engineer, forestry, farming, transport, workshop, medical, survey, dental, postal, records and war graves units, as well as butchers, bakers and leave train cooking sections. Only 409 (7%) of these units have any published unit history. The Unit Guide, in a six volume boxed set, sets out to fill this gap with more than 5,500 profiles of units in the Australian Army during the war (which between them had over 13,700 unit names). Each profile covers what is known of the units formation, role, organisation, movements, operations and place in the Army's hierarchy, including references to the units War Diary at the Australian War Memorial and an extensive Bibliography. Further, there are ORBATS (Orders of Battle) for most of Australias significant campaigns or locations defended by Australian troops such as the defence of NSW (Feb 1942), the Siege of Tobruk, the Bird forces captured by the Japanese, units on the Kokoda Trail, operations in Borneo, and the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (Apr 1946)....

There was a very good attendance, and the chair was taken by Mr. Gibb
Maitland, Government Geologist, who apologised for the unavoidable absence
of the acting-president of the Museum committee (Mr. Justice McMillan).
The lecture was illustrated by a number of limelight views.

At the outset Dr. Blackburne dealt with what he called “the evolution of
the evolution theory,” and the work of Darwin. Proceeding, he said, inter
alia :—“Animals (including, of course, human beings) are divided, roughly,
into two great classes, vertebrate and invertebrate, and for shortness I
will confine my attention to the vertebrates, which include such different
species as snakes, fishes, the large animals, and man. Now all these
vertebrates are formed on exactly the same plan. Although these creatures
live in such different ways, it is obvious that the structures of their
limbs are all modifications of the same plan. It is, however, with regard
to the brain that we are apt to think we are something quite apart from
other creatures, but even here one can take the different structures of
the brain, and show just as in the case of the bones of the limb that the
same principal parts exist throughout all the different species. A
photograph or other reproduction of a human brain looks different from
that of one of the lower animals such as a bird, but that is merely
because one particular part, the forebrain, is so much more highly
developed relatively to the other parts in his [sic] case, though it still
exists in the lower animal. In the latter the various parts look more
distinct, in man one particular part is so developed as to quite
overshadow all the rest, though these others still exist, and are easily
found on dissection. It is just the same as the case of the one highly
developed digit you saw in the foot of the horse which quite overshadows
the rest, and the brain is made up of the same essential separate parts in
the two instances of man and the lower animal. Also a perfect graduation
of brains could be shown in which the larger development of this
particular part relatively to the other parts could be shown to occur in
regular gradations as we ascend the scale from the very lowest vertebrates
up to man. Now we could go over all the different structures of the body,
the various bones, the nervous system, the heart, alimentary canal, etc.,
and show in every case this similarity in general plan with modifications
to suit the different species. So much for the general homological
structure of animals. It could of course, and has been, learnedly argued
that these homological structures can be fully explained on mechanical
grounds, but this, to my mind, simply begs the question, for, as Darwin
points out, it is naturally just the best mechanically adapted organs that
would be evolved by means of natural selection. Now let us see if we can
find anything in the structure of, say, man, which can be regarded as
further and more direct evidence. It is well-known that many animals,
especially cattle, have a highly developed power of moving or twitching
the skin. This movement is performed by a well-developed layer of muscle
situated just underneath the skin. Man does not require a muscle of this
sort, and yet he has rudiments of it, especially about the face, where a
part of it is still in use for lifting the eyebrows. There is another
remnant of it in the neck and some about the ears, but most peculiar of
all remnants are sometimes found in various queer places, about the
armpits, near the shoulder blades, etc. One may be surprised to hear that
the whole of our external ear is merely a rudiment consisting of the
cartilages, etc., which in the lower animals support their larger and more
useful outer ear, and careful observation and experiment have shown that
our external ear is of little, if any, distinct use at all. Again, if the
ear has been developed in the way suggested, the helix, or outer curve, is
obviously just the outer rim curled inwards. Now most people can observe a
small point or projection on the inner side of this helix, just where the
tip of a pointed and erect ear would lie if the edge of it were turned
inwards. We know that some animals have a third eyelid. We have only two,
but we have a remnant at the inner angle of the eye, which is the vestige
of this eyelid, and is called the semi-lunar fold. Fibres of muscle have
actually been found in this rudimentary fold of ours. Now there is yet
another series of facts which can be considered evidence of evolution,
namely, those facts derived from geological investigations and the study
of fossil remains. I have already referred to the fact that certain
rudiments in human beings which seem to have a relation to structures
found in animals were more frequently found in ancient human remains than
they are in the present day. Evidently they are being dropped by a gradual
process of evolution. But I will take one rather striking instance which
refers to the evolution of the horse. The prehistoric ancestor of this
creature seems to have been a smaller animal than its descendant, and with
the usual multiple toes as we see in the first of this series. Gradually,
however, the force of circumstances was evidently such that individuals
which tended to have a foot better adapted for certain other qualities
tended to become predominant, and this pressure of circumstances
continuing throughout the ages brought about the changes you see here. I
might at this point take the opportunity of impressing you with the great
time which is required for these changes, stretches of time probably which
our very finite intelligence could hardly realise like the distances
between the heavenly bodies. These evolutionary changes are always very
gradual, never sudden, or cataclysmal.”

In conclusion, the lecturer quoted Darwin’s own summary of the subject as
it appeared to him :—“ By considering the embryological structure of man,
the homologies which he presents with the lower animals, the rudiments
which he retains, and the reversions to which he is liable, we can partly
recall in imagination the former condition of our early progenitors, and
can approximately place them in their proper place in the zoological
series. We thus learn that man is descended from a hairy-tailed quadruped,
probably arboreal in its habits, and an inhabitant of the Old World. This
creature, if its whole structure had been examined by a naturalist, would
have been classed among the quadrumana, as surely as the still more
ancient progenitor of the Old and the New World monkeys. The quadrumana
and all the higher mammals are probably derived from an ancient marsupial
animal, and this through a long line of diversified forms, from some
amphibian-like creature, and this again from some fish-like animal. In the
dim obscurity of the past we can see that the early progenitor of all the
vertebrata must have been an aquatic animal provided with branchiae, with
the two sexes united in the same individual, and with the most important
organs of the body (such as the brain and heart), imperfectly, or not at
all, developed. This animal seems to have been more like the larvae of the
existing marine Ascidians than any other known form.”

A discussion followed the reading of the paper, and Dr. Blackburne was
accorded a cordial vote of thanks...

technical instruction.  Such, it appears to us, is the true solution of
the question of the relations between the Charity Commissioners' scheme
and the City and Guilds of London.

One word of caution in conclusion.  The new institutes should be allowed
to grow, and not be started on too ambitious a scale at first.  Local
wants change, and the institutes should develop in harmony with their
changes.  This is the lesson of the old Mechanics' Institutes and
Athenaeums.  The lesson is repeated in the new experiments of Mr Hogg's
Polytechnic, and the People's Palace.  We do not want to begin with
erecting huge shells of bricks and mortar, hoping that life will somehow
come into them after a time.  The life first, then the buildings, to grow
as it expands and deepens — that surely is the law of nature.  "Several
architectural white elephants" is the dismal but suggestive forecast of a
writer in the Charity Organization Review, on the supposition that this
law is violated.  If these warnings are neglected, the promoters of the
movement will be merely courting failure, however good their intentions
may be.  And they will have failed because "they were not poets enough to
understand that life develops from within."

ASSAYING.

Text-book of Assaying.  By C. Beringer and J. J. Berringer.
(London: Griffin and Co., 1889.)

This text-book marks an important departure in the literature of assaying.
 The authors abandoned the dreary details of the traditionary methods, and
attempt with success to rationalize the art of the assayer, rather than to
follow the usual course of reproducing "dry" assay methods and elaborate
classifications of processes the interest of which is only historical.
Assaying is here treated, in a broad sense, as the determination, by
analytical methods, of components of ores and of intermediate or finished
metallurgical products.  Such compounds may be either of value in
themselves, or important from being valuable or injurious in the
operations of smelting, or in adapting the metals for use.

