Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reviews.
length reached Albany iu King George a Sound , " whore they had been expected , bnt long given up for lost . " A quotation from Mr . Eyre ' s own journal describing his feelings at the supreme moment of success is worth reproducing . " For a moment as I stood gazing at
the town below me , that goal I had so long looked forward to , had so laboriously toiled to attain , was at last before me , a thonsand confused images and reflections crowded through my mind , and the events of the past year were recalled in rapid succession . The contrast between the circumstances under which I had commenced and
terminated my labours stood in strong relief before me . The gay and gallant cavalcade that accompanied me on my way at starting , the small but enterprising band that I then commanded , the goodly array of horses and drays , with all their well-ordered appointments and equipments , were conjured np in all their circumstances of pride and pleasure ; and I could not restrain a tear as I called to mind the
embarrassing difficulties and sad disasters that had broken up my party , and left myself and Wylie the two sole wanderers remaining at the close of an undertaking entered upon under such hopeful auspices . " Bnt tho result of this exploration was worthless from a pastoral point of view , though the dogged courage which impelled Eyre to persevere in the face of such difficulties must always be
remembered . Thirty years later the same country was traversed , but from the opposite direction , by Mr . John Forrest , who with a small party crossed it without much inconvenience , and in doing so , repeatedly encamped on Eyre's old camping ground , which seemed to have remained exactly as the latter had left it . The next exploration of any moment was undertaken in 1844 by
Captain Sturt , whose object waa to find out what the central part of the Australian continent was like , tho idea being that it contained an inland sea . Captain Sturt was accompanied by Mr . J . H . Browne , now a wealthy squatter , Mr . J . McDouall Stuart as draughtsman , and some others . The party endured the severest trials . A Mr . Poole succumbed to privation and disease , and was buried in the
distant bush , but it was only when Captain Sturt had lost the use of his limbs that the party reluctantl y turned back , and reached Adelaide after an absence of eighteen months . Several expeditions were undertaken between 1857 and 1859 with small result , but in tho year latter , Mr . Stuart , the companion of Captain Sturt , commenced that series of journeys which at length terminated so successfully .
In the first instance , as Mr . Harcus records , Stuart went out as the agent of two gentlemen interested in pastoral pursuits . On the strength of tho information thus obtained , the government resolved on fitting out an expedition , and gave the command of it to Stuart . This proved a failure , and so also did a second expedition . A third time , however , did Stuart place his services at the disposal of
the authorities , and for the third time they wero accepted . The party was numerous and well fitted out . Pushing on from the torminus of Stuart ' s former journey , they at length , on 10 th July 1862 , struck the Adelaide River , and knew that the hour of their triumph was at hand . The following extract from Stuart ' s journal is requoted : " July 24 . Started twenty minutes to eight , course north . I have taken this course in order to make the sea coast as soon as
possible , which I suppose to be distant about eight and a half miles ; by this I hope to avoid the marsh . I shall travel along the beach to the north of the Adelaide . I did not inform any of the party except Thring and Auld that I was so near the sea , as I wished to give them a surprise on reaching it . . . . At eight and a half miles came up in a broad valley of black alluvial soil , covered with long grass ;
from this I can hear the wash of the sea . . . . Stopped the horses to clear the way whilst I advanced a few yards on to the beach , and was delighted and gratified to behold the water of the Indian Ocean in Van Diemen ' s Gulf before the party with the horses knew anything of its proximity . Thring , who rode in advance of me , called out , 1 The Sea ! ' which so took them all by surprise that he had to repeat
tho call before they understood what was meant ; hearing which they immediately gave three long and hearty cheers . . . . Thus have I , through the instrumentality of Divine Providence , beeu led to accomplish the groat object of the expedition , and to take the whole party through as witnesses to the fact , and through one of the finest countries man would wish to pass—good to the coast , and with a
stream of running water close to tbe sea . The importance of this journey cannot be over-estimated . The Whole continent had been traversed from South to North . It showed that it was practicable not only to cross it , but also to find water at ; easy distances ; and it led to the erection of the trans-Australian Telegraph line , by which all our Australian Colonies are brought
into daily communication with the rest of the world . Mr . Stuart was liberally rewarded by the Colony , and on returning to England to end his days , he received the gold medal of the Royal Geographical Society . But the hardships ho had endured had told npon his constitution , and he did not long survive to enjoy the honours and rewards of his labour . The next important
expedition was entrusted to Colonel Warburton , its object being to search for cattle country west of the telegraph line . When twelve months had passed without any news of the expedition , one of the party turned np in one of the northernmost stations in Western Australia , and reported that the Colonel and his party was encamped many miles away , with a short supply of camel ' s flesh . Assistance
was at once sent , and jnst in time to save their lives . Tho Government of Western Australia showed the greatest kindness to the party , supplying them with all that was needed , and then sending them on to Adelaide , where the Colonel was received with enthusiasm , and on -visiting England was likewise rewarded with the gold medal of the Royal Geographical Society , and was made a C . M . G . The last exnedition , of which a brief account is given , is that of Mr . John
Forrest , a West Australian , who was commissioned by the Government of that colony to find a way to South Australia by the centre of the Continent ; or , in fact , near the line which Colonel Warburton had contemplated . Mr . Forrest was accompanied by his brother , two assistants , and two blacks , and after passing successfully through many difficulties and dangers , managed to strike the right line , and followed it to one of the telegraph stations , where they were heartily
Reviews.
