with generous interest in the colony itself. Settlers heard with pleasure of this projected arrival in their midst of such a number of people, and Governor Hutt, when he received the instructions of Lord Glenelg, immediately withdrew a notice of resumption which he had issued on Colonel Lautour's grant. While English people were so doubtful of the suitability of the country at Leschenault, Western Australians were apparently convinced that no better site could have been chosen. Repeated visits to Leschenault increased their good opinions of its resources. Governor Hutt, in his speech at the opening of the Legislative Council in 1840, said that the establishment of a new settlement at Leschenault was the most striking event which had lately occurred in the colony. Settlers hailed with some excitement the introduction of capital and labour which the colony had so long needed. Everyone believed the settlement would hold Western Australia forth in an imposing and attractive light before the English public.
The chief surveyor and his staff reached Leschenault late in 1840, and at once set to work to disembark instruments, wooden houses, rations, and other articles. Governor Hutt, in expectation of the arrival of the Parkfield, appointed Mr. George Eliot Government Resident of the district, and sent Lieutenant Northey, with a picket of soldiers, to protect the settlers. In February, 1841, the site of the town of Bunbury was surveyed and shortly afterwards proclaimed, the name being conferred upon it in compliment to Lieutenant Bunbury, who was attached to the military forces. The southern districts soon rose in popularity, and settlers began to utilise the land in parts of the Leschenault district, at Picton, on the Capal, at Wonnerup, and in the Vasse country. The expected arrival of the settlers attached to the Western Australian Company encouraged enterprise in the surrounding districts, which from 1841 began to assume importance among the best in the colony. The upset price of allotments at Bunbury was fixed a £25, and during 1841 several land sales were held on the spot. Koombanah Bay became a favourite resort of whaling craft, and at one time in 1841 there were no fewer than fourteen ships anchored in her waters. A license for the sale of spirits and other liquors was issued to a settler who had erected a tent near Point Casuarina, and many drunken orgies were held on shore.
On the 18th March, 1841, the Parkfield entered Koombanah Bay, after a splendid passage. When nearing the Australian coast she struggled through a severe storm, and when she entered the bay an American whaling vessel lay stranded on the beach. The only inhabitants in that month of the immediate vicinity of Point Casuarina were Mr. Robt. Scott and his companions, Mr. Eliot, the military, Captain Coffin—of the wrecked ship—and the surveyors attached to the company. The Government Surveyor, Mr. Ommany, was stationed at Picton, and soon marked out the town site of Waterloo.
By this time the surveyors possessed comfortable quarters on Colonel Lautour's grant, but Mr. Clifton instructed them to pull down their huts and re-ship all their stores preparatory to going to Port Grey. He interviewed Mr. Eliot, and then with his secretary, Mr. Pearce Clifton, and Mr. Ommany, went rapidly overland to Perth to call on Governor Hutt. His Excellency was made acquainted with the instructions of the directors, and also with their desire to take up land at Port Grey. He refused to give the necessary permission to form a settlement in the north, stating as his reason that he had no means of communication with those parts, and with his small staff it was quite impossible for him to adequately protect or govern the settlement. Moreover, he advised Mr. Clifton to return to Leschenault and proceed with the original proposal to form a settlement on the estuary. The latter had to decide whether to act in opposition to his deliberate and pointed instructions, or to proceed to Port Grey. After consideration, he took the Governor's advice, who then promised to aid him in convincing the directors of its wisdom.
Thus all the turmoil—alarm, anxiety, loss—in London was uncalled for. Mr. Clifton now believed that the country at Leschenault contained many rich stretches, and afforded one of the most charming of Australian sites for a settlement such as theirs. His chagrin was great. It was only the unfortunate arrival of Captain Grey in England at such a juncture that prevented the directors from founding a promising venture. One thing was lacking—experience.
On the eighth day after setting out Mr. M. W. Clifton and party returned to their people, who were anxiously awaiting them at Leschenault. The surveyors were prepared to set out for Port Grey, but, such was the insecurity of location, they needs must land their goods once more, and re-erect the structures they had pulled down. In a few weeks, settlers, emigrants, implements, and general stores were disembarked, and, led by Mr. Clifton and the surveyors, the people proceeded up the estuary to the site chosen for the town of Australind, some seven miles from the anchorage. The stores were landed at point Casuarina, and a rough wooden building was erected to protect them. Then began many severe and annoying trials. The winter was coming on and soon the weather became exceedingly boisterous and cold. The surveyors had learnt the art of making dwelling-places on the lines of those erected by the natives. They were therefore able to institute some comfort and protection for themselves. Not so the general body of the unfortunate people. Mr. Clifton and his family, inured to the luxuries of London, were compelled to live in tents through part of the winter, and their sufferings and privations equalled those experienced by the Parmelia pioneers in 1829. The settlers and emigrants were in a similar plight. To add to their discomfort their food supplies were gradually being exhausted, and for some time they were without many necessaries of life. By degrees the stores were removed in boats from the point to Australind, and this labour, together with that of erecting wooden quarters, occupied some months.
The surveyors were soon engaged in marking out town and rural allotments. So stormy was the early winter, especially the month of June, that their surveys were necessarily protracted. A prettier spot could hardly have been chosen for the town. Situated as it was on a few rich patches of sandy soil, the place was adorned with leafy tuart, flooded gum, and banksia trees, rising in picturesque grouping. Running to the rear, and to right and left, was wooded undulating country, whose open soil, containing fructive organic matter, seemed to offer splendid inducements to cultivators. In front was a bright stretch of water forming the estuary, bounded on the opposite shore by roiling sand hills, covered with dark vegetation. A glistening sand patch on one of the ascents was the only blot. The climate, though cold at first, was soon found to be mild and bracing, free from those enervating qualities so common in many parts of Australia.
By June Australind was surveyed into streets, and some settlers had taken charge of their rural allotments. The thoroughfares were named after directors and prominent