The methods of the authors, and the measure of success which they have
attained, may be fairly judged by their treatment of copper, lead, and
iron.  Copper ores and furnace materials are still sold in the English
market by the "Cornish" assay.  This antiquated method of assaying has
really no claim to retention, now that more trustworthy methods are well
known, and the authors give it but little prominence.  They, however,
repeat the fallacious argument of its apologists by stating that "it gives
the purchaser an idea of the quantity and quality of the metal that can be
got by smelting."  The Cornish assay does not deserve even this modified
approval, as the results it affords neither represent the actual amount of
copper contained in the ore, nor the proportion of metal which can be
produced by smelting, and several experts assayers, working on portions of
the same samples, will obtain results which vary in the most erratic way.
Fortunately for those who may be guided by this text-book, its authors
proceed to describe assaying processes which are really well calculated to
give trustworthy indications as to the quantity and quality of metal
obtainable from ores.  These are to be found in well proved "wet" methods
of determining actual copper contained in ores as well as the components
that interfere with the extraction and the quality of the metal.  In
describing these methods, ample information is given for the guidance of
the smelter under the varying conditions of the metal's occurrence.  While
passing shortly over the Cornish assay, the authors judiciously omit such
clumsy "wet" methods of assay as the direct titration by cyanide of
potassium, which is retained in some recent books of standing, although it
has been abandoned by most skilful assayers.  On the other hand, titration
by cyanide of potassium after separation of the copper from interfering
metals, and the assay by electrolysis, leave little to be desired in
rapidity and accuracy, and to these due prominence is given.  Failing
reasonable manipulative skill, no assay can be accurate, and the
expertness demanded by those who conduct the "dry" or Cornish assay is not
more easily acquired than is the analytical skill needed for the better
"wet" methods.  In an assay method giving accurately the amount of metal
actually present in the ore, the metallurgist has a sure basis for
calculation, the results of which can be brought under the control of his
experience as to the losses of metal in operations on a large scale.  The
results of the Cornish assay, with all its inherent uncertainty, have
equally to be judged in the light of the smelter's experience as to what
the final "out-turn" will be.  In lead, again, the dry assay is usually
treated in books on assaying with much elaboration, which is no longer
useful, if it ever was.  It gives results that indicates neither the
actual amount of metal contained in the ore, nor the amount which will be
produced by smelting, and like the Cornish assay for copper is most
unsatisfactory for guidance in smelting.  The wet methods of lead assaying
which are described are convenient and trustworthy, while the only
practically useful methods of dry lead assay are given in sufficient
details.  In the assay of iron ores we find dry methods entirely omitted.
The wisdom of this cannot be doubted, for the want of exactitude which is
characteristic of the dry assay of copper and lead is still more marked in
the dry assay of iron.  Processes of wet assay capable of giving prompt
and strictly accurate results are available, and these are fully described.

The plan of subordinating or ignoring unsatisfactory methods of assay,
while giving prominence to those which have proved to be trustworthy, runs
through the treatment of methods of assaying the other metals, as well as
estimating the components of ores which are not usually dealt with in
books on assaying.  Among the latter are silica, the earths, sulphur,
arsenic, and phosphorus.  These demand study by the metallurgist, to whom,
under either the necessity of "fluxing" them away, or of minimizing their
interference with the purity of the metals, their ready and accurate
determination is a matter of the greatest importance.  The details of
assaying the precious metals, though hardly sufficient for adoption in the
assay of bullion in a mint, are all that is needed in a works.

The authors have clearly not been content to merely record published
processes, but in order to add to the completeness of their work have
given unpublished …...

It will be remembered that during his visit to Perth the Prince of Wales
(then, Duke of Cornwall and York) laid the foundation-stone of the
proposed additions to the Victoria Public Library and West Australian
Museum. Tenders were also called for the work, and duly received, but for
some reason the erection of the additions not been proceeded with by the
Government, much to the disgust of the committee of management, who have
by no means sufficient accommodation for their exhibits, samples, and
books. Yesterday, by arrangement, a deputation, consisting of members of
the committee, Sir James Lee Steere, M.L.A., Dr. Jameson, M.L.C., Dr,
Harvey, and Dr. Kelsall, with Mr. B. H. Woodward (the Director of the
Museum) and Mr. J. S. Battye (Librarian), waited on the Colonial Treasurer
and Minister for Education (Mr. F. Illingworth, M.L.A.) to advocate the
provision of a sum of money for the immediate building of the addition.

Sir James Lee Steere explained that what the deputation wanted was that
the Government should place on the minutes a sum of money, in order to
erect the contemplated additions to the Library and Museum, the plans of
which had already been prepared, and the foundation-stone laid by the
Prince of Wales last year. His Royal Highness laid the foundation-stone on
the distinct understanding that the buildings were to be proceeded with,
because he had stated that he would not lay the foundation-stone of any
building unless it was intended to proceed with it at once. His Royal
Highness had been assured by His Excellency the Governor that the plans
and estimates had been prepared, and that it was intended that the
additions should be gone on with at once. He (Sir James) did not know what
his Royal Highness would say now, were he aware that the undertaking had
not been carried out.

Mr. Illingworth : We could only plead that there has been a change of
government.

Sir James Lee Steere argued that, inasmuch as the promise had been made by
Mr. Throssell and Sir John Forrest when in office, and inasmuch as Mr.
Leake, on assuming office, had promised to carry out the undertakings of
his predecessors, the committee were justified in looking to the present
Government to provide the funds for the addition to the Library and
Museum. Mr. Throssell, after an inspection of the present buildings, had
stated it was absolutely necessary to provide more accommodation, and, in
order that that could be done, he promised to place a sum on the
Estimates. Then, after the Leake Government took office, plans were
prepared and tenders invited and sent in. The present Government,
therefore, ought to carry out the promise that had been made. There could
be no doubt whatever that matters at the Museum and Library must come to a
standstill unless the committee were given more accommodation.

Mr. Illingworth : Is it not time that they should come to a standstill?
They are in the nature of luxurious.

Sir James Lee Steere : Certainly not, and I cannot understand any person
in Australia forming such  an opinion, because in all these States,
democratic as they are, there is never a refusal by Parliament to grant
money for such a purpose.

Mr. Illingworth : In Victoria, when the population was half a million,
they had not as great accommodation as you have, and here the population
is only about 200,000.

Sir James Lee Steere said that in Victoria they had far more
accommodation, proportionately, than the committee here had. Public
libraries museums were a necessity from an educational and from a
commercial point of view. They were to established merely for the pleasure
of the people, or as things simply to be looked at, but in order to
provide a means of education for the public The institutions ought not to
be allowed to remain stationary ; they should be progressive institutions,
and any sums of money to make them such ought to be provided by the
Government. Sir James added that a report on the matter had been received
from the Director, Mr. Woodward, which showed the absolute necessity for
more accommodation. It was apparent that it was desirable that the
pictures should held by the public. At present, however, there was no room
for them to be properly exhibited.

Mr. Illingworth :That might apply if the space were a hundred times as
large as it is.

Sir James Lee Steere pointed out to the Minister that in all British
dominions the modern movement was to establish pubic libraries and museums
in all important towns. That was done as a means of education, but here,
when the director of technical education brought his art students to the
Museum they had not sufficient accommodation to properly display all the
exhibits in their possession. Mr. Woodward's report was as follows :—

“In the report of the Museum Committee to Parliament in 1897-8, the
urgency of erecting an art gallery was mentioned. Again in 1898-9, with a
further request for accommodation for the mineral and geological specimens
as well. In 1899-1900, the Committee went into full particulars of their
wants, when they formed a deputation to the Premier and Colonial
Treasurer, who approved of the designs submitted by the Public Works
Department. In 1901 the Committee received a visit from the Premier and
Parliament, and the Premier promised that the Beaufort-street wing should
be proceeded with at once, in accordance with the vote that had been
passed by the Legislative Assembly. Tenders were called. The promise was
confirmed when the Duke laid the foundation stone The Committee in their
report 1900-1, again called attention to the urgency of supplying
accommodation for the proper exhibition of the natural resources of the
State, the question being one of such vast importance from a commercial
point of view, now that so many visitors passing in the mail steamers come
up from Fremantle for a few hours.

[Missing text from photocopy]

… an educational point of view, it is most deplorable that the exhibits
should have to be packed so closely together that they cannot be well seen
; that the paintings should be hung in a badly lighted portion of the old
gaol, and that fully a third of the collection should be packed away in
cases, cabinets, and boxes where they are liable to be damaged from
insects, etc.  The Rothschild collection of birds has been waiting two
years for space as well as many smaller collections. The arts and crafts
collections, so important to the students of the Technical College are for
the most part out of sight, and the remainder are distributed in odd
corners about the galleries wherever space could he found, instead of
being systematically arranged for use and study. The timber and other
specimens that have attracted so much attention in Paris and Glasgow are
now returning, but their former places have been filled by other
specimens, and there is no room to store them, as all the outhouses are
filled. About 1,000 specimens will arrive from the British Museum in a few
weeks' time ; a large collection from the Florence Museum, and another of
Japanese art from Tokio, and more black and white are expected from Mr.
Pennell.”

Sir James Lee Steere, continuing, pointed out that in, respect to the
books, they were quite as badly off as in connection with the museum
exhibits. They had no room for the books now in their possession, to say
nothing of new volumes. They were stowed away in the basement and stacked
in close, dark places where they could not be seen by anyone. The room was
frequently overcrowded by those who went there to read, which tended to
the injury of health. Dr. Kelsall had, the other day, called attention to
the want of sanitation, owing to the crowded state of the room.

Mr. Illingworth : That is a reflection upon the construction of the
building and the facilities for ventilation. In such a large building
there ought to be as much space as in St. George's Cathedral.

Sir James Lee Steere pointed out that the members of the committee gave
their services, and had no personal interests to serve in connection with
the matter. They, however, took great interest in the institution, and
desired to see it increase.

Mr. Illingworth : But there must be a limitation.

Sir James Lee Steere : I would not place a limitation on an institution
like this.

Mr. Illingworth said the committee's estimates were getting larger and
larger. Questions relating to the erection of buildings, however, did not
come within his purview at all. Those were matters for the Minister for
Works.