welcomed by the master . Tho news was at once telegraphed to Adelaide , and it was resolved that the party should have a public reception , in order to show West Australians how thoroughly appreciated was the kindness they had shown to tho party of Colonel Warburton . Mr . Harcus next directs his attention to the subject of " Colonial
Industries , " and , in treating of these , lays great stress on the im . portance of having cheap and certain lines of communication established in the colony , so that tho produce may bo easily and quickly conveyed to the coast for exportation , or to the various townships for consumption . Among the industries to which the author refers in particular aro the preserving of meat ( now become a most important
trade ) , the manufacture of leather , and that of wine , which was , in the first instance nnsuocessfnl , but which is now better conducted , and likely to prosper . We next come to tho question of " Immigration " and the author sketches briefly tho necessity that now exists for the introduction of more man-power into the colony , the steps which are now being taken by the South Australian Government to
that end , and the inducements which the colony is able to hold out to intending immigrants . Wages , it seems , aro fifty per cent , higher than they are in England , and thousands may find employ , ment without the slightest fear of reducing the price of labour . Mr . Harcus then introduces an explanation of the Provisions of the Immigration Act from his " Handbook to Immigrants , " published a few
years since . This explanation contains all that is needfnl to be known by persons who go out at their own expense ; as to " Land Orders granted to Shippers , Companies , Associations , or Societies , " as to " Assisted Emigration " and " Ineligible Candidates ; " as to cost of passage , " Voyage Outfit , " & c . ; and he concludes by giving details showing the present flourishing condition of the colony . Chapters
XXII . and XXIII . are devoted , tho former to qnestions affecting the different religious communities which have found a home in the country and the position they occupy ; and the latter to the state of education , and the means provided for its liberal maintenance and extension . In Chapter XXIV . Mr . Harcus sums up the position and prospects of the colony , which , in his opinion , and speaking after an
experience of many years standing , he believes has a magnificent future before it ; all that is needed being that it should be more extensively known . So far we have had to deal only with the history of the colony and a description of its resources , capabilities , and necessities . Thia occupies tho lesser half of tho work . There are still considerably
nearer 300 than 200 pages , which are filled , for the most part , with a mass of statistical matter . There is , first of all , a " Supplementary Chapter , " containing all needful information as to " The Northern Territory " belonging to the colony , its mining industry , its climate , indigenous vegetation , conchology , & c , much of what is contained in it being derived from papers written by thoroughly
competent persons aud edited by Mr . Knight . Then there is an " Additional Chapter , " which is , iu fact , Mr . G . A . Giles ' s " Paper on Central Australia . " Then follow two other chapters , on the flora and fauna of the colony , the former by Dr . R . Schomburgh , director of the Botanical Gardens , aud the latter by Mr . F . G . Watcrhouse , curator of the Museum . These are followed by an account , from the pen of
Mr . J . B . Austin , of " the Mines and Minerals o ? tho colony . From this we gather many important particulars . The history of mining operations dates from the year 1843 , when the Kapunda Mine was discovered on Captain Bagot ' s sheep run , about fifty miles from Adelaide . In January of the next year about ten tons of rich ore were sent down , and caused considerable excitement . In 1818 the
first steam-engine was used for pumping the water from the mine . In December 1849 smelting was commenced , and more recently tho production of copper has been successfully carried on . The quantity of ore raised from the opening of the mine to the time when it was made over to an English company averaged 2 , 000 tons annually , the yield from which was about 19 per cent , of fine copper . Tho
Burra Mine , situated about 100 miles from Adelaide , was discovered iu 1845 . During the first six years an average of about 13 , 000 tons per annum was shipped to England . For somo years the yield was small , but under the vigorous management of Captain Saunders , efforts arc being made to clear out some of the old workings and open out new . The total yield for the first twenty-one years of thia
