around 1850 he was involved with the explorer john mckinlay, who became something of a family friend. mckinlay settled for a while on yambro station on lake victoria station, and on his recommendation james pile around 1860 took up land with western frontage on the river darling, which became cuthero station, of and netley stations. a year or two later he sold the netley station to joe dunne (c. 1827–1874) who drowned in menindie creek, while rescuing his horses, and his brother john (c. 1832–1893). around the same time he also acquired polia station.