FINE HARDCOVER COPY WEST AUSTRALIANA > The book touches briefly on times when Dutch vessels were being wrecked on our reefs and the French were teasing the British with their presence on the west coast of Australia. It describes in detail the involvement of the early settlers endeavouring to escape from conflict with mainland Aborigines, the Island’s role as a penal settlement for Aboriginal prisoners and its later service as a boys’ reformatory and Governor’s summer residence.

After closure of the prison, the Island’s development as a recreational reserve and its use by the army during and after the first world war are traced. This important and unique study records one of the largest groups of early colonial buildings in Australia, presenting details of their construction and illuminating those persons responsible for their existence.

Well illustrated with maps, architectural plans and drawings, photographs. pp.126 #170116r/1220/160822 Scarce Hardcover First Edition. Presentation plate on fep. ISBN 10: 0855642483 ISBN 13: 9780855642488