CO885-(1-2) — Page 212

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

NEW SOUTH WALES.

• Page

8

DESPATCHES RELATIVE TO THE RECEPTION

of the men, and the order and regularity presented by every part of the ship allotted to them; they expressed themselves perfectly satisfied with their provisions, and spoke in the mo-i grateful terms of the unwearied attention and devotedness of Dr. Browning to their wants and Interests during the voyage.

The Surgeon Superintendent reported to me that the conduct of the men since their embarka tion, and under trying circumstances, has been exceedingly good, with the exception of four, who have in consequence been removed to Cockatoo Island (under the rule laid down in the accom- panying proposals already approved by his Excelle cy the Governor) to serve a probation on the public works, previously to the issue of their tickets-of-leave.

I beg further to report that on the 14th instant after the completion of their muster. the nien were permitted to make engagements with persons who were allowed to go on board for the purpose by an order from me; and it seems worthy of remark, that although at the time of the Hashemy's" arrival there were four emigrant ships in the harbour, containing about 1000 souls, all these men, with the exception of 59, who were removed to Moreton Bay and Clarence River, where labour was urgently required, were hired to respectable landholders, and sheep farmers, within six days of their being ready to engage, at wages varying from 127. to 167. a year, and some mechanics at 281. per annum, the boys receiving from 8. to 117. per annum; besides which there are now applications in my office from private individuals and others in different parts of the country for a larger number of this class of labourers than can be supplied by the arrival of several convict ships.

Under his Excellency's authority, I have placed each of these prisoners in possession of a little book (of which I enclose a copy)" compiled in my office, and containing a precis of all the laws and regulations in force in this colony, affecting them either as ticket-of-leave holders or

convicts.

I cannot courlude my Report without expressing the great satisfaction I have felt at the high state of moral feeling exhibited in the conduct and bearing of the convicts by the " Hashemy," one which made itself apparent to all who went on board that vessel to engage servants, and which I believe to have been effected by the judicious management and discipline of the Sur- geon Superintendent, no doubt acting on minds already humbled by their previous imprison. ment, but evidently brought about by his assiduous and constant attention to their moral training, indeed to so high a standard has he brought the principles and feelings of these men, that punishment on board during the voyage was unknown beyond the placing of some one or two in coventry, a punishment which was so carried out by the other men, that the culprit was as completely in solitary confinement in the midst of his fellow prisoners, as if he had been con- fined in a silent cell in the prison from whence he came, a circumstance unprecedented in any convict ship, that ever brought prisoners out here, and is certainly most creditable to the exer- tions of Dr. Browning, as well as to the feelings of the men.

I would also advert to the facility afforded in every way by the commander of the vessel, (Mr. Ross), to the officer of my department engaged in superintending the hiring of the prisoners, and to the fact of his having, to his own inconvenience, retained on board at my solicitation some of the prisoners who were hired, but waiting to be removed by their employers, and who would otherwise have had to be sent to Cockatoo Island, a course which taking, into considera. tion the improved position of the prisoners, as compared with those serving on the island, it appeared to me most desirable to avoid.

J. M-LEAN,

Principal Superintendent.

Principal Superintendent of Convicts Office, Sydney, June 25, 1849.

(Signed)

OF CONVICTS IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

years,

with good conduct. Any offence committed by a ticket-of-leave holder after he has been recommended to the Secretary of State for a conditional pardon will render him liable to have the indulgence withheld on its arrival by his Excellency, for such period as he shall see fit.

6. The second class to be sent at once to Cockatoo Island, and employed there or elsewhere on any public work under Government, and as much as possible to be worked by themselves, until they shall have served a sufficient period with good conduct to be consideral eligible to have tickets issued to them, the length of each probation to be fixed according to the nature of the offence committed and general character during the voyage of the prisoner.

7. The second class, on obtaining tickets, to be placed in the first class with the like advan- tages, dating from the day on which they obtained their tickets.

Should a ticket-of-leave-holder lose his ticket by misconduct, he will then fall back on the second class; and on its restoration, will again be placed in the first class, and be required to serve a probation of two years to render him eligible to be recommended for a conditional pardon, taking date from the day on which his ticket was restored.

9. Special cases, for services performed, may at all times (as at present) be brought under the notice of his Excellency for favourable consideration.

10. I would impress on the minds of the ticket-of-leave holders, on their engagements taking place, that it would be desirable that they should authorize their masters to pay at the end of each year from their wages the instalment of 52. to the Priucipal Superintendent of Convicts, in any way most convenient, that the same may be placed in the savings' bank and considered as a lund for emigration purposes.

II. In the event of the death of a ticket-of-leave holder who may have paid up a portion or the whole of the 157., his relatives will have no claim to the amount, it being understood to be due to Government for the passage of the prisoner to the colony.

