337
George's Sound. The inference is that there is some branch of the sea nearer us than the Gulf of Carpentaria, or else their knowledge of the country and communication with one another are far different from what we suppose, and much greater than they display.
I fear I shall be ordered to King George's Sound on a most unpleasant duty. Matters there seem to require some investigation, and the Governor thinks of going down and instituting an enquiry by a board of Council, and acting accordingly. Irwin is going down on his own duties, so he and I are likely to be the board. Mr. Roe and I, some days ago, as Commissioners of Roads and Bridges, were engaged all day in visiting and examining the "flats, or shallows," about Perth, for the purpose of reporting upon the practicability of making a passage across by rampart and bridge. We were obliged to walk about in our shirts through the water, under the burning sun, so that the skin has come off my legs and face.—I have had many grapes this year on my trees, so that I have been able to eat of them as freely as in days of old off the gooseberry bushes. I do not know how it is, but I do not eat the grapes with the same zest as the gooseberries. They will soon be very abundant here. Every one is rearing some. They are now selling at 4d. a pound.—I had a curious case to settle in Perth a few days since. A native came to complain of a white man having stolen his wife. He was very angry and threatened to spear the person. The Governor referred the case to me, and I had no small trouble in settling it to the satisfaction of all parties, which was done principally by means of flour given by way of damages, and accepted, after some demur, as a peace offering. A most agreeable change in the weather; for two days past the thermometer had ranged about 76°, whereas it was formerly 96°.
Feb. 16th.—A very hot ride from Perth in the very heat of the day, and the country was on fire on each side of the road.
