SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.
Arrived.—On the 4th inst., the Government Schooner Ellen, Capt. Toby, from King George's Sound, and Augusta. With His Honor the Lieutenant Governor, Ensign R. Dale, Colonial Aid de Camp, G. F Moore Esquire—and four natives; five originally embarked, but Gyalepert as it will be perceived by a narrative in another portion of our part, left at Augusta. The names of the four are, Manyat, Moopey, Tatan a Boy, and the King of the King George s tribe Wayton Walter.
Lying in Gages Roads.—The Cygnet,—The Jolly Rambler, and the Government Schooner Ellen.
THE
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN
JOURNAL
Owing to a sudden attack of illness, we have been prevented from lending sufficient assistance this week in the operative part of this Journal, to insure its completion. We must therefore solicit the indulgence of our Readers, which the circumstances we trust, will not aollw us to plead for in vain.
We refer our readers to the letter of "An early Settler," which we anticipate will be perused with interest. The statements of the writer may be relied on. His general knowledge of these matters, to which he has devoted considerable attention, leaves no doubt, but that his list comprises all the established plants in the Colony; should any however have escaped him, we hope some of our correspondents will supply the defficiency.
To the Editor of the Gazette.
- Sir,
The importance of Agriculture, and Horticulture to man, has been acknowledged, in all ages of the world; but it is only the first Settlers in the wilderness, who become fully aware, by experience, of all the advantages they derive from these useful arts. From being necessarily left for some time, without the fruits of the Earth they become better able to appreciate the labours of those friends of the human race who first brought into cultivation the Wheat, the Vine, the Olive, the Fig, the Apple, the Pear, the Potatoe, and a variety of other useful Grains and Plants. With the exception of Sir Walter Raleigh, who is known to have introduced the Potatoe into England, and who met with a very ungrateful return, for that, and other services he rendered his country, their names, and the days in which they lived are long since forgotten. The establishment of a public Journal in the infant state of this colony gives us an opportunity of recording the progress we make in Agriculture, and its sister art, and at the same time, of giving important information to such Settlers as are about to leave England, and other parts for this colony, as by knowing what we have they will be able to judge what we require. I shall confine myself in this letter to such fruit trees, and other useful plants as I have observed to be well established in the colony, leaving the flower garden for another opportunity.
An early Settler.
Vitis Vinifera, Common Grape.— The Vine which grows so strong in the Government garden at Perth, appears by the fruit to be the Royal Muscadine.
Ficus Carica, The common Fig.—I have seen two varieties in the colony, both from the Cape without names.
Pérsica Vulgaris, Common Peach.— We have many seedling Peaches; a small plant of the Violette Hative has reached the colony alive per Cygnet it is not yet established.
Amygdalus Communia, Common Almond,— Plenty in the colony from seed.
Pyrus Malus, Common Apple,— We have several sorts in the colony, but their names are lost except a small plant of the Nonpareil arrived per Cygnet.
—Communis, Common Pear—The only Pear trees I have seen alive in the colony are seedling plants.
Fragaria Virginiana, Virginian Strawberry.—Variety very abundant in the colony.
Prunus Spinosa, Common Sloes.—Institia Bullace. Several varieties of Plum, A small plant of the Orleans plum has reached the colony alive per Cygnet
Olea Europea, common Olive,— We have four variety's of the Olive well established in the colony.
Morus Nigra, common Mulberry,— A small plant has reached the colony per Cygnet.
Morus Alba, White Mulberry— Well established in the colony.
Bromelia Ananas, common Pine Apple—Thrives in the colony in the open air, from September to May, but requires the protection of a frame in the winter of this climate
Musa Paradisica, common Plantain,— This plant may now be seen in fruit in the Government garden.
Sacharum, Officinarum common Sugar Cane, very luxuriant in the Government Garden.
Phormium Tenex, Flax lily.— Well established in the colony.
Physalis Peruviana, — called here the Cape Gooseberry; Very abundant in the colony.
AGRICULTURAL MEETING.
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At a meeting of the Agricultural Society held at Guildford, on the first Instant, Mr. Whitfield, in the Chair.
It was resolved, that a communication be made (through the Secretary,) to the local Government stating it to be the opinion of the Society, that the cultivation of Wheat in the colony this year would be greatly increased, by the Government guaranteeing to the Settlers a certain remunerating price for his surplus Wheat, otherwise the quantity of wheat cultivated for the ensuing harvest, would be smaller than the last, and we should again have to depend in a great measure on a supply from the neighbouring colonies; 15 shillings per bushel was, by many gentlemen present, considered to be a fair remunerating price, and not more than the average price of wheat since the first establishment of the colony.
