Transcription Page 4

they were posted.- To the
Settlers and Merchants resident
in Gipps Land and Port Albert, a
corresponding degree of inconvenience
no doubt has been felt.

To place Gipps Land in a
better position with respect to
communication with Sydney and
Melbourne, and on a footing with
other Districts of the Colony- I do
myself the honor to suggest a plan,
which, if carried into effect, I feel
satisfied will be advantageous
to the District generally, as well
as to the Government, and to
Parties concerned in carrying
it out-

I propose that a postal
Establishment be formed at
Rabbit Island, and that an
arrangement be entered into with
the Proprietors of the ”Shamrock”
for

Transcription Page 5

for his to call there on her way
from Melbourne and Sydney.

Rabbit Island, as will be
seen by the enclosed tracing, is
between ten and eleven miles from
Port Albert and almost in the
Steamer’s course. It is high, and
of bold approach, has a good
landing place in a small sandy
bay on the N. W. side, where
there is a spring of excellent water.
It affords shelter to shipping in all
weathers, which most vessels trading
to Port Albert, as well as several
of the Coasters, take advantage of.
A respectable Hotel might be es-
tablished there for the accommodation
of parties waiting to take their passage
by the Steamer, and of others dis-
embarking therefrom.

It might be made a
special condition in his recognizance
that the Land lord should take
charge of the mails-

In

[Annotation: left]

Ink tracing pinned to sheet showing steamer’s course and Rabbit Island location with respect to Port Albert, Corner Inlet and Wilson’s Promontory

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In moderate weather, a daily
communication could be established
between the Island and Port Albert,
through the means of the Pilots’ boat;-
for, should the Govt., authorise the
appointment of a second pilot (already
applied for) his residence should be,
and most likely will be, at Rabbit Island

Presuming the time for sailing from
Sydney and Melbourne is always advertised
in the Newspapers, parties intending
to proceed from Port Albert in the Steamer
might be in readiness to embark from
Rabbit Island at a moments notice,
So that no delay need be anticipated
on that head.

In anticipation of this
plan meeting the approval of the
Government, I have, by private letter,
pointed out my views to the Agent
of the “Shamrock” at Melbourne, and
requested his opinion as to the
probability of the Proprietors acceding
to a proposal of the kind, should the
Government think proper to make
one

I have the honor to be
Sir
Your Honor’s most obedt Servt
Charles J. Tyers
Commr C. L.