Sir James Lee Steere : And if we go to him he will say, “I will approve of
it if you can get the Treasury to find the money.”

Mr. Illingworth said that when Mr. Throssell, as Premier, made the promise
of the additions to the institution, he (Mr. Throssell) told him that the
one thing that the country was crying out for was a healthy crop of first-
class “noes.” He (Mr. Illingworth) had had to produce as good a crop as he
could. They must face the question that had arisen in this State. People
all over the State were crying out for mechanics’ or miners’ institutes or
institutions of that character, and our  population was but a little over
200,000. We now had a Library here that would be creditable to a
population of half a million of people. The people must realise the fact
that there were limits to resources and our expenditure. The Government
was pruning down the Civil Services and there was an outcry in all
directions ; indeed,' it was pruning down even to a point that was not,
perhaps, quite justified. The Government was reducing the staff and
refusing increase in salaries. In the face of that, how could the
Government turn round and give large sums of money to institutions like
the Victoria Public Library and Museum, which had already had vast sums of
money spent on it, and which came this year upon the funds of the State
for increased sums? Of course, the argument that the committee had no room
for its specimens would not hold good. If it had not enough room, it
showed it had too many specimens. For each person who went to the Museum
for the purposes of study, hundreds went for mere pleasure. He would be
pleased to see the Library extended to three times its present size if
they had the money to do it with. They had not, however, got the money.

Sir James Lee Steere contended that the Victoria Library and Museum stood
on a very different footing from the numerous mechanics’ institutes in the
country districts, the latter being merely local institutions.

Mr. Illingworth said he could not accept that contention. The men out in
the backblocks—the bone and sinew of the country—would have no place to
meet in but the public house were it not for those institutes. Those
people must be considered before people who lived in the cities, who
enjoyed every possible advantage imaginable, and who, if need be, could
get books from the private libraries 5s. or 10s. a year. The country
mechanics’’ and miners’ institutes had a claim upon the Government, but
the Government could not even meet their requirements. They had demands
coming in for recreation grounds and mechanics’ institutes which were
altogether beyond the revenue of the State. They could not be met with in
their entirety, in addition to the other State requirements, without a
revenue of six millions a year. They also had to face the fact that the
railways would not pay.

Sir James Lee Steere : Some say there will be a large overplus in the
railways.

Mr. Illingworth : They speak without knowledge. Continuing, Mr.
Illingworth pointed out that the State would have to pay this year as
interest, etc., on the Goldfields Water Scheme £160,000, without a
shilling return. They also had to face the fact that the sliding scale
would commence to operate in October next. The question then presented
itself as to how the money could be raised.

Sir James Lee Steere said the cost of the proposed additions would be
between £13,000 and £14,000—£8,000 for the Library and £6,000 for the
Museum and Art Gallery.

Mr. Illingworth said the committee and the public ought to be well
satisfied with what had been achieved so far, and, in respect to a further
extension, they ought to have a little patience. The question that the
deputation had raised, however, was one to be determined by the Minister
for Works. If Mr. Rason said that the work was to be done, he (Mr.
Illingworth), as Treasurer, would have to find the money.

Sir James Lee Steere : I do not think it is any good going to him, because
he will say : “You must see the Treasurer and ascertain if he can find the
money.”

Mr. Illingworth also pointed out that the Government had to face another
pro- …

[Missing text from photocopy]

 … to be. The Government also had to face the agitation to do away with
the sliding scale ; and if that agitation prevailed, it would have to
reconsider its position. There would also be a reduction in the State
revenue if, as seemed likely, our principal trading concern were run at a
loss. In view of all those facts, and that the goldfields water supply
scheme had not yet been brought to a paying condition, it was unreasonable
to expect a very large expenditure on such a building as the additions to
the Library and Museum.

Sir James Lee Steere: Do you not think you can find £6,000 for the
Beaufort-street end?

Mr. Illingworth asked the committee to look at the question as reasonable
business men. Which would they say ought to be done—to spend the money as
they proposed in adding to the present large institution, or in miners’
institutes or schools or hospitals in the backblocks, where men had no
accommodation except the public-house, and not even a church?

Sir James Lee Steere : They would not go if they had one.

Mr. Illingworth : In such a case, what would you do? We cannot even supply
schools or hospitals or miners’ institutes all over the place. What are we
to do? Are we to put £13,000 more on to the Public Library in Perth?

Sir James Lee Steere : I would certainly spend money in increasing that
building.

Mr. Illingworth : And let the hospitals go?

Sir James Lee Steere : Men, when they are sick, should be sent to the
central places.

Mr. Illingworth said he could not agree with Sir James. He preferred
seeing hospitals in the back-blocks, where the men were amongst their
work, and where it seemed to him the hospitals were, most needed. There
were districts in the State now where people were dying because there were
no medical men and hospital facilities within their reach. They had now to
face the problem whether they were to go on spending large sums of money
on those things which were rather in the nature of luxuries than absolute
necessities.

Sir James Lee Steere : I cannot agree with you that libraries and museums
are luxuries. They are necessities.

Mr. Woodward informed the Minister that people frequently came to the
Institution and wanted to see some of the sample products of the State.
The Institution might therefore be regarded as being an encouragement and
help to local industries.

Mr. Illingworth : It does not do us the slightest bit of good in that
direction. It is simply a toy to most of the people  who go to that
Museum. The exhibits are simply interesting and nice to  see. As for their
educational value, they are worthless, except to a few people.

Dr. Harvey stated that the committee had thousands of pounds worth of
specimens at the Museum, and, unless something was done, they would lose
them. In view of the promise of former Premiers, the Government ought to
carry out the additions. If, however, the State was going to be
embarrassed by the expenditure of the £13,000, no doubt the attitude of
the Minister was the correct one. He could not think that such would be
the case, and he reminded the Minister that, the world over, the
importance of providing and equipping institutions of that kind was
recognised.

Mr. Illingworth : That is only one item. It is the large number of
demands, when taken together, that make the position serious.

Mr. Battye thought the Minister was wrong in saying that Melbourne, when
the population of Victoria was half a million, did not enjoy such
facilities as Perth had now.

Mr. Illingworth : There was no such accommodation in the Public Library in
Melbourne when the population of Victoria was 500,000 as you have here. I
was in it. I was there before you were born. In proportion to the
population, you have more accommodation now than they have. In conclusion,
Mr. Illingworth stated that the matter was not in his Department. He had
simply expressed his own private views on the general question. If,
however, the deputation would interview the Minister for Works, and
arrange with him for the erection of the desired additions the buildings,
he (Mr. Illingworth) would have to find the money. He was but one member
of the Ministry, and he could not conscientiously give their application
his support.

Sir James Lee Steere : Then, I think, we must bring pressure to bear
somewhere else.

The deputation then retired....

The museum which was established by Sir William Robinson, during his second Governorship, was for several years under the care of the Rev. C. G. Nicolay, at Fremantle, and the complimentary references made to his services as curator, by His Excellency the Governor, in the course of Wednesday’s proceedings, are thoroughly deserved. Subsequently when the discovery of gold and other minerals had given to the museum a greater importance than it previously appeared to possess, it was moved to Perth, and at the last session of Parliament, a sum was placed upon the estimates as a salary for a curator, Mr. B. H. Woodward receiving the appointment.

This gentleman, who is also the Government Analyst, has accomplished a useful though difficult work, in getting this nucleus of a public museum into its present orderly and useful condition. As already mentioned, the Rev. C. G. Nicolay began the formation of the collection in Fremantle, and it was pleasant to see him present at the ceremony on Wednesday. Since Mr. Woodward was appointed curator, he has re-labelled and classified the specimens. Mr. Woodward also acted as local secretary for sending specimens from this colony to, the Mineralogical Exhibition held last year in London; and these exhibits having been returned safely to Perth, they form now an important part of the present museum.

To these and other specimens received from various sources, Mr. Woodward has added, as a loan, his own large collection, which is typical of the mineralogy of most parts of the world, and  has been collected by him during some 20 years, and is very useful here in  helping to identify the various minerals found in this colony.

It is noteworthy that, while Western Australia is exciting a keen interest as a gold-bearing country of rare promise, yet this is essentially a country of iron ores. These are not readily marketable at present notwithstanding their abounding quantity, because the dearness of local labour prevents competition with European smelting but the time may come when West Australian iron will take an important position in the market.

The mineral specimens now in the museum include lead ores from Northampton, where fine pure ore is obtainable from 10 inches to 3 feet in thickness, and is likely to come into extensive demand for use in the treatment of the silver ores of Broken Hill.  This ore is remarkable—geologically—for its fine crystals.

In auriferous ores there are specimens of gold in pyrites, from the Darling Range, wonderfully rich samples, lent by the Hon. H. W. Venn, from the Murchison clusters, also very fine specimens sent down by Mr. W. L. Owen, the late Warden of the Pilbarra field, as well as numerous specimens from the Yilgarn and Kimberley fields.

