Page:Papers of William Shakespeare Hall, 1861–1895.pdf/146

the colony's foundation. Mr. Hall senior brought a 25 ton cutter in the barque he was a passenger by, which, upon his arrival, served him in cruising along the coast, to explore the seaboard country. Eventually he settled at Mandurah, where he commenced farming. Some time after his cutter was wrecked, whereupon he migrated with his family to Perth. Here W.S. Hall, the subject of our biographical sketch, commenced his education under Mr. Wittenoom, the first Colonial Chaplain. Mr. Hall senior then went to the Old Country and joined his eldest son who had been educated at Eton; (and when of age) they finally severed their connection with the Motherland, by cutting off the entail to the property, disposing of it entirely and returning to the colony. Wongong farm was purchased, and there Shakespeare Hall learnt farming. Arriving at the age of manhood about the time of the famous gold discoveries in Victoria he could do no better, so he thought, than leave his father's home to seek his fortunes among the eager throngs hurrying in the race for gold. He followed gold digging in Bendigo and elsewhere with fluctuating fortune for 8 years and then returned to W.A. He entered into an engagement with the Government to prospect for gold in the vicinity of the Swan; bu the project had no looked-for results. About this time he accomplished the then unheard of feat of travelling overland to Champion Bay (Geraldton) single-handed, which was deemed a feat of great daring.