Captain George Sutherland completes his report on Kangaroo Island. He tells of the Aboriginal women who were abducted by the escaped convicts and taken to the island, that some had been returned to the mainland with their children, and suggests that those that still remain should also be taken back to the mainland. He concludes with a reference to several landings made by his men at Point Riley (near Wallaroo)and Corny Point (Yorke Peninsula) and their report of the land in the vicinity. Following his report Sutherland is extensively cross-examined by the Committee.

Captain George Sutherland was employed in 1819 by Mary Reiby, a Sydney trader, to collect sealskins and salt from Kangaroo Island. Sutherland stayed on the island for eight months from January to August and 12 years later provided a detailed report on the island. Sutherland was an experienced captain having made the voyage from England to Sydney a number of times. His report was made to the Committee formed in London for the purpose of establishing a colony in South Australia. This report was subsequently published in several publications which promoted a settlement in South Australia. Sutherland's report was detailed and he was, in addition cross-examined by the committee in 1831. The South Australian Company officials subsequently considered that Sutherland's reports were inaccurate, but it should be taken into consideration that the Australian climate was still poorly understood, and Sutherland may have been on the island in an unusually good year.

South Australian Association

Sutherland, George, Captain

South Australian Association South Australia: outline of the plan of a proposed colony to be founded on the south coast of Australia; with an account of the soil, climate, rivers, &c [Adelaide: Public Library of South Australia, 1962]

Plan of a company to be established for the purpose of founding a colony in Southern Australia: purchasing land therein, and preparing the land so purchased for the reception of immigrants London: Ridgway and Sons, 1831

Cumpston, J. S. Kangaroo Island, 1800-1836 [Canberra, The Author, 24 Holmes Crescent, Campbell, A.C.T.,
2601, 1970]

Nunn, Jean, This southern land: a social history of Kangaroo Island 1800-1890 Hawthorndene, S. Aust.: Investigator Press, 1989

State Library of South Australia: Mortlock Wing Taking it to the edge August 2004-