Tin ores are well represented from the Greenbushes, and some remarkable specimens from the North West, these being very curious for size and lustre. Round the sides of the room are ranged the rock collections made by successive Government Geologists, namely, Mr. H. Y. L. Brown, Mr. Hardman, and Mr. H. P. Woodward, who now fills the office. Although the museum is not yet sufficiently well-known, Mr. Woodward has, however, during the year, received a good number of visitors, especially strangers interested in mining. The room it occupies, formerly used as the chapel, in the old gaol, a building now used as auxiliary Government offices.

Among those present at the opening were sir John Forrest, the Chief Justice and Mrs. Onslow, Sir James and Lady Steere, the Hon. W. E. Marmion, Hon. J. G. H. Amherst, Hon. J. W. Hackett, Dr. and Mrs. Waylen, Dr. and Mrs. Jameson, Dr. and Mrs. Harvey, Mr. Traylen, M.L.A., Messrs. W. D. Holmes, S. R. Hammersley, A. E. Burt, Rev. C. G. Nicolay, &c., &c.

The curator, Mr. Woodward, explained to members and visitors the more interesting features of the museum, and nearly an hour was passed pleasantly in this way.

His Excellency the Governor arrived shortly before 4 o'clock, accompanied by his aide-de-camp, Captain Stuart, and Sir Henry Wrenfordsley. After some time spent by His Excellency in inspecting the exhibits, [sic]

The PRESIDENT (Sir John Forrest) said:
Your Excellency and ladies and gentlemen,—I am sure we are all pleased to see your Excellency here to- day, to open to the public this Geological Museum. It is a small beginning, a very small one, I am sorry to say but I hope and believe that it is a beginning which is to be the forerunner of something very far better in the future.

The want of a museum in Perth, the capital of the colony is one of these very many wants that we feel in a young and growing colony; but I hope that in the very near future something may be done to give to the people of this colony, and to the inhabitants of Perth, a museum worthy of the name.

All great countries vie with each other in providing institutions for the education and elevation of their people, and all visitors to them must be impressed with the number and extent of the picture galleries, libraries, museums, in in [sic] which works of art and instruction are stored, and which serve not only as sources of enjoyment to the people in those respective countries, but also as great public educators.

The Old World, in these respects, is very different from the New; for one cannot but be struck, in visiting Australia or America, as comparatively new countries, with the greater advantages enjoyed by people in the older countries, where such institutions abound. In America or Australia, there is nothing equivalent to the British Museum; there are no such museums or picture galleries as those which so impress the visitor to Naples; there is no Vatican as at Rome, with its beautiful mosaics and its priceless statuary; you have no such magnificent picture galleries as those at Vienna or Munich; but, on the contrary, the people in these newer countries are mostly engaged in their necessary occupations, their first care necessarily being to create material wealth. What great advantages, therefore, those persons have who can travel in other parts of the world and see those beautiful objects; and what opportunities for gaining knowledge and the highest enjoyment have those people living in countries where such facilities are provided.

In Australia, of course, we are a new people; but I am very glad to be able to say that in the larger colonies of Australia great efforts have been made to give to the people those opportunities of knowledge which are common to every one living in the older portions of the world.

In Melbourne, there are the beautiful Victorian Public Library, and the magnificent Technological Museum the, Natural History Museum and the beautiful parks laid out with plants from all parts of the world, their names engraved on tablets with particulars by which every passer-by may learn the name of each plant, the order to which it belongs, and its native habitat.

In Sydney, also, there are a magnificent Public Library, a Technological Museum, and an Art Gallery, where fine pictures are stored; besides the splendid public garden called the Domain, where not only have the many plants from various parts of the world their names and habitat set forth on tablets, but also where the beautiful lawns and glades are adorned with statuary imported from various parts of the Old World, by the wisdom of such public men as the present Premier, Sir Henry Parkes.

All these tend to elevate and educate the people of these colonies ; and it is with that view that this little museum in Perth is being opened to-day. We hope it is only the forerunner of what will in the future be a great public institution. We must follow—of course at some distance—the great efforts made in other parts of the world ; but I see no reason whatever why, in this colony, we should not be able, in the very near future, to build a museum worthy of the colony, and also have public gardens and other means for the enjoyment and higher education of the people, surrounding this beautiful city of Perth. (Applause.)

Nature has given us great advantages, and we have already provided the land necessary for a public park, and for other public buildings. I can only hope that we shall not be wanting in our exertions to provide for this city, and for this colony, museums and art galleries which will not only be educators and also be sources of enjoyment for the people, but also be sources of enjoyment and attraction to the people who visit us from other parts.

In conclusion, I have very much pleasure in welcoming Sir William Robinson, and in asking him to formally open this museum. I am sorry that it is not of greater pretensions, but we must hope there will be better things for us in the future. I am sure the Governor has great pleasure in being here to-day because he has always manifested an interest—in Australia and wherever he has been—in all those public movements which tend to give enjoyment to the public and to elevate the community. (Applause.)

His EXCELLENCY then said:
Sir John, ladies and gentlemen,—
It is not always that a man, when he makes a mistake, realises its full effect immediately. I confess I have, within the last few minutes, made a mistake which I now realise—I will not say to my own satisfaction—and that mistake was in allowing Sir John Forrest to speak before me ; for he has said almost everything that is appropriate to the occasion, and has said it so well that it will be quite unnecessary for me to repeat his words.

There is a story of two gentlemen sitting alongside each other at a public dinner, one being a ready speaker, and the other not so ready, so that the less ready speaker found it necessary to prepare a few notes before attempting to speak in public. Mr. A had no notes of what he intended to say, but Mr. B had his notes ready on the table by his side. Well, Mr. A manages, during the dinner, to steal Mr. B's notes, and being a ready speaker, and happening to he called on first, he made a most elaborate speech from the topics suggested in Mr. B's notes, to the great delight and benefit of the audience, but to the silent consternation of poor Mr. B. (Laughter.)

I do not mean to suggest that Sir John has used my notes on this occasion, because I had none prepared, but he has taken the wind out of my sails completely. (Laughter.)

Most heartily do I endorse his remarks as to the duty of a Government to beautify the principal towns of a colony with public gardens, picture galleries, museums, and so forth, for the enjoyment and education of the people. In opening this museum to-day, it would be very unbecoming on my part if I were to omit some reference to the services of a gentleman who is now present, and who started the first museum of this character in Australia.

The Rev. Mr. Nicolay, many years ago, I think in conjunction with myself, took the steps necessary to make a mineral collection at Fremantle. The collection so made has been presented to this Museum, and forms a very interesting portion of the larger collection which you now see. That was in the days before gold had been discovered here in payable quantities ; but Mr. Nicolay always told
me, in those early days, that gold would be found in payable quantities, and certainly he has proved in this respect a true prophet.

The gold which has been found in in [sic]Western Australia has changed at once the whole character of his colony, which now promises to be one of the richest gold- producing colonies in Australia; and I believe that reefs which cannot now he worked profitably, in consequence of the difficulty of communication, will, when other railways are completed, be brought into work and will
then be very payable. And now we have hare an illustration of one great value of such a collection of mineral specimens, and which collection we hope presently to increase: it is that when strangers come to Perth or to other parts of the colony, and want to know reliably what part they should go to in search of gold or other minerals, they may learn from these specimens where to go, and what are their prospects of success. If only in this respect this collection will be of great practical value to the colony.

About the time when the great gold finds of Western Australia created a stir, a mine was started at Kendenup, somewhere near Albany, and a deal of money was expended in it, a manager being appointed, and some work done; but unfortunately the gold which was believed to be there was not extracted in payable quantity. But I have here (looking at a ring), in my possession, something rather interesting to me. It is a gold ring, and is very nearly the only piece of gold which was got out of that reef at the time. They were kind enough to present it to me, and I had it made into a gold ring. Plain gold rings are usually somewhat expensive, but I do not know of any gold ring that represents a greater money value than this one.

I thought I was invited here to partake of a cup of tea, and to look at these interesting specimens, and that no formal speaking would be required; but I am delighted to be present at the starting of this museum, and pleased to have the opportunity of congratulating my old friend Mr. Nicolay, on the accomplishment of what he has long desired, and what I believe will be the starting of a noble institution in this most beautiful city of Perth. (Applause.)

The REV. C. G. NICOLAY then gave an account of the origin of the mineral collection which has been the nucleus of the museum, and he congratulated the colony on having now acquired a Geological Museum, while disclaiming the title of “museum” as too pretentious for the limited collection formerly at Fremantle.

He said that a number of mineral specimens were, in the early days of the colony, lying about the various Government offices ; and it being suggested to Sir William Robinson, who was then Governor of the colony, that these should be collected together, and be added to as opportunity offered, a collection was got together in a vacant guard-room at Fremantle, there being then no suitable place available in Perth. Two glazed book-cases were then sufficient to contain the specimens, which were added to very slowly, as additions by exchange with other colonies
were not then practicable, and no money grant from the Government was then available. But when Sir William Robinson was removing to South Australia as its new Governor, he allotted £50 for increasing the specimens, which amount was afterwards continued as a yearly grant from the Legislative Council.

