Morphett Only Saw Limestone Country

In the earlier part of this series I was uncertain when Mr. J. Morphett gave McLaren such an unfavorable opinion of the land at Port Lincoln. Until Mr. G. C. Morphett drew my attention I had overlooked the fact that in December, 1836, Morphett and Pullen had accompanied Light on his visit to inspection for the purpose of selecting a site for the capital.

In the May 17, 1935, issue of this newspaper the history of this trip was narrated. Light says they landed at the south-east end of the port (probably west of Monument Hill) and walked southerly until they could see the ocean and then des cended into the plains at the head of the gulf, where they found some fresh water near the spot marked by Flinders. Spalding Cove was investigated, but Boston Bay was apparently not entered. No landing was made on the northern side of Proper Bay, Light being satisfied with a telescopic view of the country. So it was, on the result of this hurried inspection that Morphett based his condemnation of the port and country. When Mr. G. C. Morphett is unveiling the tablet at the head of Proper Bay on March 3, he will be standing very near where his grandfather trod 102¼ years ago.

There is no end in writing a history. Since the data for this series were gathered, the South Australian Company has deposited a fine lot of material in the South Australian Archives, letters, letter books, account books and lots of sundries. It will take years to peruse and assimilate the contents.

In a letter dated 22/12/1838 from D. McLaren to J. B. Harvey it is noted, that Harvey had received a Government appointment at Kangaroo island; on McLaren hearing this, he offered to transport the furniture to Port Adelaide, and then grant a free passage for the doctor, his wife and family to the island, allow a house and garden free of rent and guarantee £50 for the first six months if the doctor would practice there in a medical and surgical capacity. It is evident that this arrangement was agreed to, for in April, 1839, McLaren wrote to W. Giles the company's representative at the island, that one— Charles Simeon Hare, a quaint and eccentric character, an employe in the company's services — was carrying on a medical practice. Said McLaren "as the company are bound to make up a certain sum half yearly — if his (Dr. Har vey's) practice does not yield it — Mr. Hare must not interfere so as to throw an expense on the company, in other word's Mr. Hare must in the meantime discontinue his medical practice." This Dr. Harvey subsequently went to Port Lincoln and one of his first unpleasant duties was to attend young Frank Hawson.

It was thought that Light's entry in his last diary January 26 was the first reference to a settlement at Port Lincoln, but that has now to give place to a letter dated December 31, 1838, from David McLaren to Edmund J. Wheeler. It appears that the S.A. Company, London, advised McLaren that he could take up four special surveys. Light and Finniss advised McLaren that the best site for the surveys would be to the northward, on the River Para, but he (McLaren) did not think it wise to take it all in one place and seemed doubtful about the suitability of the country recommended, the above mentioned letter goes on to say "Should it not be advisable to take four special surveys towards the north there remains the banks of the Murray, the Mount Barker district and the whole of the Spencer's Gulf, including Port Lincoln. Mr. Samuel Stephens strongly recommends Port Lincoln. I shall probably visit it after my return from the north with Colonel Light, who gives a very unfavorable account of the access to it, but which (sic) I am inclined to think will in the progress of the colony be a very important maritime station."

This seems to carry us as far back as possible. McLaren's letter books have no earlier mention and Light's diaries prior to the fire (January 22, 1839), were burnt.

Professor Perkins told me that the South Australian Company had to help Angas out of difficulties occasioned by the surrender of claim No. 2, as a lot of the English buyers want to hold Angas to the agreement for the sale of the land. Possibly in course of time these details will become known.

Port Lincoln was a long way from Adelaide, where the office of the association was situated and intercommunication infrequent and slow, so the proprietors to be on the safe side gave Matthew Smith secret instructions as follows : — "in case the surveyor should not act in accordance with the instructions given to you and you should judge it necessary, you will give him notice in writing that he must suspend his further operations until he receives instructions from us or the general bodies of the proprietors." This was signed by Osmond Gilles, Benj Shaen and George A. Anstey, and H. S. Austin, the secretary, who had been deputed the task by the shareholders. As far as is known this secret instruction had not to be enforced.

There was a little friction towards the end. In one case to suit the configuration of the ground some country land blocks were made with a greater area than the normal 20 acres. It seemed a peculiar action on Winter's part, as it would not agree with the general balloting scheme, when everyone had the right to receive the same acreage, as any other proprietor. However, that was soon smoothed over when Winter repegged the blocks. Among the Barnard papers are six books containing the heels of original scrip issued, dated July 17, 1839. These scrips were issued to the holders of land at that date as far as the township blocks were concerned, but only a notification that the holders of scrip were entitled to 21 acres of country land. It has not been ascertained whether separate scrip for the 20-acre blocks and the acre block on Boston Island were subsequently issued and had to be paid for.

At this point it is interesting to note the various receipts, certificates and scrip issued. On February 23, 1839, when the association was formed receipts were issued for money paid into the funds. On February 27, 1839, when the claim was lodged certificates were issued showing the amount of money paid in and the acreage the holder was entitled to. At this time apparently the unit of 24 acres had not been envolved. After the balloting of the township blocks had been completed, the original scrips as above-mentioned were issued.

It will be remembered that the land grant issued was for 4,027 acres, no solution as to how this was made up was available, but from the Barnard papers we are now informed. The basis of allocation was 167 shares of a unit of 24 acres. This gave an acreage of 4,008 acres. But only 1,090 township blocks were issued, and this would not give six blocks per share, so someone had to be short of two blocks or equal to one acre. Thus only 4,007 acres were required instead of 4,008. The association had to take 42 80-acre sections to make up the quantity of country lands. On subdividing these 42 sections, 168 20-acre blocks were obtained, giving a surplus of one 20 acre block. It has not been learnt how this block was finally dealt with. To tabulate this information 167 shares of six township blocks less two acres equals 500 acres, 167 shares of 20-acre country land equals 3,340 acres, 167 shares of one acre block (Boston Island equals 167 acres), one surplus block of country land equate 20 acres ; total, 4,027 acres ; for which £4,027 was paid. The odd £27 was paid about the time the land grant was issued.