AUSTRALIA, 
 
 TASMANIA, & NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 FOURTH EDITION.
 
 By HER MAJESTY' S gracious command y 
 {conveyed to the Author through the Hon. Major General 
 Grey) a Copy of this Worl- has been placed in the 
 ROTAL LIBRARY.
 
 THE EISE AND PEOGEESS 
 
 OP 
 
 AUSTRALIA, TASMANIA, 
 
 AND 
 
 NEW ZEALAND, 
 
 IN ATHICH ■WILL BE FOUND 
 
 INCREASE AND HABITS OF POPULATION; 
 
 TABLES OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE; 
 
 COMMERCIAL GROWTH AND PRESENT POSITION OF EACH 
 DEPENDENCY; 
 
 INTELLECTUAL, SOCIAL & MORAL CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE, &c., 
 
 GATHERED FKOM 
 
 AUTHENTIC SOURCES, OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS, 
 AND PERSONAL OBSERVATION, 
 
 IN EACH OF 
 
 THE COLONIES, CITIES, AND PEOYINCES 
 
 ENUMERATED. 
 BY 
 
 D. PUSELEY. 
 
 AUTHOR OF " COMMERCIAL BEFORE MILITARY GLORY," " SKETCHES 
 
 OF ENGLISH AND SCOTTISH SCENERY," " A TRAVELLER'S 
 
 DIARY," "FIVE DRAMAS," ETC., ETC. 
 
 LONDON: 
 WAEREN HALL & CO., CAMDEN TOWN. 
 
 1858.
 
 ADVERTISEMENT TO FOURTH EDITION. 
 
 The general favor xvith ivhich this work has 
 been received hath hy the 23uhlic and the press, renders it 
 unnecessary that the JLuthor should longer preserve the 
 incognito of " An' Englishman," under which his former 
 productions have leen published. 
 
 D. PUSELEY. 
 Jammrg, 1858. 
 
 The Statistical matter in this volume has 
 been compiled from Official documents furnished by the 
 respectire Governments ; and the following copy of a 
 letter from the Colonial Office will satisfy the reader that 
 the Author of the xoorh had every facility for obtaining 
 correct information, during his recent progress through the 
 various Colonies: — 
 
 Downing Street, 29th Dec, 1854. 
 
 Sm, 
 
 I am directed by Sir George Grey to forward 
 you tlie enclosed letters of introduction to the Govei'nors 
 of Victoria, New South. "Wales, Van Dieman's Land, and 
 New Zealand, in compliance with the request contained in 
 your letter of the 19th instant. 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 Your obedient Servant, 
 
 {Signed) SAM. WHITBREAD. 
 
 To D. PusELET, Esq.
 
 loz 
 
 VICTORIA.
 
 riEST IMPRESSIONS 
 
 VICTORIA. 
 
 Port Philip was separated from New Soiith 
 Wales and created and proclaimed an independent 
 Colony, mider tlie title of " Victoria, " on the 1st 
 July 1851, — the period from which our observa- 
 tions on the progress of the colony commence. 
 
 Early impressions from works of art are gene- 
 rally considered of higher value than subsequent 
 copies, because they represent the originals with 
 greater fidelity, and in a stronger and more favor- 
 able light. Not so with the various works of 
 nature, in which beauties, imseen at first, present 
 themselves at each succeeding review, and prove 
 to the hiunan imderstanding that their primitive 
 object and value are only gradually, and then only 
 partially discovered by time, study, and experience. 
 
 Our first impression of Victoria was not a favor- 
 able one. But we take it to be the dutj' of those 
 who would direct public attention to the position
 
 VICTOKIA. 
 
 or important events of a country, not to advance 
 opinions from a hasty or superficial view of the 
 subject, nor to judge harshly of persons or places 
 by their glaring habits or defects, but rather to 
 trace, if possible, the source from whence the evil 
 currents s^^ring, so that a remedy may be apj^lied 
 in the proper quarter. While, therefore, we be- 
 lieve our first impression from the surface of society 
 in Victoria to be substantially correct, a little 
 penetration into the causes which gave rise to the 
 social disorder of tlie country has subsequently 
 lessened the surprise produced by the demoralised 
 state of a people in a yoimg and wealthy colony. 
 But, without further preface, we wiU describe, or 
 attempt to describe, the state of the colony, and a 
 few of the sensations produced on our arrival. 
 