At the exhibition held in London in 1886, more than 200 selected specimens of the minerals [missing text] … lar specimens had made Western Australia a familiar name to geologists, palaeontologists, and even to chemists, owing to peculiar composition of the Youndegin meteorite. No doubt much more might have been done in the past to enlarge the collection, if more liberal assistance had been available, and more sympathy had been manifested, or if the collection had been under the charge of an expert who could devote his whole time and energy to it. The reverend gentleman, in concluding his remarks, hoped that under better auspices and direction, the collection might soon become a museum worthy of the name and of the colony. (Applause.)

The CURATOR also made a few practice remarks. He announced that the collection would be open in future every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p. m. and from 2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. The arrangement adopted here was to keep the ores separate—the gold-bearing ores, the lead ores, and the tin ores; while the other minerals were arranged on the system adopted in the British Museum. Some other specimens belonging really to this collection were at present in the museum attached to the Mechanics' Institute. He then proposed, on behalf of the Hon. J. G. H. Amherst, that the Hon. W. E. Marmion be elected a member of the Natural History Society, seconding the nomination himself, the ballot to take place at the next meeting.

This concluded the formal proceedings. A vote of thanks was accorded by acclamation to his Excellency for his attendance, on the motion of the Hon. J. G. H. AMHERST.

Tea and coffee, provided by the West Australian Natural History Society through the kindness of Mrs. Jameson and Mrs. Harvey who superintended the arrangements, were partaken of by the members and visitors, before leaving the building....

> Sunday 20th May.
Equipment: All kit possible sent up to Mrs Bell at Roebourne Hotel, Ride & Norton in Landrover with trailer. [Details of arrangements & kit]

>  20th May 1962 - Sunday
Through to Geraldton, Norton not interested to see examples of the effect that underlying geological stresses have on nature of the country (!) Murchison Bridge - old camp site used by us in previous northern trips.

>  21 May 1962 Monday
Murchison Bridge, a beautiful clear morning, a great change from the rain & wind of yesterday in Perth, Fred helping with breakfast, Murchison with plenty of water. Sandplain, probably Eurardy Stn, stopped to look at roo dead on road, Frank did brief sketch. For last few miles nodules of rock on surface, appears to be calcareous, Cretaceous schists with an oxidized brown crust, laminated. No. 3 Tank, the Overlander : 125 miles  to Carnarvon. Found out that Hall is owner of Wooramel, Richardson is overseer, Hall lives on station.

Water lying on surface, muddy swamp, Dedus, Herons and longlegged black & white (?) stilts. A few artifacts on surface collected. Appears to be real flint here and erosion into a fine powdery glauconitic-like deposit. Collected Rhaggada plentiful on the surface. Telephone line crosses the road at this point. Stopped where breakeras(?) cross the road. Lunch. Yaringa Hstead turnoff.
  
Wooramel Homestead, met Hall who knew nothing about bone (fossil) presented to the museum many years ago. Promised to ask his natives and I said I would call back on way south in 3 or 4 weeks. He gave me the name of Elaine Parsons' husband - Greg Campbell, Bullagaroo.
Carnarvon. Shopped in town & then to Babbage Hotel to find R.E. (Ron) Cooper.
Babbage Island. Cooper left 2 years ago !! Had a look, "no fishin" too rough, operating 3 chasers.
Cooralya turnoff. Reds plentiful, also one Odestriptyai (?).
Overshot Boologooro. Yallobia, Keith Masters, few Notomys & mice on road, Bullagaroo, Greg and Elaine Campbell, stayed night !

>  22 May. 62 Tuesday
Greg Campbell told of cave with carvings (or paintings) on Mia Mia, Moogooloo Hill (Boologooro?). Mice plentiful and came into the house, Kangaroo mice also common. Alan Mitchell 1/2 native stockman came from Port Hedland when young, knows the Moogaloo cavings. On the hill many of them : Stick men, turtles, dugongs, blue-tongued lizards, kangaroos. No hands. Cave E of Moogaloo windmill. Aeroplane drawn in rock charcoal. Alec MacDonald (N.W. Rep of MLC - building with the beacon) he has filmed the cavings. Colin McKenna of Mia Mia also has films. Porcupines in sandhills, hill called Porcupine Hill. Went down  to shearing shed where white owl is said to camp, collected pellets - four  were in water end broken up - all seem to contain Notymus, 2 dry not broken up, last one in shearing shed, remainder in Ablutions. Trapped two in food store: Mus musculus WR88.  Wandagee (?) turnoff.
Lyndon R.
Mia Mia

Drove into Onslow, met Mr R. F. LeGrand of Utah Construction and Engineering Pty Ltd. He is on his way to Goldsworthy and reckons to be back in Balla Balla in 3 weeks. There is a lugger in Onslow lying idle, owned by S.W. Clark, Forrest Ave., Bunbury, Bunbury 3333. Went into hotel, met Carpentaria Exploration team from Mt. Isa, Johnny Abbott and Chris Leach who tell of Ron Langridge of Turkey Ck. -  no police station, he acts as postmaster actually PMG linesman. They ask to be remembered. Also described a meteorite impact site on  Warrawagine Stn, present manager knows locality.

Left Onslow after dark and drove towards Mardie, crossed Robe River, camped in spinifex and grass plain. Found trapdoor spider - will dig out in morning, trapdoor concealed by ironstone pebble, ducked down the trapdoor when I approached, did not pull trapdoor to, marked and will leave until morning.

>  23rd May 1962 - Wednesday
Photos of campsite, Trapdoor spider burrow.

Trapdoor open at sunrise, closed about 1 hr later, spider holding lid on burrow, unable to open with stick, dug out burrow, depth of burrow 16cm., spider a pale brown, burrow not lined with silk but trapdoor held down with silk, collected door and top of burrow.

Robt. Sharpe at Balmoral Woolshed (shearing) says Kent Lockyer (Dogger) has a fine set of carvings up at the Fortescue, shown by Lockyer to John Coten who now works in Warrawagine. These are said to be excellent figures of corroboree scenes not just doodling. Sharp says they have large numbers of native cats on the property. These appeared about 4-5 years ago, t...chs not known to natives who said that they used to occur vicinity of Deepdale on the upper Robe - Lockyer did not know of them either. The little red marsupial is also plentiful - shiny like the head of a redheaded girl. Fat tailed, teats all from a single udder like a cow.
Left Balmoral, entered flank of Hamersley Range, Frank stopped to sketch outline of (?) Mt. Wilkie - very black, looks like burnt spinifex.

Drove to Karratha Leslie says that there were sheep on West Lewis island put there by Bateman 60-70 years ago, remains of a homestead near south-east corner, 2-300* from shore, land on all islands irrespective of tides.  We talked over Dampier's description & there is some doubt that  Dampier's  Rosemary Id. is actually the modern Rosemary and should be Enderby Id. Dampier refers to the Bluff head being on the Eastern side of the island is clearly a mistake - see his later reference to inner and outer sides. Dr Leslie had been at M.C.E.G.S. '11 to 17' a boarder Mrs L. had sister Mrs White who lived in Belenia(?), ref also to Peter Potts of H.K.
Leslies knew nothing about animals. Euros around the homestead, Reds plentiful on the plains between Karratha and Roebourne.
Arrived hotel, met Balls - nice people gave them Barry's shell.
Telegram from Lewis, Min of Edu & Native Welfare:
"Will visit Depuch Island Thursday 31st May." Ted Allen & wife, Cyril Neals.

>  24th May 1962 Thursday
Wrote letters to Margaret and to Duncan in reply of his of 22nd in which he gave the following info:

  1. Diprotodon from "the gravel beds of the banks of the Oakover R. near the old Braeside Homestead". F.S.Forrman to whom the skull was first handed says that it was found by an old prospector (name not recorded) who is now dead, and found in 1940-5 years.

  2. Vollprecht. Observatory, informed museum of a meteorite seen to fall on 21.7.61, sighted in Braeside, Woody Woody and Warrawagine stns. Noise heard and flash seen. It approached Braeside from the southwest. Duncan wrote to the manager but no info. I wrote back telling him that I would go to Braeside down the Manganese road and also that I had heard of the meteorite from the Carpentina Exploration boys who we met in Onslow. They had seen the scars of the impact. Drove out to Samson to see Bill Miller about boats.

Samson fisheries, met Bill Miller, considerable difficulty over boats. He has a freezer boat in a tidal creek which goes down as a mothership to Dampier

Archipelago - probably tomorrow, and all the fishermen start fishing. Anyone to take the party to Depuch would need to be compensated for fishing loss as well as costs. Agreed on 20 pounds per day. Agreement is that Bob McIllrick will have his 18ft boat at Balla Balla at first light on Sunday morning ready to start & that he will be available at first light Monday to return the Berndts. Further arrangements to be made from that point, all kit to be there.

>  Monday morning.
Called on Graham Wilson at Native Welfare, most helpful, just taken over, needs an outlet for aboriginal artifacts, promised to get one for him- will talk to him. Coast native Mibben Low (or Mivan Lowe) - full blood, citizen rights, said to know about coastal islands. In trouble - works on wharf on Samson. Also saw Cyril Leake, interesting local character, paints and cuts tumbled stones etc.. Had long talk in evening with Alkes(?) all Balls. - shells, promised info to Harry Tilbrook, Peter & Pat Slaters.

