Page:The founding of South Australia.djvu/47

 Repulsed and disappointed, Mr. Gouger did not despair. He was confident in the ultimate success of his labours, in some form or other, and in the meantime help came to his cause from unexpected quarters.

In 1831 full particulars reached England of the splendid services rendered to the world by the discoveries made in South Australia by Captain Sturt, the famous explorer, who wrote: "A spot has at length been found upon the South Coast of New Holland to which the colonist might venture with every prospect of success, and in whose valleys the exile might hope to build for himself and for his family a peaceful and prosperous home. All who have even landed upon the eastern shore of St. Vincent's Gulf agree as to the richness of its soil and the abundance of its pastures. Indeed, if we cast our eyes upon the chart and examine the natural features of the country behind Cape Jervis, we shall no longer wonder at its differing in soil and fertility from the low and sandy tracts that generally prevail along the shores of Australia."

Attracted by these favourable reports, once more a party of intending colonists applied to Mr. Gouger for his aid, and he at once obtained from Colonel Torrens an introduction to Lord Goderich, Secretary of State for the Colonies, to whom Mr Gouger, Major Bacon, and Mr. Graham submitted a scheme for founding a colony in South Australia. This scheme met with the qualified approval of Lord Howick, the Under-Secretary, but Lord Goderich threw cold water