THE BRISBANE RIVER.
Major Lockyer returned to Headquarters, on the Mermaid cutter, on Sunday last, from his arduous survey of the above valuable River at Moreton bay. This Gentleman very kindly put into our hands an Extract of his Official Report that evening, after our Paper was completed, but a detention of course took place, in order that we might not be secondary with such valuable intelligence. We have no room now to observe further.
After a few prefatory remarks, the Major goes on to observe: – –
” I traced the river, as far as it was practicable to do with the boats, and then by land, to where I consider it to take its rise, on a large mountain, to the S.W. of the settlement, after making a very circuitous course of nearly 200 miles. The mountain is about 9 miles in length, running in about N.W. and S.E. with several streams running down its sides into the Brisbane ; at its base another range of mountains, beyond the large one, running E. and W. 10 or 12 miles, also affording a supply of water ; a small range of hills covered with pine trees to the Westward and S.W ; distant about 14 miles. The mountain I consider to be at least 1500 feet high, and the range to the Northward of it to be less. As I have no doubt the river has its rise in these mountains, I named them the Brisbane Mountains.
” On leaving the boats, I proceeded along the banks for two days, when I came to a bed of shingle, with a very small stream, not 3 feet wide and 6 inches deep, which, in the summer months, I have no doubt is quite dry; at this time the river, where the boats were, had risen 6 to 8 feet from the late rains; and as this place, not 14 miles above, had not the least appearance of a rise, it convinces me that the Brisbane River has its chief supply from the Brisbane Mountains.
The soil is very excellent, chiefly a dark rich mould, with a variation of a lighter reddish earth, and of great depth. The face of the country is very beautiful, consisting of green hills thinly wooded, interspersed with a flat country; also, thinly but fairly wooded; also, occasionally hills, with thick brush and pine trees. This applies to both sides of the river from its banks. Iron stone prevails along the banks, and on the hills sand or free stone, but no limestone. A vein of coals is also to be seen about forty miles above the settlement. I think the country admirably adapted for the feeding of cattle, and the grazing of sheep, from the luxuriant pasturage it affords ; as also, for the production of cotton, coffee, sugar, rice, wheat, maize, potatoes, vegetables, and particularly the pine ; and indeed, every description of fruit, which, with very little energy and exertion, would in a very short time become abundant.
” The timber growing is chiefly the blue gum, of a very large size, very fit for ship building; iron bark, swamp oak, honey suckle, cedar, very fine pine and cypress; also, a tree, known by the name of apple tree.
” Kangaroo, large and small opossum, flying squirrels, and wild dogs, were seen.
” Emus, black swan, pelican ducks, in variety, as well as teal ; cockatoos, white and black parroquets; the bell bird, and all the birds common in this Colony, are to be found on the banks of the river.
” Lizards and snakes, in variety, and rather numerous.
” Fish in abundance, very fine, though no great variety; eels very large.
” Wild tobacco, spinage, nettles, poppy, raspberries, and yams.
” The inhabitants, met with above the settlement, on the banks, were very few, but docile, and particularly well disposed; and of the same description as those met with in the vicinity of Moreton Bay. Many of the former had never seen, or probably heard of, Europeans before ; consequently they were very shy at first, but, on being satisfied no harm was intended them, they immediately came to the boats ; when I took the opportunity of distributing the little articles sent for the purpose, which appeared to give them great pleasure ; particularly the beads and looking glasses. Tomahawks they prize much. Their colour is black; persons well made ; very active ; of the middle statute ; only a few that may be said to be tall, from five feet to six feet, and go naked, carrying with them a spear, from eight to ten feet long.”
Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 – 1842), Thursday 20 October 1825, page 3
Moreton Bay and More 