>  25th Friday 1962 May.
Phoned Ted Roberts, he will pick up Ron & Katharine Berndt at Balla Balla first thing on Monday. He also gave permission for the local vehicle & Graham to help me and get the people out tomorrow & to recce the route to Balla Balla today. Graham will ring him this evening to inform him of

  (a) the state of the road for minister on 31st.
  (b) Route in from Hedland to pick up Berndts.

Rang Miller: he will not sail until Friday now. Will get kit down to creek as soon as possible i.e. Tomorrow.

Rang Stan: Truck will pick up kit for Balla Balla this afternoon. Must make sure that: (a) Water drums (b) Battery are laid on.

Went out to Welcome Homestead & sorted out the stuff for Depuch & Dampier, got back to hotel & found that no petrol drums available. Phoned Bob & arranged for each member of party to bring 2 1/2 gal. containers for water.

Call from Griffick of W.A. Newspapers, they will be over to the island on 31st, booked them in with Stan Ball for night of 30th.

Drove out to Balla Balla, turnoff Hedland, Wittenoom...track Northwards, Balla Balla. Unloaded kit on a spur of land at the end of the causeway across the mudflats. A horrible journey under grey skies and patches of rain through loose mud, crabholes etc to a horrible place among the mangroves. There is the remains of an old jetty which impossible to use, a wrecked lugger lying on her side in the mud and across the mangroves great black bulk of Depuch. Back to Roebourne.

>  26th May 1962 Saturday
Got kit ready for moving to Balla Balla, went down to Samson to see Bill Miller and make final arrangements. He tells me that the tide will be bad on Thursday & that the Minister's visit will not be easy, possibly 7-1100 hrs.
Went out to Don McLeod's camp, unfortunately not there, back on Thursday.
Picked up party from plane, Boswell missed it ! Poor boy, he will be v. upset.

Trouble getting out of Roebourne, the usual business of friends giving cups of tea etc. Drove to Balla Balla, some trouble with starter motor on way & Graham Wilson had a puncture, he came down to ferry the party and will come over to the island. Found Frank Norton with a fire going and tea on, most welcome. he is doing v. well. he got the truckload halfway across the causeway & dumped (?). Had a bite to eat & then onto getting the load down to the mangroves, finished at 10 pm & to bed.

>  27th May Sunday
Left Balla with Bob McIlrick approx 8.00, took colour film on way across, arrived at foot of Watering Valley at 8.25.Searched for campsite with Graham Wilson & Frank Norton, found good site on beach to south of W. Valley. The beach is a beautiful sandy bay with mangroves in a small creek at the valley end and small dunes behind the creek at the W. Valley end and small dunes behind the creek line. There is some Acacia coriacea and white gums behind the dunes at the foot of the steep hills.

Second party had great difficulty in the mangroves, Berndts & Crawford & Girls(?).  Third party, Bob Pryce (who acted as Beachmaster) Glen Storr, Ray Penrose  arrived about lunchtime - they did a wonderful job.

Set up camp, saw a honeyeater in the acacia at Watering valley. Canid tracks everywhere and Rock wallaby scats & skulls. Went for a walk with Glen and Merrilee found a fresh fox earth in the top. Hope that Graham will be able to get a black clogger(?) over here tomorrow. Boswell may also turn up. Bob McIlrick is fitting in very well. He, Ray & Helen went fishing , no luck. Saw little wood swallows, crows, blackheaded cuckoo shrike (?), butcher bird. Went for a walk with Glen along beach.

Shot Female P[etrogale] lateralis WR89 with pouch ... male furless, eyes closed did not squeak, no balance wt.27 gm, total length 150 to nearest cm. HF29, pinnae pigmented but folded down, 2nd upper and lower incisors just visible through skin. ..920, Tail 460, HF 130, Ear 55, Wt 2000g skin, skull,  pickled carcass.

>  28th May 1962. Monday
Got fire going & went for a swim. beautiful. Bob McIlrick got a fish for breakfast, went for a walk and got pickup skulls along the beach line[Skulls Depuch 1,2,3,4], collected Artsarus(?) minor, budgie in acacia - seems lost and woeful, solitary. Singing honeyeaters plentiful but could not get in range of them, saw longifolia on edge of mangroves, prepared collecting skins with formalin & salt water, Merrilee skiing.

Walked down to Watering Valley to see if I could collect a bird, got Ablepharus with red tail and yellow longitudinal stripes, pick up skull[5.], found fresh fox earth with 2 wallaby corpses, many fox tracks. Walked up valley behind first line of rock hills behind beach, collected pickup skulls,

Royce and others also collecting pickup skulls[shells?). Went up to Beagle point & saw the Beagle inscription also one by W. Miller. Bob McIlrick says  this was carved c.1957, carvings numerous on the point. Collected skull of a  large macropod (M. rufus) on the beach dune line c.20ft above sea level or 20ft above the driftwood line. This was immediately to the E of the blue rocks to the east of the camp. Saw eagles and ospreys, nothing in osprey's nest.
Went out with Stan after dark, walked until midnight - nothing seen at all. went to bed in light rain.

>  29th May 1962 Tuesday
Went out to see if I could get some birds, no luck beyond a butcher bird on the dunes, blowing from the N.W. a nasty morning. Saw buzzard, pied & sooty oystercatchers, crows -(being attacked by a ? kestrel)[Stan saw it close and says peregrine falcon], singing honeyeaters, little woodswallows, impossible to get near enough for a successful shot. situation serious. Vertebrates v. rare in this awful rockpile, even lizards few & far between, saw only two in three days & of these collected one. Fox v. daring, came into camp last night, will set a trap.

West up to valley above camp, no luck, very sticky & muggy, started to rain hard, got bedding in & managed to get specimens under cover. Made box for them with Merrilees who lined it with polythene. West up valley behind camp then South across range and down valley tending west, eventually found gorge of Watering Valley and turned down into it, entered it below the cross-gorge & back down to the north. Shot two small pardelotes in valley above camp, only one will make a skin, got back to camp after dark, out again in evening with Glen, no luck, no eyes at all, an extraordinarily barren place.

>  30th May 1962 (Wednesday)
Went up Watering Valley with Merrilee looking for birds, saw "Japanese carving" agree with Glen that this is pseudo. [copies of script, Fisher script]
The Beagle inscription found by Glen is v. good, it is indistinct but it looks like [sketch of inscription].

On to "cross gorge", entered up right fork to the very top, collected small grey bird - lark-like(?). Reached metal trig point on high point, can see  mangroves of mainland and also islands across bay from camp, all way up this gorge various peckings in sides of gorge. Climbed down into wide high-valley of Watering Valley gorge, bands of rock & valley floor with peckings. Entered creek on far side of valley ; collected Kistlands(?) honeyeater silonage: various plants incl. Kurrajong & ficus  came down valley to deep pool just above "cross gorge" (shore this excellent goana) Excellent emu(?) peckings - large and well executed. Just below crossgorge on S. side of gorge set high : two men [sketch of pecking]. Going down gorge passed two white gums and then crossed to western side and continued down to "Chinese carvings" and Beagle inscription. Built cairn on corner block about 6ft up wall just below Beagles.

Returned to camp and cleaned up area in preparation for minister(?). Looked at air photos and decided next two days work. Decided to go up a valley to the west of Watering Valley system this opens to the seas around the coast.

>  31st May 1961 Thursday
Got up called camp, cleaned up etc. Bob McIlrick arrived with Bill Boswell -  minister held up for 24 hrs will come tomorrow. Cleaned up species shot previous day, went to Watering Valley, filmed carvings at cross valleys. Went out of right gorge into new valley and shot owlet nightjar. Back to camp, out in evening to look for wallabies - nothing.

> 1st June 1962 Friday
A complex day, no time for .... taking(?). packed up all specimens collected,  checked all labels, prepared for arrival of minister's party. This party  arrived at 10.30am. and stayed until 2.00 pm. They visited the point with the osprey's nest and saw the carvings & the two Beagle inscriptions. They then went up into the gorge with Ian. The party comprised the Minister (E.M.H. Lewis), Commissioner of Native Welfare (Frank Gare), Director of Primary Education (Wallace), District Officer Port Hedland (Ted Roberts) & press & TV. We then packed up and got off about 5.30. Great difficulty at the end at Balla Balla - press landrover bogged, stayed night at Sherlock River.

>  2nd June 1962 (Saturday)
Drove in to Roebourne with Glen and girls. Balls promised to look after them, showers etc & to get Glen (bad eye), and Merrilee (irritating sandfly bites) to hospital and then down to the boat. Went back for the others, had a bite of breakfast & then got the whole lot down to the creek behind Samson, loaded boat and got away at 10.10 hrs.

>  Dolphin Island.
Sailed around the other end of Dolphin & then into Flying Foam Passage, went ashore on beach with small lagoon with mangroves towards end of passage. Tide out, an awful portage across the sand and shallows in drizzling rain. Set camp up and tent fly up. Rain set in, all stores under fly for night.

>  3rd June Sunday 1962.
Rained hard all night - lay in until about 8.00 got breakfast for party.

