WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

West Coast Times, Issue 126, 12 February 1866, Page 3

WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

We take the folloAving items from the summary of tho " Perth Inquirer " of Dec. 25th :—

It is by no means improbable that many South Australians Avill turn their attention to our colony. Already, tAvo gentlemen have taken up largo tracts of land, avoAvpdly for sheep stations on the sources of the Collie, and also Avithin thirty-five miles of Perth. They have been spoken of as "pioneers," and on their representations, as skilled sheep-farmers, depends the intention of many to folloAV their example. They have expressed their unfeigned surprise that Aye should so long havo neglected the grazing capabilities of tho colony ; and as they havo backed their opinions by the expenditure of money in the renting of Government land, and an announcement of the intention to stock that land, such opinions may be Avell deemed to be earnest and honest. Within the last six months sheep stations have been formed on tho Darling Ranges, wliero a year ago it AA'ould havo been called madness to allow sheep to btj ; and it has sent many a, bitter pang into the hearts of many old colonists to be thus disillusionised, and find that herbage, Avater, and shade — three great desiderata for the squatter — haA r e for thirty-six years been unheeded and neglected.

Since the year 1841, AA'ith tho cessation of the operations of the Australian Company, immigration, suck at least as introduced capital with labour, may be fairly said to have ceased ; and although since 1850 the Home Government have landed in round numbers, 8,500 convicts, besides military pensioners and their families, and a fair proportion of free immigrants, the population of Western Australia is under 20,000. The Government expenditure of at least £120,000 for each year since 1850, has, of course, had a beneficial effect on; the general body of the settlers, and has, to a certain extent stimulated enterprise ; but the continued stream of emigration from ouiv shores to the golden colonies, added to our virtual isolation from them, has been the main cause of our retardation ; and it has not been quite unnatural that our eastern neighbors, finding almost every decent man and Avoman lured by the real attractions of gold to them from us, should have concluded that thoro Avas not much to live for in Western Australia.

Happily for ourselves, Av,e can look on 1865 as a year of progress. If avo have a short ' harvest, there is enough for the use of tho coming year. The season has been most propitious for stock of all kinds. Public Avorks havo been carried on Avith a judicious vicAV to future benefit. Mercantile credit is good. The Government is fre.e from debt ; and, Avith the certainty that the importation of convicts Avill ccaso in 18G7, the colonists may Avell congratulate themselves that, oAving to the absence of female convicts, the system Avill haA r o left no abiding stain, but Avill have done a work of unmixed good, Avhieh might have been greater but for the senseless clamour of a noisy feAv.

The " Perth Gazette " of December 22nd has tho folloAving : — The drought, Avhich has had such, disastrous effects in the eastern colonies, has visited xts, but mildly iv comparison, and Avill, Aye think, be tided over Avithout any serious* losses other than a short crop, and a little inconvenience to stockoAvners, some of Avhom will during, the summer months transfer their llocks to runs upon tho coast. No doubt there will be some mortality among cattle and horses running Avild in the- bush, but that is not a loss to /be felt by the settlers — rather the contrary, as they wojuld have no objection to every head of *Avild stock in the colony being killed. An expected demand from South Australia and Victoria for fat stock has had some influence upon the rates on Avhich the commissariat supply for the year commencing the Ist April next, has been tendered for : the accepted tender for Freemantlo is 5d per lb., Mid for Perth 4d. These contracts are generally accepted as a fair criterion of the value of stock for the ensuing year, but probably can this year bo scarcely taken as such, as, should thero be any extensive inquiry for exportation a riso must take place. In connexion AA'ith this subject, Aye may mention that on tho 20th instant application Avas made for a patent for Morgan's system of curing meat, which, Aye understand, it is likely the patentee will carry into • operation in this colony, for tho purpose of exportation.

The political neAvs of the month is nil. It had been anticipated that by the October mail something Avould have been heard respecting the petition for a Representative Legislature, tho rejection of Avhich by tho present Legislative Council Avas protested against by Mr. Sampson ; but if Governor Hampton has received any communication on the subject' from the Secretary of State he. has kept if to himself. The promoters of tho movement, sanguine as to tho result, seem contented enough to wait; but at the same time, in almatter of so great a moment to the futuro of the colony, they have a right to expect the usual reticence of his Excellency regarding the despatches ho receiA'es will on this subject be dispensed Avith, and any intelligence upon it be made public Avithout delay. '

Tho Figaro montions a v vatlior startling piece of literary (?) nows, viz., that Latnartino lias written tho libretto of an opera tmffa, tho rolxearsals of which avo about to commenco at tho Opera Corniquo. It is not said who lias composed tho music. For tho eako of Lnmav tino, lot us hopo that tho iioavs may uot bo true.