CO885(1-2) — Page 196

20

III. The Australian Colonies have continued to make even more rapid progress than that which was described in the paper of last

The emigration year. to them in the year 1849 has been nearly 30,000 persons; and when it is remembered, that, including the cost of outfit and allowing for a proportion of cabin passengers, the average expense of each emigrant must certainly exceed 201., it follows that more than 600,0001. must have been applied to this object, which has been derived almost entirely either from private sources or from the land funds of the Colonies. A sum of 30,000l. was however voted last year by Parliament, for the expense of sending free emigrants to the colonies which receive convicts; a small part only of this graut has hitherto been expended, but the whole will be applied to the object for which it is intended before the conclusion of the financial year.

>

With regard to the important subject of Trans- portation, it may here be observed, that although this has been a year of great difficulty with regard to the disposal of convicts, there is reason to believe that those difficulties are now approaching their termination. The reform of the convict establish- ments in Van Diemen's Land and Norfolk Island, which were in a state of complete disorganization, has been most satisfactory; and by avoiding for two years sending more than a very few convicts to Van Diemen's Land, the Local Government has been greatly relieved, and the state of the labour market has been much improved; while the present Lieu- tenant-Governor, by applying the labour of those convicts who have necessarily remained on the hands of the Government, upon useful works, and in such a manner as to call forth their industry, has done much to develop the resources of the island and lay the foundations of its future prosperity. During the past year a considerable number of con- victs have been sent to New South Wales with tickets of leave, in accordance with the desire ex- pressed by the Legislative Council, and on terms in precise conformity with those to which that body had agreed: but as it has since come to an opposite determination, transportation to that Colony hus been discontinued *. In the meantime it is satis-

* See despatches to Sir C. Fitzroy of November 10 and 16,

Appendix, Nos. G

and 7.

:

See Sir C. Fitzroy's despatch of

June 27, 1849.

Appendix, No. 8.

21

factory to know, that notwithstanding the violent language which has been used there against re- ceiving convicts, the last who had arrived at Sydney had at once been engaged at good wages, even before the free emigrants who had arrived at the same time. This most gratifying result is mainly to be attributed to the fact that the convicts now sent have gone through that reformatory discipline at home (first in separate confinement and afterwards in associated labour on public works) through which it is intended that all convicts should pass in future before they are sent to the Colonies with tickets of leave. The conduct of the men sent by the "Hashemy,” and the facility with which they were disposed of on their arrival, in consequence of its being known how well they had behaved on the voyage, afford the most encouraging prospect of the success of this system of punishment, when it comes into complete operation.

With regard to Transportation, it is only necessary to add, that in compliance with a desire expressed by almost the whole of the inhabitants of Western Australia, a small convict establishment is about to formed in that colony; and that it has been found necessary to send a very limited number of the most refractory convicts to Norfolk Island.

Reverting from this digression on the subject of Transportation to the general condition of the Aus- tralian Colonies, it may be stated that they passed through the severe trial arising from the commercial depression in this country which followed the French Revolution of 1848, better than could been expected, and though, when the last advices came away, they had only heard of the first appearances of improvement in this country, they had already begun to feel its good effects; there can therefore be no doubt that for some months to come the ac- counts from these colonies must continue to im prove; in the meantime, while the importations of wool from them continue to increase most rapidly. the demand advances still faster; and these supplies of raw material are the means of rendering our woollen manufactures the most thriving branch of industry we have.

G

1849.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference:

TLC.O. 8

זיו

885

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

1

>