# History of West Australia

* related portals: Australia.
* sister projects: Wikipedia article, Commons category, Wikidata item.
History of West Australia : A Narrative Of Her Past Together With Biographies Of Her Leading Men was compiled by W.B. Kimberly over a period of 18 months, and published in 1897
HISTORY
OF
WEST AUSTRALIA.
A Narrative of her Past.
TOGETHER WITH
BIOGRAPHIES OF HER LEADING MEN.
COMPILED BY W. B. KIMBERLY.
F. W. NIVEN & CO., PRINTERS AND PUBLISHERS, MELBOURNE AND BALLARAT (VIC.), MDCCCXCVII.
PREFACE.
It would be curious indeed if inaccuracies are not found in the following narrative—the first yet published on Western Australia. At the same time, much care and nearly two years of labour have been devoted to its compilation, and every effort has been put forth to make it thoroughly correct and representative. Many obstacles, often insuperable, have been confronted. Only slight comment has been indulged in, the chief object being, while presenting a readable work to trace the growth of industries, to describe the peculiar circumstances which at first retarded general expansion, and to supply a record of Western Australian annals. From such points of view the reader is asked to form his judgment. A few letter-press inaccuracies, due to necessarily hurried revision, will be discovered in the first five or six chapters. The narrative is carried up to May, 1897; but for obvious reasons, mining statistics subsequent to that month have been included. Special thanks for assistance are tendered to the Government of Western Australia, to permanent heads of departments—such as Messrs. O. Burt, R. C. Clifton, J. B. Roe, H. Johnston, M. A. C. Fraser, R. Pether and H. C. Prinsep—to several early settlers, and to the Hon. R. S. Haynes, M.L.C.; Messrs. Edward Shenton, F. C. Broadhurst, W. M. Parker, and Thos. Burmingham. Two articles on the goldfields, by experienced men, are appended.
Part II. contains the biographies of the chief men of the colony, a feature of this production which should prove of general interest. Engaged on this section of the work have been J. M. Mackay, F. F. Macalpine, M.A., S. H. Whittaker, and other special writers.
CONTENTS.
| History— | PAGE |
| Chapter I.—The Discovery of Australia | 5 |
| Chapter II.—The Discovery of Australia (Continued) | 11 |
| Chapter III.—The Aborigines | 19 |
| Chapter IV.—Western Australia Annexed | 30 |
| Chapter V.—Foundation of the Colony | 36 |
| Chapter VI.—Perth and Fremantle Founded, and Progress in 1830 | 43 |
| Chapter VII.—Incidents and Progress in 1830 | 52 |
| Chapter VIII.—Exploration; Social Condition; Abolition of Land Grant Scheme | 62 |
| Chapter IX.—Famine Prices and Progressive Incidents; 1832 | 75 |
| Chapter X.—Native Strife and Progressive Incidents; 1833 | 81 |
| Chapter XI.—Condition of Settlement, Agitation and Native Troubles; 1834–5 | 90 |
| Chapter XII.—Animation in Pastoral Pursuits; Occurrences from 1836 to 1838 | 101 |
| Chapter XIII.—Land Laws; Exploration; Australind Settlement; 1839–42 | 111 |
| Chapter XIV.—Depression; Birth of Industries; Convict Agitation 1843–1848 | 130 |
