HACK, Stephen

Explorations by Mr. S. Hack... Appointment and Instructions to Mr. S. Hack, and Reports, &c., by him of an Exploring Expedition into the North-Western Interior. [Together with] HARRIS, W.G.: North-Western Explorations

Adelaide, Government Printer, 1857 and 1857.

Foolscap folio, two Parliamentary Papers, 11 pages plus 2 folding maps (267 × 190 mm and approximately 220 × 385 mm [printed surface]), and 2 pages plus a large folding map (510 × 715 mm).

Both items are bound together in modern cloth lettered in gilt on the front cover; in fine condition.

Hack's instructions were to travel by sea to Port Lincoln, overland to Streaky Bay, then travel 'as nearly due north as the features of the country will allow ... as far as the northern boundary of this province.... Every endeavour is to be made to conciliate and win the goodwill of such natives as may be encountered during the journey; and you are to urge upon each individual of the party the great desirability of impressing the aborigines favourably towards Europeans, by keeping good faith with them, and by not offending against their natural habits and prejudices'. The northerly route in fact commenced about 40 miles east of Streaky Bay; the return route from their furthest north was basically south-east around the bottom of Lake Gairdner to Port Augusta. The bulk of the paper comprises various progress reports from Hack during the course of the expedition (from June to September, accompanied by the two maps), plus two lengthy summary reports after the event. The second paper comprises a report from Harris, the surveyor on the expedition, and a detailed route map of the entire area covered. It includes the tracks of Warburton, who also conducted 'his first notable journey in 1857 to the dry country south and west of Lake Gairdner.... [Hack] did not follow Warburton's tracks, but rather supplemented and extended his examinations' (Feeken, Feeken and Spate). South Australian Parliamentary Papers Number 156 and Number 189 of 1857-58. McLaren 9482 and 9483.

Item #75590

Price (AUD): $1,350.00
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