Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/138

 ,,2 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY The Legislators One important result of the eastern goldfields was the market which they opened up for South Australian produce and the natural effect of abundant gold in raising the prices of commodities. This result was immediately demonstrated in the country, where hundreds of new farms were established. The land north of Clare along the plains stretching to Crystal Hrook was gradually settled then and afterwards, and farmers were scattered over the middle north in great numbers. Nor did this increase oi agriculturists injuriously affect pastoralisls. whose flocks grew in size and value, and there was an annual advance in the wool export. Vessels laden with wheat and flour were constantly leaving for Victoria; and while in 1851 the export of breadstuffs was valued at £73,359, in 1856 the amount had risen to ^556,371. Wool showed a corresponding increase; in 1851, ^146,036 ; and in 1856, ^412,163. In the latter year the stock in the Province represented 1,962,460 sheep, 272.746 cattle, and 22,260 horses. The copper mines also contributed largely to the export. In 1846 the export of minerals amounted to ;^i46,23i; in 185 1, ^1,398,867 in 1856 — a magnificent increase, which, better than anything else, demonstrates the additional importance attained by the Province. With the revival and growth of vitality in trade and industry. Governor Young was encouraged to pursue his plans with regard to public works, and the legislators, helped by the people, were enabled to devote more attention to the cry for responsible government. Sir Henry Young was greatly impressed with the possibilities of the River Murray for settlement and navigation, and energetically sought to overcome the natural difficulties that existed. A committee was appointed in 1849 to enquire into the practicability of establishing communication between the Murray and Encounter Bay, also of establishing places of shipment in St. Vincent and Spencer Gulfs. The Governor obtained reports in 1850 from Captain Lipson, R.N., and Mr. R. T. Hill, C.E., concerning the advisability of building a railway from Goolwa, on the Murray, to Port Elliot. The Legislative Council, on the motion of Captain Hagot, determined to offer a bonus of ^2,000 each for the first and second steamers that should navigate the Murray from Goolwa to the junction of the Darling, it being desired to draw to the Province the products of the Riverina ; and in the following year Sir Henry Young proceeded up the river in a whaleboat, to decide by personal observation whether it was navigable. The bonus caused two gentlemen to construct steamers, and in 1853 Mr. W. R. Randell, a young .setder, launched a small craft, built by himself, and proceeded beyond the Darling junction. Shortly afterwards Mr. Francis Cadell launched a larger steamer, and, with a Government House party, ascended the river to the .same point. As the latter boat more nearly came within the requirements of the Legislative Council resolution, Mr. Cadell obtained the bonus, but Mr. Randell was presented by the Government with ^300, and by the public with a purse of sovereigns. As an outcome of the reports of Captain Lipson and Mr. Hill, Sir Henry Young spent upwards of ^20,000 in a breakwater at Port Elliot, and in a tramline running from there to Goolwa ; but the place was ill chosen, and the money was practically
 * ^3 10.916 ; and in 1856, ^408,042. The total export rose from ^540,962 in 1851, to