Illustrated Sydney News (NSW : 1853 - 1872), Saturday 15 September 1866, page 3


ENCAMPMENT AT ESCAPE CLIFFS, PALMERSTON

WE present our readers this month with a view; taken on the spot, of the site selected by Mr. Finnis the the capital of Northern Australia. The sketch represents the government resident's quarters, and the tents of the expeditionary party at present located there, under the direction of Mr. John McKinlay, the well-known explorer, who relieved Mr. Finnis of his duties. It would, perhaps, have been well had some other person than Mr. Finnis been chosen as the first commandant of the infant colony. His administration has been marked by disorganisation, distrust, and inactivity. Notwithstanding the slight; attempts made by the party to prepare for the sickly season, as the rainy season is termed in the tropics, very little sickness has been felt, although very little effort was made to provide comfortable residences, or even adequate shelter from the heavy rains and dews prevalent in equatorial regions.

ESCAPE CLIFFS, PALMERSTON, NORTH AUSTRALIA.

--[SEE PACE 35.]