Two new members Mr. W. K. Shenton, and Mr. C. Boyd, were ballotted for and duly elected, and it was resolved, that for the future the Secretary shall whenever practicable, give timely notice, by advertisement in the Gazette, of each quarterly and intermediate meetings of the Society.
Some discussion took place respecting the proriety of laying before His Honor the Lieutenant Governor in Council, the inconvenience and delay experienced by Settlers in getting their produce &c over the flats, but as it appeared by a notice in our columns that the Government had taken it in hand, by offering to receive tenders for improving a part of the Flats, the motion was withdrawn.
SALE OF STOCK AT PERTH
On Wednesday last, pursuant to advertisement a sale of Stock took place at Mr. Wells' Stockyard Perth, which although not numerously, was respectably attended. It was remarked that they were disposed of at a sacrifice; we should venture to differ from the opinion of those gentlemen, we however quote the prices, leaving those who are better acquainted with these matters to draw their own conclusions; all we would remark, is, if these are not remunerating prices the sooner our foreign neighbours are apprized of the circumstance the better. A cow, £24. A cow and calf £34. A Steer £21. ditto £15. A Mare in bad condition £29. Mare and foal £24. Horse (Henry) £30.
The horses were sold at low prices, but when it is taken into consideration that they were not working horses, animals most in demand here at present, some allowance may be made for the paucity of bidders.
Visit of His Honor the Lieutenant Governor to the Outports
A gentleman, who accompanied His Honor in this interesting trip, has obligingly forwarded us with the following particulars.
"On Monday, the 4th instant, the Lieutenant Governor arrived at Fremantle in the Ellen Schooner, having been occupied for the period of three weeks on a tour of inspection of the outports of King George's Sound and Augusta. His Honor was highly gratified with his excursion, and pleased with the progress of this part of the Colony. Several Gardens at the former settlement were in a high state of cultivation, and some peach trees were seen loaded with fruit. "The farm," cultivated by Mr. Morley had yielded a good harvest of wheat.—The settlers were contented and happy, and on the most ameable footing with the natives, many of whom were employed in carrying wood and water, and performing other services for which they were regularly remunerated; frequent instances occur of their bringing in oysters, wallabies, and fish in barter for bread. The return of Gyalepert and Manyat was very seasonable, as the tribe began to shew symptoms of uneasiness at their protracted stay, and inclined to impute a want of faith to the white people on that account. They were received with every sign of attachment, and several from the neighbouring tribes came in to welcome them; and held their corrobaries every night, in honor of the presence of the Governor, before whom they seemed proud to display every variety of their singular mode of dancing. Presents of knives were made to those who were most deserving from their good conduct, and blankets and tomahawks were left to be disposed of hereafter occasionally in a similar manner. Every unmarried man volunteered without exception to return to Swan River, out of whom six were selected who were considered most intelligent and docile. One of them "Waynton" is generally considered as the King or head of the King George's tribe. A good deal of anxiety was shown by the relatives who remained behind, with respect to the safety of those who came to Swan River, and it is to be hoped they will meet with that uniform kind treatment which is so well merited by their implicit confidence in us.
At Augusta, Garden vegetables had been produced in abundance, and grain crops, as far as they had been cultivated, yielded a very fair return, but the heavy expense of clearing the ground had confined the agricultural operations to a limited extent. The land in this district being rich, but thickly timbered and difficult to clear. Several of the settlers contemplated removing their establishments to Port Vasse, where there are open plains of rich pasture land, as soon as they could procure flocks. The distance from the Settlement is about 40 miles, the greater part of the way has the advantage of water carriage on the river Blackwood. On preparing to embark from this Port, Gyalepert declared his intention of remaining with a tribe of natives with whom he had spent the preceding night, every means of persuasion was had recourse to in vain to induce him to proceed on board the ship, but his resolution seemed fixed to remain a short time with these natives, and to proceed from there to King George's Sound. This which was at first looked upon as a vexatious occurrence may turn out advantageous if he reaches the Settlement in safety, as it may serve to spread more effectually among them, the knowledge both of our power and good will towards them.
As great advantages may be derived from an occasional visit of the Governor to the out-ports, it is not unlikely that such visits may hereafter be continued at stated periods."
