Part 26 (1/2)
The publication of the preceding Journal affords an appropriate occasion for inviting attention to the reress of Western Australia within the last few years Mr John Forrest is proud to acknowledge hi to that colony--indeed native-born--and his fellow-colonists have invariably supported and encouraged his explorations Belonging to the public service, he has recognized as his ood country with the view of extending colonization, while within his ideas of duty there has been a steadfast regard for those objects which pro been observed that Western Australia requires to be thoroughly understood in its great capacities for carrying a large population There are vast resources yet to be developed, and what has been accomplished in sheep and cattle stations, in copper and lead , in pearl fisheries, besides other important operations, prove that the country has scarcely been tapped, and will be sure to reward those who have the enterprise and industry to become settlers It is only necessary to substantiate these statements by official docuood service to Western Australia, the following papers are reprinted
GOVERNOR WELD'S REPORT TO THE EARL OF CARNARVON
Government House, Perth,
September 30, 1874
MY LORD,
It has appeared to me that your lordshi+p may think it desirable that, before I leave, I should, so far as the limits of a despatch may enable me to do so, place before you the present state of this colony, review the progress it has made within the last five years, and indicate its future prospects
2 When I was appointed to the Government of Western Australia I are that froress; and on my arrival in Septehtened by failure of the wheat crop, by the prospect of the gradual reduction of convict expenditure and labour on which the settlers had been accustomed to depend, by the refusal of the Horants, and by that vague dread of being thrown on their own resources so natural to men who have been accustomed to take no part in their own affairs, and who have consequently learned to rely entirely upon the Government, and not at all upon themselves One healthy sy perhaps, or even generally founded upon a just appreciation of the past, or political foresight of the future; but still a very wide-spread desire, and to ent desire, for a forive the colonists soement of their own affairs
3 At the earliest possibleover as much as possible of the settled and partially settled districts of the colony; an old colonist bush out were but natural to e for myself of the capabilities of the colony; and before I had been six months in the country I had ridden considerably over two thousandto an accident, with a fractured rib and other injuries I had made acquaintance with settlers of all classes, and was able to form an opinion so accurate, both of the people and of the country I have since had to deal with, and of their capabilities, that I have never altered that opinion, nor have my many subsequent journeys done ained
4 My first political aiovern real power to road boards and municipalities (a policy I afterwards carried into effect with school boards also); and, so soon as I had obtained the sanction of her Majesty's Government, I introduced that modified form of representative institutions provided by 13 and 14 Vic, chap 59, and then passed the Municipal Acts I have mentioned above This policy has fulfilled not only my expectations but my hopes, and should the Council that is about tointo co the responsible system, the preparation afforded by the last five years will adreatest value
5 It fell to me to carry into effect the ecclesiastical policy indicated by Lord Granville in a despatch, Number 80, of July 10, 1869, held over for rants (regard being had to the number in the community of each denomination) should be equal in substance and alike in for to Western Australia ”that principle of religious equality which had long been recognized in the Australian Colonies” Lord Kimberley, in an enclosure to his despatch, Number 78, of December 19, 1870, expressed similar views To this on March 1, 1871, in my despatch, Number 37, I was enabled to reply that I had already carried the policy recorants had been equalized by ”levelling up,” that the vote for the Church of England was ”now handed over to the Bishop of Perth, the Governht to satisfy itself that it is applied to those purposes of religious ministration and instruction for which it is voted, and that all vested interests are maintained intact and claims on the Government respected”
Since then I have supported such anization, and I have lebes, churches, schools, and institutions to the various religious bodies in proportion to their numbers I have reason to know that on all sides satisfaction is felt at the position in which I shall leave ecclesiastical affairs so far as the action of Government may effect them
6 The elementary educational question, on , which came prominently into play, when in the second session of 1871 I caused a Bill, drafted by eneral provisions of which I was subsequently informed were ”entirely approved of” by your lordshi+p's predecessor, to be introduced into the Legislature, and carried it--not, however, quite in its original forh the alterations are unquestionably defects, and may somewhat mar its success, it has hitherto worked very well, and has proved itself not only effective but economical: it has received praise from its former opponents and from the most opposite quarters, and old bitternesses are now (I hope for ever) things of the past
7 I have not failed to give the utmost support in my power--a support unfortunately much needed in a colony like this--to the Chief Justice, and it has been a great gratification toand valuable services of Sir Archibald Paull Burt have been recognized by her Majesty, and that he has received the honour of knighthood--a rank which none of her Majesty's servants will islature that a snity of the Supreme Court; and the question, to which I have already drawn the attention of the Legislature, of the appointes and constitution of a Court of Appeal ought to be taken into consideration at no distant period One new resident istracy has been established in a district where it was very much needed, and two Local Courts have been constituted There is so a sufficiency of fit persons for the co to exert theistrates is in too many cases insufficient to enable them properly to support their position as representatives of the Government in their districts
