Canning Area Report

Product Description

The establishment of the Swan River Colony saw the granting of large parcels of land to colonists. The area around the Swan and Canning Rivers soon became scattered with fledgling farms and dairies and small villages began to flourish. The Canning District was one of the earliest settled areas in the new Colony. Despite the problems of isolation, distance and chronic shortages of labour and materials, the district began to grow. In 1843 the first step towards local government was seen with the appointment of Trust Officers for the Canning District by the Governor. The Trusts were short-lived, however, as dissatisfaction with their operation led to their dissolution in 1847. A Central Board of Work was established to oversee local development.