January 1841
1. First Stone of the new Church laid in Perth.
28. Notification by the local government that in future five weeks notice of any intended sale of Town Allotments be given, instead of two months as heretofore; and that allotments in the towns of Perth, Fremantle, Albany, and York, should be sold in the towns in which they are situated.
This change was effected with a view to remedy the inconvenience experienced by the delay which intervened between the date of an application to purchase a town allotment, and the day of sale, especially when the allotment applied for was in a part of the colony distant from Perth.
❈ Government offer to commute location duties in cases where the licenses of occupation were unexpired by payment of ninepence per acre on unimproved land's held under the Colonial Office Circular B; and the sum of one shilling and sixpence the acre on those held under Circular C.
We believe that no single party interested availed himself of this offer, and it was afterwards (March 26) suspended in consequence of a communication from the home government; it was renewed May 11th.
❈ Minimum price of 100 acre allotments on the Preston River advanced from the upset price of 10s. to 15s. per acre; in consequence of price of Crown Lands having been raised from 5s to 12s. per acre.
February 1841
6. The Commissariat Treasury is broken into, and a chest containing money, stolen there from. The chest together with its contents is recovered, and John Wade is tried for the robbery, and acquitted.
❈ About this time the claims of the settlers for land under Circulars A. & B. excited considerable interest in the colony.
9. First report of the York Agricultural Society.
18. A memorial is presented from the proprietors of land in the York district, pointing out the uncertainty that existed in the position of the boundaries to the several grants, and the alarm of the settlers at the proposed re-survey of the base line, which it was supposed was undertaken with a view to alter and interfere with the existing boundaries of farms. The reply of the government states that no such interference is proposed, the object of the re-survey was to ascertain the actual intervals on that base line between the boundary marks, with a view to determine the intervals between boundary lines at the other extremity of each grant, so as that these boundary lines should be parallel; and intimates that if a large majority of owners of grants in the district agree in establishing the existing boundary marks and distances on the base line, the Governor would submit a measure to that effect to the Legislative Council.
A bill was subsequently passed for the accurate establishment of the boundaries, by which the distances originally marked on the base line were preserved and retained.
March 1841
5. Issuing of tenders for Church on the Murray.
10. A requisition is signed by a large number of the settlers, for the use of the Colonial schooner to make a voyage to India, for the purpose of bringing back domestic servants and labourers. The use of the vessel was granted, and the local government at first, undertakes to provide the funds necessary for the importation of such servants, to be repaid on their arrival; afterwards in consequence of some communication from the Indian government, our local government considers it cannot well appear in the matter, and the undertaking is withdrawn, thus causing an abandonment of the whole scheme.
It appears that any number of servants might have been procured without any difficulty. About a dozen have since been brought in from India on account of private orders.
❈ The government publishes an account of an excursion by Captain Scully, Messrs Phillips and Drummond, from the Toodyay to Moore's River, in the course of which a very fine and extensive tract of country is discovered about 30 miles to the northward of Toodyay.
17. News arrived in the colony of the change in the settlement of Australind from Leschenault to Port Grey and of the report of the Land and Emigration Commissioners, recommending their general measures for the relief the colony, amongst others the imposition of land tax of 3d.
25. Townsite of Bunbury declared open to selection — allotments to be offered for public sale at the minimum price of £25.
❈ Notification by the government that certificates of remission would be issued at the rate of 1s. 6d for every acre of land surrendered, and be received at the same rate without regard to the existing minimum price of land.
10. A requisition is signed by a large number of the settlers, for the use of the Colonial schooner to make a voyage to India, for the purpose of bringing back domestic servants and labourers. The use of the vessel was granted, and the local government at first, undertakes to provide the funds necessary for the importation of such servants, to be repaid on their arrival; afterwards in consequence of some communication from the Indian government, our local government considers it cannot well appear in the matter, and the undertaking is withdrawn, thus causing an abandonment of the whole scheme.
It appears that any number of servants might have been procured without any difficulty. About a dozen have since been brought in from India on account of private orders.
❈ The government publishes an account of an excursion by Captain Scully, Messrs Phillips and Drummond, from the Toodyay to Moore's River, in the course of which a very fine and extensive tract of country is discovered about 30 miles to the northward of Toodyay.
