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rest meant to follow their example. Two hundred dollars remained in Captain Ball's hands to be applied to their benefit. Captain Ball's proceedings have been approved by the Governor. I presume, therefore, that they were all legal; though not having the Order in Council by me, I cannot refer to the clause which authorized them. Assuming that he has not exceeded his authority, I do not see how he could have used it better. This case, like the others, shows the necessity of constant inspection and inquiry; but no fault can reasonably be imputed to the Government or its officers.
At p. 118, I find a letter about these Maltese labourers, signed by Messrs. Colin and Postlethwaite, who seem to be the proprietors of Hibernia. The occasion is not stated; but it is dated the day before the Commissioners' visit, and sets forth the great pains which had been taken by these gentlemen to make the labourers comfortable and contented; the ill success of them; their desire to annul the con- tracts (on condition of receiving such remuneration for having imported them as might be provided in such cases); their opinion that it would be for the good of all parties that all contracts of this kind should be annulled by mutual consent, andl no contract of service should be permitted until the immigrant had begu at least three years in the colony.
The letter was written, I suppose, in anticipation of the result of the Commis- sioners inquiries; and means that Messrs. Colin and Postlethwaite (apprehending that their own apprentices would be released from their servitude at any rate) were willing to get as much credit and as unel compensation as they could, and as many companions in misfortune. It seems to require no notice.
VII.
There was an immigration of Portuguese in September, 1835, from Madeira • They were distributed on several estates, on some of which the mortality among them appears to have been very considerable at first; but those who remained werk generally healthy and contented, though dirty. Some of them, however, had com- plaints which the Commissiouers thought well founded.
It may perhaps be worth while to remind Governor Light that he has of course directed the Stipendiary Magistrates to see these complaints redressed.
VIII.
There are seven Germans on Devonshire Castle estate, who are represcuted as healthy, contented, cheerful, and cleanly; and four or five on Hoop-en-Vries, whose diet is said to be unsuitalde, cottages dirty, and themselves most of them -irk.
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have been instructed to visit' all the estates at least once every month; and one of them (Mr. Wolsely, I believe) is to make periodically the circuit of the police stations,
Captain Ball suggests that a Stipendiary Magistrate should have the power of redressing manifest grievances on his own view, without waiting for formal com- plaints; but I think this is unnecessary. If the grievance be detected, and reported to the Governor, there cannot be much difficulty in devising means of
redress.
Leamington, August 26th, 1839.
JAMES SPEDDING
IX.
The Commissioners had not completed their Report for Berbire, which is ex- perted to be favourable. I do not think these papers contain any other important information. There are a great many Negroes from the West Indian islands under indenture, of whom there is nothing particular to be said. In respect both of health and behaviour, the good and bäd ure mixed up in the Reports, without any rule that I can find.
X.
Upon the whole it does not seem to me that any new law is required.
The Commissioners ascribe most of the evils suffered by these immigrants to the want of proper accommodation on their arrival, and their being sent to work too soon. This might be obviated by an instruction to the Stipendiary Magistrates to refuse their sanction to any contract, unless proper provisions be nude on these heads.
With regard to the care of the sick, the Court of Policy would probably not object to appoint a competent medical man to make periodical visits to the hospital.
For the prevention and redress of other complaints, the Stipendiary Magistrates
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
11TIT C.O. 885
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