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To the Editor A short time previous to the departure of His Excellency Governor Stirling for England, I address'd to him, a few communications on the manner of feeding and treating sheep in Spain. I did so, by way of calling the attention of the Settlers generally, to a question which above all others must be most interesting to us. At that time your paper was not available for the discussion of this, or any other question, but as it is now again resumed, I forward the papers for your perusal, and if you please, for insertion. In so doing, I beg to say, that I am well aware of the arduous nature of the task which you have undertaken to perform, and that I consider it my duty, without the least fear of reproach or of being charged with presumption, to join with others, in assisting you to go through it with credit to yourself, and advantage to the Colony. In a new Country, and in so small a community, every man ought to contribute in some way to the public good, and I know not how he can do so more effectually, than by assisting in keeping alive for public discussion all such subjects, tending to the public benefit, as may be ultimately, carried into effect. Let it be remembered, that your paper although, in its infancy, is the medium through which the general tone and character of the people of this colony, may be judged, in the elder colonies of the civilized world, and that therefore, the smallest object of interest to us, expressed in your paper, will be read with increased interest by those, who have a good feeling generally, toward us. I am Sir, To His Excellency Governor Stirling, Interested as every one ought to feel, in the success of the flock masters of this Colony,—we may I hope, with propriety look back to the country from whence the source of so many extensive fortunes have sprung, and, if we can find by the recollection of that country, one useful hint, connected with the management of sheep in Spain, which can be properly applied to sheep in Western Australia, I do not think, our occasionally considering the subject, will be time uselessly, or unprofitably employed. When Bonaparte made his first personal entrance into Spain, one of his first operations connected with the civil policy of the "Grand Nation," was the sending over the frontiers into France, two millions of the best description of sheep he could procure, under the care of proper persons, who were secured by the imperial mandate, the same power whilst so employed, that they had in Spain, in virtue of what are called, the Laws of the Mesta.—I scarcely need observe, that the flocks composing this wholesale exportation, were all Merinos, but the Laws of the Mesta, to which I have alluded, may not be so genenrally understood. At the time Bonaparte made this very neighbourly transfer, the numbers of the various Spanish flocks, was estimated at six millions, belonging generally to noblemen, also to Societies, of Monks. By the |
laws of the Mesta, the management of sheep in Spain, still continues to be conducted with the same care and precission as in 1791, when the first flock of Merinos was smuggled through Portugal, into England.
A great proportion of Leon, Estremadura, and the neighbouring Provinces is appropriated to pasturing sheep, and large green roads, more than fifty yards wide, are kept for their communication, with each province, extensive resting places being provided, for baiting them on the way. So careful and so arbitrary are the laws for their protection, that at the driving season, not even foot passengers are allowed to pass these roads, in case their movements should disturb them. An army of flocks, or as I should rather say, a flock in the aggregate, is called a Cavana, and each flock has its own peculiar name, derived generally from the name of the proprietor, or his place of abode. The Monks of Paolar give their name to the Cavana of Paola, the Monks of Escurial to the pile of that name, and so on; each of these flocks differing from the other in some respect, although all belong to the same race. Each Cavana is divided into tribes of one thousand each, and the shepherd commander or Mayoral, is generally the proprietor of a portion of them. It is his peculiar duty to look to their general management, and he is supposed to be well acquainted with the diseases to which they are, or may be subject. Five shepherds, and four dogs, attend each tribe, and in the lambing time, extra attendants are allowed. At the commencement of the Peninsular War, it was estimated that there were thirty thousand shepherds, and twenty-four thousand dogs, besides between five, and ten thousand extra persons employed at particular seasons, attending the Spanish flocks. These shepherds command the sheep, under the laws of the Mesta, in the fullest sense of the word, and excepting the wool, the proprietor derives no profit from them whatever. In my next communication, I will allude to the Spanish system of driving their flocks, from province, to province, over a great extent of country, in order to procure sufficient pasture for their support, and