 In 1852-3, speculation, crime, excitement, and 
 disorder in Victoria had probably attained their 
 greatest height ; the yield of gold and the price of 
 land had touched their highest points up to that 
 period ; robbers and murderers commanded exten- 
 sive trades, which they prosecuted with impunity, 
 and mostly without detection ; land jobbers, many of 
 whom were magistrates and the millionaires of the 
 colony, made their thousands of poimds per diem, 
 and were too much engaged in their profitable 
 trafiic to attend to the arrest or pimishment of law- 
 breakers ; merchants and storekeepers had too 
 many additions to make on the profit side of their 
 ledgers either to thinlc of, or care about anything
 
 VICTORIA. 
 
 else ; STvdndlers, grog-sellers, and gamblers were 
 reaping an abundant harvest, and were too busily 
 employed in gathering and storing the same, even 
 to di'eam of anji:hing like scarcity elsewhere ; 
 while agents, great and small, of every country 
 and denomination, were growing rich at the ex- 
 j)ense of that sanguine but deluded class of friends 
 or creditors at home, who forwarded their various 
 wares with a view to those golden and long wished 
 for remittances, which — we can vouch for — in a 
 great many instances, have either miscarried, or 
 have not reached their 2»'oj)er destination. 
 
 Diu'ing this scene of excitement, crime, and 
 confusion, in the year 1853, we first visited Mel- 
 bourne. To describe Melboiu-ne, as it appeared to 
 us at that period, we will copy, in a few lines, a 
 sketch we published elsewhere, and which has been 
 generally acknowledged to be a correct one. 
 
 Melbourne, we said, as it appears to us, is a kind 
 of modern Babel — a little hell upon earth — a city 
 of rioters, gamblers, and drimkards — a crowded 
 den of himian iniquity — where, from the highest 
 merchant downward, there appears to be but one 
 object in view — where the very facilities of mind, 
 body, and soid, are employed and directed to one 
 worldly end — where thousands are anxiously and 
 almost exclusively bent towards the consummation 
 of their own selfish and ambitious desires — where 
 delusive schemes are the pickpockets of honesty, 
 and where the abuse of usefid invention is too often
 
 6 VICTORIA. 
 
 the bane of its own utility — where calm reflection 
 and all the liigher attributes of the mind lose their 
 proper influence in artificial excitement — where 
 the ties of friendship, domestic duties, kindred 
 obligations, intellectual study, and the immortal 
 spirit of true religion are often neglected, if not 
 entirely forgotten in the busy work of self-aggran- 
 dizement — where, in fine, the priceless possessions 
 of health, together with all those sweet enjojonents 
 which constitute the real happiness of Kfe, fall a 
 sacrifice to an insatiable thirst for gain. 
 
 There are, of course, a few among the many 
 whose thoughts and actions entii'ely difier from 
 the mvdtitude — citizens equal in every respect to 
 any in the mother country — ^men who are entirely 
 free from the colonial taint, and whose minds are 
 not influenced by mercenary motives — men who 
 are indebted for their position to the purity of their 
 own character — who inherit their wealth not from 
 their ancestors, but throvigh their own merit — men 
 whose unadorned and manly vii'tues woidd, by 
 comparison, leave the gilded titles of our proud 
 aristocracy completely in the shade — men whose 
 benevolence of heart and integrity of principle set 
 a noble example to the world. But while there 
 are such, a few such men, can any one, except the 
 busy actors themselves, whose thoughts are carried 
 with the restless stream on which they are laimched 
 — can any one stand for a few moments in the 
 centre of this newly populated and agitated colony
 
 VICTORIA. 7 
 
 without being sensibly impressed witli the reckless 
 impetuosity of the wayward current — the infinite 
 diversity of the busy scene — the varied and innu- 
 merable tricks and disguises of the dissembling 
 actors, and the universal and ceaseless struggle to 
 pass each other in their daily race towards that 
 great and fathomless ocean — selfish ambition — 
 to which there are coiuitless rivulets, but in which 
 there is no permanent safety — no security against 
 the fickle elements of fortime — no fixed and solid 
 termination, save in the entombment of those mortal 
 spirits which for a season play upon its waters, or 
 in the midnight calm or death-bed quiet which 
 alternately succeed its own convulsions. 
 
