Page:Extracts from the letters and journals of George Fletcher Moore.djvu/204

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IMPROVEMENT IN PERTH.

through the bush on my lower boundary line, and had entertained great hopes that a valley through which the Susannah River (Latour's Brook) issues from the hills, was on my share; but on getting a view through the vista, I fear that it is not. However, the brook traverses my grant twice, and makes the back ground valuable.

A soldier coming up yesterday from Perth was attacked by natives; he says that he shot two of them. It will be prudent on my part, when I set out to-morrow morning at daybreak, to arm myself with a double-barrelled gun and ball cartridges.

August 21st.—Here is a sad hiatus! partly from absence, partly from occupation. All the foregoing had been written in hopes of my sending it by the Sulphur, but I have been disappointed; it must remain for a future opportunity. I resume my journal.

10th.—I reached Perth without an adventure, and found that the Governor had gone on board the Sulphur, which was standing out to sea; so that I had no chance of delivering my box on board.

14th.—I have had a tremendous-looking list of law cases to dispose of: one was for upwards of 2000l.—the parties, a Van Diemen's Land merchant and his agent. The town (Perth) is improving greatly. Buildings are in progress, and palings being put up in front of the allotments.