to improve the fineness of the fleece. This may be useful, because in the inland districts of this Colony, as in Spain, where pasture may be scarce, we may also in time have our traveling flocks, or Trashumantes as the Spaniards call them and if these flocks can be kept to profit, under the superintendance of persevering careful men, then there will be an end of all question, as to the suitability of the land generally, over the Mountains of Western Australia, for sheep pastural purposes. To the Editor of the Perth Gazette, The difficulty of communicating with the settlers on the Canning, except by water, is seriously felt. It is to be regretted therefore that some steps are not taken to establish a Ferry under Mount Eliza. The road to the point, now in progress by Subscription, under the direction of J. Morgan Esquire, is a great step towards the accomplishment of this desirable object, and we have every reason to believe if a small portion of land, was allotted on both sides of the River, for the purposes of the Ferry, many individuals would be found, who would undertake to supply the necessary accommodation for the public. By way of Guildford the distance to Mr. Phillips's Farm which is nearly at the head of the Canning we are told is 18 miles, more than half that distance would be saved by means of a Ferry. As we were coming up the River a few evenings ago, the shoals of Fish, some of a considerable size, which passed us were incredible. At times they appeared to impede the progress of the Boat, and some fairly jumped into it. We understand this is not an unusual occurrence. The publication of the proceedings in Council at Sydney, has created great jealousey in the neighbouring Colony, they proclaim their independence of New South Wales, but honestly avow, they are not above profiting by a good example. The Cape Advertiser we perceive is highly sensitive upon this point, and commends most warmly the liberal measures in this and other (illegible text) adopted by Governor Bourke whose Administration it would seem is deservedly popular. |
SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. Sailed on the 24th Inst The Governor Bourke Captain Akers, For Sydney. Passengers, Mr. Marrs, Supercargo—B. Dyer,—J. Mapleton,—W. Cass Bowles,—Mr. and Mrs. Brown and 3 children,—Hy Hook,—W. C. Hood,—Mr. and Mrs. Dutton and 3 Children. T. Warrall,—C. Lewis,—W. Booker, Prisoners. THE We perceive by the English Journals, that Emigration, encouraged by the advice and guidance of Commissioners appointed by His Majesty, has been forwarded to a considerable extent, to various British possessions; it has however been a matter of surprise to us to find the Swan River or Western Australian Settlements excluded from the consideration bestowed upon other Colonies. The Commissioners state, they are not prepared to undertake the conveyance of Emigrants to the Settlement on the Swan River; as no reason is assigned, we are left to conjecture, that it may arise from the unaccountable ignorance, which is daily displayed of our position and local advantages. Even in the House of Commons, strange as it may appear, the knowledge of this Colony, is singularly defective; and the arguments which are held forth by some Honourable Gentlemen, founded on this defective information are irreconcileable with any other sentiments, than a desire to thwart the measures of those, who it will be proved, have adopted a wise policy in founding this Colony. Colonel Torrens is reported to have said, "that if the proper principle of colonization, had been attended to with respect to Swan River, as it has been, in regard to the American Colonies, the country would not have been put to any expense"!! We know as little of the principles the Colonel alludes to, as he appears to know about us, but if the following official reply, of the Colonial Office to certain queries, are faithfully printed, which we have not the slightest reason to doubt, the Colonel's principles adopted in the American Colonies meet with our full concurrence, and are indeed the only principles upon which an extensive Colony can be formed, or advanced, to any degree of importance. The reply states that—"The Governors of the several North American Colonies have been instructed to find employment on some public works, for persons who may not be able to obtain private engagements. In new Brunswick the construction of the great Road is about to be undertaken by Government, on which Emigrants will be offered employment on very advantageous terms." This we presume cannot be effected without expense; and we may venture to assert the gallant Colonel has given his vote for the sums required for this purpose; it is strange therefore he should grumble at the principle which denies us these advantages and laud that in a another Colony, which applied to us he would condemn. Mr. Hume of captious memory, designates this a paltry Colony to draw £25,000 |
Page:The Perth Gazette and Western Australian Journal 1(4).djvu/2
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THE PERTH GAZETTE, AND WESTERN AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL.
