CHOICE OF PORT JACKSON.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 225, 10 November 1916, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHOICE OF PORT JACKSON.

AS A SITE FOR THE SETTLEMENT

CONFLICTING OPINIONS

From "The World's News."

Prominent officials who were directly connected with the arduous duty of taking practical possession of Australia held very diverse opinions, both with regard to its suitability for colonisation and its prospective value ior any purpose whatever. A man of less force of character than the genial old optimistic sailor could scarcely have failed to become impressed by the antagonistic opinions of so many of his subordinates, but Phillip -was made of sterner stuff. Trained in a school which had taught him to re?y on his own judgment rather than on the opinions of others in carrying out his instructions, he accepted his responsibilities cheerfully, and results have fully provad the wisdom of his decesions. His disappointment at the prospect of success in establishing the settlement on tho shores of Botany Bay is easily understood in the light of the g Owing reports on that locality furnished by the enthusiastic Sir Joseph Banks, who described the Bay from his awn personal knowledge of it, as being "most eligible for the purpose, only about seven months' voyage from England, ~o probability of any opposition from the natives, a climate like the south of Franco, aaid a proportion of rich soil sufficient to support a very large number of people. Plenty of fish, water, and timber, and no beasts of prey." With several minor details of much promise.

Captain Collins, who was Phillip's secretary, and had accompanied him on his exploratory journeys up the coast, was not as well satisfied with th -> prospect of Port Jackson as Phillip had pronounced himself to bo in his glowing report to Lord Sydney (the then Secretary of State for the Colonies), after whom the settlement was named. Phillip's keen eye for detail] enabled him to recognise at a glanca'thc value of what he described 1 as "the finest harbour in th e world," and to the oH sailor that was a recommendation it was impossible to overlook, j On the other hand, however, Collini wrote in hi.s journal:— "Ha 4 the Hirer and its fertile banks] been discovered before the establishment at Sydney Cove had proceeded too far to remove it, how eligible a place would it have l)een for the principal settlement."

Captain Hunter, of the Si'iue, who succeeded Philip as Governor of the settlement, was employed for many months in making surveys of Port Jadvson, Botany Bay, an! Broken Bay, and must, therefore, be credited with opportunities of forming sound opinions on the subject of- their respective values. He formed'a very high estimate of the latter,' but quite coincided with the decision arrived at by his chief before the existence f Tickiv Pay w s known. In any cis l Captoin Hunter was a member of the same profession as Governor Phillip, and could have entertained no doubt about the superiority of Port •l.icks.in as a site for the infant settlement.

A very different sort of man to Hunt.>r was Major Robert Ross, who came out with Phillip in command of tha military detachment and 1 as Lie.i-tonant-Governor of the nje-w settle mont. Strained relations between these two were soon evident] and when Phillip suggested that the personal influence of the officers among the pris oners would encourage them along the road to reformation better than the promiscuous use of the lash, Major Ross replied that "he and his officers- wer sent out on garrison duty, not to interfere with tlto convicts, which was degrading work for officers and gentlemen."

This ridiculous pretence of superiority was very displeasing to Phillip, and was made more so by their declining to sit as members of the Criminal Court because "they were not paid for it!" Numerous instances of a similar disregard for Phillip's authority prevailed upon him at last to avoid an open rupture by sending the aggressive major to Norfolk Island as Lieutenant-Gov-ernor, where he succeeded m making things pretty lively for everybody. In the meantime he had written sundry semi-official letters to his friend Nepean, the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, directly opposing Phillip's views of the suitability of thj country for the. purposes of colonisation. Tn one of these be says.—"From our Governor's manner of expressing himself—for he communicates nothing to any person here but his secretary (Captain Collins) —he has, I dare say, described this country as capable of bein<; made the Empire of the. Fast. But notwithstanding all he may say, from interested motives—and a.s : this fitter i' only for your private perusal—l do not scruple to pronounce that in t\v whole world there is not a worse country than what we have yet seen ol this." And very much more to the same effect. In another letter he says:— "I, therefore, think it will be cheaper to feed the convicts on turtle and venison at the London Tavern than be at the expense of sending them

Surgeon White, of the military force, wn.to in a. similar strain, as did other officers, and all this time l'hillip was struggling against serious dflioultk's, nut the least, of which was the dread of starvation for the whole or impunity. Jn this emergency he 9.Mit his own small stock of provisions to the public etor e for distribution, and drew for ins own use the same ratite was supplied to the prisoners. Events have amply justified Phillip s actions throughout, and proved the acoenie.v of his judgment on all matte s pertaining to the future prospects t tlu colony. The Historical Record savs:—" Phillip seems to have stood almost alone in his disregard of present privations and his confidence in t\\. y In turn i;f tin- country. The grievance wlii' h appeared so unendurable to th<> men ivbo surnunded him, he spoke ot :-., -,'•.:■ little difficulties we hare met v, i'.V v.iiich ii.ic willl remove.'"

T'i'ft 1 Phillip's memory has been venerated throughout the past years In- al! students of history requires no proof. That ii i> mi still was evidenced a few davs since bv a grey-haired old gentlem,n. leading a little girl, wh.. stoppol in front of 1 •:• statue in the Botanic Hardens. , dl-d the child's attention to i| «iluted. and passed on. When ask. 1 his reason for saluting, the old fellow retried • "Habit, sir: I do it every

time I pass. My grandfather was a midshipman under him in the old Ariadne in 182. A splendid man was Captain Phillip, sir, afloat or ashore, a sticker for his duty, but a heart as big as the dome of St. Paul's. 1 his country don't think half enough of him." And, do,ubt;less, there are many people who will experience no difficulty in agreeing with the old gentleman.