Title

View on the Macquarie River, Van Diemen's Land, near the Ford at Argyle Plains. [by Joseph Lycett].

Author

Author not identified

Source

[Not applicable]

Publication date

1825

Type

About the work

Language

English

Country of context

Australia

Full text

View on the Macquarie River, Van Diemen's Land, near the Ford at Argyle Plains.

IN this View the RIVER MACQUARIE is represented as it flows through one of the most luxuriant and extensive plains in the Colony of VAN DIEMEN'S LAND, called ARGYLE PLAINS. This tract of land consists of a fine dark loamy clay; it is remarkably free from timber, and is well watered at all seasons of the year.

Although in general the MACQUARIE is, as it here appears, a wide and powerful stream, yet, during the drought of the Summer months, it is sometimes reduced to such a very narrow rivulet, that it may be stepped over with dry shoes. So sudden, however, are the heavy falls of rain in this country, that travellers, who have walked across the MACQUAR1E on their way to LAUNCESTON, have, on their return, been obliged to swim over. A Bridge has been lately erected, a little below the Ford, adjoining a projected Township, called Ross.

The extensive Hill in the centre of the present View is called MOUNT CAMPBELL. The high range of Hills seen in the extreme distance are the WESTERN MOUNTAINS; on the left is part of MARRIOTT'S HILLS, and a long range of high lands at the extremity of MACLAIN'S PLAINS; all of which afford fine pasturage for Sheep and Cattle; as, although in very dry seasons the River in these part becomes merely a chain of deep Ponds, there is at all times an ample supply of water for Cattle.

A former View exhibits SALT-PAN PLAINS, in the approach to the MACQUARIE from the south; a moderately undulated and picturesque country continues from the MACQUARIE to the ELIZABETH RIVER, eight miles further northward, and extends, with increasing beauty, to the westward, along the banks of these streams, (which unite a few miles below the point at which this View is taken,) till they join the LAKE RIVER.

The two Dwellings, to the left, were erected by Government: one of them is the residence of the Superintendent of Government Herds, and the Stock-men; the other a small Barrack for a Corporal's party, which is always stationed at Ross.

The late GENERAL MACQUARIE had pointed out the situation of the Township of Ross, as suitable for the formation of a new Settle­ment; and it certainly possesses every requisite advantage; and is also sufficiently elevated to be safe from the effects of Floods, having an abundance of fine Stone, suitable for Building, in its immediate vicinity.

The animal and vegetable productions are much the same here as in most other parts of the Colony; and which, having already repeatedly specified, we shall not now enumerate.

Accompanying text, 1825.