| Chapter XV.—A Penal Settlement; 1849–1853 | 152 |
| Chapter XVI.—The Convict System; 1854–1860 | 168 |
| Chapter XVII.—Transportation Ceases; North-West; An Election: 1861–1868 | 192 |
| Chapter XVIII.—Representative Government; Exploration: 1869–1878 | 222 |
| Chapter XIX.—Public Works; Constitutional Agitation; Gold Discoveries; 1879–1888 | 259 |
| Chapter XX.—Responsible Government: 1889–1892 | 293 |
| Chapter XXI.—The Goldfields; 1893–1897 | 311 |
| Appendix I. | 341 |
| Appendix II. | 349 |
| Biographies— |
| Alexander, William, M.L.C. | 23 |
| Backhouse, Frank Herbert M.A.I.M.E., M.N.E.I.M.M.E. | 99 |
| Barnett, Dr. Henry Calvert J.P., M.I.F.M.E., M.E. | 88 |
| Bissenberger, Captain Frank | 128 |
| Briggs, Henry J.P., M.L.C. | 46 |
| Brimage, Thomas Frederick | 208 |
| Broadhurst, Florance C. | 97 |
| Bush, Robert Edwin J.P., ex-M.L.C. | 94 |
| Chewings, Dr. Charles PH.D.,F.R.G.S., F.G.S., M.D.G.G., M.I.M., M.E. | 125 |
| Clare, William Edward J.P., ex-M.L.C. | 162 |
| Cohn, Isidore James Knight J.P., | 113 |
| Congdon, Daniel Keen J.P., M.L.C. | 28 |
| Connor, Francis M.L.A. | 172 |
| Craig, Frank J.P. | 222 |
| Crossland, Charles J.P. | 228 |
| Cumbrae-Stewart, Charles Robert | 167 |
| Cutbush, Charles | 213 |
| Davies, Edward William ex-M.L.C. | 61 |
| Davies, John | 75 |
| De Baun, John | 191 |
| Deeley, Charles Ernest | 109 |
| Dempster, Charles Edward J.P., M.L.A. | 228 |
| Doherty, Dennis Joseph M.L.C. | 228 |
| Doolette, Dorham Longford | 192 |
| Duff, The Rev. Father | 79 |
| Dunn, John George F.R.G.S. | 106 |
| Edgar, John, J.P. | 85 |
| Ewing, Norman Kirkwood, M.L.A. | 171 |
| Fairbairn, Robert, P.M. | 72 |
| Fearby, George Rowland, M.E. | 136 |
| Ferguson, John Maxwell | 74 |
| Fimister, John William | 212 |
| Finnerty, John Michael, R.M. | 139 |
| Forrest, Sir John, K.C.M.G., F.R.G.S., F.G.S. | 1 |
| Gale, William Hepburn, J.P. | 169 |
| Gibney, The Most Rev. Matthew, D.D. | 38 |
| Glyde, George, J.P., ex-M.L.C. | 63 |
| Göczel, Stephen L., M.E. | 220 |
| Goodsir, David James Cook, J.P. | 188 |
| Grant, Mackenzie, J.P. | 211 |
| Grave, James | 201 |
| Gregory, Henry, J.P., M.L.A. | 179 |
| Griffith, William, F.R.G.S., F.G.S., M.F.I.M.E. | 150 |
| Hackett, John Winthrop, M.A., J.P., M.L.C. | 21 |
| Hair, Robert Lees | 147 |
| Hall, Lyall, M.L.A. | 225 |
| Hardwick, Thomas Wall | 142 |
| Harney, Edward Augustine St. Aubyn | 185 |
| Harper, Charles, M.L.A. | 52 |
| Haynes, Richard Septimus, M.L.C. | 18 |
| Henning, Andrew Harriott, M.L.C. | 168 |
| Hewer, George | 226 |
| Hills, John Charles | 229 |
| Holmes, Joseph John, M.L.A. | 197 |
| Holmes, William Johnston, J.P. | 196 |
| Hooley, Edward Timothy, J.P., M.L.A. | 24 |
| Hope, Dr. James William, J.P., F.R.C.P. | 210 |
| Horgan, W. | 104 |
| Humble, George Bland | 127 |
| Hurst, Councillor John (Perth) | 189 |
| Illingworth, Frederick, M.L.A. | 58 |
| James, John Charles Horsey, B.A. OXON., P.M. | 153 |
| James, Walter, M.L.A. | 54 |
| Keane, Edward Vivian Harvey, J.P., ex-M.L.A. | 133 |
| Kenny, Dr. Daniel, L.R.C.S., L.K.Q.C.P.I. | 190 |
