Encounter Bay by Chas R. Hodge

Encounter Bay

The Miniature Naples of Australia

A Short History of the Romantic South Coast of South Australia

by Chas R. Hodge

AUSTAPRINT, 1932, [facsimile], ISBN 0858723204, black and white photographic plates, black and white photographic frontispiece, hardcover with gilded lettering and embossed illustrations

Very Good Condition, some edge and shelf wear, some rubbing and bumping to edges and corners, ex-library with stickers to front and back endpapers, tape residue to covers, a little scuffing to front endpapers (see photographs)

“Preface: This book is the result f persuasion by friends interested in the romantic history of the South Coast, and my personal acquaintance with it since 1866.
Its literary merit may be negligible, but as a short authentic story of the creation, but subsequent loss, of a great river trade, and consequent destruction of local industries, it may prove of interest.  Encounter Bay was chosen by Governor Hindmarsh as the site for the Capital and principal port of the province, because of its proximity to the River Murray, but Colonel Light decided otherwise.
The first settlers arrived in 1839.  They were soon followed by others, who, satisfied with its potentialities, laid out their capital in full confidence.  For some years their optimism was justified, but the diversion of the Murray trade to Port Adelaide resulted in disaster to the southern towns.  The book probably contains more than usual of what may perhaps be termed domestic details, the reason being the author’s desire to make it useful to Municipal Councils on the Coast as a book of reference.  It is a matter for great regret that many old civic and church records, which would be of historical value today, have disappeared.”