10787 DU 350 #3 A3, PREFACE. In the preface of this, the tenth edition of the WESTERN AUSTRALIAN YEAR BOOK, which deals principally with the progress of the Colony during the years 1896 and 1897, I have first to acknowledge my indebtedness to those by whose courteous and willing assistance I have been enabled to give a more correct and complete record of the resources and history of this vast territory than heretofore. The historical part has been thoroughly revised and considerably augmented, and I most gratefully place on record the help received from Dr. Alfred Grandidier of the "Institut de France," Dr. W. G. C. Bijvanck of the Royal Library at The Hague, Dr. M. Greshoff of the Colonial Museum at Haarlem, and Professor Dr. J. E. Heeres, of the Colonial Institute at Delft, who kindly supplied most valuable information with regard to the early French and Dutch discoveries; also the courtesy of Mr. H. F. Johnston, Surveyor General, who rendered me every assistance in my efforts to obtain a short statement of the principal explorations made since the foundation of the Colony. An interesting chapter on the Vegetation of Western Australia has been kindly contributed by Mr. E. J. Bickford, F.L.S., and the various heads of the Government Departments, as well as Secretaries of private corporations and others, have readily supplied me with the information at their disposal. To this edition chapters have also been added relative to "The Aborigines of Western Australia," on "Water Supply." the "Perth Branch of the Mint," the "Agricultural Bank," and in connection with "Friendly Societies." All the material has been brought up to date as nearly as possible, and the statistical figures have in every instance been most carefully revised. Information respecting any errors that may, nevertheless, have been overlooked, will be gladly received. MALCOLM A. C. FRASER, Registrar General's Office, Perth, 31st May, 1898. Registrar General. |