...arriving in Perth on September 27. They…
September 1870 CE
...arriving in Perth on September 27.
They are honored at two receptions one by the Perth City Council and a citizens banquet at the Horse and Groom Tavern.
Speaking at the receptions, John Forrest is modest about his own contributions while praising the efforts of the members of the expedition and dividing a government gratuity between them.
Forrest's bight crossing is one of the best organized and managed expeditions of his time.
As a result, his party had successfully completed in five months a journey that had taken Eyre twelve, arriving in good health and without the loss of a single horse.
From that point of view, the expedition must be considered a success.
However, the tangible results are not great.
They had not traveled far from Eyre's track, and although a large area had been surveyed, only one small area of land suitable for pasture had been found.