Brief History of Canberra. Watson, F.. 1927. A brief history of
Canberra the capital city of Australia by Frederick Watson,
outlines the early history of the region in some detail from
European discovery by Charles Throsby in 1820, settlement by
Moore and others from 1826, the determination of the site for a
federal capital to the early development of the city. Apart from
the trials and tribulations of the first European settlers the
dialogue covers the establishment and early years of the Church
of St John the Baptist, and the exploits of Frank Gardiner and
his fellow bushrangers. The Oliver Inquiry into the selection of
a site for the Australian Capital territory and the subsequent
debate occupies a significant section of the book as does the
initial planning by Griffin and the initial construction period
from 1921 to 1927. The establishment of Duntroon in 1910 and its
early years are also featured. The publication names early
settlers in the area and some have significant biographical
information written