West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Thursday 27 October 1887, page 3


THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO THE

MURCHISON.

[BY TelEGRaph.], ",.

(From Our Special Reporter.) :

'-Geraldton, October 26.

His Excellency left Geraldton for, the Murchison at one o'clock. on the morning of Friday, 7th instant, for Nookawarra, travelling

in a light American buggy. The Private Secretary (Mr. Hare) in charge of a section of

the party, started at the same time, Three buggies, driven by Mr. E. Wittenoom, Mr. J. Aitken and Inspector Rowe, had started on the previous Wednesday morning. It had been arranged, however, that by. making a long journey on the first day, His Excellency and the Private Secretary should overtake the others' at Yuin, Mr. Burger's station, on the outskirts, of the Murchison district. By the light of the moon, the Governor, driven by Constable Connor and Mr. Hare, made splendid time..; But Mr. Hare was handicapped by a heavy load- The Governor reached 'Yuin,. 126 miles ' from Geraldton the same day, but Mr. Hare and party failed to do so, and camped at a well 25 miles from Yuin. From Year to the next: station, Murgoo, Mr. Wittenoom's is' over 90 miles, and' the, Governor reached there on Saturday evening: others of the party also reached, there on Saturday or early on Sunday. A Hare, Mr. Edwd. Darlot met the Governor and drove him the rest of the dis ent settlers had collected' at Nookawarra for distance to Nookawarra' station. Many promin the races. They gave HisExbelleney a cordial reception and had made elaborate preparations for the entertainment of visitors; On Wednesday evening, a dinner was given, at which the Health of His Excellency was drank.

The races began on Wednesday 12th, and they were well attended. The course is over a mile quite level, and in magnificent order. It is, indeed, superior to any in the colony. The stand is on the slope of a small hill, and every yard of the race can be seen with comfort. The racing was confined chiefly to the stables of Mr. Frank Wittenoom of Nook, warra, and the Messrs. Darlot of Berringarra,

both these establishments. being represented. Prior to the racing, the Governor was presented by Mr. R. E. Bush with an address of welcome from Murchison settlers, and His Excellency replied inappropriate terms

The racing opened with the Ladies Purse,, a maiden event, in which - there were four competitors Mr. F. Wittenoom's Ethel and Wilora, Mr. Darlot's Windeyer and Mr. Campbell's Timboon. The race lay between Wilara and Wilnilya, and the former was winning cleverly when his jockey fell over upon his neck and was beaten.

Mr. Wittenoom's Star of the South won the 'Warra Warra Cup, one mile and a quarter, beating Mr. Darlot's Esca, and Mr. Judge's Highlander.

Mr. Wittenoom's Jeelongi won the Nookawarra Plate;; Mr.! Judge's'Highlander won the Mileura Plate; Mr. Perk's Cid the Selling Race; and Mr. Darlot's Esca the Mt. Clere Cup. This brought the first day's racing to a close. a'-" ? ; -'- ' ' "

On the second day the Berringarra Plate was won by Mr. Darlot's Esca; the Begins by Mr. Darlot's Agitation; the Breeder's Plate by Mr.-^VvitfiBhdbm'srWelara}". the Stockman's Purse by Mr Perks Tell Tale and the Murchison Cup by Mr. Darlot's Agitation. Seven competitors started for the latter event, four of them belonging to the Nookawarra stable and three, to Berlin-

garra. The * race was won cleverly by: Mr. Darlot's Agitation,' carrying 12st. 10ibs.,and beating Mr. Darlot's Winilya and Esca. The four Nookawarra, horses were not placed. Agitation's time was 3 mins. 54 secs., which is remarkable, considering that she carried so great a weight. Most of the races were well i contested. Welter weights were carried i all through, and there was not a single case of breakdown. a '

On the third day, the show of sheep and cattle was held. The stock shown were all in grand condition, and testified to the excellent feeding qualities of the country. There was a striking difference between the quality of wool on the backs of paddocked sheep and those shepherded. The former being cleaner, denser and longer. t>

On the evening of the race and show days,? dinners were given. The first was in honour of His Excellency's visit, the second in honor of other visitors and the third was the ordinary club gathering. At each a long list of toasts was gone through.

In (response to the toast of his health, the Governor thanked the settlers for the warm reception given him, and expressed his surprise at the development and prospects of the district. ."--' 'says

On Friday, 14th instant, the party set out for Milly Milly station owned by Mr. James Aitken and passed through magnificient salt bush and grassy plains. The route then lay on to Beringarra, the fine station of the Messrs. Darlot, Minuela, the station of Messrs. Walsh A Son, situated behind Mounts. Matthew and Hale" and then back to Nookawarra.

The return journey from the Nookawarra was begun on the 18th, and His Excellency, with Captain Phillips and Mr. Hare came by Warra Warra, the station of the Messrs. Lacey. But the other visitors came down the direct road from Geraldton. His Excellency made a very big journey from Warra Warra, doing no less than 147 miles in one day, Mrs Arthur Lacey driving. Wherever- he appeared in the Murchison district he was very well received, and he has expressed himself as highly pleased with his trip.

Little reference was made to the inter diction of the Chief Justice, beyond the presentation of an address signed by all the leading Murchison settlers, condemning the.

attempt during the agitation to bring His Excellency

into contempt. - The

Murchison squatting district proper | begins atYuin,about 120 miles from Geraldton. For nearly 100 miles of this distance, the country is of the most dreary character,'' sand , plain being varied with thick scrub. So far inland is the good country situated

that it is a matter of wonder that it ever was settled. From reports received from natives in 1863, Mr. Thomas Burges despatched Mr. Perks his present manager, to explore for sheep country. Four years later, Mr. Perks took up a flock of sheep

to the country round Yuin. As they did j well, a station was formed there, and soon after Warra Warra station was established, and gradually the district has been taken up, until now it is in a highly promising state. The feed for sheep consists chiefly of salt bush which, on nearly all the stations,

covers -fine open plains. Near the! rivers! and creeks there is flooded grassy country, and in addition there is scarcely

a single scrub or tree, from which all kinds of

cattle do not get excellent food. Water can be found on all the stations at a depth of a few feet sinking. It is seldom necessary to go deeper than fifteen feet, in several places, also, there are permanent

pools. The rainfall, however is small, in some

parts being not more than four inches per annum. But showers fall both in winter and summer. Most of the stations are of immense area, ranging from' 400,000 to over 1,000,000 . acres. At present it is necessary to have a large extent of country, as the sheep are shepherded, and are taken from well to welL On some of the stations, however, fencing is proceeding with great rapidity, notably at Berringarra and Minerals, and nearly all the squatters are arranging for paddocking their country.

The Governor and the visitors from Perth intend to leave for home per the Otway on Wednesday next.