Page:The Perth Gazette and Western Australian Journal 1(2).djvu/2

6 other means. Fremantle to appearance is certainly a bed of sand, but in most parts of the township, upon the several allotments is found a vein of sandstone, about two feet from the surface, in sufficient plenty to build a cottage on each, and to wall round the same; and I was much astonished, as doubtless all those who have visited that settlement, have been (whilst others would consider it incredible) that the same bed of sand will produce vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, turnips, onions, potatoes, and peas—than which nothing can be finer The radishes are superior to any I have ever seen, cucumbers melons and pumpkins are grown to the greatest perfection, and I am of opinion, that the orange, lemon, and vine would flourish, and be productive at Fremantle and Perth. There is scarcely an allotment in Fremantle fenced in and inhabited), that has not a well of excellent fresh water from five to ten feet deep.

Returning from Swan river to Hobart town, I visited Port Augusta and King George's Sound. The land at Augusta is generally very good and capable of growing almost any thing, the wheat, oats, and potatoes, when I left on the 22d of July, looked well and healthy. The farms of Capt. Molloy, government resident, Mr. Turner, Messrs. Koller, &c. have been much improved; the land here is very heavily timbered, chiefly with a species of Mahogany, (specimens of which may be seen at Mr. Stacker's Hobart town) and red gum. There is a fine bay, commonly full of whales in the season, but a bad bar harbour

King George's Sound is a beautiful and safe harbour from all winds, there is very little land in cultivation, I saw only a few acres of wheat about 3 miles from the township, formerly the government farm, but now in the possession of Mr. Morley of the Commissariat, the wheat looked very promising the land is very good. In the township there are many fine gardens and plenty of vegetables; the natives are very friendly, I was with them daily during my stay, and took one of them with me on board the cutter, they presented me with spears waddies, &c in return for which I gave them biscuit, at this settlement there are not more than 50 persons, including the military. Doctor Collie, the government resident, Mr. Morley, Commissariat, and a Mr. Chyne. a gentleman establishing himself there as a merchant, from all of whom I received the kindest attention.

WM. THOS. STOCKER. Hobart Town, Aug. 30, 1832.

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN

In the hurry of going to Press last week we overlooked many inaccuracies, which has annoyed us, as much as it has amused some of our Readers. We are glad to contribute in any way to so desirable an end, and we trust considering the difficulties we have to contend with we shall not be judged too severely.

The Promise of an abundant Harvest which has been generally anticipated, is, now fully realized; and the Farmers are all actively and profitably employed. The season has proved highly favourable and we have no small gratification in pronouncing, the produce of this years growth equal to 5 months consumption. We state this in order that the reports which will no doubt obtain credence, owing to the success of the Agriculturists, may not be exaggerated; in two or three years we shall be independent (for this article) of any foreign supplies, but it is idle to imagine that we can depend upon our internal resoursesresources [sic] at an earlier period. The Farmers are in the highest spirits, and every person we have seen who has visited the different Farms on the Swan and Canning, speaks in raptures of the progress which has been made, and the splendour of the scenery. We shall take an early opportunity of participating in the treat, which all concur, is in store for us.

"I wish every man knew as much law as would enable him to keep himself out of it" Lord Bacon.

It will be a satisfaction to the friends of Mr. Marrs that his legal knowledge during his stay here, has been so much advanced, as it may enable him to keep himself out of Law Courts in future. Whatever Mr. Marrs opinion of our hospitality may be, we certainly Have a very poor opinion of his courtesy, to say the least of it, to charge respectable Gentlemen in Public Court, with being capable of swearing any thing. We must say any want of attention or civility, this person has met with here, he has solely to attribute to his own indiscretion; We have no hesitation in asserting that Mr. Marrs has been mixed up in more private and public broils within the last 3 weeks, than any one Settler for the last 3 years; how can he expect therefore to be looked upon as any other than an enemy to all peace, and social comfort. Mr. Marrs threatens "to stigmatize us on his arrival in Sydney: it is alarming to think what we shall suffer from the stigmas of this !!! Pugnacious as Mr. Marrs may be, neither his clenched fists, nor commanding Crib like attitudes, shall deter us from giving insertion to public occurrences. We never have entered into private broils, nor is it our wish to do so, and we should not have taken so much notice of an obscure individual had he not endeavoured, to bully and threatened us into a compliance with his own wishes.

