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  range known as the Normanby Range, and so far has

[top right]
[embossed stamp]
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE
QUEENSLAND
702
7 Apr 74
[written at top]
Police magistrate, Cook Town
Road to the Palmer
and general report
Cooktown Endeavour River 25. March 1874
The Hon the Colonial Secretary
Brisbane.
Sir,
I have the honor to report the [sic] Mr. Morrissett [sic] has
reported to me that he with his party has marked the
range known as the Normanby Range, and so far has
been successful. I have arranged with Morriset [sic] to
wire you via Cardwell or Junction Creek as soon as the
result is fully known, but I am quite justified in
saying that with the information at present to
hand that a tolerable road will be opened avoiding
the expensive cutting as well as the Normanby arriving
in less than 120 miles.
I have also arranged with Morrisett [sic] to offer
a horse to the first team reaching Cooktown
from the Palmer: if there is any difficulty in
getting teams to come without. In a month from
this I hope to be able to report teams travelling
at least attempting it
I enclose triplicate vouchers as under
1. voucher for £55. 8. 6. for two more horses
this is in addition to the two already purchased
2. voucher for £22. 6. 8 for sundries to fit
the Expedition. Both of which plans[?]
protect in the usual way on presentation
There is now no starvation on the Palmer, but
there are no stocks of supplies there. There
is plent [sic] of beef there now. All anxiety for
starvation is at end now and if we succeed
in getting drays on the road, it will [?]
make a difference.
In Cooktown there is not any flour
at present but several vessels in sail,
notably the "Victoria" expected every moment,
in which are large quantities of flour so that
perhaps there need not be any disquietude
[written in left margin]
voucher for expces
Road Expedition
£77: 17. 2
[written under that]
See:
Requisition Book
No. 25. 26-27
7 1874
[written under that]
P.M.
D74/272
13/4/74