STATE OF PORT LINCOLN. 
155 
the Australian Colonies generally, to annihilate all 
mercantile credit, and render real property compara- 
tively valueless, had already commenced in South 
Australia; failures, and rumours of failures, were 
of daily occurrence in Adelaide, and even the little 
settlement of Port Lincoln had not escaped the 
troubles of the times. I learnt with regret that it 
was rapidly falling into decay, and its population 
diminishing. Many had already deserted it, and 
amongst them I was surprised to hear of the depar- 
ture of Captain Porter and others, who were once the 
most enthusiastic admirers and the staunchest sup- 
porters of this embryo town. That which however 
affected me more particularly was the fear, that from 
the low and impoverished state to which the place 
was now reduced, I should not be able to obtain the 
supplies I required for my party, and should proba- 
bly have to delay until I could send over to Ade- 
laide for what I wanted, even supposing I was lucky 
enough to find a vessel to go across for me. In 
walking round Mr. Dutton’s farm I found he was 
ploughing up some land in the valley for wheat, 
which appeared to be an excellent soil, and the 
garden he had already commenced was looking pro- 
mising. At night I obtained the altitude of a Aquilse, 
by which I placed Mr. Driver’s station in 34° 21' 20" 
S. lat., or about 22 miles of lat. north of Kirton 
Point. 
October 2. — Before leaving the station I pur- 
chased from Mr. Dutton a little Timor pony 
