Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/56

 .?o ADELAIDE AND VICINITY The Founders surveyors: and Dr. Woodforde. Next to come was the Cygnet, bringing Mr. G. S. Kingston, afterwards Sir Ci. S. King.ston ; Mr. B. T. Finnis.s, assistant-surveyor; Captain Lipson. R.N.. harbor-master: Mr. Edward Wright, surgeon; Mr. John Morphett, aflerwiirds Sir John .Morphett; and Mr. Powys. Colonel Light, to all intents and jjurposes, was the designer and founder of the City of Adelaide, and it is fitting that his memory should be cherished while one of its buildings stands. In his work he met with such opposition and discouragement that his days were few in number. The Colonising Commissioners had given him specific instructions. They recjuired that he must first land on Kangaroo Island, and there lay out two or three gardens in order to prove the soil. Next, he must examine those parts of the South Australian coast that were central, and that seemed to possess the advantages of a good harbor. Port Lincoln and Lake Alexandrina, in particular, must be visited, and the coiLst scrutinised from Elncounter Bay to the head of Ciulf St. Vincent, and the inlet and harlx)r in the Gulf so attractivel- portraed by Captain John Jones was to be carefully inspected. Upon the he was instructed to determine the soil was best, and especially position for the capital of the was said, should possess such acces.sible harbor, adjacent fertile central position for external and supply of building material — lime and facilities for drainage. himself with the circumstances sites for new towns in the United Australian colonies. When going was to e.xercise the utmost caution in his dealings with the? natives so as to prevent collision. Wild animals were to be considered the peculiar property of the aborigines, and when any were needed for food they were to be purchased. Sporting in country inhabited by natives was prohibited. Then, " when you have determined the site of the first town, you . . . will make the streets of ample width, and arrange them with reference to the convenience of the inhabitants, and the beauty and salubrity of the town ; and you will make the necessary reserves for squares, public walks, and quays." This was the outline of his important duties which the .Surveyor-General had to follow- now that he had arrived within the boundaries of the Province. Colonel Light was an officer suited in many respects to the onerous task entrusted to him. Jealous in honor, and determined in character, he was a clever linguist and a gallant and brave officer. He was lx)rn in 1784. at Malacca, his father being the captain of a freetrader to India, and his mother the daughter of King Queda, the sovereign of the Malacca Territory. The mother was given as a dowry the island of Penang, or Prince of Wales Island, and young Colonel Light as a Youth completion of these explorations, suitable sites for settlements where to choose a central and convenient Province. This latter site, it advantages as a commodious and land, abundance of fresh water, a internal communication, an ample timber, stone, brick, earth, and He was desired to acquaint which determined the choice of States, in Canada, and in other to and fro on his mission he