mine being opened was 215 , 132 tons , giving an average of 22 per cent , of fine copper , worth over £ 4 , 000 , 000 . Tho gross profits amounted to £ 882 , 436 , of which £ 776 , 160 was paid to the shareholders iu fifty-rive dividends , or £ 315 on each £ 5 share . On the Wallaroo mines , which , though unproductive at first , have become a wonderfully valuable property , the total quantity of ore raised in the
fifteen years they have been opened is 290 , 609 tons of 21 cwt . each , the average of the first five years being only 8 , 000 tons a year , and of the five years to 1874 , 26 , 000 tons a year . At the smelting works belonging to the proprietors of these mines , both those at Wallaroo Bay , and those on the Hunter-river , New South Wales , 58 , 777 tons of copper , had been made up to 187-1 . This inclnded a
portion of the Wallaroo Mines and ot 197 , 394 tons as purchased from the Mounta and other mines . The total number of miners aud labourers employed in the Wallaroo Mines is 833 , and their weekly wages are at the following rates : —Tributera £ 2 2 s , tutworkmen £ 2 , underground and surface labourers £ 113 s , and boys 4 s Gd to 18 s . As to theMoonta Mines , during the fourteen years they have been open , the total ore raised ( 21 cwt . to the ton ) has been 255 , 089 tons 1 cwt .
Amouut realised on ore sold , £ 2 , 761 , 787 18 s Id ; working expenses , £ 1 , 710 , 906 9 s Gd ; expended on buildings , £ 137 , 608 3 s 9 d ; Dividends paid to shareholders £ 928 , 000 . The number or persons employed is 1525 , including eighteen officers in the mine , ancl three in the Adelaide office . These are not the only mineral resources of tha Colony , for there are silver , lead , iron , bismuth , and gold mines iu various districts , but they will serve to illustrate the value of these
resources . The remaining portion of the volume is occupied with a very elaborate " Statistica Sketch of South Australia , " compiled by Mr . Josiah Boothby J , P ,. Uncler'Seorctaryand Government Statist , ami a
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reviews.
length reached Albany iu King George a Sound , " whore they had been expected , bnt long given up for lost . " A quotation from Mr . Eyre ' s own journal describing his feelings at the supreme moment of success is worth reproducing . " For a moment as I stood gazing at
the town below me , that goal I had so long looked forward to , had so laboriously toiled to attain , was at last before me , a thonsand confused images and reflections crowded through my mind , and the events of the past year were recalled in rapid succession . The contrast between the circumstances under which I had commenced and
terminated my labours stood in strong relief before me . The gay and gallant cavalcade that accompanied me on my way at starting , the small but enterprising band that I then commanded , the goodly array of horses and drays , with all their well-ordered appointments and equipments , were conjured np in all their circumstances of pride and pleasure ; and I could not restrain a tear as I called to mind the
embarrassing difficulties and sad disasters that had broken up my party , and left myself and Wylie the two sole wanderers remaining at the close of an undertaking entered upon under such hopeful auspices . " Bnt tho result of this exploration was worthless from a pastoral point of view , though the dogged courage which impelled Eyre to persevere in the face of such difficulties must always be
remembered . Thirty years later the same country was traversed , but from the opposite direction , by Mr . John Forrest , who with a small party crossed it without much inconvenience , and in doing so , repeatedly encamped on Eyre's old camping ground , which seemed to have remained exactly as the latter had left it . The next exploration of any moment was undertaken in 1844 by
Captain Sturt , whose object waa to find out what the central part of the Australian continent was like , tho idea being that it contained an inland sea . Captain Sturt was accompanied by Mr . J . H . Browne , now a wealthy squatter , Mr . J . McDouall Stuart as draughtsman , and some others . The party endured the severest trials . A Mr . Poole succumbed to privation and disease , and was buried in the
distant bush , but it was only when Captain Sturt had lost the use of his limbs that the party reluctantl y turned back , and reached Adelaide after an absence of eighteen months . Several expeditions were undertaken between 1857 and 1859 with small result , but in tho year latter , Mr . Stuart , the companion of Captain Sturt , commenced that series of journeys which at length terminated so successfully .
