In his book on Colonial surveying Frome states decisively that the first step in the surveying of a new settlement is the careful exploration of the country. The quick marking out of sections without resource to a proper survey, as recommended by Captain Dawson only makes problems for the future. This is not says Frome a survey. Therefore a careful and detailed exploration is necessary, with the collection of vital practical information for the furtherance of survey work.

Captain Edward Charles Frome, Royal Engineers, arrived in South Australia in September 1839 to take up the task of surveying South Australia. The country blocks were his immediate priority. This was a task that the first Surveyor-General, William Light had been unable to complete because of interference from London. Frome had an onerous task as the colonists clamoured for their land. He had not only to revise the work that had been inadequately marked by George Kingston, Light's second-in-command, but also to undertake the commencement of the Special Surveys of very large country blocks. By 1841 Frome had laid out roads and secondary towns and taken accurate trigonometrical survey to the limits of settlement. Frome returned to England in 1849 and retired in 1877 with the rank of General.

Frome, Edward Charles, 1802-1890

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing. Taking it to the edge August 2004-