We are informed the body of the man which was found on the North East side of a Lagoon near Perth, was so far decomposed that there was some difficulty in determining the occasion of his death, it was however the opinion of the Magistrates who visited the spot, as well as that of the Colonial Surgeon Doctor Collie, that he had not met his death from any spear-wounds. We shall endeavour to obtain more minute particulars in time for our next.

We are authorized, by one of the Officer's of the 63rd to state, that the relationship of Mrs. Weavell to Colonel Logan is not such, as might be generally inferred from the wording of the Paragraph in our last, under the head of "Marriages."

On Monday morning last at 5 o'clock a meeting took place between two gentlemen, Inhabitants of Fremantle, a short distance from Perth.

The origin of the misunderstanding was a circumstance of trifling importance, and we are glad to hear has not been productive of any fatal results. Mr. L. we are informed retracted his challenge on the ground, and the affair of honour was settled. We believe great credit is due to the seconds who we are informed used every exertion to bring about a reconciliation on such a footing as would not compromise the honour of either party.

We take this occasion to remark "affairs of honour" as they are termed, have been of frequent occurrence, in this Colony, and in one recent and melancholy instance has proved fatal. We should hope the proper Officers will exercise due diligence to prevent the recurrence of such practices, and we do trust that the false delicacy, or sense of honour, which prevents parties acquainted with contemplated meetings from making a disclosure in the proper quarter will soon be exploded. It must surely be more honourable and gratifying to the feelings of a man, to be the means of saving the life of a fellow being, than tacitly to wink at his destruction.

If we hear, of any repetition of these affrays it shall be our study from henceforth, to hold them up to the contempt they merit, by giving full publicity to the circumstances which in most instances will be found absurd and frivolous.

Monday January 7th, 1833,—Before the Rev. J. B. Wittenoon, and George Leake Esq.

William Lewington was brought up under the charge of having fired a loaded pistol at Robert Maydwell with an intent to do him some bodily harm. It appeared that the Prisoner had lately married Prosecutors daughter, and that in consequence, there were continual quarrels between them. On Saturday evening last about ten o'clock the Prisoner came into Mr. Cooper's public house where the Prosecutor was; who seeing the Prisoner immediately retired to avoid any occasion of quarrelling with him, and went to Mr. Herds: the Prisoner followed him there; the Prosecutor then came back to Mr. Cooper's, and while he was standing at the Bar, Prisoner came up and called for some Liquor and asked the Prosecutor to drink saying come lets shake hands and let all animosities between us drop. They did so. Soon after the Prisoner left the house and went to Mr. Habgood's, who was in bed, and earnestly entreated the loan of a pistol for the purpose of going in pursuit of Booker, who had that day escaped from prison. Habgood gave him one, telling him at the same time that it was loaded. He returned immediately to Mr. Coopers and seeing the Prosecutor he exclaimed; you d—d scoundrel, you have broke my peace of mind, if you are a man come out; to which the Prosecutor replied. You foolish fellow go away about your business, the Prisoner then raised the pistol and took a deliberate aim at the Prosecutor, and said. If you don't come out like a man, here goes, he immediately fired the pistol, the contents of which lodged in the wall a few inches from the Prosecutors head. He ran away directly, but was soon recovered, and conveyed to the Jail. In his defence he said that the Prosecutor had for a long time treated him in the most cruel and unkind manner, and that he only did it to frighten him; as he could easily have shot him dead, if he had had any such intention.

He was fully committed for trial, at the next Sessions.

The two prisoners and, who made their escape from Fremantle Jail during the past week were soon apprehended.—Booker was overtaken near Bull s Creek, by Pearce and Woods; he ran for about ½ a mile to avoid them, and when they came up with him, he denied being the man who had escaped from Jail, they however knowing him, secured him, and walked him back. Hinks was taken in Fremantle opposite Steels Hotel by Vincent the Jailor, about 6 o clock, on the same morning he escaped. He was in Liquor, and made a desperate resistance. Hinks declares from the time he commenced scratching his way trough the wall; which he effected with a large spike nail, he was not more than ¾ of an hour before he was at liberty. From the softness of the Stone—the Jail is built of Free Stone,—the Prisoners were enabled to complete their task without the slightest noise being heard by the Jailor.

The number of dogs in the town of Perth and Fremantle are becoming a most alarming nuisance; many instances have come to our knowledge, in which serious injuries have been sustained; it was but a few days ago, we saw a poor man in the street, with his leg dreadfully mangled. We would earnestly recommend some steps being taken to put a stop to this growing evil. There are many dogs which we could point out, as highly dangerous to allow to be at large.