Services, the Church of England in the Colony was placed on the same footing as other religious communities, which led immediately to Synodical action and government. The operation of the Government, at this time, was very energetic; a loan for public works of £100,000 was proposed, but only £25,000 permitted by the Imperial Government; a survey of the coast of the Colony was commenced, at the joint expense of the Imperial and Colonial Governments; a steam vessel was subsidised and placed on the coast to carry mails and passengers: an electric telegraph, which had been commenced between Perth and Fremantle by a company, was bought up; and in 1873 a loan bill passed for £100,000 to be employed in telegraph extension, and a railway in the mining district.
Red rust having destroyed the grain crops, seed was procured and employment on public works provided for those who were in need.
At the meeting of the Legislative Council in 1874, the desire for Responsible Government expressed itself by a petition, nemine contradicente, from the Council to the Governor, requesting that he would bring forward a Bill for its institution, in accordance with which a Bill was presented by the Colonial Secretary, contemplating a Legislature of two houses, one to be nominated and the other elected, with a civil list to provide for the Executive. As, however, the Bill was not accepted in its entirety, the Governor dissolved the Council, and on re-election, three members were found in opposition to the establishment of Responsible Government in the Colony, but the majority held to their former opinion.