Plotter notes to be taken by parties. Glen & Helen (Southern), Ride & Merrilee (about due SW across island Bob (almost due east). plan to cross to coast & look for carvings(?).  Merrilee & I left camp crossed over to the Western Broad Valley opposite Boat passage. Native carvings in rock column at Northern end of Northern pile (under cloud in air photo 5083). [page of sketches of rock carvings] Crossed over to the Eastern mangrove flood plain in Boat Passage, met Bob Royce on way. He had got too far south. Was pleased to get one specimen of the Cassia in flower, went down hill to the western side of the flat floor, crossed over at low tide to a small heap of rocks among the mangroves, found further carvings, saw Petrogale lateralis, v. distinctly: white facial stripe & lateral stripe v. clear indeed.[2 pages of drawings by Merrilee MacDonald]

Returned to camp across island heading due West. Shot Brown Honeyeater at dusk and then a female robustus young WR90: HF22, E95, TL114, Tail 57, Wt 5.4 kg. Skin & skull.

Helen reported foxholes & diggings. Glen & Helen found an aggregation of carvings at a creek below the camp in Flying Foam Passage. Bob Royce reported scattered carvings much as we did. Decided to spend next day in going to photograph Glen's site & then to try to get a male Robustus for Merrilee.

>  4th June (Monday)
Walked down to Glen's site at creek below camp in F.F. Passage, v. depressed, the carvings so far are v. poor compared with those at Depuch. They seem to be related - some fish, turtles, kangaroos etc and stick men, but also some curious "gobbies" which appear to be local. completed a b&w panx and then discovered that we were out of b&w, completed it in Ektachrome.Walked back to camp via the western edge of the broad valley hoping to get a euro. Shot a female robustus WR91, new born joey in pouch, carried it back to camp Wt 13kg, HF 24, E 11, TL 135, Tail 64, Joey later lost.

Absolutely whacked - as is the whole party. Feet are very sore from those dreadful stones, so much more difficult to move in than Depuch. These weather round and the spinifex is full of gibber like stones and the great rock piles are poorly locked and are very unstable to walk on.

>  5th June 1962 Tuesday
Shot 5 corellas from a flock of about 30 feeding near camp. Tried to walk around for a euro, no luck. Bob & Glen left after b'fast for north of island.

Bill Miller & Bob McIlrick arrived to take us to Legendre, complete misunderstanding. They will be back tomorrow to take us to Angel or Gidley.

Bob took us down to the creek where he sheltered from the cyclone. We entered it at high water, a beautiful little mangrove creek between high rock piles opening out into a broad valley, photographed entrance with boat in both Ektachrome & Plus x. This marks the start of a new Plus x(2) and the beginning of this sequence in Ektachrome.

Examined rock piles along the western edge of the water and at the beginning of the broad valley, a truly remarkable set of carvings & probably many hundreds more. Nearest to the sea there are v. archaic carvings, weathered out so far that there is little colour difference between them and the surrounding surface. 3 rocks unlike anything I have ever seen before a curious looking thing rather like the artemias one sees in salt lakes. Also a remarkable pair of tall thin people. Masses of kangaroos, most beautifully executed, some stick figs. (holding hands) are[sketch] and various unusual designs.

Altogether v. good locality. Took a whole cassette of b&w and recorded all main types. Photographed across boat passage up Wide Valley . The artemia-like creature (drawn from memory) is in the following plan [sketch]. Unfortunately Rob had to get the boat out again at high water & I had no time to sketch. Collected a robusta skull. Shot turtle. These are plentiful in this creek which Bob agrees should be called Turtle Creek. Left Turtle Creek at 12.30, on up coast to place in mangroves N. of our Camp Beach in Flying Foam Passage. Had luck on Hill top overlooking beach and Flying Foam, a most lovely place. Frank Norton Sketching. Walked down to convergence of many gorges above the beach, a great rock pile overlooking the sea, and the only thing in the centre of the rockface - a most humorous "gobbie" dancing [sketch].

Photographed peckings, lowest (ie nearest sea) is a good v. big kangaroo, some anthropomorphic "gobbies" [sketch]. The drawings are not high in number, about 1 doz. in all but of v. good quality. Location [sketch map]. Immediately facing the dancing gobbie at loc. A is a steeplejack tree (Vertilago viminalis) under which there were some old & first peckings which I could not photograph due to light [sketch]. Finished & walked back to camp. The rockpile back at camp also contains several peckings [sketch].

>  6th June 1962 Wednesday.
Blowing hard from the east. Do not expect Miller to come over now. Explored rock piles around camp.[sketches].Went back to Glen & Bobs "Stanley Chasm " to find the carvings I missed yesterday. Photographed many carvings, outstanding examples were a tern with a fish in its beak, a man with beard & various other anthropomorphic figs. Also present were typical Hedland turtles, dingoes, kangaroos etc.Gorge also contains various inscriptions by Europeans eg. W.H.1860, HT 1872.[sketch] contents of a single panel. Went back to finish off the gorge with the dancing "gobbie". Big fallen block at entrance to gorge is outstanding with 3 anthropomorphs. [sketch a turtle & 2 dogs]. Heard boat engine : Bill Miller, Les & Peter (Buck) had the advantage of a drop in the wind to come in and go through to Samson. Decided to take Frank Norton back  into Samson because there was every likelyhood of wind continuing & making it impossible for him to get to Roebourne in time for plane on Monday. Sorry to see him go -  he has been a v. good member of the party and a stabilising influence. I am also very pleased with his paintings ; to me they are a very fine record of how the party has felt about its islands. Wrote a hurried letter to Margaret, asked her to get in touch with Ray. Also sent all film exposed to date with a note to Bob requesting return of b&w shots to Roebourne.
>  7th June 1962 Thursday.
Morning started dull with slight rain . Got tent re-set up because wind had about demolished it. No sign of Bob, does not appear to be a hope of getting to Angel & Gidley today, much too strong a wind.

After lunch gave up waiting so shot several birds ie 2 singing honeyeaters and a willie-wagtail to keep the girls busy and then went out with Glen to see if I could get a male euro. Burnt spinifex looking for lizards - now have 20 Diplodactylus elderi probably more than all the museums of the world put together!

Glen's reptile score is now 14 :
Varanus gouldii, Gehyra variegata, G.(?) punctata, Diplodactylus elderi,
Phyllodactylus ocellatus, Tiliqua banchialis (?), Spheromorphus lesueri,
Ctenophorus isolepis, Ablepharus bontoni, A. taeniopleurus, A. greyii,
Amphibolurus sp.(?), Demansia psammophis, Chelonia mydas.

Collected a male M. robustus [WR92] Total length c.171 cm., HF, 27,: E 111/2, no tail length taken, skinned out in field because too heavy to bring back entire - 40 mins. woth a 2 in. pocket knife ! Steep slope with spinifex (Triodia) and rocky boulders.

>  8th June 1962 (Friday)
Cleaned up camp and prepared to move out. Bob McIlrick came in with boat and we decided to go over to Angel and Gidley for a brief spell before full tide when it would become possible to get to Legendre. Storr & Ride went, Royce & girls stayed on Dolphin.

Angel Island.
Landed on North western beach(in the passage between Angel & Gidley), no sign of macropod scats, rat holes everywhere in sandy flat, flora seems different  from that on Dolphin, fox scats, grasses everywhere but appears to be ungrazed eg Themeda on Dolphin has very little height but here it is knee height. Walking in gullys is very difficult owing to grass covering boulders. Spent 20 mins. on island, artifacts common above beach.

Gidley Island. Landed on beach opposite that on Angel, spent 20 mins on island, just like Angel grasses everywhere, fox scats, no sign of Aboriginal inhabitants.
Legendre.
Landed on Legendre approx 3 pm, v. varied vegetation, no sign of mammals, got camp up, collected some snails, wolf spiders everywhere.

>  9th June 1962 (Saturday)
Rained during the night, collected water in tent fly, we are a bit short & could be in trouble if boats are unable to come for us on Wednesday. Dried bedding, showers in the morning, walked out across the island to a red-soil depression in the centre, large number of rodent burrows in the sandy soil.

After lunch went out again with Glen. This island is predominantly made of an indunated (?) aeolianite with sand along beaches, some slight mangrove mud, valleys which are depressions filled with a sandy red loam. The ridges are of hard aeolianite with pisolites and flow laminae visible, no sign of the B. & D. fossil Boths. On the northern side of the island are sea cliffs with a wide salt spray zone of exposed aeolianite and a characteristic flora. The clifftop is also dotted with cast up boulders as on Bernier & Dorre. The burrows of mice are common everywhere there is any soil & they are often beneath Sarcostemma or Triodia. Found a skull in the ground and obtained a small murid by burning out a Triodia patch in the splash zone, it staggered out of its burrow somewhat chat was shot at, dived back into a burrow and was dug out , it made no attempt to bite or made no sound.[WR 93]1+3=8 (these could be wrong) HF 25.5, E 16, total length 21.5, tail 10, scales 12-13 per cm.