| Kingsmill, Walter, J.P., M.L.A. | 200 |
| Lacey, Edmund Gilyard | 105 |
| Leake, George, M.L.A. | 154 |
| Lee, Councillor Alfred Frederick (Perth) | 231 |
| Lee-Steere, Hon. Sir James G., K.B. | 33 |
| Lefroy, Henry Bruce, J.P., M.L.A. | 31 |
| Lefroy, Hon. Anthony O'Grady, C.M.G. | 66 |
| Lindsay, David, F.R.G.S., M.S.A.J.S. | 129 |
| Locke, Ernest Charles Bavage, M.L.A. | 155 |
| Loton, William Thorley, M.L.A. | 50 |
| Lovegrove, Dr. Thomas Henry, J.P., M.R.C.S. ENG. | 87 |
| Lovely, William Harvey Chapman, M.A.I.M.E., M.I.M.M.E. | 118 |
| Lyon, Charles Gordon, J.P. | 230 |
| Macdonald, Albert Watt, J.P. | 119 |
| Mackay, Donald McDonald, M.L.C. | 44 |
| Mackenzie, Alfred | 143 |
| Mannheim, Ernest Arthur, M.E. | 146 |
| Marmion, late Hon. William Edward, M.L.A. | 204 |
| Mason, Clayton Turner, J.P., M. INST. C.E. | 203 |
| Menzie, Leslie Robert | 217 |
| Mitchell, Samuel, J.P., M.L.A. | 177 |
| Monger, Frederick Charles, M.L.A. | 30 |
| Moore, John Fairbourne | 138 |
| Moore, William Dalgety, ex-M.L.C. | 83 ​ |
| Moorhead, Frederick William B.A., LL.B. | 82 |
| Moran, Charles John, M.L.A. | 173 |
| Morgans, Alfred Edward | 218 |
| Mosey, Frederick | 166 |
| Moxon, William Ernest | 180 |
| Mumme, William | 100 |
| McCormack, Harold B. | 156 |
| McDonald, John Ernest | 116 |
| McGillicuddy, Ernest | 224 |
| McKenzie, Robert Donald | 198 |
| McKernan, Hugh, M.L.C. | 178 |
| McLarty, Edward, J.P., M.L.C. | 160 |
| McWilliams, George Frederick, M. B. CH.B. MELB. | 96 |
| Newman, Thomas | 144 |
| Oates, Captain M.L.A. | 101 |
| Oldham, Charles Henry, M.L.A. | 226 |
| Owston, Captain William | 68 |
| O'Connor, Michael, B.A. | 176 |
| Parker, George | 207 |
| Parker, Stephen Henry, Q.C., M.L.C. | 16 |
| Parker, Stephen Stanley, J.P., ex-M.L.C. | 65 |
| Parry, Henry Ernest, J.P., M.I.C.E. | 112 |
| Parsons, Harold George | 134 |
| Paterson, Charles Anthony | 195 |
| Paterson, William, J.P., ex-M.L.C. and M.L.A. | 60 |
| Pearce, Thomas Gilbert | 175 |
| Pennefather, Richard William, B.A., L.L.B., and M.L.A. | 202 |
| Phillips, Colonel George Braithwaite, J.P. | 121 |
| Phillips, Samuel J., J.P., M.L.A. | 55 |
| Piesse, Hon. Frederick Henry, J.P., M.L.A. | 14 |
| Price, Edward Graham | 103 |
| Price, Matthew | 234 |
| Quinlan, Cr. Timothy Francis, J.P., M.L.A. | 84 |
| Randell, George, J.P., M.L.C. | 47 |
| Reid, John, C.E. | 216 |
| Richardson, Hon. Alex. Robert, M.L.A. | 8 |
| Riley, Bishop, D.D. | 40 |
| Roe, Augustus Sandford, J.P. | 77 |
| Roe, James Broun, J.P. | 76 |
| Saunders, Henry John, J.P., M.L.C. | 42 |
| Saw, Councillor Charles Augustus, J.P. | 187 |
| Scheidel, August, PH. D. | 122 |
| Schlam S. B., F.G.S. | 209 |
| Shaw, James, J.P. | 193 |
| Shenton, Ernest Chawner | 223 |
| Shenton, Sir George, K.B., M.L.C. | 10 |
| Sholl, Edward | 165 |
| Sholl, Horatio William, M.L.A. | 49 |
| Sholl, Richard Adolphus, J.P. | 184 |
| Sholl, Robert Frederick, J.P., M.L.A. | 20 |
| Short, John Tregterthen | 159 |
| Simon, Alfred Leon, PH. D. | 124 |
| Simpson, George Thomas, M.L.A. | 56 |
| Sinclair, Walter John Lockyer | 152 |