J. M'LEAN, Principal Superintendent.

(Signed)

Principal Superintendent of Convicts Office, Sydney,

June 11, 1849.

Enclosure 3 in No. 8.

NEW SOUTH WALES.

EXTRACTS from REGULATIONS and Laws, in force in this COLONY, affecting TICKET-OF- LEAVE HOLDERS.

ALL tickets-of-leave are issued for particular districts, named in the ticket-of-leave'; or passports are allowed, to enable the holders to remain in the service of masters beyond the

boundaries of location.

NEW BOUTI WALES.

Enel. 3 in No. 8.

Every ticket-of-leave holder is required, within 14 days after his arrival in his district, to Additional ticket- report, cither personally or in writing, to the clerk of petty sessions of his district, his name of-leave Regula and ship, residence, the name of his master or employer, his trade or calling, or his mode of tions dated 12 maintaining himself, and also to do so between the 1st and 14th January in every year. Any October, 1841, sec. ticket-of-leave holder failing to comply with this order will be reported to the Principal Super- intendent of Convicts with a view to having his indulgence cancelled.

4 and 5.

If he is on passport, he is to make his report to the Commissioner of Crown Lands of the district in which he is employed, instead of the bench.

Section G.

Encl. 28 No. «<,

Reference :-

C.O.885

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

Enclosure 2 in No. 8.

SUGGESTIONS Submitted for the approval of his Excellency the Governor, regarding the disposal of the Prisoners now on board of the “Hashemny."

1. WHEN the muster and requisite descriptions are completed, I propose that those convicts who have not by misconduct on the voyage forfeited their claim to the immediate indulgence of tickets-of-leave, be allowed to form approved engagements, to proceed to any part of the colony, Port Phillip and the county of Cumberland excepted.

2. That these engagements be drawn up and signed in the presence of an officer of the convict department, who will remain on board of ship during certain hours each day for that purpose.

3. That no ticket-of-leave holder be allowed to land in Sydney, but that his employer should be bound to take him from the “Hashemy," either in a steamer or other vessel, to Paramatta, Twofold Bay, Newcastle, the Clarence River, or Moreton Bay, as the case may be, and that tickets-of-leave and passports be issued according to the locality chosen.

4. That the prisoners be divided into two classes, the first class to be composed of all those to whom tickefs-of-leave are to be at once issued; and the second class, of those who have by bad conduct forfeited their claim to the present indulgence of tickets.

5: That the first class should, after a probation of two years, be allowed to apply for con- ditional pardons, and should their comhict be found to merit the indulgence, and that each applicant has paid to Government the sum of 102. of the 151, he is directed to pay before he can be allowed a conditional pardon, they would then be considered eligible to be recommended by his Excellency for that boon, with the clear understanding, however, that the conditional pardon, when authorized, would not issue until the remaining balance of 57. was paid to Government, nor before each ticket-of-leave holder has held his indulgence for three consecutive

lle is required to report every change of service or residence in the district within 14 days of its taking place; and if beyond the boundaries, such change of service can only be made with the authority of the Commissioner first obtained for that purpose.

Immediately after each muster, the magistrate under whose superintendence it is made will Ticket-of-leave report the names of all absentees to the Principal Superintendent of Convicts for the Governor's Regulations, information, and with a view to the cancellation of the prisoner's ticket.

The bench of magistrates, or the police magistrate of the district, will, whenever they think it necessary, interrogate the holder of a ticket-of-leave, respecting his means of subsistence and manner of life, aml if he shall not be satisfied that the ticket-of-leave holder subsists honestly,

he will render a special report of the case to the Principal Superintendent of Convicts, for the Governor's information.

May, 1835, sec. 7.

Section 8.

The district in which a ticket-of-leave is considered to have effect, is the police district Ticket-of leave ramed in such ticket-of-leave, according to the boundaries fixed by the Government,

Regulations,

No ticket-of-leave holder is to be out of his district without a pass, except in the execution 12 October, 1841, of his duty as a constable.

sec. 10.

Section 1.

Section 12.

Section 13.

Passes to leave the district are to be given only by the police magistrate, or by two magis Irates of the district acting in petty sessions, and every such pass must be countersigned by the clerk of the bench.

Such passes can only be granted for periods not exceeding 14 days, and no passes can be renewed, nor any new pass granted to the same person until after the expiration of two months from the date of the former one.

Forms of these passes can be obtained at the different police offices, upon which a fee of 2s. 6d. to Goverment is chargeable.

Section 14.

Passes for a longer period than 14 days can only be granted by the Principal Superintendent of Convicts, on the application of the ticket-of-leave holder, or his master, through the bench of magistrates of his district.

Section Ju.

The Principal Superintendent of Convicts is the only person who cân grant permission to

X

Section 21.