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A liglit of the first order, and an ocean signal station, on Cape Leeuwin itself would be most desirable, and a work of Federal importance. It would cost about £12,000. The West Australian Government have not felt justified in incurring this expense, since it considers that the cost of such a light-house should be contributed to by the other Colonies, or that the general boon to shipping would warrant, as in the case of the Great Basses and other lights, the levying of a duo, guaranteed by Imperial and Local Acts. If the matter could be arranged on this basis, Western Australia would be glad to contribute its share of the expense, and to execute the work. It has been proposed to organize a Federal Quarantine Station at King George's Sound. The Government of the Colony are ready to give every facility, and it may be hoped that a j)asis of action on this and other Federal matters of pressing need will be settled or suggested during the sitting of the Convention. The systematic Marine Survey of the coasts of Western Australia, begun ten years ago, is a work of Federal value. The expense is borne jointly by the Admiralty and the Colony. The survey is steadily progressing, and a great extent of coast line, from King George's Sound and Cape Leeuwin in the South to the new port of King Sound in the far North—entered a month or two ago by a merchant steamer for the first time—has been carefully mapped, and sounded out to the 100 fathoms edge. One important resist of the survey is that the Rambler and Beaver roofs, so long a cause of anxiety to seamen, have been conclusively proved not to exist. The West Australian seaboard embraces nearly half the continent, but she has kept pace with the sister Colonies in providing mariners with full and accurate charts. Taking into account her small means, she has probably spent a larger proportionate sum than any other State of the continent in perfecting the knowledge of Australian waters. These few notes may serve to show how the geographical position of the Western Colony already connects it in no small degree with works and projects of continental concern, promising to make it the thoroughfare of the European mails, passengers, and telegrams of the federated Dominion of the future ; and how its Government and Legislature are occupying themselves with undertakings which must tend to knit the Colony more closely to the rest of Australia. F. NAPIER BROOME. Government House, Perth, 14th November, 1883.

Cape Leeuwin Light-house and Signal Station.

Federal Quarantine Station at King- George's Sound.

Marine Survey of West Australian Coast.

Object of the Notes.