In the first instance , as Mr . Harcus records , Stuart went out as the agent of two gentlemen interested in pastoral pursuits . On the strength of tho information thus obtained , the government resolved on fitting out an expedition , and gave the command of it to Stuart . This proved a failure , and so also did a second expedition . A third time , however , did Stuart place his services at the disposal of
the authorities , and for the third time they wero accepted . The party was numerous and well fitted out . Pushing on from the torminus of Stuart ' s former journey , they at length , on 10 th July 1862 , struck the Adelaide River , and knew that the hour of their triumph was at hand . The following extract from Stuart ' s journal is requoted : " July 24 . Started twenty minutes to eight , course north . I have taken this course in order to make the sea coast as soon as
possible , which I suppose to be distant about eight and a half miles ; by this I hope to avoid the marsh . I shall travel along the beach to the north of the Adelaide . I did not inform any of the party except Thring and Auld that I was so near the sea , as I wished to give them a surprise on reaching it . . . . At eight and a half miles came up in a broad valley of black alluvial soil , covered with long grass ;
from this I can hear the wash of the sea . . . . Stopped the horses to clear the way whilst I advanced a few yards on to the beach , and was delighted and gratified to behold the water of the Indian Ocean in Van Diemen ' s Gulf before the party with the horses knew anything of its proximity . Thring , who rode in advance of me , called out , 1 The Sea ! ' which so took them all by surprise that he had to repeat
tho call before they understood what was meant ; hearing which they immediately gave three long and hearty cheers . . . . Thus have I , through the instrumentality of Divine Providence , beeu led to accomplish the groat object of the expedition , and to take the whole party through as witnesses to the fact , and through one of the finest countries man would wish to pass—good to the coast , and with a
stream of running water close to tbe sea . The importance of this journey cannot be over-estimated . The Whole continent had been traversed from South to North . It showed that it was practicable not only to cross it , but also to find water at ; easy distances ; and it led to the erection of the trans-Australian Telegraph line , by which all our Australian Colonies are brought
into daily communication with the rest of the world . Mr . Stuart was liberally rewarded by the Colony , and on returning to England to end his days , he received the gold medal of the Royal Geographical Society . But the hardships ho had endured had told npon his constitution , and he did not long survive to enjoy the honours and rewards of his labour . The next important
expedition was entrusted to Colonel Warburton , its object being to search for cattle country west of the telegraph line . When twelve months had passed without any news of the expedition , one of the party turned np in one of the northernmost stations in Western Australia , and reported that the Colonel and his party was encamped many miles away , with a short supply of camel ' s flesh . Assistance
was at once sent , and jnst in time to save their lives . Tho Government of Western Australia showed the greatest kindness to the party , supplying them with all that was needed , and then sending them on to Adelaide , where the Colonel was received with enthusiasm , and on -visiting England was likewise rewarded with the gold medal of the Royal Geographical Society , and was made a C . M . G . The last exnedition , of which a brief account is given , is that of Mr . John
Forrest , a West Australian , who was commissioned by the Government of that colony to find a way to South Australia by the centre of the Continent ; or , in fact , near the line which Colonel Warburton had contemplated . Mr . Forrest was accompanied by his brother , two assistants , and two blacks , and after passing successfully through many difficulties and dangers , managed to strike the right line , and followed it to one of the telegraph stations , where they were heartily
Reviews.
welcomed by the master . Tho news was at once telegraphed to Adelaide , and it was resolved that the party should have a public reception , in order to show West Australians how thoroughly appreciated was the kindness they had shown to tho party of Colonel Warburton . Mr . Harcus next directs his attention to the subject of " Colonial
Industries , " and , in treating of these , lays great stress on the im . portance of having cheap and certain lines of communication established in the colony , so that tho produce may bo easily and quickly conveyed to the coast for exportation , or to the various townships for consumption . Among the industries to which the author refers in particular aro the preserving of meat ( now become a most important
trade ) , the manufacture of leather , and that of wine , which was , in the first instance nnsuocessfnl , but which is now better conducted , and likely to prosper . We next come to tho question of " Immigration " and the author sketches briefly tho necessity that now exists for the introduction of more man-power into the colony , the steps which are now being taken by the South Australian Government to
that end , and the inducements which the colony is able to hold out to intending immigrants . Wages , it seems , aro fifty per cent , higher than they are in England , and thousands may find employ , ment without the slightest fear of reducing the price of labour . Mr . Harcus then introduces an explanation of the Provisions of the Immigration Act from his " Handbook to Immigrants , " published a few
years since . This explanation contains all that is needfnl to be known by persons who go out at their own expense ; as to " Land Orders granted to Shippers , Companies , Associations , or Societies , " as to " Assisted Emigration " and " Ineligible Candidates ; " as to cost of passage , " Voyage Outfit , " & c . ; and he concludes by giving details showing the present flourishing condition of the colony . Chapters
XXII . and XXIII . are devoted , tho former to qnestions affecting the different religious communities which have found a home in the country and the position they occupy ; and the latter to the state of education , and the means provided for its liberal maintenance and extension . In Chapter XXIV . Mr . Harcus sums up the position and prospects of the colony , which , in his opinion , and speaking after an
experience of many years standing , he believes has a magnificent future before it ; all that is needed being that it should be more extensively known . So far we have had to deal only with the history of the colony and a description of its resources , capabilities , and necessities . Thia occupies tho lesser half of tho work . There are still considerably
nearer 300 than 200 pages , which are filled , for the most part , with a mass of statistical matter . There is , first of all , a " Supplementary Chapter , " containing all needful information as to " The Northern Territory " belonging to the colony , its mining industry , its climate , indigenous vegetation , conchology , & c , much of what is contained in it being derived from papers written by thoroughly
competent persons aud edited by Mr . Knight . Then there is an " Additional Chapter , " which is , iu fact , Mr . G . A . Giles ' s " Paper on Central Australia . " Then follow two other chapters , on the flora and fauna of the colony , the former by Dr . R . Schomburgh , director of the Botanical Gardens , aud the latter by Mr . F . G . Watcrhouse , curator of the Museum . These are followed by an account , from the pen of
Mr . J . B . Austin , of " the Mines and Minerals o ? tho colony . From this we gather many important particulars . The history of mining operations dates from the year 1843 , when the Kapunda Mine was discovered on Captain Bagot ' s sheep run , about fifty miles from Adelaide . In January of the next year about ten tons of rich ore were sent down , and caused considerable excitement . In 1818 the
first steam-engine was used for pumping the water from the mine . In December 1849 smelting was commenced , and more recently tho production of copper has been successfully carried on . The quantity of ore raised from the opening of the mine to the time when it was made over to an English company averaged 2 , 000 tons annually , the yield from which was about 19 per cent , of fine copper . Tho
Burra Mine , situated about 100 miles from Adelaide , was discovered iu 1845 . During the first six years an average of about 13 , 000 tons per annum was shipped to England . For somo years the yield was small , but under the vigorous management of Captain Saunders , efforts arc being made to clear out some of the old workings and open out new . The total yield for the first twenty-one years of thia
mine being opened was 215 , 132 tons , giving an average of 22 per cent , of fine copper , worth over £ 4 , 000 , 000 . Tho gross profits amounted to £ 882 , 436 , of which £ 776 , 160 was paid to the shareholders iu fifty-rive dividends , or £ 315 on each £ 5 share . On the Wallaroo mines , which , though unproductive at first , have become a wonderfully valuable property , the total quantity of ore raised in the
fifteen years they have been opened is 290 , 609 tons of 21 cwt . each , the average of the first five years being only 8 , 000 tons a year , and of the five years to 1874 , 26 , 000 tons a year . At the smelting works belonging to the proprietors of these mines , both those at Wallaroo Bay , and those on the Hunter-river , New South Wales , 58 , 777 tons of copper , had been made up to 187-1 . This inclnded a
portion of the Wallaroo Mines and ot 197 , 394 tons as purchased from the Mounta and other mines . The total number of miners aud labourers employed in the Wallaroo Mines is 833 , and their weekly wages are at the following rates : —Tributera £ 2 2 s , tutworkmen £ 2 , underground and surface labourers £ 113 s , and boys 4 s Gd to 18 s . As to theMoonta Mines , during the fourteen years they have been open , the total ore raised ( 21 cwt . to the ton ) has been 255 , 089 tons 1 cwt .
Amouut realised on ore sold , £ 2 , 761 , 787 18 s Id ; working expenses , £ 1 , 710 , 906 9 s Gd ; expended on buildings , £ 137 , 608 3 s 9 d ; Dividends paid to shareholders £ 928 , 000 . The number or persons employed is 1525 , including eighteen officers in the mine , ancl three in the Adelaide office . These are not the only mineral resources of tha Colony , for there are silver , lead , iron , bismuth , and gold mines iu various districts , but they will serve to illustrate the value of these
resources . The remaining portion of the volume is occupied with a very elaborate " Statistica Sketch of South Australia , " compiled by Mr . Josiah Boothby J , P ,. Uncler'Seorctaryand Government Statist , ami a