Page:History of West Australia.djvu/154

 118 at 5 per cent. In January, 1843, a dividend of 19 per cent. was declared by this institution.

An active public works policy was followed throughout these years. The Survey Department performed an immense amount of work, and the engineers attached to it were kept exceedingly busy. Extensive land surveys were made in the Murray, Wellington, Vasse, Plantagenet, Avon, and Kojonup districts, and numerous tracks were cut connecting the most thickly inhabited places. In 1839 Surveyor-General Roe drew up the specifications of a mole harbour at Fremantle; which was estimated to cost, at the ruling rates of labour and materials, £57,767. In a foot-note he mentions that the work could be done for half the money by 1,000 picked convicts from London. It was projected to afford mooring space for twelve ships. Needless to say the work was not carried out. At the same time Mr. Roe drew the plans for a stone jetty at Anglesea Point; a quay round Bathers' Bay, and a ship dock near Point Marquis, at Fremantle, at a cost of £14,267.

Among the various public works was the erection of a jetty at Perth. A Town Trust had been constituted, and under its supervision the Work was done by tender for £764 15s. For years the public advocated the construction of the jetty, and when on 7th November, 1842, it was opened to traffic, there were general rejoicings. Other small jetties were erected at Perth by private persons at about this time. On 2nd November, 1840, the first pile was driven of a bridge across the flats above Perth. This was the beginning of the causeway which has since been such a notable feature of the Swan River in the Perth environs. A ferry ran regularly from Perth to the opposite side of the river in 1841; the tolls charged were :—For each person from sunrise to sunset 1s., from sunset to sunrise 2s.; soldiers on duty, 6d.; swimming horses across, 2s.; and for every bag of flour, 1s. In March, 1841, a stock road supplied with ample water was opened between Augusta and Vasse, thus avoiding a boisterous voyage round the Leeuwin.

Whaling in Cockburn Sound was intermittently followed in 1839. But the Fremantle Whaling Company worked at a loss, and was eventually made over to Messrs. Samson Bros., merchants, to whom a large sum of money was owing for supplies. For some subsequent years whaling was substantially abandoned in Fremantle, although considerable profit was secured by means of a barter trade carried on with French and American whale ships. Cockburn Sound often presented a lively sight when a fleet of from ten to twenty of these vessels lay in its waters. Right down the coast American ships gained large profits from whaling, and the settlers were benefited by the opportunity afforded for selling their products. At King George's Sound whaling boats were still sent out by West Australians.

During this period there was again a scarcity of general provisions, and at times prices rose to abnormal heights. It was a repetition of previous experiences, and due to non-arrival of ships. The abundant harvests of wheat prevented any great dearth of flour.

A more regular mail service between settlements was inaugurated on 6th April, 1842. Mails were conveyed daily between Perth and Fremantle, bi-weekly between Perth and Guildford, and weekly to York, Toodyay, Canning, and Pinjarra. A weekly mail was run from Pinjarra to Bunbury, and a monthly from Guildford 0verland to Albany. Rowland Hill's system of uniform rates of postage was adopted by the Government at the same time.

There were several serious accidents at sea in 1839 and following years, which gave rise to unfavourable comment in other English settlements. While attempting to put to sea on 14th September, 1839, the barque Elizabeth struck a reef about three miles from Fremantle. No lives were lost, although most of the cargo was seriously damaged. A few nights later, on 21st September, a tremendous gale raged off the coast at Fremantle. Much damage was done to shipping, and several vessels dragged their anchors and went ashore. The greatest sufferer was the barque Lancier, which lost specie to the reported value of £7,000, and had much cargo destroyed. The Lancier struck on the Stragglers, and drifted to a spot between there and the Mew Stone. In 1841 heavy gales were experienced off the coast, during one of which the James Matthews was driven ashore at Woodman's Point.

In 1842 there were several wrecks. The schooner Amelia from Java was wrecked on the Stragglers on 15th January through a mistake of the pilot. He mistook a native fire for the light at Arthur Head. All the people were got off in safety, but after a careful survey the vessel was condemned. On 9th May the schooner Transit was wrecked on Duck Rock, in the Gage Roads, off Rottnest.

The next wreck was more serious. While the schooner Devonshire was proceeding with the mails from Fremantle to Bunbury, in June, she was wrecked in some way not related. The captain and crew—five men—were drowned, as also was the only passenger. This was the respected pioneer, Mr. W. K. Shenton, who had proved a valuable colonist since the first year of settlement.

The Ocean Queen was wrecked on the Abrolhos Islands in October. The captain and crew got off in safety, and were picked up by a passing vessel.

Among the general items of information was the holding of a cricket match at Perth on 1st April, 1839, between teams representative of town and country. In the same year society found a new means of amusing itself, and private theatricals were organised on numerous occasions. Excitement was caused in April, 1842, by the hearing of the first breach of promise case in the colony, before the Civil Court. The dissatisfied lady assessed her damages at £3,000, and was awarded £75.

There was activity in religious circles in 1840 and following years. The settlers desired that they should have religious instruction on an adequate scale. In May, 1840, petitions were presented to Governor Hurt from Perth, Fremantle, and Middle and Upper Swan residents, asking for assistance in erecting churches, and on 16th June His Excellency introduced into the Legislative Council a Bill to promote the building of churches and chapels, and the maintenance of ministers. Clergymen of the Church of England were stationed in different parts of the colony.

The foundation-stone of a new church, which was estimated to cost £4,000, was laid in Perth on 1st January, 1841, by Governor Hurt. There were five clergymen in the colony in 1842, namely, the Rev. J. B. Wittenoom, the colonial chaplain at Perth; the Rev. W. Mitchell at Middle Swan, the Rev. W. Mears at York, the Rev. J. King at Fremantle, and the Rev. J. R. Wollaston at Bunbury. These were under the spiritual jurisdiction of the Bishop of Australia, in