312 Account of the New Colony of Western Australia. [Oct. 



green wood, and pervious to every shower that fell ; whilst many of 

 the lower classes had no other awning day or night, than the canopy 

 of heaven. After a little time, when the settlers got on their grants, 

 buildings of a better description began to spring up. Some had 

 wooden houses, which they brought out with them from London. 

 Others had the same description of house made for them in the colony. 

 Some erected houses of wattle and dab ; that is, posts, about eight feet 

 in height, erected at some distance from each other, and the interme- 

 diate spaces filled up with clay ; to this was added a thatched roof and 

 a chimney, which altogether formed a very comfortable dwelling. So 

 soon as bricks could be made, or stone procured in sufficient quantity, 

 good houses of such materials came into fashion. 



During the first months of the colony, much anxiety was caused by 

 the straying and loss of cattle in the bush, and by exposure to the 

 weather of valuable plants and goods. Had any individual 

 established a farm for the reception of cattle, and a ware-house 

 to receive goods, it would have amply repaid him, and been the 

 means of saving a vast deal of valuable stock and other property. 

 No blame can attach to the government for want of arrange- 

 ment on this head, as the settlers were apprized previous to 

 leaving England, that they were to do every thing for themselves, and 

 not to expect any assistance whatever from government. The zeal and 

 activity, the kindness and attention, of Sir James Stirling, the Governor, 

 in providing for all the wants and wishes of the people, so far as he 

 had the means, were the theme of universal praise, and he was sup- 

 ported to the utmost by all his officers. 



Travelling overland, or " travelling in the bush" as it is called, 

 where neither roads nor houses were to be met with, though an inter- 

 esting, was often a hazardous undertaking ; but the danger did not arise 

 from beasts of prey, none being met with in this country ; but from the 

 want of so simple a thing as a pocket compass. Being unprovided with 

 this little instrument, was often the cause of many anxious hours as 

 well as sleepless nights being passed in the bush. When the sun is 

 clouded, so that one cannot guide his course by it, it is astonishing 

 bow readily you may go the wrong way ; going a few yards out, will 

 lead miles astray. 



Things went on agreeably till about the beginning of the winter of 

 1830, when the supplies brought out from England, consisting chiefly 

 of salt meat, biscuit and rum, became nearly exhausted ; the crops 

 which had been rather sanguinely calculated on, were scanty; provi- 

 sion reached a high price, owing to the irregularity of the supplies, 



