Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/74

 48 ADKLAIDE AND VICINITY The Builders sufficient to record that only seven and three-quarter acres of land were tilled, and these in the city. The return was fair, and encouraged intending agriculturists as to the possibilities of the soil. A general and generous consideration of the circumstances at this distance of time will show that Colonel Light, instead of being the cause of this lamentable state of affairs, was largely at times made the scapegoat, and that the Colonising Commissioners, the Governor, and the people were at least equally blameworthy. The Commissioners should have had the preliminary surveys completed before allowing any emigrants to leave England ; the Governor, instead of giving assistance to Colonel Light, says Mr. Hodder, apjiears to have subjected him to much " harassing interference and interruption " ; and the people, by their presence and by their wants, unconsciously hampered him in the pursuit of his work. I'Vom the second day after his arrival Captain Hindmarsh had opposed the Surx'eyor-General, and placed unnecessary obstacles in his way ; and upon one so sensitive and so jealous the effects were most unfortunate. Already in ill health when he arrived in the Province, Colonel Light did not improve when trouble and anxiety fell upon him, and it was not until May, 1838, that any extent of rural land was allotted. An ajjpeal was made to Resident Commissioner Fisher to expedite the surveys. Colonel Light drew up a list of his requirements, and it was determined to report on the matter to the Commissioners in London, and to send Mr. Kingston home to procure additional assistance and implements. That gentleman sailed in October, 1837, taking with him .samples of oil obtained by the South Australian Company on fisheries which its manager had established. CoLONRL Light After the Deputy Surveyor-General had explained his mission, the Colonising Commissioners decided that the surveys should be carried out in a particular way, and wrote .Mr. I^'isher instructing him to request Colonel Light to proceed on this new system. If the latter objected, he was to be superseded by Mr. Kingston, and to occupy himself with an examination of the country about Lake Alexandrina, until Mr. Kingston's survey was concluded. When he received these new instructions Colonel Light was greatly affected, and he indignantly resigned his office. All the surveyors, except three, who had recently been appointed in England, followed his example. It was at first believed that Mr. Kingston was to blame for the indignity put upon Colonel Light, but a Parliamentary Enquiry Committee in England reported that " Mr. Kingston had not attempted to undermine his superior officer, but on the contrary, had acted loyally to him throughout "—Stow. The Commissioners said that "he had acted towards his .superior with scrupulous honor." Colonel Light, when separated from the survey staff, obtained the warm