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86 especially to sheep. Mr. McIntyre discovered the excellent ford at what is now called Dight’s Mills. Mr. Gardiner’s station in 1836 and 1837 took up all the country on both sides of the Yarra for many miles. Afterwards Wallpool and Gogg ran cattle in Prahran ; and Glass, a friend of Mr. John Walker of Hobart Town, occupied for a while Boorandara, to he succeeded by McDonald, Balfour and Connell. Bolden went to Port Fairy in 1836. Howie settled under Mt. Macedon, at about the Bush Inn ; Brock was south of him, and Sams was on Jackson’s Creek. Mr. Ebden was very early located at lovely Carlsruhe, and Mr. Yaldwyn at Kyneton. Captain Hepburn of the Loddon was managing partner of Captain Coghill of Sydney. The first overlander with stock from Sydney was Mr. Jokn Gardiner. After visiting the country towards the close of 1835, in company with Buckley, Messrs. Gellibrand, Malcolm, Leake, and Robertson, he went up to Sydney, and purchased cattle at a certain rate of Mr. Hawdon. Not doubting his exploring powers, because possessed of directions from Capt. Hovell, but mistrusting his capability of managing the stock, he arranged to give Mr. Hawdon double price for half of the cattle going, on condition of receiving his company and aid. In three weeks they travelled from the Murrumbidgee to the Yarra. Mr. Gardiner’s custom was to rise early and ride ahead, with chart and compass, and look for water. Then he hurried back, and conducted the cattle to their next halt. The overlanders were agreably surprized one day to meet the returning party of Major Mitchell’s expedition. Strange meeting this in the new country,—the homeward bouhd dis coverers and the inward bound settlers. Numbers of natives were seen, who were good humoured and inoffensive. Occasionally they would call out “ Batman,—Batman.” Once a very fine young woman passed by ; tall, well formed, majestic, with Caucasian face, and very light complexion. Considerable difficulty was experienced in crossing the Broken River. The Yarra Falls were crossed in January 1836. Mr. Gardiner had his first head station on Gardiner’s Creek, so called ; but following some stray cattle he saw the rich pastures of the Upper Yarra, and removed there. His companions Messrs. Hovell and Hepburn returned to Sydney in a whale boat. Messrs. Ryrie and Ebden followed soon after along this same route of Mr. Gardiner’s. Horses were not numerous in early times. Mr. Fawkner hired out steeds to inspecting visitors. Much importance was therefore atta-
