16
excessive numbers it had received, and also for executing the local reforms which were in progress, A carefully digested plan has been introduced of employing by task-work those convicts who remain on the hands of Government. Again it was stipu- lated by the British Treasury formerly, that the colony should pay for all the Colonial works executed by the convicts, and the result was, that the colony declined having the works, and the con- victs had nothing useful to do. Lord Grey procured the abolition of this inconvenient rule, and there is no longer a want of beneficial means of employment, for conviets whilst chargeable to Government. But no better test can be afforded of improvement, both in the prisoners and in the state of the colony, than a diminution in the number waiting for employment at the hiring-depôts. The following statement on this point is extracted from the last half-yearly report of the Comptroller-General, for the period ending the 31st December, 1851:
Number of Male Convicts awaiting Hire at each of
the following dates:
December 31, 1846
"
11
1847
>>
"
1848
35
1849
17
"
1850
וי
"
1851
2,025
1,194
1,091
618
883
38
The number unable to obtain employment has
been diminished from 2000 to 38.
Great pecuniary reductions also have been effected.
The
gross Commissariat expenditure for military and convicts was in
1847
1846
1849
1850
293,200
244,500
210,500
184,500
For 1851 the accounts are not yet received.
The salaries in the Convict Department have been reduced from 156,000. in 1848, to 109,000/. in 1852; a saving of 47,0001.
It is true that the number of convicts in these years has diminished, but by no means in so large a proportion. The following table will exhibit the total number of convicts present in Van Diemen's Land in each of the years specified.
Sir Wm. Denison, July 20 1852.
ཅ
17
Maintained by Government.
Not Maintained by Government.
Grand
Total.
Total.
April 1847
ย
Males. Females. Males. Females. Males. Females. 9,955 1,200 16,202 3,344 26,157 4,544
Dec. 1849 5,809 1,468 15,685 2,497 21,494
1849 4,261 1,436 14,136 2,654 18,397 4,090 22,487
1850 4,242 1,474 12,774 2,947 17,016 4,421
1851 3,536
1,226 11,978 3,329 15,514 4,555
30,701
3,965 25,459
21,437
20,069
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
C.O.
Reference :-
• 885
2 PUBLIC
RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
85.
Notwithstanding the loud complaints which have been made of the ill-usage of this colony, it will be seen that the total number of convicts in the last five years has been diminished from more than 30,000 to 20,000.
be
Without entering into further detail, it may stated broadly, that under the vigorous administra- tion of Sir William Denison and Mr. Hampton, the Comptroller-General, two men remarkable for their qualification for this arduous duty, the convict disci- pline in Van Diemen's Land would appear to be rendered as perfect as it can be. Strongly as some are opposed upon principle to the very existence of the punishment of transportation, it ought at all events to be a satisfaction to every one that it is administered as well as the case will admit. Amidst the numerous vehement complaints from the colony of the introduction of convicts, no serious charge has ever been brought against their present manage- ment.
A great controversy arose in 1849 and 1850 on the effect of transportation upon the moral state of society in Van Diemen's Land. The most dismal accounts of that state were offered in letters from Parl. Paper, July 1849, pp. 26, 68, a Dr. Gaunt, a Mr. Pitcairn, and a Mr. Aikenhead, who wrote very probably under sincere feelings, but at the same time with evident marks of excitement. Sir W. Denison, on his side, said that he considered it due to the community over which he presided to repel the sweeping charges which were thrown upon it; and he sent home some very able despatches in vindication of the order, and industry, and good conduct of the population of Van Diemen's Land,
Mr. George Hull, a very old settler, has stepped
Parl. Paper, July 1849, p. 102.
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