V. The Modern Period, 1789–1914 > F. The Pacific Region, c. 800–1914 > 3. Australia, 1788–1914 > 1829
  PREVIOUS NEXT  
CONTENTS · SUBJECT INDEX · BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD
  The Encyclopedia of World History.  2001.
 
 
1829
 
FOUNDATION OF PERTH, in Western Australia. This was the work of Thomas Peel, James Stirling, and their associates. A huge tract of land was granted by the government and was divided among the settlers, but dispersal of the population, lack of sufficient labor, etc., led to the collapse of the founders' hopes and investments. Western Australia led a most precarious existence for many years.  1
 
1831–38
 
Sir Richard Bourke, governor. The British government fixed the minimum price of land at five shillings per acre, thus bringing to an end the unrestricted granting of land. Half of the proceeds from land sales was to be devoted to financing of immigration, the other half to public works. In 1832 the New South Wales government began the encouragement and financing of free immigration.  2
 
1831, May 15
 
Arrival of first overseas steamship, Sophia Jane, in Sydney. A smaller steamship, Surprise, had been built in Sydney in March.  3
 
1834–36
 
FOUNDING OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Whalers and sealers from Tasmania and America had for some time maintained stations on the coast, but the establishment of the colony was due to the efforts of Edward Gibbon Wakefield, the famous colonial theorist. Wakefield argued that land must be sold at a “sufficient price,” which meant a price sufficient to oblige the laborer to work for several years before being able to acquire land for himself. In the interval the proceeds from land sales could be devoted to the importation of further labor, and thus a perpetual turnover of capital, land, and labor could be effected. On Aug. 2, 1834, Wakefield's followers, supported by the duke of Wellington, George Grote, and others, secured for their South Australia Association a charter to found a colony. The first settlers were landed at Kangaroo Island in 1836, but were soon moved to the mainland, where Adelaide was founded. Wakefield's theory was not closely adhered to, but the land sales resulted in widespread speculation, which ruined the beginnings of the enterprise. Sir George Grey (lieutenant governor, 1841–45) finally succeeded in clearing up the financial muddle and reestablished the colony on the basis of cultivation and grazing.  4
 
1834–37
 
SETTLEMENT OF VICTORIA. This was begun by colonists from other parts of Australia and Tasmania. In 1834 Edward Henty from Tasmania began sheep and cattle grazing at Portland Bay, and in the following year John Batman and his associates from Tasmania (the Port Phillip Association) concluded a treaty with the native people at Port Phillip and began to open the country. A rival group from Tasmania, led by John Fawkner, established itself close by. Batman and his friends were the founders of Melbourne.  5
 
1834, Oct. 28
 
The “battle” of Pinjarra, Western Australia. Soldiers led by Gov. Stirling ambushed local Aborigines, killing many.  6
 
1837
 
A British parliamentary committee investigated the whole question of transportation of convicts and reached conclusions unfavorable to the system. Beginning of the movement to abolish it.  7
 
1838
 
The minimum price of land was raised to 12 shillings per acre (in 1840 to £1 per acre). The government, however, issued grazing licenses for a small fee, thereby facilitating the occupation of large tracts in the interior. Between 1840 and 1850 the Darling Downs were opened up and, after a severe depression in the early 1840s, New South Wales began developing its wool industry.  8
 
1840, Nov. 18
 
The LAST CONVICTS were landed in New South Wales. Since 1788 about 79,000 had been brought in. In 1840, about 38,400, and in 1850 about 2,360, convicts remained. The free population already greatly outnumbered the convicts and emancipists.  9
 
1840–41
 
Edward J. Eyre explored the barren region north of Spencer Bay as far as Lake Torrens. Thence he and an Aboriginal companion, Wylie, crossed the desert of the Nullabor Plain to Albany (Western Australia).  10
 
1842
 
Reconstruction of the legislative council, which henceforth was to consist of 36 members, of whom 24 were to be elected by the propertied classes. Emancipists were given the vote provided they could meet the property qualifications.  11
 
1844–46
 
Charles Sturt, starting from Adelaide, pushed his way north into the great Stony Desert as far as the Diamantina. At the same time the German scientist Ludwig Leichhardt explored the region from Darling Downs to the Gulf of Carpentaria and as far as Port Essington (post open, 1838–49).  12
 
 
 
The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

CONTENTS · SUBJECT INDEX · BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD
  PREVIOUS NEXT