 By comparing the above with the description of 
 Melbourne on our second visit, it will be seen that 
 in the interval of only two years considerable 
 progress has been made in that city in the right 
 direction. But, before proceeding to describe the 
 rise and progress of the colony, of which Mel- 
 bourne is the head, or giving figures of population, 
 revenue and expenditure, which will be found under 
 their respective heads, we will — in order to justify 
 GUI' previous remarks on the state of the colony at 
 the period of oui first visit — supply from our log- 
 book a few specimens which were taken at the time 
 from the extraordinary fleet of events that in a 
 few months passed imder our own immediate notice. 
 
 The sudden announcement and immediate con- 
 firmation of the internal wealth of the colony
 
 8 VICTORIA. 
 
 created a social revolution — for the like of wliicli 
 history may be searched in vain. It may be truly 
 said that the recorded presence of gold and its 
 magnetic influence, both on the minds of settlers 
 and others, had within two years from the dis- 
 covery of the precious metal entirely changed the 
 commercial, social and moral condition of the 
 country — although, eo far as morality is concerned, 
 the colony never stood high in that respect. But 
 the little of that virtue it previously possessed soon 
 became less. Husbands and parents left their 
 homes and families ; junior officers, clerks, and 
 numerous officials attached to the Government 
 quitted their avocations ; mechanics and husband- 
 men flew from their labor, while from other lands 
 a whole fleet of adventurers of every profession 
 and denomination hastened to the golden region — 
 each and all anxious to become shareholders in the 
 distant prize. 
 
 With a change so sudden and complete, no 
 wonder that the quiet and almost dormant state of 
 the country was succeeded by convidsions. The 
 influx of himian beings was so great, and the house 
 accommodation in a thinly popidated district so 
 small, that in most cases the grasping inhabitants 
 would not dispose of, or part with anything either 
 in the shape of merchandize, provisions, or shelter 
 at treble their value — ^believing, as they did, that 
 the cause which led to, and surprised them with 
 such extravagant offers might, in a little while.
 
 VICTORIA. 9 
 
 surprise and please tliem still more. But, in a 
 greater or lesser degree, the ovei joyed nierchants, 
 storekeepers, householders, or those who had any- 
 thing for sale in the colony, were in a state of 
 temporary madness. Bewildered, as it were, from 
 the effects of the innumerable jets of fortmie that 
 suddenly blazed around them, and fearing that any 
 picture with promises so dazzling and romantic in 
 appearance might, after all, prove an optical delu- 
 sion, they became the unhappy victims of instant 
 success, and cursed themselves for any and every 
 engagement, sale, or transaction entered into, or 
 effected, at exorbitant profits — simply because, 
 subsequent transactions jDroduced, or might have 
 produced them more. Like an obscure or lucky 
 individual recei^^Lng favorable overtui'cs for some 
 work of art that had long been deemed valueless, 
 even by its owner, the resident colonists at this 
 moment frequently declined extravagant sums for 
 articles of trifling value — on the vague hj^Dothesis 
 that the value of the article required must neces- 
 sarily be greater than the amovmt tendered, or 
 that a large offer might lead to one still larger. 
 While all alike, from the merchant to the mechanic 
 — from the landowner to the laborer — were puzzled 
 how to determine the maximum either of land, 
 merchandize, or manual labor, each and aU were 
 desirous — however high and artificial might be the 
 existing rate — to force the quotation for their com- 
 modities still higher. The merchant who woidd
 
 10 VICTORIA. 
 
 have readily disj)osed of his wares at a profit of 
 twenty per cent., would now demand double, and, 
 in a little while, treble that per centage, and so on 
 — while the mechanic and laborer required more 
 for one day's work than they had previously earned 
 in six. Indeed, no one could determine, or even 
 guess what on the morrow might be the sum 
 offered, demanded, or exacted either for labor, or 
 for anytliing else. 
 
 With a colony and its inhabitants in such a 
 state of fomentation — with evidence both of the 
 vast scope for labour and, to all appearance, the 
 inexhaustible riches of the country, and "with li^dng 
 and increasing proofs of the rapid tide of immigra- 
 tion which had already set in, no wonder that every- 
 thing was suddenly forced to, and maintained for 
 a time, an artificial value. But the figiu-es of 
 fact, which rejDresent some of the incidents of the 
 period, appear so much like those of fiction, that — 
 although registered at the moment when the events 
 to which they relate happened — we ahnost hesitate 
 to transcribe them from our note book, for fear 
 they might be deemed altogether fabidous. 
 
