ENCOUNTER WITH A NATIVE.

In the course of conversation, pointing to a weapon used by the natives, called a Lliangle, resembling a miner’s pick, he said, “I had that driven through my horse’s nose, a short time since, by a native, of whom I was in pursuit.”  As I expressed a desire to be made acquainted with the circumstance, he informed me, that being out with a party of mounted police, in search of some natives who had been committing depredations on the flocks of the settlers, in the neighbourhood of Port Fairey, he suddenly, whilst crossing a valley in advance of his men, came upon the chief of those of whom he was in chase.  He, too, was alone; an attack immediately commenced.  The native threw his spears, but without effect; and Captain Fyans, finding that the rain had wetted the priming of his pistols, charged to cut him down; but such was his antagonist’s dexterity in defending himself with his shield, only a narrow piece of wood, that beyond a few nicks on the fingers, Captain Fyans’ sword-cuts were of no avail.  Several times he attempted to ride over the native; who, however, doubled himself up in a ball under his shield, and was saved by the natural reluctance of a horse to trample on a prostrate man in going over him.  After having been apparently more than once ridden down, the chief managed to drive his lliangle through the horse’s nose, and so firmly that he was unable to withdraw it.  The wound inflicted bled so freely that Captain Fyans was obliged to pull up, and the native made his escape.  He was not only a fine fellow in conduct, but in person, having a chest, as Captain Fyans expressed it, like a bullock’s.  I afterwards learned that he displayed the sword-cuts upon his shield in triumph at some of the sheep-stations.

From Corio Harbour* we proceeded to Hobson’s Bay, for a meridian distance, the result of which was highly satisfactory, differing from our former measurement only five seconds.  The longitude, therefore, of Batman’s Hill, 6 degrees 16 minutes 17 seconds West of Sydney, or (approximately) 144 degrees 59 minutes 43 seconds East of Greenwich, may be relied on.

(Footnote.  The approach to this harbour would be vastly improved by a buoy placed at the end of the spit extending nearly across from Point Wilson on the north shore.)

MELBOURNE.

A great improvement had been made since our last visit in the approach to the anchorage, by the erection of a light on Point Gellibrand.* This we found to be a small lamp fixed at the top of a kind of wooden framework, thirty feet high, suggested by the superintendent, Mr. LaTrobe; and for a temporary economical affair, until a more expensive light can be afforded, it is certainly a clever contrivance.

(Footnote.  This light may be seen from a ship’s deck, in clear weather, seven miles off.  Vessels intending to anchor in Hobson’s Bay should keep the light bearing North-West by North until the water shoals to 6 fathoms; then steer North by West.  When the lights of William Town open out, bearing South-West by West, haul in West-South-West for the anchorage.  The best berth is in 3 1/2 fathoms, with the light bearing South 1/4 East and the jetty at William Town South-West 1/2 West.)