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pendulum swung to the other extreme, and
for a short time Port Adelaide enjoyed
w/iat it has never since been able to lay
claim to—the distinction of being a free
port. In 1845 the Governor considered the
state of the revenue justified his abolish
ing all port charges on ships of all nations
without exception. "All the ports of South
Australia," it was announced, "are now de
clared free ports in the most extensive
sense of the word. Vessels may put in
.anywhere without having to incur a single
farthing of expense, for even pUots are fur
nished to vessels gi-atis." A public meet
ing, held in the Supreme Courthouse, Ade
laide, at this time presented an address to
the Governor, conveying the deep sense of
the benefits conferred upon the colony by
His Kxeellency'.s administration of public
affairs, and more especially the spontaneous
abolition of all harbour rates, and port
dues, and charges. The revenue derived
from port charges at that time amounted to
only £2,000 per annum, and by way of
compensation certain Custorae duties were
increased. From this source an additional
revenue of about £1,200 was collected, leav
ing an actual loss of about £800, "which,"
it was remarked,"cannot for a moment be
put in comparison wit!) the immense benefit
to be derived from tlie abolition of the
I)ort charges." On the day on which the
II)11 for aboli.shing the port dues was intro
duced, one of the nrciubers of the CoU])cil
-stated ahat a ship was in sight cou)ing up
the Gulf, and it was resolved, in order that
she )))igl)t be the first to benefit by the
Act, tl)at the Council, having had the Bill
read the
fir.starid second ti)))c that morn
ing, should nicet again in the evening.
This was done. The ship proved to be the
Cbcerful, froD) Slanila. The freedoni frmn
port dues lasted only a few years.
The first vessel was registered at Port
Adelaide in 1838. The certificate, which is
at present hanging in the Customs House,
se:s out that in pursuance of an Act passed
in the fourth year o'f the reign of King
William IV., John Barton Hack, of Ade
laide, shipow])er, had declared that he was
the solo owner of a vessel of 36 tons, named
the Hero, of whieh AVillia)n Wright was
n)aster. The vessel was built at the Mann
ing River, New South Wales, in 1837. She
had one deck and one mast, her length
fixun the inner part of the main stem to
the sternpost was 40 ft., beam 14 ft., and
depth 7 ft. The Hero possessed no figure
head, was carvel built, and square at the
stern. It was particularly stated that she
had ))o galleries. The surveyiug officer was
Haniel Sinipson, and the certificate was
signed by Captain Lipson on October 3,
1838. Among the latest vessels registered
at Port Adelaide is the steamer Pilbai-ra,
2,664 tons, and 315 feet long.
Such in brief outline is an account of the
rise of our chief port. Sixty years have
seen it enrerge from a swiunp fronted by
what was little belter than a creek. The
part it is destined to play in the histmy of
I'lc nation arising in these southern seas
depends in no small measure upon the wis-
do))) of fiio j^tate legislature, and also ujjon
f'e i))duslry and energy of its town.-ipeojjlc,
who have inherited qualities as well a-s
fruits frO'U) the early pioneers.
CHAPTER IV.
In the very early days there was
aidcrable difference of opinion whether the
capital and its chief seaport had been right
ly located. At the beginning of 1837 a pub
li
con-
e agitation on the question was beg)m, and
Mr. Edward Stephens, writing from Glen-
olg to the "South Australian Gazette and
Colonial Register," said "Adelaide is un
questionably a beautiful spot; for agricul
tural purpo.ses altogether unexceptionable;
but it can never be a great co)nmercial city.
It is six miles at least distant from the har
bour, rvhioh, if safe, is, at present at least,
entirely destitute of fresh water, and not
capable of receiving ships of heavy tonnage.
The supply of water, it is true, eould be
brought to-day from Adelaide,a canal might
be dug, or a railway formed, the bar could
be deepened. .All this could be done—and
will be done if no better place exists—but
the point to be deteru)i))cd at the outt^ct
IS—J)oc,9 a better place exist? Adelaide may