17. News arrived in the colony of the change in the settlement of Australind from Leschenault to Port Grey and of the report of the Land and Emigration Commissioners, recommending their general measures for the relief the colony, amongst others the imposition of land tax of 3d.
25. Townsite of Bunbury declared open to selection — allotments to be offered for public sale at the minimum price of £25.
❈ Notification by the government that certificates of remission would be issued at the rate of 1s. 6d for every acre of land surrendered, and be received at the same rate without regard to the existing minimum price of land.
April 1841
2. Declaration of the Agricultural Society against the tax upon land as proposed by the Land and Emigration Commissioners, and appointment of committee to draw up and present to the Governor a memorial praying that no such tax might be imposed.
❈ His Excellency gives notice in Legislative Council of his intention to introduce a bill to impose a tax of one halfpenny per acre on all the assigned or appropriated land in the colony. Petition of inhabitants of Perth against it.
15. Land tax bill introduced, and read a first time; on the motion for the second reading, G. Leake, Esq., moved as an amendment that it be read that day six months; the amendment carried.
24. Meeting of proprietors of Bank of Western Australia to determine on transfer of business to Bank of Australasia; transfer carried by a majority of 6.
❈ During this month a weekly mail was established to and from Guildford and York, and a monthly mail overland to King George's Sound.
❈ His Excellency gives notice in Legislative Council of his intention to introduce a bill to impose a tax of one halfpenny per acre on all the assigned or appropriated land in the colony. Petition of inhabitants of Perth against it.
15. Land tax bill introduced, and read a first time; on the motion for the second reading, G. Leake, Esq., moved as an amendment that it be read that day six months; the amendment carried.
24. Meeting of proprietors of Bank of Western Australia to determine on transfer of business to Bank of Australasia; transfer carried by a majority of 6.
❈ During this month a weekly mail was established to and from Guildford and York, and a monthly mail overland to King George's Sound.
May 1841
3. Bank of Australasia commenced proceedings — rate of discount reduced to 10 per cent.
5. Change in management thereof, in consequence of the death of J. Lewis, Esq.
❈ First prospectus of Western Australian Joint Stock Bank is issued.
This bank (on the business of the old Bank of Western Australia being transferred to the Australasian) was projected by several influential persons, who protested against such transfer being made, and considered it for the interest of the colony to oppose a foreign monopoly. The directors' first report to the proprietors will be found in this day's journal.
7. Meeting at King George's Sound for the purpose of raising subscriptions to build a church at Albany.
Sufficient funds have since been raised, and tenders for the erection have been received at £675.
11. The local government notifies to the holders of land in occupancy whose leases of occupation have expired, that they will be required to prove whether, or how far, the conditions of assignment have been performed; also that credit will be given for any portion of location duties done, and that of the lands in respect of which no location duties have been done, three-fourths will be renamed, and a full title given to the remainder.
With reference to this subject, it was afterwards (July 19) notified that all such lands held under expired licenses of occupation, for which no schedule of improvements may be sent in within 3 months from that date, would be considered as having reverted to the crown.
17. First report of the committee appointed by the Agricultural Society to investigate the nature and effects of the plant that has proved fatal to sheep and cattle in certain parts of the country. The report gives the result of several experiments, and records the opinion of the committee that the plant in question (allied to the genus Dillwines) is of a poisonous nature.
Several other experiments have since been carried on, with a view partly to find a remedy, but the labours of the committee have been hampered for want of sufficient funds, and no further report has yet been made.
20. Important debate in the Legislative Council on certain resolutions moved by G. Leake, Esq., founded on the report of the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners, printed in Aug. 1840; pointing out several inaccuraties and misconceptions in such report, and the
evil that might accrue to the colony from them.
❈ Completion of the road between the Murray River and Leschenault. Two important acts were passed in this month; the one an Act for the registration of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, and the other an Act to regulate the solemnization of Matrimony.
The public will do well to consult both these acts, as there are several penalties for non-observance that may be incurred daily from ignorance.
5. Change in management thereof, in consequence of the death of J. Lewis, Esq.
❈ First prospectus of Western Australian Joint Stock Bank is issued.
