the gold prospector lewis harold bell lasseter had become famous by telling the story of his outback survival and discovery of a massive reef of surface gold near uluru, northern territory. members of the sydney stock exchange organised the 'central australian gold exploration' company (cage) to venture outback and rediscover this find. camel trains and aircraft were sent out to scour the surrounds. one night during the expedition, lasseter on camelback disappeared into the dark. after a futile search the party returned to sydney.