North-west Australian Fishery. 163
Mr. Ε. Τ. Hardman, in his geological exploration of the Kimberley country, a year or two ago, detected
gold for a distance of about 140 miles along the course of the Ord and
Elvire rivers; this discovery led to the systematic working of the
alluvial deposits, and several nuggets of considerable size, one
weighing as much as 28 ozs., have been brought to light. Mr. Haynes, in
a letter to the author, dated July 26, 1886, states that 3,000 people
have already arrived at these gold-fields. On the 20th of August, the "
Assam " left London, carrying on board an enterprising gentleman, who
has gone out with the intention of building several towns on the
north-west coast, to be connected by railways. The rapid influx of
immigrants in the northern part of Western Australia, has caused
Cossack to acquire an importance, which, a short time ago, would never have been anticipated.