| Speed, Councillor James Montgomery | 206 |
| Stow, Reginald Marshall | 231 |
| Taylor, John Howard, M.L.C. | 148 |
| Thomas, John | 70 |
| Throssell, Hon. George, J.P., M.L.A. | 214 |
| Tratman, Dr. Frank, J.P., M.D., M.R.C.S., D.P.H., L.R.C.P. ENG. | 90 |
| Trigg, Henry Stirling, F.R.I.V.A. | 110 |
| Vanzetti, Eugenio | 141 |
| Venn, Hon. H. W., J.P., M.L.A. | 35 |
| Vosper, F. C. B., M.L.A., M.A.I.M.E. | 181 |
| Wallace, Frank, J.P., M.L.A. | 199 |
| Waylen, Dr. A. R., M.D., M.R.C.S. ENG., L.S.A., J.P. | 62 |
| Williams, Harry | 170 |
| Wilson, Councillor Frank (Perth) | 182 |
| Wilson, John, J.P. | 232 |
| Wittenoom, Hon. Edward Horne, J.P., M.L.C. | 12 |
| Woodward, Harry Page, J.P., F.G.S., F.R.G.S., F.I. INST. | 115 |
ERRATA.
Since Chapter V. was printed information has been received from the Colonial Office, through the instrumentality of the Registrar-General Mr. M. A. C. Fraser, which suggests that the Parmelia first sighted the Western Australian coast on the 1st June, 1829. Captain Fremantle left the Cape of Good Hope in the Challenger for Swan River on 20th March, and on 25th April anchored off Garden Island. On 27th April the Challenger entered Cockburn Sound, and struck on a sunken rock without suffering any ill effects. On 2nd May possession was taken of the west coast of New Holland, the flag being hoisted on the south head of the Swan River, and not on the north head as stated in page 39. Captain Fremantle sighted the Parmelia on 1st June, and on 2nd June that vessel entered the Sound and struck on the Parmelia rock. On 8th June the Sulphur (see page 42) anchored in the Sound and sent some troops to relieve Captain Fremantle's party on the mainland on 17th June. It is to be supposed that Captain Stirling, the Lieutenant-Governor, landed on the south head of the Swan on that or the following day.
This work is in the public domain in Australia because it was created in Australia and the term of copyright has expired. According to Australian Copyright Council - Duration of Copyright, the following works are public domain:
* published non-government works whose author died before January 1, 1955,
* anonymous or pseudonymous works and photographs published before January 1, 1955, and
* government works published more than 50 years ago (before January 1, 1974).
This work is also in the public domain in the United States because it was first published outside the United States (and not published in the U.S. within 30 days), and it was first published before 1989 without complying with U.S. copyright formalities (renewal and/or copyright notice) and it was in the public domain in Australia on the URAA date (January 1, 1996). This is the combined effect of Australia having joined the Berne Convention in 1928, and of 17 USC 104A with its critical date of January 1, 1996.
Because the Australian copyright term in 1996 was 50 years, the critical date for copyright in the United States under the URAA is January 1, 1946.
This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.
Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse