Back to Harrisson 1928 introduction

Report on the Examination of Crown Lands etc. in the County of Wellington
Appendix I. Exploration, County of Wellington - From Roger River to Marrawah Plain
Appendix II. Exploration 5700 acres State Forest Reserve - Parish of Lerunna
Appendix III. Parish of Warra
Appendix IV. Parish of Marrawah
Appendix V. Parish of Lerunna
Appendix VI. Parish of Riengeena
Appendix VII. V.D.L. Co's Woolnorth Block
Appendix VIII. Parish of Williams
Appendix IX. Parish of Togari
Appendix X. Parishes of Malompto and Terragomna
Appendix XI. Parish of Mowbray
Appendix XII. Parish of Ford
Appendix XIII. Parish of Poilinna
Appendix XIV. Parish of Gibson
Appendix XV. Parishes of Trowutta and Meryanna
Appendix XVI. Hunters Islands

Wellington Litho 1a.

APPENDIX III.
Parish of Warra

      Parish of Warra is the most south-western parish of the
County of Wellington fronting on the sea upon the west and on the
Arthur River on the South. The sea frontage is too rough for water
carriage, and although the Arthur River cannot be approached from
the sea, owing to its rocky entrance it would be navigable for small
vessels for about the length of the parish near where it junctions
with the Frankland River.
      Of 20,000 acres in the Parish about 2,000 acres only have
been selected, this being partially upon good second class country
or third class plain at the entrance to the Arthur River, making
excellent cattle country. The balance of the sea frontage is very
wind swept by ocean gales, open country devoid of timber, stony and
barren in places but generally sandy plains with heath and button-
grass making fair rough run. Open country extends for over three
miles from the sea and is usually poor third class land consisting
of sandy soil, stony quartzite patches and some poor hard clay. Near
the middle of the North boundary is an area of about 2,000 or 3,000
acres of better class country at the head of Richardson's Creek,
comprising sandy or loamy flats, partially open, and partially
covered with dense small titree shrub merging into stringy bark on
the North East. The area may prove to be well worth draining and
reclaiming and is not suitable for timber. The extreme north east
of the Parish is poor open buttongrass and heath and the extreme
south east generally poor second and third class country carrying very
little timber on the areas not actually open plain and of little
value for grazing or timber. The uncoloured Crown Lands of the
Parish as shown on litho are generally poor, open, third class land
carrying heath and buttongrass and interspersed with areas of scrub
and timber, usually a poor rather stunted class of stringy bark of
little or no commercial value. Viewed from a boat on the Arthur
River the whole of the Northern Bank is in timbered or scrubby
country and it is possible in such a large area, that a certain
amount of useful improveable land may be found, but as an examination
of the State Forest Reserve was not encouraging it was not considered
advisable to make further exploration at this stage. The maximum

Back to Harrisson 1928 introduction

Wellington Litho 1a.

APPENDIX III.
Parish of Warra (2)

elevation of the parish would be about 500 feet with an average
rainfall of about 50 inches, and the prevailing winds blow off the
sea ensuring a mild climate. The Crown Lands are watered with a
few permanent creeks running into the Arthur River. They range from
1½ to 9 miles from the Marrawah, or Welcome Valley Government tram
lines and the West Coast Road, roughly formed, passes through the
Western portion from the Northern boundary to the punt ferry at the
Arthur River and as the State develops this road will become of
greater importance. The Parish is generally very flat or undulating
and contains neither timber lease, cultivation or permanent resident
other than the ferryman at the Arthur River. The Arthur River is a
beautiful stream and should prove most attractive to tourists when
opened up and the Coastal waters carry very large quantities of
crayfish and scale fish which are seldom or never fished. The
unoccupied Crown Lands of the Parish along the sea frontage, is
agisted by the Lands Department and is controlled by the local Crown
Lands Bailiff. Although there is such a large area of very poor
plain in the parish, it is very useful in conjunction with the
adjoining farming and grazing country.

Back to Harrisson 1928 introduction