Page:Diary of ten years.djvu/414

 396 A great number of Perth natives came to-day, about some mischief, I suppose, as the women here seemed greatly frightened. One of them took refuge in the house. I stopped them at a distance, and would not let them approach without giving up their spears. After a little they crossed to the other side, but were driven off from that by Mackie.

This day we had another Executive Council, after which I managed to ride up here, and am quite tired of work for this week. I pressed Singleton into the service at the public meeting, and he turned out a trump card. We are to have the third reading of the bills on Monday next, and in the course of the week the Governor intends going for the first time on some tour to see the country.

Friday.—Men busy mowing and haymaking, but, singular to say, we have had a good deal of rain about this time, contrary to what is usual. There are a few ridges of potatoes here that look as well as I have seen them do in Ireland. The breach is concealed by the top, on either side, which was always considered a good sign in my time. There is very little natural hay to be found now—the grounds formerly covered with it are now fed down by cattle or ploughed for crops. It is all artificial, and the oat hay is the best we have, it renews itself and remains in the ground like grass.

Friday.—Had our last Legislative Council on Monday; an Executive on Tuesday, and another also appointed for to-day, so that I could not get away before this night. Dined with the Governor.

I had a gentleman from Sydney breakfasting with me yesterday. He had driven over 800 cattle from the Sydney settlement to South Australia. His party was attacked on the River Murray by an immense body of natives—he computes them as 500; but by boldness and good management they beat them off, and shot several of them. He says immigration to Sydney is overdone. The land is raised now to 12s. per acre; few or none buy at that; squatting is very