The Great Southern buy-back: The colony of Western Australia and the Great Southern railway 1880-1897

This thesis examines the circumstances surrounding the building of the Great Southern Railway as a land-grant railway in the colony of Western Australia in the 1880s and its purchase by the government in 1896. In the early 1880s the steamship companies bringing mail and passengers from overseas and the eastern colonies, preferred Albany to Fremantle, adding an uncomfortable three to four day journey to the capital Perth. To overcome this difficulty, the government proposed to build a railway from Albany to the existing network at Beverley. This railway was to be funded by grants of land to the private company building the railway. As background to this decision, the first part of this thesis examines the way governments used the technology of railways in Europe, North America, and the eastern colonies of Australia to solve social and economic challenges. In their desire to link Perth to Albany and expand the agricultural development of Western Australia, the colonial government offered twelve thousand acres of crown land for every mile of railway constructed from Beverley to Albany. The second part of the thesis outlines how the capital was raised, the railway built and was operational by 1889, earning the West Australian Land Company approximately three million acres of crown land. Part three of the thesis examines the reason for the company’s difficulties and the impact of self-government in 1890. Competition from the government meant the West Australian Land Company was unable to sell its land, forcing the company to seek relief from its debts. I dispute the historical interpretation that the government purchase was to rescue a failed project, arguing the price paid was competitive and the purchase motivated by philosophical and political pressure. The thesis concludes with an evaluation of the land-grant scheme and an assessment of its impact on the development of the colony

T. G. Clark to Margery Clark (13 February 1863)

News of Isaac\u27s arrival to the company and mention of the difficulty for new recruits and the impossibility of leaving duty; also mentions Isaac running a fever.https://egrove.olemiss.edu/ciwar_corresp/1151/thumbnail.jp

T. G. Clark to Margery Clark (13 December 1861)

Thomas discussing the company\u27s wait to advance into Kentucky and financeshttps://egrove.olemiss.edu/ciwar_corresp/1157/thumbnail.jp

T. G. Clark to Margery Clark (26 February 1863)

Thomas detailing the travels of the company from Goldsboro, N.C. to Black Water (Va.); also speculates on the possibility of a fight. Mentions that Isaac is not yet in the service and that he may substitute for Jonathan or Albert.https://egrove.olemiss.edu/ciwar_corresp/1152/thumbnail.jp

T. G. Clark to Margery Clark (12 December 1862)

Thomas discussing rumors of the front at Fredericksburg & the Confederate Army being pushed back to Grenada, the health of various troops, his rejected furlough, weather conditions in Virginia, and advice on home matters & hiding food from the Union troops.https://egrove.olemiss.edu/ciwar_corresp/1143/thumbnail.jp

T. G. Clark to Margery Clark (7 December 1861)

Thomas discussing the election of regimental officers and the overall wellness of the company prior to their arrival at Camp Alcorn.https://egrove.olemiss.edu/ciwar_corresp/1135/thumbnail.jp

T. G. Clark to Margery Clark (24 August 1862)

Thomas discusses the death of Lieutenant Paschall and rumor concerning troop advances towards Washington. Also writes about the health of the soldiers in Camp Mott. Finally discusses news of home matters, particularly the sale of his horse, against his wishes, and his desire to see his family.https://egrove.olemiss.edu/ciwar_corresp/1137/thumbnail.jp

T. G. Clark to Margery Clark (8 June 1863)

Thomas discussing the situation and position at Fredericksburg and rumors of tactics, including the possibility of General Lee heading to Maryland. Thomas also discusses having been home.https://egrove.olemiss.edu/ciwar_corresp/1156/thumbnail.jp

T. G. Clark to Margery Clark (18 September 1862)

Thomas writing about his desire to take a furlough, which has been rejected and his need for new clothing. Finally mentions his desire to send money home from the front.https://egrove.olemiss.edu/ciwar_corresp/1139/thumbnail.jp

T. G. Clark to Margery Clark (14 June 1862)

Thomas discussing the general wellbeing of the company, their upcoming trip to Virginia, family financeshttps://egrove.olemiss.edu/ciwar_corresp/1167/thumbnail.jp