Journals of Two Expeditions of Discovery in North-west and Western Australia, During the Years 1837, 38, and 39

by Grey, George

• ISBN13: 9781108043601
• ISBN10: 1108043607
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-02-23
• Publisher: Cambridge Univ Pr

Summary

Educated at Sandhurst, Sir George Grey (1812-98) became Governor of South Australia when he was not yet thirty. Later he served as Governor of New Zealand and High Commissioner for South Africa, and in the 1870s he enjoyed a period as premier of New Zealand. Although he liked to portray himself as 'good Governor Grey', some of his contemporaries found him ruthless and manipulative. Like many other Victorian administrators, he was convinced that the 'savage' natives needed to be 'improved' in order to become more like Europeans. In this 1841 publication, Grey writes about two expeditions to North-West Australia that took place under his leadership in 1837-9. While seeking a site for settlement the expeditions encountered difficulties, and on one occasion Grey was seriously wounded. The work reflects contemporary attitudes towards the colonies and their indigenous peoples, and was highly praised on its publication.

Table of Contents

From Gantheaume Bay to the Hutt River

From the Hutt River to Water Peak

From Water Peak to Gairdner's Range

From Gairdner's Range to Perth

From Water Peak to Perth (Mr Walker's party)

Summary of discoveries

Voyage homewards

The overlanders

Native language

Their traditional laws

Laws of relationship, marriage, and inheritance

Crimes and punishments

Social condition and domestic habits

Food and hunting

Songs and poetry

Funeral ceremonies, superstitions, and remarkable customs

Characteristic anecdotes

Influence of Europeans on the natives

Appendix

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.