Expeditions to South Australia, vol 1 | Page 8

every quarter of the globe. In 1832, one
hundred and fifty vessels entered the harbour of Port Jackson, from
foreign parts, the amount of their tonnage being 31,259 tons.
The increasing importance of Sydney must in some measure be
attributed to the flourishing condition of the colony itself, to the
industry of its farmers, to the successful enterprise of its merchants, and
to particular local causes. It is foreign to my purpose, however, to enter
largely into an investigation of these important points. To do so would
require more space than I can afford for the purpose, and might justly
be considered as irrelevant in a work of this kind. Without attempting
any lengthened detail, it may be considered sufficient if I endeavour
merely to point out the principal causes of the present prosperity (and,
as they may very probably prove) of the eventual progress of our great
southern colony to power and independence.
STAPLE OF THE AUSTRALIAN COLONIES.
The staple of our Australian colonies, but more particularly of New
South Wales, the climate and the soil of which are peculiarly suited to
its production,--is fine wool. There can be no doubt that the growth of
this article has mainly contributed to the prosperity of the above
mentioned colony and of Van Diemen's Land.
At the close of the last century, wool was imported into England from
Spain and Germany only, and but a few years previously from Spain
alone. Indeed, long after its introduction from the latter country,
German wool, obtained but little consideration in the London market;
and in like manner, it may be presumed that many years will not have
elapsed before the increased importation of wool from our own
possessions in the southern hemisphere, will render us, in respect to
this commodity, independent of every other part of the world. The great

improvements in modern navigation are such, that the expense of
sending the fleece to market from New South Wales is less than from
any part of Europe. The charges for instance on Spanish and German
wool, are from fourpence to fourpence three farthings per pound;
whereas the entire charge, after shipment from New South Wales, and
Van Diemen's Land, does not exceed threepence three farthings,--and
in this the dock and landing charges, freight, insurance, brokerage, and
commission, are included.
GROWTH OF FINE WOOL. MR. M'ARTHUR'S EXERTIONS.
As some particulars respecting the introduction of this source of
national wealth into Australia may prove interesting to the public, I
have put together the following details of it, upon the authenticity of
which they may rely. The person who foresaw the advantage to be
derived from the growth of fine wool in New South Wales, and who
commenced the culture of it in that colony, was Mr. John M'Arthur. So
far back, I believe, as the year 1793, not long after the establishment of
the first settlement at Sydney, this gentleman commenced
sheep-farming, and about two years afterwards he obtained a ram and
two ewes from Captain Kent, of the royal navy, who had brought them,
with some other stock for the supply of the settlement, from the Cape
of Good Hope, to which place a flock of these sheep had been
originally sent by the Dutch government. Sensible of the importance of
the acquisition, Mr. M'Arthur began to cross his coarse-fleeced sheep
with Merino blood; and, proceeding upon a system, he effected a
considerable improvement in the course of a few years. So prolific was
the mixed breed, that in ten years, a flock which originally consisted of
not more than seventy Bengal sheep, had increased in number to 4,000
head, although the wethers had been killed as they became fit for
slaughter. It appears, however, that as the sheep approached to greater
purity of blood, their extreme fecundity diminished.
TO REAR MERINO FLOCKS.
In 1803, Mr. M'Arthur revisited England; and there happening at the
time to be a committee of manufacturers in London from the clothing
districts, he exhibited before them samples of his wool, which were so
much approved, that the committee represented to their constituents the
advantages which would result from the growth of fine wool, in one of
the southern dependencies of the empire. In consequence of this a

memorial was transmitted to His Majesty's government, and Mr.
M'Arthur's plans having been investigated by a Privy Council, at which
he was present, they were recommended to the government as worthy
of its protection. With such encouragement Mr. M'Arthur purchased
two ewes and three rams, from the Merino flock of His Majesty King
George the Third. He embarked with them on his return to New South
Wales in 1806, on board a vessel named by him "the Argo," in
reference to the golden treasure with which she was freighted. On
reaching the colony he removed