Kangaroo Island in 1855

KANGAROO ISLAND.

We have been obligingly favoured by Captain Freeling, R.E., with some interesting memoranda on Kangaroo Island, made during the Surveyor-General 's recent official visit to the island, and his examination of the coast, with reference to the intended erection of a lighthouse on Cape Borda. The memoranda will be found to comprise information not only possessing the charm of novelty, but calculated to stimulate research and promote useful enterprise. The following is the substance of the information communicated to us :

Cape Borda, situated at the north-west extremity of Kangaroo Island, is the first land within the limits of the colony of South Australia that is generally made by ships arriving from the westward. A vote of Council has been taken for the erection of a lighthouse at this point, the cliff on the summit of which the light will be placed being about 250 feet above the sea; the light will be visible about 25 miles, and between a south-west and by south, and an east north-east bearing from the Cape.

The northern coast of the island presents to view generally a bold coast intersected with deep ravines, the whole covered with dense scrub.

Three miles east from Cape Borda is a small beach (Flagstaff Beach) covered with sand in the month of February, on which a landing can be effected in fine weather. Ten miles further eastward the River De Mole runs into the sea, carrying sufficient water to float a vessel of probably 250 tons, half-a-mile inland. At this distance the river enters a rocky gorge, and after a southerly course of two miles divides into two branches, the easternmost of which is met with five miles inland running a strong fresh water stream towards the sea, with a bed averaging 20 feet in width ; the land through which the river flows is, however, of a sandy nature, and the trees on its banks do not attain any great size.

About 22 miles east of Cape Borda a safe anchorage for small vessels is found at Snug Cove ; a watercourse dry in summer runs down to the Cove, in the bed of which, by sinking a few feet, good fresh water is to be obtained in abundance ; there is some difficulty however, in reaching the general level of the island from this cove as the hills by which it is enclosed are very steep, and the country inland for two or three miles quite impracticable. Grass-trees and honeysuckle abound between the Cove and the River De Mole.

Western River, about 10 miles from Snug Cove next demands attention. Good gum timber, very straight and of considerable length and girth, is to be found on its banks for three or four miles inland. Two vessels had been partially built at this place, and if completed would have been floated down the river, the entrance to which, though obstructed in the summer by a dry sandbank, is about five feet deep in winter time. Fresh water is found in a small branch of the river one mile from the coast The land here is tolerably good and capable of cultivation with success.

From Western River to Kingscote the island presents nothing very peculiar to remark on. At Freestone, near Point Marsden, some good land has been brought under cultivation. 

On the Three-well or Cygnet River, close to the site of the place formerly known as the South Australian Company's Farm, Mr. Goodiar has erected a steam sawmill, and employs a great number of workmen in the expectation of supplying the Adelaide market with good timber of colonial growth.

Further eastward, at Freshwater (or Hog) Bay under Kangaroo Head, is a small settlement of islanders, who cultivate some 200 acres of fertile land. These people are comfortably housed, and have surrounded themselves with most of the necessities and some of the luxuries of civilized life. It was at this place that the French surveying ship Le Geographe obtained water in the year 1803. The visit is recorded by a rude inscription, still very legible on a rock close to the watering place, and where at the present time fresh water still appears on the surface. —S. A. Register.