Volume 01: Production and resources of the northern and western districts of New South Wales, 1854 [ca. 1850-1857] - Page 57
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DISTRICT OF LIVERPOOL PLAINS
OCCUPATION BY SETTLERS.
1826
Settlers began to occupy this district in the year 1826. Mr Baldwin was the first Settler who ventured with Stock beyond the boundary of Location to this district, his teams were the first to drive over the Liverpool range of Mountains wirh Supplies for his Station, and to form the great line of northern road over the Liverpool gap at Murrurundi. The early Settlers on Liverpool plains, found the supply of water deficient & during a Season of drought Some were induced to change to Country laying more to the northward, & to form Stations on the Namoi river, where the Country was better Supplied with Water Myall Shrub and grass.
COUNTRY OF DEAD TREES ON LIVERPOOL PLAINS
During the excessive heat in the dry season of 1839, trees died on these plains, and a considerable track of Country is passed of dead trees betwixt Carobobella & Courindi Loders Station, the Soil of this Country is black, and does not retain moisture. During Seasons of drought, wide Seams or cracks open in the Soil. Cornelions are found in the black Soil, & on the adjacent ridges. The road which passes from Barraba to Tulcumma, & Keepit on the Namoi river, turns off near Tarpaulin Creek to the right, is a long road over the flat with dead trees, the forest there is of Some extent.
GREAT FLOOD ON THE NAMOI RIVER FROM 13TH TILL 21ST JANUARY 1840. ATTENDED WITH LOSS OF LIFE.
Much damage was occasioned by this flood, the river rose with great rapidity, & the back water from the creeks filling up behind compelled many of the Settlers to take to the trees, Several lives were lost before assistance Could be procured, & much property destroyed. Numerous heads of Cattle, and Sheep, were Swept away. During this flood Lieutenant Lowe lost his life, he had been five days on the limbs & branches of a tree, exposed to the Scorching rays of the Sun, from this exposure he died Shortly after. His station was Situated on the Namoi river, between Tibereena & Terryorre.
The blacks Say " that never Canbawn Kallie come like that before, for very long time, & never Since first See Wheel Barrow". meaning the drays belonging to the whites, a Waggon or dray being what they name "wheel Barrow" The numerous herds of Cattle, & Sheep grazing on the lands of the Northern districts, will in future Keep the rivers low, or from rising during floods of Such Continuance as that of 1840. The long grass & herbage formerly protected the moisture in the ground, now the Cattle & Sheep lay the ground bare, the moisture is open to evaporation by the atmosphere & hot winds this I consider is the principal, if not the Sole Cause of the rivers decreasing every year. "Three floods occurred on Hunter river in 1820, the last that year being the highest yet seen, being 37 feet above high water mark, the flood in 1826 less than 29 feet, in 1832 about 29 feet, in 1840 about 26 feet, in1851 about 23 feet in June 1857 over 26 feet & the last 27 feet which occurred in July 1857."