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what has been done with reference to emigration generally, during the last three years. As far as North American emigration is concerned, the action of the Government has been confined to revising and extending the laws for the protection of the emigrants during the passage, whereby a greater space, a larger dietary, and more ample protection against infection and disease have been provided for him. That these alterations have worked well may be inferred from the entire absence of complaints during the last two years. In the Australian emi- gration the action of the Government has been more decided. The emigration to New South Wales recommenced in October 1847; since that time there have been sent to that colony 108* ships, con- veying 26,730 persons. Of these 12,223 have been males and 14,507 females. The funds to start this emigration were provided by the colony, and the 'whole

expense, with the exception of the contributions of the emigrants themselves, will ultimately be paid from the same source. But in order to prevent an interruption at a moment when the colonial funds were nearly exhausted, the British Treasury con- sented to advance, and has advanced, a considerable sum on behalf of the colony. To South Australia, since the commencement of 1847, 56 ships have been sent, conveying 14,170 emigrants; and it is gratifying to know that this emigration has given rise to an unassisted emigration which latterly has been scarcely less numerous.

To the Cape 9 ships have been sent, conveying 1895 emigrants; and arrangements have been made with private parties for the conveyance of emigrants to Natal, with a view to the projected cultivation of The cotton plant in that colony. Under these arrange- ments 10 ships have been already dispatched, carry- ing 1064 people, and funds have been deposited with the commissioners for the conveyance of 400 more. A system has likewise been adopted for enabling

1 arties resident in the Australian colonies and the Cape, to assist in the emigration of their relatives and friends in this country, by permitting the direct remittance of the passage-money to this Board through the military chest, by allowing small sums deposited in the colony for the future purchase of

• Three of these ships landed a portion of their passengers

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land to be applied to the cost of passages in this country, and by sanctioning the remittance of sums less than the whole passage-money to secure a pre- ference for certain parties, if eligible. This system

has been as yet but a short time in operation. Nevertheless, during the last two years there has been paid under it in South Australia, 8,2551. for purchase of land; and there has been remitted for passages 1801. During the last year there has been paid for land in Port Philip, 13001., and remitted for passages 1501. In New South Wales there has been remitted for passages 1167., and in the Cape

901. Looking to the high wages obtainable in Australia, there seems good reason to hope that the system may hereafter be brought into extensive operation.

A new description of emigration has also been undertaken of a peculiarly valuable class, that, namely, of the military pensioners with their wives and families; and a large number of the wives and families of convicts have been sent out by means of the sum of 10,000l., granted by Parliament in 1848

for that service, and of 30,0001. granted during the last session for encouraging emigration generally to those colonies which receive convicts. The balance

of the last-mentioned vote is in course of being ex- pended in sending out to the Australian colonies other free emigrants in proportion to the convicts sent to each.

T. W. C. M.

Colonial Land and Emigration Office, January 25, 1850.

AI

Van Diemen's Land.

D

PUBLIC RECORD, OFFICE

Reference -

TTC.O.885

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

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON