Resources.

Stone for building purposes and lime-stone abound—good spring water, and some of the finest soil that can be met with in any other part of our colony in its vicinity. I am informed by undoubted authority and by men possessing a practical knowledge of the fertilising capabilities of soil, that within a distance of seven miles of the Port there is sufficient space for the establishment of fifty 200 acre farms on as good a land as our colony can boast of, which will be occupied as soon as ever the law of the land allows them to take possession. The country in the interior from the Port presents an almost impenetrable aspect, from the dense growth of the scrub and underwood, yet when penetrated sufficiently far, a fine timbered country with gums growing perfectly straight from 50 to an 100 feet in height, without a branch, and being from 2 to 3 feet in page 20 diameter, present themselves, the surface soil in place of scrub giving birth to grass of a most peculiar kind growing from 5 to 6 feet in height, not in tussucks as is ordinarily met with, but giving the appearance of an entire crop over very extensive areas, the soil being black loam of the very richest description.

Timber suitable for building and fencing purposes is to be met with in abundance, and the only drawback to the success of intending settlers is the want of a safe harbour for the outlet of their produce, which if accomplished would not only benefit those who may live in its immediate vicinity, but would eventually cause to be utilised the vast timber resources which now abound in the vicinity of the river Gellibrand, and would also cause permanent occupation of all lands worth cultivating situated between the towns of Terang and Camperdown and the southern sea-board.

Space will not admit of my entering into detail of a further description of this part of the country, but brief as my statement is, it is nothing but the truth.