1800-1899: Building an industry

1800

The number of sheep in the colony reaches 6124. 

1801

The largest owners of sheep in the colony are Foveaux (1250), William Cox (1000), John Macarthur (970), John Palmer - the Commissary (650), Samuel Marsden -the Chaplain (340) and Thomas Laycock - the Quartermaster (340). In October Macarthur purchases Foveaux's holdings. 

Governor King arranges for the delivery of a selection of 8 fleeces from sheep from Macarthur's  flocks in New South Wales for inspection in England by Joseph Banks. A summary of his report follows.

Number 1 was from a ewe from the Cape of Good Hope of the Spanish breed, although a little heavy on the flank and a small matter on the forehead, estimated to be worth 4/- per pound clean .

Number 2 was from a yearling ram bred from No. 1. Banks reported it was nearly as good as the Kings Spanish Merino, quite free from hair, excellent quality, worth 5/- per pound.

Number 3 fleece was from a ewe bred from No. 1. It was quite different from its mother, about the quality of a Wiltshire fleece, running coarse towards the rump and britch, showing little or no Spanish blood.

Number 4 fleece was from a yearling ram bred from No. 3.  It was rather better in quality than No. 3, and not so coarse on britch and rump.  There was very little sign of merino blood.

Number 5 fleece was that of an Irish sheep.  The wool was very coarse, the quality and value being about the same as a coarse Dorset, 1/- per pound.

Number 6 fleece was from a yearling ram bred from No. 5 by a merino ram. There was a deal more Spanish than No. 3 and No. 4, and the fleece was a much improved quality.

Number 7 fleece was the hair of a ewe of Bengal breed, only fit for bricklayers to mix among mortar.

Number 8 fleece was from a wether of eighteen months bred from No. 7 by a merino ram.  This wether's wool was much improved by Spanish blood, although Banks thought it was a pity to throw away merino blood on such a sheep.

1802

Captain John Macarthur's muster reaches 2750, compared with 1100 owned by Cox and 480 owned by Marsden. Almost 1/3 of the sheep in the colony are owned by Macarthur.  

1804

Macarthur travels to England.

The Privy Council's Committee on Trade and Foreign Relations considers a proposition from Captain John Macarthur for encouraging the breed of fine wooled sheep in New South Wales. They conclude that "it is probable that wool of very fine quality may be produced in New South Wales and brought to this country at a price which the manufacturers of that article can afford to give for that material".  However they refrain from recommending an unconditional grant of land either to Macarthur or to a joint company or any other individual "as such a Grant might retard, or prevent other inhabitants of New South Wales from turning their attention to the growth and improvement of fine wool, or perpaps in other respects counteract improvements of the Colony".

1805

Macarthur succeeds in obtaining from Lord Camden, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, a grant of 5000 acres of grazing land which he selects upon returning from England.

1806

A massive flood in the Hawkesbury River basin severely checks the growth of sheep numbers in the colony. In 1803/1804 numbers increase by 5200 and in the following year they increase by 6116. But in 1805-06 the total increases by only 1600. 

1807

The first consignment of Australian Merino Wool is sent to England. It was only 245 pounds but of such quality as to arouse great interest.

1821

The first public auction of the whole of the Colony's clip is held at Garraway's Coffee House, Change Alley, Cornhill, London, first sales commencing on the 17th August.  Altogether 329 bales of New South Wales fleeces were auctioned.  Forty seven of these, bearing the JMcA brand were given pride of place in the first day's auction of 26 lots. Thirteen lots sold from 2 shillings 5 pence to 2 shillings 11 pence per pound.  Eleven lots sold from 3 shillings to 3 shillings 10 pence and two bales sold at 5 shillings 6 pence. The highest price was for bale 45 which sold at  10 shillings and 4 pence, purchased by Mr Hurst and delivered to the Royal Factory.

1838

Sheep have moved into every Australian colony, and wool has become Australia's main export

1840

First sale of wool by auction in Australia is held in Adelaide. However regular sales in Adelaide do not commence until 1867. The bulk of Australian wool is still consigned to London where it is purchased mainly by European buyers.

1843

Thomas Sutcliffe Mort holds the first wool sale in Sydney. Five years later he combines with Richard Goldsbrough and concentrates on Melbourne & Geelong markets.