My knowledge of the interior is, however, too limited to justify me in any conclusion with regard to the central parts of Australia.

An ample field is open to enterprise and to ambition, and it is to be hoped that some more decisive measures will be carried into effect, both for the sake of the colony and of geography, to fill up the blank upon the face of the chart of Australia, and remove from us the reproach of indifference and inaction.
BARBER'S STATEMENT.
Since the above pages were written, an expedition was undertaken by Major Mitchell, the Surveyor-General, to ascertain the truth of a report brought in by a runaway convict of the name of Barber, or Clarke, who had been at large for five years, at different times, among the natives to the northward of Port Macquarie.

This man stated that a large river, originating in the high lands near Liverpool Plains, and the mountains to the north of them, pursued a N.W.course to the sea.

His story ran thus: Having learnt from the natives the existence of this river, he determined to follow it down, in hopes that he might ultimately be enabled to make his escape from the colony.

He accordingly started from Liverpool Plains, and kept on a river called the Gnamoi, for some time, which took him N.W.
After a few days' journey, he left this river, traversed the country northwards, and crossed some lofty ranges.