of climate I give from a resident of the township of Maryborough for a period of twelve years before the place was surveyed, who declares his own health and the health of his wife and children to have been excellent, and better than he or they ever had before, that he has never experienced a hot wind in the place and that the sudden changes of temperature as felt in Sydney are never felt in this favoured locality:  that the rain showers are regular and abundant, more so than in any other place he has been in, in this colony; hence the extraordinary growth of vegetables, etc.  Eight months in the year, not a finer climate can be found in the world, and the remaining four summer months are not so oppressive in their effects as in the other warm countries, from the temperature being more uniform, and the purity of the atmosphere so great.  The same gentleman declares that he has, upon his occasional visits, experienced the heat in Sydney much more oppressive.  Great natural capabilities exist in the township of Maryborough for the formation of dams at a trifling expense, which would collect large bodies of water.  Minerals consisting of gold, copper, iron, and coal have been procured in several places in the district.  Timber exists of cedar, cowrie, and hoop pine, a white hardwood known as fluidoza, gums, dye woods, and other most useful and valuable cabinet woods, are to be found in great abundance.  The dugong is found in large numbers in Hervey’s Bay, from which the famed oil is manufactured, also the pearl oyster.

All these are sources from which wealth will be derived, and which will afford employment to a large population.  As to the aborigines of this district it may be placed to their credit, that they are willing at times to work, and even well.  The steamer which trades to the place every fortnight always takes from Frazer’s Island a number of them to discharge and load the vessel.  They are also largely used in the town for cutting wood, drawing water, bullock driving, horse riding, and breaking up the ground in the gardens.

The population and trade of the town of Maryborough are rapidly increasing.  The source from which the business is at present entirely derived is the pastoral or squatting interest, leaving all other valuable and important interests to be yet developed, such as agriculture, mining, fisheries, and the timber trade.  A large agricultural population may be expected to settle themselves down on the river.  Maryborough has been recently proclaimed as one of the great towns wherein District Courts are to be held.  The exports are wool, tallow, etc., with great power of expansion.

6.  I beg to suggest that a copy of this Despatch, together with a copy of my Despatch of even date herewith, respecting the cultivation of cotton in this colony, should be transmitted to the Royal Geographical Society.

I have, etc.,

(Signed) G.F.  BOWEN. 
His Grace the Duke of Newcastle,
etc., etc., etc.