Page:Handbook of Western Australia.djvu/80

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66
Western Australia.

veyor, and Mrs. Roe; C. Sutherland, Assistant Surveyor, and Mrs. Sutherland; H. Morgan, Storekeeper, and Mrs. Morgan; W. Shilton, Clerk to the Secretary; J. Drummond, Agriculturist; also the widow and five children of Assistant Surgeon Tully Daley, 63rd Regt., who had died on the passage out. In July the Sulphur arrived with a detachment of a Light Company of that Regiment, and shortly after the Rev. J. B. Wittenoom, the first Colonial Chaplain, landed.

The first emigrant ship, the Calista, arrived on the 5th of August, bringing about 100 passengers of all classes, men, women, and children, among whom the names of Leake, Samson, and Scott have prominence; and from that time many vessels followed in rapid succession, bringing immigrants of all classes and occupations, stock and goods, so that in January, 1830, the Governor was able to report a population numbering 850 persons; property of the assessed value of £41,550; 39 locations effected; 204 head of cattle; 57 horses; 1096 sheep; 106 pigs, &c. The year 1830 witnessed a still larger immigration.

Captain Stirling acted at first as Lieut.-Governor under instructions, but with almost unlimited authority. On his return to England in 1831, however, a commission under the Great Seal was issued, appointing him Governor and Commander-in-Chief of H. M. Settlements on the West Coast of Australia or New Holland, and, by letters patent, Vice-Admiral; the limits of his authority being from Cape Londonderry, Lat. 13 deg. 44 min., to West Cape Howe, Lat. 35 deg. 8 min. South, and from the Hartog's Island, Long. 112 deg. 52 min. to 129 deg. East from Greenough, thus including the small settlement of military and convicts which had been established at King George's Sound by