8 In the Military Department I have enabled successive commandments to make reductions in the enrolled Pensioner Force By withdrawing the guard fro in the reductions at out-stations, a very considerable saving has thus been effected I have given all the encouragement in my power to the Volunteer movement, and I may confidently state that the Volunteer Force was never before in so good a state, either so far as regards numbers or efficiency To this result the efforts of successive coislature have mainly contributed
9 It has been for es of the existence of the Ie and important department; henceforth it will be confined in narrow lireat reductions and concentrations that it has been my duty to effect have not been attended with those disastrous effects to the colony that were so confidently predicted, and also that although the residue of convicts are, -sentence men, discipline is well kept, serious prison offences are rare, the health of the men is excellent, whilst severe punish leave toComptroller-General of Convicts, who has proved himself to be my most valuable officer
10 Much remains to be done in the Survey and Lands Departe of the departreatest economy was needed to make the revenue of the colony meet the expenditure, and consequently it was necessary to reduce and lay upon our oars; Mr Fraser reorganized his depart out work by contract instead of keeping up a large permanent staff, and thereby effected a considerable annual saving; at the sa, as time and means have permitted, towards certain definite objects, na points, bysketch and reconnaissance surveys of new and i by survey ive a connexion to the records in the Survey Office which has been hitherto wanting, and will contribute to enable hie and accurate map of Western Australia, so far as it is settled or partially settled I concur with Mr Fraser in thinking that, so soon as means will admit, a considerably increased annual expenditure should be devoted to surveys
11 The joint survey of the coast will also aid in this work The Ad to my proposal to undertake a joint coast survey, which has been placed under a highlyLieutenant Archdeacon, RN, have conferred a great benefit on this colony, and proation,already been done
12 In close connexion with the Survey and Lands Department is the topic of exploration So soon as possible after my first arrival, I took uponthe shores of the Great Bight, nearly on the line of Mr Eyre's route in 1841 I did this before the introduction of representative governht to say that I knew that I could not have got a vote for it I felt that this was the last act of an expiring autocratic regime, and I believe it was one of the least popular of my acts; but certainly no sreater results--for, as I hoped, Mr Forrest's expedition has bridged the gap that separated West Australia from the other colonies, has led to settleht, and to the connexion of this colony with the rest of the world by electric telegraph I never doubted of the future of West Australia from the day when the news of Mr Forrest's success reached Perth Since then more interest has been taken in exploration A second expedition was sent out to the eastward under Mr Alexander Forrest in 1871, with the support of the Legislature and some of the settlers, and at present under the sa to the northward and eastward His route will be guided by circumstances, but it is not iraph line, and I as of him
13 In 1870, with a vote I obtained froed Mr Henry Y Brown as Governical sketch map and his researches, which he pushed in one instance far into the interior, have been of the greatest value; and it ithto the disinclination evinced in the Legislature in the then straitened circumstances of the colony to expend oit a permanent part of the establishment
14 As Colonel Warburton's journey froraph line to our north-west coast was set on foot and its expenses defrayed by private colonists of South Australia, I only allude to it to acknowledge the obligation that this colony lies under to those public-spirited gentleallant leader and his followers
Parties headed by Mr Gosse, by Mr Giles, and by Mr Ross have all within the last two years penetrated from the eastern colonies to within the boundary of our unexplored territory, but, beyond a certain extension of geographical knowledge, without effecting any material results
15 Under the head of Survey and Lands Departlance at the alterations in the Land and Mineral Regulations, which have offered increased inducements and facilities for cultivation and occupation, and which have considerably proulations have been also prepared and are ready for issue, should occasion, as is likely, render thee the assistance I have received from Mr M Fraser, the Surveyor-General and Commissioner of Crown Lands, who has had much experience in New Zealand, for the services he has rendered in all these matters
16 The reat I have never doubted but that they would ultimately become a main source of its advancement All the different kinds of auriferous quartz known in other colonies are found abundantly in various parts of this--the question of payable gold is, as I have long since reported, simply a question of time After many efforts, I at last, in 1873, obtained a vote for prospecting, and the results are , the fact of the existence of rich auriferous quartz being now established We shall inments of quartz by a Government steam-crusher, and I doubt not but that, if followed up, the results will be old is not the only nor perhaps the most important of the minerals possessed by West Australia The colony is extraordinarily rich in lead, silver, copper, iron, pluo, and many other minerals are found in various localities, and indications of coal and petroleuy and enterprise to develop these riches, and that energy and enterprise is being attracted chiefly from Victoria, first by means of concessions that I was enabled to make, and now by the reports of the new co co company, is in the field
17 When on my arrival I turned around me to see as to be looked for to supply the place of Imperial expenditure, only second to our minerals, our forests attracted my attention They could not fail to do so, because just before I came there was an outcry for the development of this industry by Government aid With Lord Granville's assent I made liberal concessions, and thereby induced a pioneer company, shortly followed by others from Victoria, to embark capital in the enterprise
The public ardour here had, however, cooled, and an ignorant cry was raised against foreigners, and the prospects of the trade were systeainst it, but it is sur theely ean established fact, and the export is enorement must continue to increase indefinitely Whilst on this subject I may allude to the question of the preservation of our forests, but as I a it more fully in a separate despatch I will only say that this and the kindred question of planting ought, at no distant period, to occupy the attention of our Legislature