Lientenant-Governor Irwin and Mr. G. F. Moore. On the 15th February these gentlemen and others proceeded on a tour of inspection to Augusta and King George's Sound. They took with them the natives Maryat and Gallypert, and on the 20th put into King George's Sound. Business matters in connection with the settlement were arranged by the two gentlemen, short excursions were made into the country, and much intercourse was had with the natives. Augusta was visited on the return journey.
About 600 acres were placed under crop in Western Australia in 1838. The return was as promising as could have been desired. The preceding harvest had given what was estimated as six months' consumption, and before this was absorbed several vessels had landed ample provisions both of wheat and salted meat. Governor Arthur, in the middle of the year, sent from Hobart to the colony, 2,000 bushels of wheat per the vessel Jane. This consignment arrived in September, and was returned as not required. The stores at Fremantle and Perth, Governor Arthur was informed, held equal to five months' consumption of wheat, independent of what was in the Government stores, and the approaching harvest was expected to bring in nine months' supplies, if not more. The motive inspiring Governor Arthur was considered a benevolent one, but the local Government believed it would be an injustice to the local farmer did they accept the consignment. Butter decreased in price to 2s. 6d. per lb.; a fore-quarter of mutton was 1s. 6d., a hind-quarter 2s. 6d.; wheat 15s. per bushel, and a 4 lb. loaf of bread 1s. 10d. and 2s.
Several estates were put up for auction early in the year, notably the Cheltenham, comprising 5,300 acres. Of this, fourteen acres were prepared for crops, and twenty acres were cleared of wood. Needless to say this estate was sold at a great loss, as were all the others which were placed on the market about the same time.
The more material progression in 1833 was evidenced in the connecting links which were being established between settlements and the practical educating and contributing influences to production with which the people were surrounding themselves. Roads were being cut between the farms and centres in the Swan River country, and though hardly attractive, they were picturesque, when the isolated settlers' homesteads and their modest evidences of cultivation amid the uncleared appearance of the bush were taken into consideration. The settlers were cutting tracks from their homes into the chief portions of their selections, and also to connect with tracks made by their neighbours. A road had been cut from Fremantle to the Canning, and it was in this year that the first road was made by public subscription to Mount Eliza, upon the banks of the river. Channels were begun over the flats above Perth. It was also deemed advisable by the Government to improve the modest jetty which had been laid down at Fremantle. This jetty, which was situated near the beginning of the present site, was very difficult of access. Boatmen plied from it to the ships, often carried passengers to shore on their backs, and sometimes waded through thirty or forty yards of mud. The Government were considering means by which the structure could be improved. At that time the sea encroached upon large parts of the present location of Fremantle. Buoys and beacons were placed in the Bay, particularly on the Challenger Rock.
Mails were carried between Fremantle and Perth by boats, but in 1833 a runner was engaged, who was expected to carry them from one place to another. Post offices were generally conducted by merchants in their stores. Indignation was freely expressed at the refusal of certain captains of vessels to bring mails to and convey them from the colony. Captain Pratt, of the Eagle, was the worst offender. When, on July 6th, the ship Cape Breton arrived from Cape Town without mails, colonists showed their resentment at the want of consideration evidenced by the shipmasters.
The first printing press was landed in Western Australia late in 1832, and on the 5th January the Perth Gazette and Western Australian Mail saw the light. It was edited and printed by Charles Macfaull, and thenceforth for many years was the all-important medium for the circulation of information. The Government used it as their Gazette, and the matter published was generally well written. A charge of one shilling was made for each number.
There was still considerable discussion as to the establishment of a Bank, and the Gazette was an earnest advocate of it. An excerpt taken from its number of March 23, where it describes the condition of affairs in 1839, and the necessity existing for the formation of such an institution, states that "owing to the absence of a loan bank or some available medium of accommodation, our progress as a community has of late been considerably retarded, and the consequences are now felt by every branch of our commercial as well as agricultural community....... It is a grievous hardship that a person possessed of property, far beyond the amount of any outstanding claims, and with good efficient bills in his box, cannot obtain a discount of £500. The capital of the agriculturalist is locked up, in most instances, in his farm and stock, which are daily increasing in value, but from a want of the assistance we have alluded to, he is precluded from extending his exertions, and compelled to resort to the market with one portion of his rapidly accumulating stock in order to procure the means of supporting the other. This we fear is too generally the case. We therefore strongly press the subject on the attention of our readers, in order that we may not, from supineness or neglect, submit to a difficulty from which we should find it would require greater ingenuity to extricate ourselves than to devise an antidote. The mortgage system, at the colonial rate of 20 to 25 per cent., carries inevitable ruin with it......"
This question was discussed privately, and at the meetings of the Agricultural Society it was determined, if possible, to form an institution which was designed to supply some portion of the benefits of a bank, while not offering relief in the way of money. In September, the rules and regulations of the Swan River Barter Society were drawn up, by which each member agreed to take the notes of any other member in lieu of cash, provided they were presented according to forms which were supplied. The form of note to be used by the agriculturist was:
I promise to pay the bearer on demand on the first Friday in March, June, September, or January, the sum of One Pound Sterling in cash (colonial produce or stock), at 5% below the then market prices.
The form for merchants was:
I promise to pay the bearer on the first Friday in March, June, September, or January, the sum of One Pound Sterling in cash or in stores at 5% below the then market rates.
The person tendering the note for payment to any agriculturalist was to have the right of property of the kinds mentioned which the drawer might have to dispose of, but he was not obliged to take hay, raw, or green crops, excepting potatoes, and on the other hand the agriculturist was not to be compelled to take from the merchant any articles but those in general consumption. Members of this society living upon the Avon would have to deliver their produce at Guildford. At each meeting of the society a committee was to be
