WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 531, 4 September 1850, Page 3

WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

We have Swan River papers to the sth ultimo. , The arrival of the 'Scindian, with prisoners, appears to have given great satisfaction, and a meeting was to be held on the 10th to consider the propriety of a memorial to the Home Government expressive of the gratitude of the colonists. In a despatch to the Manager of the Swan RiverColonisa*tionAssociation,Mr.Hawessays it is only intended to send out a moderate number ; that no assignment will take place,; that they will be entiiely under the control of Government f and will be employed in improving the harbours, opening roads, cutting valuable timber, and other public works ; that the whole expense will be defrayed by the British Treasury ; that only upon gaining their freedom shall the prisoners enter the service of the settlers ; that they shall be convicts selected for good behaviour ; and that an annual sum will be set apart for promoting free emigration, so as to equalise the sexes, -from British funds. The Scindian had brought seven cabin passengers, seventy -five convicts, fifty-four pensioners with wives and families, and fourteen emigrant young women. His Excellency and Captain Henderson (who arrived in the Scindian) had visited the pensioners. His Excellency informed the men that he would give them each ten acres of ground upon a nominal lease for seven years, after then it should become their own property, which they could select where they thought proper ; that the convicts should clear it for them, and that each man could have an advance of £10 to start with. The Bittern had arrived from Madras for horses. Garroogin, a horse purchased by Major Bush of Mr. Brockman, and afterwards sold in India for £300, \has been the crack horse of the second Calcutta Spring Meeting, winning the three principal races, and defeating the country bred, Wafers, q and English in good style. It is stated that his owner had been offered £2000 for him and, refused 'it! ,-..-'.■- An extensive sheepowner in the Northam district informs us (Perth Gazette) that the loss of ewes and lambs during the present season may be reasonably set down at no less than 15,000. All accounts agree that, the loss has everywhere been very great, but we certainly had not anticipated so lamentable a result. From the same excellent authority, we learn that the pastures being overstocked is the reason of the rapid decline in the supply of grass, which has happened for the last three or four years. Our informant states that the principal mischief arises from the stock too early cropping the young grass that springs up after the first rains, which he avers kills every plant so cropped. The overland mail brought the intelligence that the settlers were becoming straitened for want of provisions of all kinds. The whaling season had commenced auspiciously.