page break

Introduction.

By the solicitations of many friends, I have been induced to publish the following lecture, and as the subject treats much on the yet undeveloped resources of the Otway district, the same may be read, I trust, with feelings of interesting pleasure.

I have added as an appendix, a brief, yet truthful description of Port Campbell; its geographical position, its natural resources, &c., &c.; which, I trust, as a new and liberal land bill is shortly coming into operation, may prove beneficial to those who may have the good fortune to select land in its vicinity.

Many of my readers and patrons are well aware that about two years since, I compiled a work treating on the resources of the Western District, and numbers of the most respectable portion of our community subscribed to its publication. I obtained at the time of my canvass, over 500 signatures for the book, and received in advance money to the amount of between £50 and £60.

The money so received in my canvass was exhausted in expenses, necessarily incurred in my travels through the entire Western District, and I may further add, more than double the amount out of my own pocket.

At the time of my arrival in Melbourne, I was introduced by the worthy member for Warrnambool (Mr. Plummer), to Mr. Grant, President of the Board of Lands and Survey; with a view (as I thought) of getting the Government to assist me in publishing the work: such, however, could not be done, as assisting me in my publication would act as a precedent to others similar circumstanced, and the Government might have too much of such matters.

Mr. Grant at the time introduced me to Mr. Skene, and recommended that I should have given me a map of the page 4 County of Polwarth, as also one of Heytesbury, to accompany my book, which that gentleman assented to, and as soon as the work was ready, would be given to the publisher.

I then arranged with Messrs. Heath and Cordell, of Flinders-lane, Melbourne, for its publication. Their terms were that I was to pay them the sum of £50 to go on with the work. Since which time I have tried my hardest to realise that sum in every honourable way I could think of, but up to the present without success. I can truly say there is no man on earth feels his present position more deeply and keenly than myself, or could have tried harder for the successful accomplishment of his project; repeatedly promised assistance by one, and then by another, which has always ended in disappointment, nearly driving me to despair. For next to my God, my wife, and family, the publication of my book is closest to my heart; for on the production of that, in a great measure, rests my off springs' happiness. A few months, or a very few years at most, will call me to my long home; and I should not like to leave this world without fulfilling the promise I have made to those who have subscribed their names and money to my work.

Trusting that I may have an extensive sale for the publication throughout the Western District—the charge being one shilling, small in itself, though collectively sufficient, I trust, to place me in a position to publish "My Book and Why I Wrote it." If such should be the result, it will be gratefully received and acknowledged by