By five o’clock, P.M. we arrived, after a very agreeable day’s journey, at the neat white cottage of Mr. Rose, at Mundoona: we had made a journey of twenty-nine miles this day, and were now within a few miles of Yas Plains, although they were not visible from this farm; the fine stream of the Yas river flows through the estate, only a short distance from the cottage. Since leaving “Goulburn Plains,” we had occasionally seen the “Green-wattle tree” still in bloom; its bark is highly valued for the tanning principle it abundantly contains; the bark of another “_Acacia_,” called “black wattle” by the colonists, also contains similar properties, but the former bears the preference from producing a stronger liquor, and from the latter imparting a much deeper red tinge to the leather; the bark is used in the tan pits macerated only in cold water, but when there is time and requisite conveniences, a decoction is made, by which a stronger liquor is procured. The aborigines, about the Illawarra district, and other parts of the colony, stupify fish, by throwing the bark of the “green-wattle tree” into the water. I rode over to Yas Plains, to the farm of Mr. Manton, (a son of the celebrated gunsmith,) about four miles distant on the banks of the Yas river, the house being constructed on an elevated site, commands a fine picturesque view of the extensive plains or downs of Yas, the distant wooded hills, forest scenery, with the Yas river slowly winding its course beneath. This part of the colony appears valuable; the country is for the most part open forest, with luxuriant pasturage, and well watered, (an object of much importance in this arid country,) combining capabilities of cultivation and grazing land with picturesque beauty. The “Plains,” or more properly speaking, extensive downs, are destitute of trees, affording abundance of pasturage for sheep, &c., and the distance is terminated by open forest country, most part of which has already been granted or sold by government to settlers. Mr. Manton’s farm is delightfully situated, having a fine stream of water running through it, every facility for sheep-washing is afforded him—a desideratum of the first importance in this colony, where wool forms the staple article, the settler’s main prop, and the cleaner it is brought to market, of course a better price can be obtained. The land about the farm, (as must be expected from all large grants,) is composed of good and bad portions, but the former, I believe, preponderates.