Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/577

Both Macarthur and Wakefield had a certain share of honour, but neither saw his scheme promoted to the full. Macarthur's advice to Brisbane concluded with a reference to the growth of wool.

"Should His Majesty's Government consider it advisable to direct any portion of its fostering care towards this hitherto neglected mine of wealth and future prosperity, it would not be difficult to devise methods by which the most respectable class of proprietors might be excited to more strenuous exertions to increase their flocks, and to improve the wool to the utmost degree of fineness; and even some of the most uninformed and careless might slowly be led into the adoption of arrangements calculated to promote their own and the public welfare."

Though Macarthur eventually succeeded, he had a contest during Brisbane's government to secure the contingent advantages originally pledged to him by Lord Camden. His son John, in England, reminded the Colonial Office of the promises of former time with regard to land. Brisbane, under the influence of those about him, had made overtures to Macarthur in defeasance of those promises.

Lord Bathurst at last wrote (17th Aug. 1824):

"As I find on reference to your despatch that the terms on which an offer has been made by you to Mr. Macarthur respecting his grant differ most essentially from those which were directed in my letter, I have to direct you that Mr. Macarthur be put into immediate possession of the lands described in that letter, amounting to 10,700 acres, on the payment of £2850 (being at the rate of ten shillings per acre for 5700 acres), or on the payment of an annual quit-rent of £142 10s., redeemable at twenty years' purchase, which is equivalent to a ready-money payment of £2850."

Conditions with regard to such sites for church and school as Archdeacon Scott might deem desirable, and to valuation of any property of the Crown on the land, were attached.

Thus at last the man who urged that others should be encouraged in founding family estates, was permitted to create his own in compliance with promises of former years.

Brisbane saw rapid growth of commerce, and a large increase of agricultural and pastoral industry, during his term of office.

The population of New South Wales in 1825 was 33,675. There were 237,622 sheep and 134,519 cattle. Of wool 411,600 lbs. were exported, and 45,514 acres were under cultivation. Nearly thirty ships were engaged in whaling and in procuring sandal-wood, bêche-de-mer, and other articles among the islands of the Pacific. The revenue