This bank (on the business of the old Bank of Western Australia being transferred to the Australasian) was projected by several influential persons, who protested against such transfer being made, and considered it for the interest of the colony to oppose a foreign monopoly. The directors' first report to the proprietors will be found in this day's journal.
7. Meeting at King George's Sound for the purpose of raising subscriptions to build a church at Albany.
Sufficient funds have since been raised, and tenders for the erection have been received at £675.
11. The local government notifies to the holders of land in occupancy whose leases of occupation have expired, that they will be required to prove whether, or how far, the conditions of assignment have been performed; also that credit will be given for any portion of location duties done, and that of the lands in respect of which no location duties have been done, three-fourths will be renamed, and a full title given to the remainder.
With reference to this subject, it was afterwards (July 19) notified that all such lands held under expired licenses of occupation, for which no schedule of improvements may be sent in within 3 months from that date, would be considered as having reverted to the crown.
17. First report of the committee appointed by the Agricultural Society to investigate the nature and effects of the plant that has proved fatal to sheep and cattle in certain parts of the country. The report gives the result of several experiments, and records the opinion of the committee that the plant in question (allied to the genus Dillwines) is of a poisonous nature.
Several other experiments have since been carried on, with a view partly to find a remedy, but the labours of the committee have been hampered for want of sufficient funds, and no further report has yet been made.
20. Important debate in the Legislative Council on certain resolutions moved by G. Leake, Esq., founded on the report of the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners, printed in Aug. 1840; pointing out several inaccuraties and misconceptions in such report, and the
evil that might accrue to the colony from them.
❈ Completion of the road between the Murray River and Leschenault. Two important acts were passed in this month; the one an Act for the registration of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, and the other an Act to regulate the solemnization of Matrimony.
The public will do well to consult both these acts, as there are several penalties for non-observance that may be incurred daily from ignorance.
June 1841
3. Local government notifies that the minimum price of crown land in the colony is raised to £1 per acre.
17. Notification of important change in the regulations with regard to the disposal of crown lands: the minimum quantity of land to be disposed of fixed at 169 acres: the purchaser or fee simple owner of 160 acres and upwards to have the right of commonage over the unappropriated crown lands for ten miles round his homestead, so long as any of the said lands remain undisposed of: the government will allow the reasonable expenses attending the survey on the ground of lands purchased under private surveys, provided the payment of the land has not been made under remission certificates.
The admission of a purchaser of 160 acres to the right of commonage above mentioned is an excellent regulation, if it can be secured to him, which at present is very doubtful. We shall take an opportunity very shortly of showing in what way.
23. Tenders for the supply of fresh meat for the use of the troops at 1s. 3d. per 1b. rejected by the Commissariat as extravagant; fresh ones accepted afterwards at 10d.
❈ Formation of Western Australian Joint Stock Bank into a company, and commencement
of operations.
29. The local government offers a remission in the purchase of land to the extent of £18, to
any person who shall produce evidence of having had an aboriginal native in his constant employ for two years as a farm servant; and a like remission to the extent of £36 in the case of one instructed in any trade or calling, such as is usually brought under the system of apprenticeship , such remission not to authorise the purchase of a less quantity than 160 acres.
17. Notification of important change in the regulations with regard to the disposal of crown lands: the minimum quantity of land to be disposed of fixed at 169 acres: the purchaser or fee simple owner of 160 acres and upwards to have the right of commonage over the unappropriated crown lands for ten miles round his homestead, so long as any of the said lands remain undisposed of: the government will allow the reasonable expenses attending the survey on the ground of lands purchased under private surveys, provided the payment of the land has not been made under remission certificates.
The admission of a purchaser of 160 acres to the right of commonage above mentioned is an excellent regulation, if it can be secured to him, which at present is very doubtful. We shall take an opportunity very shortly of showing in what way.
23. Tenders for the supply of fresh meat for the use of the troops at 1s. 3d. per 1b. rejected by the Commissariat as extravagant; fresh ones accepted afterwards at 10d.
❈ Formation of Western Australian Joint Stock Bank into a company, and commencement
of operations.
29. The local government offers a remission in the purchase of land to the extent of £18, to
any person who shall produce evidence of having had an aboriginal native in his constant employ for two years as a farm servant; and a like remission to the extent of £36 in the case of one instructed in any trade or calling, such as is usually brought under the system of apprenticeship , such remission not to authorise the purchase of a less quantity than 160 acres.