Photographed b&w, fixed in formalin, uteri richly vascularized with 3 small placentae showing though as one born and one in the other.[Colour not different from the 2 males caught on 10th June only apparent difference, rather subjective, is that  the guard hairs are less prominent and the head seems less heavy] Tail stripped when being handled

Collected three flakes from surface, appear to be granite or at least a dark igneous rock, quite foreign to Legendre. no sign of carvings and difficult to see any surface of rock hard enough to take them. Set 3 live traps baited with bread and 3 breakback mouse traps, 1 with apple & 2 with dried peach all set around corners in the central soil filled depression. Walked about with torches after dark - no sign of movement. There is a half moon, already well risen early in the evening. This may be keeping them in.

>  10th June Sunday 1962.
Shot singing honeyeater, visited traps : 1 live trap set off with murid in it. 3 breakbacks all set off one with an adult male in it, others empty. Adult  male covered with ants but appears likely to make a good skin [WR94], male, HF 26 mm. E 16.5 total length 250cm, tail 120 cm, wt 86 g., tail scales 9-10 per cm., underfur white to roots dorsal fur, very long dark guard hairs (approx 3 cm long) overlying greybased yellowish tipped dorsal hair, tail hairs about 1 1/2 scales long, incisors brownish, testes descended, skin & skull.

Photographed fore & hind feet in b&w and sde view of WR94. [WR95] male ht 28mm, E.15.5, total length 240 cm, tail 110 cm, wt 65 g, tail scales 10-11 per cm., testes descended, colour as in WR94, skin & skull. When picked up by the tail the tail stripped its skin ? escape mechanism. Walked over to ocean side of island filming. Set 3 live traps & 3 break backs.

>  11th June 1962 Monday
Trapped two Rattus in live traps, 2 break backs set off but mouse traps are really too small for this job. Ectoparasites - ! two species of tick and 1 of flea (some copulating) collected [WR96] female 2+3=10. Total length 24.5 cms, tail 12, HF25.5, E. 16.7, wt 69 g. trapped in central depression in island, red sandy loam, many burrows, live trap baited with dried fruit. Skin, skull preserved, uterus richly vascularized, 1 pigment path in one uterus and 3 in the other ? early pregnancy. [WR97] male, total length 22 cm., tail 10.5, HF27, ear 16.5 wt.49 gm. Underfur seems much thicker and longer than in WR96, young animal, testes closely applied to lower abdomen on either side of tail, no sign of descent into scrotal pouches.

Walked down into sand plain at foot of escarpment and behind the major area of mangroves on the south side of the island. Good caves along the escarpment which varies from 6-12 ft high as a small cliff. Saw rat in dusk, Glen saw 2 in daylight. Collected rat bones (in large numbers) from the caves and also saw others which are possibly human. Set 6 traps, 2 in the sand plain.

>  12th June 1962 Tuesday
0520 hrs Got up, got breakfast going to meet the boats if they come. Visited  traps, the home traps in the centre of the island contained 2 species of Spenomorphus (?) isolepis ! The only live trap contained nothing, bait - prunes - not touched. Went down to the sand plain by the big mangrove patch, 2 traps, two rats. [WR98] male, scrotal testes, wt 83 g, tail 26.5 13.1 cm, HF 28 mm, E 17 mm. [WR99], male, scrotal testes, Wt 63 gr, TL 23.3 cm, Tail 11.3 cm., HF 28... E 16.5 gm. Both caught in sand plain between limestone escarpment & the sea (mangroves), extensive warren systems, both traps baited with diced peach.Boats arrived and loaded with great difficulty owing to rapidly falling tide. Got both boats out to the islands between Legendre and Gidley by walking alongside & pushing. Aborigines will easily do the crossing. A few auks about & turtles plentiful. Landed on Malus, picked up the stores & then on to Lewis. Landed on Lewis in the bay which is greatly indented in the northeastern coast of the island. We have an excellent campsite at the eastern edge of the beach clear of the mangroves but close enough to enable us to collect mangrove birds and wood. Walked out and examined the plain behind the beach - numerous fresh rat holes and climbed the range immediately behind the camp and down into the valley on the opposite side. This is filled with dense spinifex and steppe vegetation - clearly not been burnt for many years if ever, and there are numerous rat holes. No sign of scats of macropods anywhere, a few rat droppings among the rocks in the range and many in the valley and on the coastal plain. No sign of macropod grazing. I would say there is no robustus on this island. Set the traps on the coastal plain, bait peaches. Got tent up. Collected stone curlews.

>  13th June 1962 Wednesday
A beautiful night, crisp, no rain or dew, slept soundly right through and awakened by corellas flying overhead at first light. Got fire going and breakfast on, then visited traps, nothing and no trace of a visit, must reset in valley. Worked out routes with Glen and Bob. Glen will do the edges of the Northwestern semi island and rocky headland to the west of that. I will get the traps into the next valley (seen last night) and will cross to the coast immediately opposite the camping beach (s.e. side of island) and work back to camp around the northeastern headlands. Walked out up the valley to its southern end and set traps then climbed highest hill in sight. From top could see that the passage to E. Lewis was completely above water except for some 20 or 10 feet at the East Lewis end. This will not have been more than 2 or 3 ft. below surface. The stack north of E. Lewis is also walkable too. Had lunch on the rocks of excellent rock oysters, nuts, dried fruit & an apple - meal fit for an aristo. Continued along the beach, examined an osprey's nest, no birds, no sign of scats among the rocks. Found the first drawing among the rocks at the eastern end of shingle beach. Curious drawing not seen before : micaquates (?) & curious fine drawing, another in the top of the rocks [sketches].Returned to camp via northern headland, no carvings.

>  14 June 1962 Thursday
Caught 2 rats in the live traps. These are much darker than the Legendre rats. [WR100] Female wt 100 g. 2+3=10 as in Legendre rat, TL26.5 cm, Tail 12.5 HF 27.5 mm E 18mm, Scales per cm=10. Skin, skull, carcase in spirit. Uteri much larger than in the L. animal, 5 pigment spots in one and 2 in the other. Vascularization weak compared with Legendre. This rat is much more shaggy haired than the Legendre rat and seems to be a very much gentler creature The female has a pale tip to its tail but this may just be an individual variant. [WR101]Male, wt 115 gm, T L 26.5 cm, HF 27 mm, E 18mm, scales per cm 9-10, testes scrotal, skin, skull, carcase in spirit. Went back into valley with Royce and then over to coast to locate the carvings accurately in the air photos. Did this & then back to camp, no further carvings. Bob McIlrick came in the evening, fishing v. bad, he is willing to work for us, laid in a full day. Rosemary then Enderby followed by the Intercourses if there is time.

>  15th June 1962 Friday
Rosemary.
0730 Bob turned up, off to Rosemary, quite a surge, landed in beach on northern side. Royce did a circle around from the beach, Stan went over to the north western point to look at the rocks for carvings and to collect lizards. Ride went down the main rocky ridgefrom the north beach and then across to the main massif. Rock wallabies (P. rothschildi) very common, their tracks numerous among the low coastal vegetation, droppings everywhere. Climbed rock piles and rothschildi everywhere, stood still & they were very inquisitive and came down and looked at me, some got within 12 feet or so. Took numerous photographs - b&w and col. should have an excellent series. Characteristic arms straight out in front when agitated, pose exactly like the woodstock animals in the yards at Zoology. Animals paid little attention to me. One of the animals - a large one - was very pugnacious about a position among the rocks, gave other animals physical hell which intruded. Hope I got a photo of them fighting. Collected a curious new land mollusc on the top end on the southern side of the massif, v. flat  on top - unlike anything I have seen. Saw a deep (rich) brown Egernia about 8 inches long with thin tapering tail., v. short snout with yellowish labial scales.[Glen says (?) stinolata group]. Found carvings on s.w. of massif. There is some coastal limestone here like Legendre in valley. Picked up boat out south western beach. Tracks of wallabies v. plentiful. Time on island approx 4 hours.

Enderby.
On to Enderby. Landed at E. end of major northern beach, walked across island to large pillar of rocks visible in hills in south. Crossed large claypan. No carvings seen but artifacts numerous. Wallaby tracks everywhere, wallabies seen by Glen, Merrilee and Helen who seem to think it is Rothschildi, Merrilee says it is naturalis but she didnt see the face or side view at all. These were all coming coastal indirectly. Picked up skulls, time on island 2 hours. The carvings on Rosemary are good quality but I had very little time to do more than locate them. There seems to be a predominance of anthropomorphs in the small series I saw, but I saw and photographed an excellent turtle. I am certain that a longer visit would reveal many more. Back to Lewis.

>  16th June 1962 Saturday
0600 hrs Got up and awakened camp. Bill Miller and Bob McIlrick turned up and took whole party & stores etc to "Collier' over anchored at Malus.

Sailed for Samson. Arrived Samson, very heavy swell, difficult to get ashore, left kit for next day and disembarked for hotel.

>  17th June 1962
Drove out to Black Hill Pool, sketched main types starting at the white gum on the further side of the pool and about 80 yards beyond the water, blazed with R. [10 drawings].  Merrilee Macdonald's freehand drawings in front of Oakover Notebook....