CO885-(1-2) — Page 666

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17

Maintained by Government.

Not Maintained by Government.

Grand

Total.

Total.

April 1847

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1851

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

1850 4,242 1,474 12,774 2,947 17,016

3,536

30,701

3,965

25,459

4,090 22,487

4,421 21,437

85.

1,226 11,978 3,329 15,514 4,555

20,069

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.

F

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