 Of one, out of a multitude of speculations which 
 this eventful period gave rise to, most of our 
 readers have probably either read or heard some- 
 thing about the great land mania, which at this 
 time more particularly engaged the attention 
 of capitalists and the fertile wits of colonial 
 gamblers. When therefore we state that land in
 
 VICTORIA. 11 
 
 Melbourne was publicly sold in our presence at 
 £160, £180, £200, and £210 per foot— prices 
 which are probably five or six times higher than 
 could be obtained for the choicest spots in London ; 
 — when these, and other things equally wild and 
 excessive took place in a country where land is 
 almost of imlimited extent, and only partially ex- 
 plored, — it needed not the predictions of a prophet, 
 nor the profo\md reasoning of a Greek philosopher, 
 either to prove the delusive height to which spe- 
 culation had carried its votaries, or to premise how 
 great and certain would idtimately be the fall 
 thereof. The resident sharpers were themselves 
 aware of the coming reaction, although it would 
 not accord with their interests to have admitted 
 the same. No. The colonial bears, like the bulls 
 on 'Change, knew well enough what woidd be 
 the residt of the operations which, by personally 
 promoting, they publicly enlarged — they clearly 
 foresaw the fate of the prey they decoyed to the 
 mart; but, with the sagacity pecvdiar to their 
 race, — while they kept the field so long as their 
 game was in the ascendant, they, of course, retired 
 with the spoil in time to avoid the consequences of 
 a reverse. Of our own knowledge, we can state 
 that one of these land jobbers left the colony with 
 £150,000 — the whole of which he had amassed in 
 the space of six months ; and, incredible as it may 
 appear, in one instance, this individual bought a 
 plot of land and re-sold it within the same hour of
 
 12 VICTORIA. 
 
 tlie piircliase, at a clear profit of £10,000, which 
 siun was handed over to him merely for withdraw- 
 ing his name from the undertaking in favour of 
 another, and without a shilling having been pre- 
 viously employed in the transaction. 
 
 The knowledge of these extensive and, for a 
 time, profitable speculations, produced immediate 
 and immense excitement, both in the minds of 
 those who had not yet ventured, but were now 
 anxious to embark in the game, and likewise with 
 others, whose palates had only been slightly sharp- 
 ened by the flavor of success. The effect of this on 
 a population already ripe for any new or promising 
 adventiire that might offer, soon became apparent. 
 It gave birth to that unconquerable spirit for 
 gambling, which manifested itself even in the ordi- 
 nary occupations of hfe. More. The evils engen- 
 dered and strengthened by its stimulating influence 
 had a still more obstructive and banefid tendency. 
 It not only increased a taste for gambling in the 
 various grades and avocations of society, but it was 
 likewise instrumental in arresting the progress of 
 civilisation and art — by unsettling the minds of 
 the people, and by driving thousands of artisans 
 and others from those useful works of labor and 
 skill, by which alone the resources of a country can 
 be beneficially developed, or the tastes, habits, and 
 morals of the inhabitants gradually and perma- 
 nently improved. 
 
 That the sudden acquirement of wealth has an 
 
 I
 
 VICTORIA. 13 
 
 injurious effect on tlie minds of many persons we 
 verily believe. Several striking illustrations of the 
 same presented themselves during our stay in the 
 Australian colonies. Men who rapidly rise from 
 penury to affluence — that is, before time has pre- 
 pared or matured their tastes and habits for the 
 change — generally become either the slaves of in- 
 temperance or avarice. Drink is their snare, or gold 
 their idol. It is difficult to determine which indi- 
 vidual of the two is the more revolting — the miser 
 or the drimkard. We have both seen and heard of 
 men who in their lowly or middle stations of Kfe 
 in England have been regarded as kind husbands, 
 affectionate brothers, or faithful friends — but who, 
 imder a colonial atmosphere, have in the space of a 
 few months forfeited their claim to the character of 
 either. Perpetual excitement and gold keeps the 
 spendthrift poor, and makes the ignorant selfish and 
 proud. The one has never had of drink enough, 
 the other has never made of gold enough ; the one 
 degrades his friends, the other disowns them. 
 
 So soon as fortune lends her book to man, 
 
 So soon does he forget where he began ; 
 
 Each rising page conceals what he has seen, 
 
 Shows where he is and not where he has been ; 
 
 The scenes of yesterday are but a mass, 
 
 Like something seen obscurely through a glass ; 
 
 The friends of yesterday are now forgot, 
 
 He knew them then, but now he knows them not. 
 
 While gold distracts the mind and fires the hand. 
 And care drives love and duty from command. 
 The heart forgets its home and fatherland.
 
 14 VICTORIA. 
 
 The increased and still increasing numbers tliat 
 thronged the auction marts on each occasion of a 
 government " Land Sale," and the feverish anxiety 
 manifested by the attendants to huy at any price, 
 showed how great and immediate was the efiect 
 produced on the multitude by the temporary suc- 
 cesses of the few. Men with capital, and others 
 without capital ; men with brains, and others with- 
 out brains — all alike rushed to the arena, with the 
 hope of improving or making their position ; while 
 the pennyless and unprincipled owner of mental 
 stock would generally outstep his monied com- 
 petitor in the race — frequently at the expense yet 
 momentary satisfaction of the capitalist, to whom 
 he would transfer his bargains, although in a man- 
 ner which has proved, or will prove to his future 
 chagrin. 
 
 But wherever the scene, or whatever the cause 
 of artificial excitement and speculation, unscru- 
 pulous and talented adventm^ers are certain to 
 participate in the spoil or plunder that may spring 
 from the event. We would fain hope, however, 
 that in no country but Australia, where no incon- 
 siderable portion of the population are convicted 
 felons, could there be found specimens of humanity 
 prone to, or guilty of the innumerable and diver- 
 sified forms of trickery, dishonesty, and villany 
 that, in the space of a few months, appeared under 
 our immediate notice — but with more than an allu- 
 sion to which we will not shock our readers.
 
 VICTORIA. 15 
 
 To any lover of literature and tlie fine arts, the 
 colony of Victoria, as it appeared to lis during our 
 first visit, would prove one of the most unattractive 
 places — short of an miinhabited desert — that coidd 
 well be imagined. Unless carried with the stream, 
 and prostituted for the purpose of gain, the mind 
 had nothing whatever to feed on, much less to be 
 edified with. 
 
 For this unintellectual and half civilized state, 
 more than one reason may justly be assigned — 
 although the leading one is embodied in the pre- 
 ceding remarks, by which it will be found that 
 all grades of society were at this excited period 
 rather bent on improving the pocket than the 
 intellect. Still, there was no lack of well educated 
 and well informed men in the colony, the majority 
 of whom however had but recently arrived ; and 
 these were too much devoted to the object of their 
 mission — gain — to apply the faculties to any other 
 purpose. Then, as regards the old colonists and 
 their ofispriug, — they were, for the most part, 
 illiterate and ignorant in the extreme. Uneducated 
 adventurers, most of the former left the mother 
 country at an early age, and their colonial issue 
 grew up, of course, in the unintellectual path of 
 parental obscurity — except, indeed, in those rare 
 instances in which the self-sufiicient root evinced a 
 natm^al desire to enrich the branches. In such 
 cases the children were generally sent to be edu- 
 cated in England ; and, on the return of these
 
 16 VICTORIA. 
 
 marks of fortime's favor, the parents themselves 
 caught the first glimpses of their own deficiency ; 
 and then, and only then, did they discover and 
 appreciate the value of the boon they bestowed ; 
 for, by the improved and cidtivated shoots of their 
 own nature, they became gradually convinced that 
 avarice, arrogance, and dishonesty were merely the 
 overgrown and pernicious weeds of ignorance, and 
 that, with the expansion and culture of the mind, 
 generosity, modesty, and honesty supplied their 
 place. 
 
