Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/124

 98 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY The Husbandmen Governor Grey wisely decided to postpone the time for receiving tenders, so that the rival parties might mature their plans. Sums were realised on all sorts of property ; eventually the " Nobs " and the " Snobs " agreed to combine to purchase the block, and on August 1 8, 1845, the application was lodged. The money was forthcoming, but the companies did not work in partnership. The land was divided into two blocks — northern and southern — and possession was decided by lot. Each obtained rich properties, one the celebrated " Princess Royal," the other the " Burra Burra " mine. Miners were obtained principally from Cornwall, and within a short time a large . - .,, -, __^ and flourishing population j:3EMfeiL.;..,-».4-».w=--^- ~ -_:,. congregated on the Burra Burra copperfield. During the first six years nearly 80,000 tons of copper ore were obtained, giving a clear profit of ^438,552. The export of minerals in 1846 was valued at ^143,231. Thousands of people came to South Australia from the other colonies and from Eng- land, either at their own expense or under the immigration regulations, and the population rose from 17,366 in 1844 to 22,390 in 1846, while of the latter number only 7,413 resided in Adelaide. During the next three or four years the increase was abnormal, until in 1850 there were 63,700 persons in the Province. By the end of 1847 upwards of 30 mines had been ojx:ned in South Australia. Copper was thus discovered at an important juncture, and helped greatly towards establishing permanent prosperity. The mines gave employment to a large number of people, enabled tradesmen in Adelaide to thrive, and by improving the local market procured a ready sale for farmers' produce, such as corn, hay, and butter. In addition to their other operations, the last-named were enabled to make considerable sums with their teams. Carting from Adelaide through Gawler to Kapunda and the Burra was exceedingly profitable — and the mines stimulated the growth of each of these Burra Burka Mine, 1877