The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-03-09 00:00:00

The means by which this was effected will form a dis-
tinct subject for inquiry : our purpose will be answered if
it can be shown that suet were the beneficial results of
his policy. The most important object, in the first
instance, was to promote the occupation of the country
districts by the colonists, and to provide a sufficient
supply of land to meet the demand of the holders of these
orders which were granted in London, and transmitted in
rapid succession to the colony. It will be remembered
that before this time little or no progress had been made
in the surveys of land beyond the town, where the great
bulk of the emigrants wasted their time and means iu
ruinous speculation, while waiting for their rural lands.
Colonel Gawler, immediately after his arrival, accelerated
the surveys by every means in his power, not only at
great iaconvenience to himself, but under circumstances
the most trying and disheartening. The obstacles he had
to contend against may, in some measure, be estimated,
when it is mentioned that the surveyor-general had re-
signed through ill health ; that his resignation had been
followed by that of all Ifs assistants ; and that the only
available means for meeting the emergency consisted of
one young draughtsman and a retired corporal of the
sappers and miners. - By great exertion, however, the
staff was re-organised ; and between the date of Colonel
Gawler's arrival, on the 13th of October, 1838, and the
30th of June, 1840, there were, according to official state-
ments, no less than 359,975 acres of rural land surveyed,
besides thirty-six special surveys of 4000 acres each.
Before his departure, in the early part of 1841, all the
immediate demands were satisfied ; in fact, sufficient land
was surveyed for a population two or three times as large ;
and the a South Australian Abnanack " for 1841 (a re-
cognised authority on statistics), states that even to the
end of the previous year the land selected for agricultural
purposes equalled 155,128 acres,—a proof of the rapid
progress of the surveys, and of the measures then in con-
templation for the cultivation of the land. The speed, in
fact, that characteiised these surveys was absolutely
necessary. The demands for rural lands were immediately
answered, and agricultural pursuits commenced, which,
under the circumstances, triumphantly proved the capa-
bility of the soil to supply the wants of the colony. In
c3rroboration of this, the authority we have just quoted.
from asserts that up to the end of 1810 there had been
crops of various kinds produced from 2823 acres ; that the
stock in the colony amounted to 16,100; and that the
sheep were estimated at 200,160. These facts_ prove how
much had been done within little more than two years ;
yet they are only a portion of the results of Colonel
Gawler's measures for placing the colony on a per-
manent foundation. Similar activity was shown in pro-
viding a police force. At a comparatively early date
after his arrival there was .a body of police fit for any
service, and we have abundant testimony, that in efficiency
and general appearance, a finer corps could not have been
obtained. There can be no question as to its necessity ;
perhaps it might have been rendered less expensive : per-
haps too the settlers might have united for self-protection,.
To this latter course we should have had decided objec-
tions, although the opinion was frequently advanced (lur-
ing the parliamentary enquiry. South Australia, unlike
our other distant settlements, was left unprovided with a
military force ; and when it is remembered that in several
instances the overland travellers, with their stock and
sheep, were 'attacked by the aborigines; the farms and
out-stations left entirely at their mercy ; with a popula-
lation contiguous to a convict-colony, the escaped crimi-
nals often disturbing the peace and security of the place,
and disorderly sailors mixing with the quiet and well-dis-
posed ;—when these circumstances are called to mind,
there can be no doubt as to the absolute necessity of a
strong and well-organised police, especially in the early
history of the settlement, and the culpability that would
have attached to a governor, who neglected on account
of expense, this necessary precaution for the safety of
those committed to his charge. In other respects Colonel
Gawler displayed equal talent, for not only were the differ-
ences between the subordinate officers harmoniously ar-
, ranged, but generally they were placed in a position to
render full and active support to the government. The
same good feeling was displayed in almost all cases 1., y the
colonists ; there was on their part an undoubted loyalty
to the sovereign—respect and good-will towards her rep-
resentative—peace and industry among themselves, and
an earnest desire to promote any measure that had for
its object the well-being of the community. In fact, so
popular was Colonel Gawler, and so highly was his policy
appreciated, that he obtained for himself the title of the
Father of the: Colony :" richly deserved, as we think.
for many reasons, and the more singular as governors are
seldom regarded very affectionately in colonies where all
is excitement and competition.
-Thus, then, were the early errors respecting the colony
retrieved. The personal qualities of- the governor, his
energy of thought and action, the enthusiasm with which
he worked, and the spirit he imparted to others, must not
be overlooked ; they contributed as much to the success
as did the wisdom and prudence of his measures. But
through his instrumentality more even than this was ac-
complished ; and the account would be incomplete were
we to omit stating, that under his' government plans were
adopted that improved Adelaide and its port, public offices
were erected, assistance given for the construction of
wharfs, communication both external and internal facili-
tated, expeditions sent out for exploring the interior, and
so generally was his example followed that the city quickly
assumed, in many of its streets and terraces, the appear-
ance of some of our second-rate provincial towns, with
good stone or brick buildings, and a taste and finish in
every respect creditable. The enormous influx of popu-
lation and property during his administration, tended to
heighten rather than lessen the necessity of exertion. The
population increased from 5000 to 15,000; -the shipping,
in the export and import trade, at the end of the year
1840, including, of course, arrivals from England, em-
ployed 200 vessels; and the property in the export trade
alone for that year amounted to £60,000. Great efforts
were necessary to meet all this ; that is, if governments
are responsible for the comfort of a people ; for it is one
thing to look on and allow matters to adjust themselves,
as sonic would have done, and another to fulfil the higher
duty of a paternal governor—lessen the inconvenience of
the emigrants—care for their wants on arrival—provide the
comforts of civilised life—and in a comparative wilderness
establish order, advance commerce, and bring together the
means for moral and spiritual culture. These were the ob-
jects Col. Gdwler had in view; in fact lie admitted the neces-
sity of something more than expatriation, and with wisdom
and forethought followed that system of colonization which
has been advocated with so much ability by Mr. Charles
Buller and others. Colonization, carried out in this, its
wtruasestetsatned
in
and noblest
policyse ns e,
adopted nlust
by Colonel Gawler; alwaysand
be successful. It.
had the authorities here acted with lil;er-litY,
sed i a(ituee
ng
to odidffiwcouul
tl e
s
havetog thnegrr aeavotldr,eda.nd most Of ethe sub-