![View from the Court House Arthur's Head, Freemantle [sic], ca. 1839](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQUxltFYy2r81Kfd2yWaeynZRM1Xzj5dpczwwrCzQvpq4xS-NbYRzaXfk2ybCzMF67Fd9TSAS25sAKMsrUOlazDaGOs0JmMsR2YGc91iRfRFmHwLGCW1W0wc789ktNZVmu83OUVyqTjg7/s1600/New+Picture+%25289%2529.bmp "View from the Court House Arthur's Head, Freemantle [sic], ca. 1839") |
| View from the Court House Arthur's Head, Freemantle [sic], ca. 1839 |
July 1841
23. The brig James Matthews, Roberts master, driven ashore at Woodman's Point in a heavy gale from the N.W.; the crew saved, but cargo much damaged.
29. Bill to impose a duty of £1 per cent. on transfer of landed property passed the Council, after much opposition from G. Leake and W. Tanner, Esquires.
❈ Arrival of Mr. Eyre at King George's Sound from an expedition overland from Adelaide and Fowler's Bay. Mr. Eyre's report published by order of the Governor, and contains a most unfavourable account of the country passed over.
❈ The River Avon running its whole length from the junction of the Dale down to the Swan.
29. Bill to impose a duty of £1 per cent. on transfer of landed property passed the Council, after much opposition from G. Leake and W. Tanner, Esquires.
❈ Arrival of Mr. Eyre at King George's Sound from an expedition overland from Adelaide and Fowler's Bay. Mr. Eyre's report published by order of the Governor, and contains a most unfavourable account of the country passed over.
❈ The River Avon running its whole length from the junction of the Dale down to the Swan.
August 1841
11. Accounts received of a heavy fall of snow on Gordon River.
26. Interesting discussion in Legislative Council as to the privileges of members; committee appointed to inquire into and decide on the nature and extent of those privileges.
The report of this committee, if given in at all, has not been made public.
❈ The Temperance Society was revived this month, and several new officers were appointed. A meeting is now held once a month, and the society is proceeding with vigour.
26. Interesting discussion in Legislative Council as to the privileges of members; committee appointed to inquire into and decide on the nature and extent of those privileges.
The report of this committee, if given in at all, has not been made public.
❈ The Temperance Society was revived this month, and several new officers were appointed. A meeting is now held once a month, and the society is proceeding with vigour.
September 1841
❈ This month is chiefly remarkable for the jetty mania that so suddenly manifested itself. Meetings of the Perth Town Trust are held for the purpose of building a jetty in one situation, under the guarantee of the government, while a public company starts up for the erection of another in a second, and a private individual in a third. The new acts regulating the management of roads; and for the improvement of the towns, passed the Council this month; also a bill to secure the repayment in certain cases of expenses incurred by the local government for the introduction of labourers into the colony.
22. Notification of his Excellency's intention to bring in a bill to regulate the slaughtering of cattle; also a bill to prohibit squatting under heavier penalties than those under the existing law.
30. Close of the session of Legislative Council.
22. Notification of his Excellency's intention to bring in a bill to regulate the slaughtering of cattle; also a bill to prohibit squatting under heavier penalties than those under the existing law.
30. Close of the session of Legislative Council.
October 1841
6. Price of allotments on the S. side of Princess Royal Harbour, and of the 100-acre allotments on the Preston, advanced to 30s. per acre.
❈ First quarterly account of the Western Australian Bank published, showing average deposits to the amount of £3,266 1s. 5d., and average notes in circulation £1,024.
15. Arrival of the Ganges from London with 100 servants and labourers for persons within the colony.
❈ Execution of Mendik, an aboriginal native, for the murder of a white boy on the Canning.
20. Half yearly average of weekly liabilities and assets of branch of Australasain Bank published; total liabilities £10,355 10s. 9d.; total assets £19,910 17s. 8d.
November 1841
3. Union of the two Agricultural Societies.
16. Formation of a company to run steam boats on the Swan; capital £6,000, in 600 shares of £10 each; nearly half of which are taken.
❈ Renewed session of Legislative Council, in which the Governor informs the Council that a bill to allow the aborigines to give evidence in criminal cases, and to enable magistrates to inflict summary punishment for certain offences, had been refused the sanction of the crown, on the ground that it was creating an invidious distinction. A new bill is introduced, by which native evidence is admissible in all cases, and the summary jurisdiction of magistrates done away with. Interesting debates in Council on the 2nd and 3rd readings, the new bill being strongly opposed. On the question that "this bill do pass," the votes are equal, when the Governor gives his casting vote in favour of the bill. The Hon. the Surveyor-General, the Hon. the Advocate-General, and G. Leake, Esq., enter a protest on the minutes.
26. Motion in Council for an address to the Governor requesting him to proceed in furthering the introduction of labour, and to appropriate the funds furnished to that purpose; and to
appoint and pay an agent; committee appointed to prepare the address.
If this address has been presented, it has not been made public. The object is to obtain an appropriation of the land-fund, which is now lying idle in the chest, to its proper use, through the exertions of an agent in England paid for furthering emigration to this country. This is necessary, inasmuch as the Land end Emigration Commissioners do not think of selecting people in the first instance, but only have a right of approval or disapproval of parties who shall be offered to them.
16. Formation of a company to run steam boats on the Swan; capital £6,000, in 600 shares of £10 each; nearly half of which are taken.
❈ Renewed session of Legislative Council, in which the Governor informs the Council that a bill to allow the aborigines to give evidence in criminal cases, and to enable magistrates to inflict summary punishment for certain offences, had been refused the sanction of the crown, on the ground that it was creating an invidious distinction. A new bill is introduced, by which native evidence is admissible in all cases, and the summary jurisdiction of magistrates done away with. Interesting debates in Council on the 2nd and 3rd readings, the new bill being strongly opposed. On the question that "this bill do pass," the votes are equal, when the Governor gives his casting vote in favour of the bill. The Hon. the Surveyor-General, the Hon. the Advocate-General, and G. Leake, Esq., enter a protest on the minutes.
26. Motion in Council for an address to the Governor requesting him to proceed in furthering the introduction of labour, and to appropriate the funds furnished to that purpose; and to
appoint and pay an agent; committee appointed to prepare the address.
If this address has been presented, it has not been made public. The object is to obtain an appropriation of the land-fund, which is now lying idle in the chest, to its proper use, through the exertions of an agent in England paid for furthering emigration to this country. This is necessary, inasmuch as the Land end Emigration Commissioners do not think of selecting people in the first instance, but only have a right of approval or disapproval of parties who shall be offered to them.
December 1841
7. Action in the Civil Court by Mr. Austin, one of the surveyors of the Western Australian Company, against Mr. Clifton, the Company's Commissioner in this country, to recover an amount of wages due to him for services performed. The defence was that the defendant was not liable, there being no proof of contract with him personally, and that as mere agent for the company they, as principals, could not be sued in his person. The Court ruled that a person circumstanced as the defendant was would be liable to be sued for his principal if he had available funds of that principal on which execution might attach. Judgement for plaintiff, and appeal entered to the Governor and Council.
12. Beagle sailed to ascertain the true position of Port Grey, and to examine the coast fronting Moresby's Flat-topped Range.
❈ Reduction in the price of fresh meat; Commissariat tenders accepted at 8 ½ d. per 1b.
19. Return of the Beagle from her expedition to the northward, and report of the officer commanding, by which it appears that no such place as Port Grey exists, and that the country round Champion Bay is desolate and worthless.
26. Notification of Governor's intention to bring in a bill to impose an ad valorem duty on all imports.
12. Beagle sailed to ascertain the true position of Port Grey, and to examine the coast fronting Moresby's Flat-topped Range.
❈ Reduction in the price of fresh meat; Commissariat tenders accepted at 8 ½ d. per 1b.
19. Return of the Beagle from her expedition to the northward, and report of the officer commanding, by which it appears that no such place as Port Grey exists, and that the country round Champion Bay is desolate and worthless.
26. Notification of Governor's intention to bring in a bill to impose an ad valorem duty on all imports.
Sources:
- Chronological Register (1842, January 12). Inquirer (Perth, WA : 1840 - 1855), p. 2.
- View from the Court House Arthur's Head, Freemantle [sic], ca. 1839; Artist: Charles Dirk Wittenoom (1824-1866); Courtesy: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
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