and plans had been made from time to time for that purpose, but all resolving themselves into four principles.
The first in time, originating indeed with the officers of the Success in 1827, was to make the estuary of the Swan between Perth and Fremantle accessible by cutting a canal from Rocky Bay to the sea, a distance of about a quarter of a mile; the others were, to enclose an area by a breakwater to the South of the mouth of the Swan; at the mouth of the Swan; or to obtain access to the mouth of the river, and make it available as a dock or harbour. In 1871 Mr. Doyne, and in 1873 Mr. Wardell, had reported on these, but unfavourably; now the different plans were at last submitted to the judgment of Sir John Coode, and his report is still (August, 1877) in expectation.
Now also the schemes, which had been ventilated for a long time, for a railway from Fremantle to Perth and Guildford, were formally brought forward, and it was proposed to bring in a Bill for providing a guarantee of six per cent, on the amount of capital necessary for its construction; this was delayed till the next year, that surveys and estimates might be made, which were accordingly proceeded with, but the Bill was ultimately withdrawn, pending the decision of the Imperial Government on the question of guarantee.
This year, also, supplementary regulations were published respecting grants to pensioners and volunteers; and cutting timber and mining, by which the land regulations of the Colony were completed; a Commissioner of Public Works was appointed; immigration continued; Sunday diving forbidden in the pearl fishery; the money order system extended; the free list tariff extended to articles necessary for food, ship chandlery, &c.; the light house on Point Moore, at Champion Bay, contracted
