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Domestic Sayings and Doings
We have heard, with some pleasure and interest,
of a large meeting of the Toodyay and other na-
tives having taken place over the hills for the pur-
pose of receiving a considerable quantity of flour
which was collected and distributed amongst them
as a reward for their having, in a great measure
this year, refrained from burning the bush. This
idea, we believe, originated with His Excellency,
and has been carefully carried out by the Toodyay
Resident and the settlers in that district, who
managed to have nearly half a ton of flour for dis-
tribution. A grand "Corrobory " of the various
tribes from York, Northam, Toodyay, &c., took
place. This is but a fitting recompense for the
privations which the aborigines endure from the
encroachments of the white population, and we
hope to see a similar course adopted another year.
By the Government Gazette of Tuesday last, it
will be seen that the Legislative Council will meet
for the dispatch of public business on Thursday,
the 10th April.
We understand that the soap-boiling operations
on Mr T. Habgood's premises are progressing most
favorably, and that at present one ton of soap a
week can be manufactured there. The article
made is good and reasonable, and our enterprising
townsman deserves the support of his brother
colonists.
As the time for the Races approaches we notice
increased indications of good sport. Many " high
mettled racers " are to be seen in training for the
forthcoming events, which give quite a "New-
market " like appearance to our quiet streets.
Looking at the number of Ticket-of-lëave holders
in Perth, Fremantle, and the colony generally, we
cannot but be struck with the quiet and orderly
manner in which they conduct themselves. So far,
indeed, from there being any apprehension as to
these men, we have seen some instances from which
our free settlers might take very good examples.
The duties of Acting Postmaster General were
commenced on the 1st April by Mr A. Durlacher.
The shareholders of the Western Australian
Mining Company held a meeting at the Freema
son's Tavern on Monday last, when a call of two
shillings a share was made, payable by the 1st
May next.
Last week the Total Abstinence Society held
their Quarterly Meeting, when there was a tolera-
ble muster of attendants, and tea and harmony
prevailed.
The public attention should be directed to the
Government notice, intimating that in future nil
payments of accounts for labor and supplies to Lo-
cal Government will be made on the 10th of each
month, provided such accounts are made up to the
last day of the preceding month ; established ac-
counts are settled as heretofore.
We hear that, in consequence of some misun-
derstanding with the York Agricultural Society,
His Excellency has withdrawn his name as Patron,
arising out of some correspondence respecting the
dog tax. We trust the usefulness of the Society
will not be impaired through the secession of their
patron ; perhaps an active working President who
considers his office as not merely a complimentary
one would prove a beneficial substitute.
In the absence of any information of interest
from Shark's Bay by the Pelsart, much is of course
buil upon the little news which has reached us.
We understand that the Hashemy had not sailed,
and that the Martha with a mail for this, had left
for Fremantle three days before the departure of
the Pelsart. Should this latter have been the case,
the Martha appears to have been a long time on
her passage. We hope she has not struck on a
Guano Bank. What with pearls, guano, and salt,
the ships which have latterly visited our Northern
coast must have had tolerable pickings.
We are happy to hear that the Surveyor of
Town's Bill is to be abandoned, owing to the ex-
pressed unpopularity of the measure. Mr Helms
waited on His Excellency on Monday last, simply
as a private individual, with the view of attempt-
ing to obviate much unnecessary excitement, by
inducing the Governor to meet the wishes of the
townspeople in a matter where their own interests
were so palpably at stake. His Excellency was
pleased to receive Mr Helms with great urbanity,
and assured that gentleman that the unpopular
Bill which had called for his mediation, should be
replaced by another, which, we hope, will in due
course be published in the Government Gazette.
Great complaints have reached us of the scarcity
of water on the York Road. We certainly cannot
compel the rain to fall at unusual seasons of the
year, but we can suggest to the settlers, who are
constantly frequenting the above road, that they
might dig for wells in likely places, and thus ma-
terially diminish the existing inconvenience, more
particularly as it appears, according to their re-
presentation, the Government remains so callous
to the thirsty sufferings of themselves and cattle.
We have heard, upon the best authority, that it
is His Excellency's intention to erect forthwith,
in Perth, a Colonial Gaol and also a Colonial
Hospital ; both buildings are, we believe, to be
upon a scale calculated for the future requirements
of the colony and not merely for the present.
The cargo of the Joseph Manook, which was to
sail yesterday for Calcutta, consists of about thirty
tons of Sandal-wood, a quantity of Jarrah, a few
logs of white gum, and some specimens of Rasp-
berry-jam wood. As this vessel is somewhat of a
clipper, she is expected to return to this colony in
three months.
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