of the Finniss regime ! If history could be expunged as easily as Parliamentary votes, the words "Northern Territory" would never more be seen in our annals.[89]

References

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Further reading

  • Cross, Jack (2011) Great Central State: The Foundation of the Northern Territory Wakefield Press.
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