I conversed with him. He understands now the whole subject, sees that the only chance of failure in our plans is the difficulty of keeping labourers, and proposes, if we cannot get £2 an acre put upon land as the minimum price, to have a very high fee upon transfer. This, he thinks, may prevent labourers buying a small lot and then subdividing it. He will not belong to the committee, but will support the scheme in Parliament and out.
"December 20th.—Pottinger informs me that Richard Norman is willing to advance the whole of the funds required for the undertaking, and that he wishes to converse with me on the subject. Pottinger showed me letters he had received from Lords Downshire and Donegal. Rowland Hill called to say that Dr. Birkbeck could not join the committee in consequence of ill-health, but that Dr. South wood Smith would do so and give the association all the assistance in his power. Dined at my brother's in company with Mr. Shand, &c. My brother seems disposed to do much as Norman has offered: he sees that money may be made by a spirited adoption of the plan by any capitalist. Shand says that many persons from India will join the colony if it should be established.
"December 21st … Saw Warburton. The only difficulty which occurred to his mind was relative to the pecuniary responsibility of the trustees … He has read 'England and America,' and spoke very pointedly against the old system of granting, and in favour of the present mode of selling land. He approves entirely of the plan, and will give it his warm support … Captains Hudson and Currie called. The latter was with Stirling at the first landing at Swan River, and condemned much the plan then pursued of landing on Garden Island. If they had landed on the mainland at first they would have saved three months' time … Colonel Torrens signified through D. Wakefield his assent to belonging to the Provisional Committee.