 With the few exceptions to which we have al- 
 luded, the old and wealthy settlers seem to consider 
 the higher branches of education to be entirely 
 beyond the requirements either of their children, 
 or their adopted country. They seldom, however, 
 think or converse about an}i:hing so wide from 
 what they pronounce the grand object of Kfe ; or 
 when by chance they do touch on the subject of 
 education, classical attainments are at once con- 
 demned as merely useless and extravagant appen- 
 dages ; because the cost of insuring their possession 
 would involve an expenditure for which there is no 
 certainty of a profitable return. Besides, they — 
 the parents — had made money without the assist- 
 ance of such mental finery; and, with the same 
 amount of physical energy, what was to prevent 
 the like success on the part of their children. 
 These unlettered and much to be pitied individuals, 
 consider the best lesson, and indeed the only one
 
 VICTORIA. 17 
 
 necessary for a cliild's welfare, to be one after the 
 parent's o^vn convictions, viz. : — " tliat all the ener- 
 gies of man, both mental and physical, are intended 
 and required merely for the acquisition of gold, as 
 its possession woidd insure, in the highest degree, 
 the consmnmation of all worldly happiness." But, 
 to give the reader a correct idea of these ministers 
 of the " golden calf," we will fvu'nish a momentary 
 but luiexaggerated sketch from the life and conver- 
 sation of one of these idolaters of lucre. 
 
 During our short stay in a well known town in 
 the colony, a literary gentleman was solicited by a 
 few of his friends to give one of those lectures on 
 the "beauties of the poets," which had been given 
 by him with considerable success in the mother 
 country. He at once assented, with the hope — 
 vain illusory hope ! — of conveying to the inhabit- 
 ants a slight, if only a slight relish for intellectual 
 food, by contributing the first morsel from his o^ti 
 mental garner. To this entertainment one of the 
 wealthiest, and at the same time one of the most 
 ignorant and most influential men — who was like- 
 wise a magistrate and an ex-mayor of the town — 
 had, with some difficulty, been prevailed on to im- 
 part, by his presence, an importance to the occa- 
 sion. The multitude, however, were not attracted 
 even by the presence of this important pubKc 
 functionary, who was himself evidently ill at ease 
 and totally out of place in the midst of the very 
 small but select few by whom he was surroimded. 
 
 c
 
 18 VICTORIA. 
 
 During the lecture, and after tlie lecturer had re- 
 cited " Wolsey's farewell to the world," the levia- 
 than of wealth and power previously alluded to — 
 the hero of the jDresent sketch — the magistrate and 
 ex-mayor of the town, innocently remarked to a 
 gentleman sitting near him, that "Mr. Wolsey 
 appeared to have been very badly used ; but," he 
 continued, " who was this Wolsey ? /never heard 
 of him before, — did you ? — who, or what was he ? " 
 Our informant added considerably to our amuse- 
 ment on sapng that he replied to his inquisitor by 
 telling him that " Mr. Wolsey formerly held a 
 commission in a large and important establishment 
 at the West-end of London." " I thought so," re- 
 joined the colonial millionaire; — "a commercial 
 traveller, I suppose ? But," he continued, " what 
 did he mean by ' the tender leaves of hope ? ' I 
 suppose he travelled for the tirm of IIoj)e in the tea 
 trade ? " The closing supposition proved too much 
 for the gravity of his respondent, whose ingenuity 
 was suddenly taxed to find some other than the 
 real cause for a burst of laughter that followed an 
 inquiry of so serious but stimulating a nature. 
 
 It were neither just nor generous to hold up to 
 ridicule a mind whose lack of kno"«'ledge or wisdom 
 might have originated in the neglect or poverty of 
 those who were its guardians in youth. Unfortu- 
 nately, ignorance is generally the parent of so many 
 bad qualities of our natiu'c, that it becomes the 
 bounden duty — although by no means a pleasing 
 
 I
 
 VICTORIA. 19 
 
 one — of every faithful expositor of the hxiinan race 
 to descant on and dissect such failings, simply for 
 the consideration and benefit of the rising genera- 
 tion. We need no other than the case just men- 
 tioned to illustrate the sad effects of ignorance in 
 an opulent and self-sufficient individvial. Here we 
 have a man who obtained the highest mvmicijDal 
 honor his to"\vn coidd bestow — a man possessing 
 almost monarchal influence in his locality — in 
 wealth and power, a very prince ; in knowledge, 
 benevolence, and grace, a very pauper. Arrogant, 
 selfish, and mean to the very verge of contempt, 
 he was at the same time capricious, overbearing, 
 envious, and malicious. Miserable, irritable, and 
 unhappy himself, he neither sjonpathised with, nor 
 delighted in the ease and happiness of others. As 
 a patron, he was courted by many, but respected 
 by none. When his hand reluctantly tendered a 
 gift it failed to inspire the recipient with gratitude 
 for the favor. Without one virtue to secure the 
 notoriety to which his vanity aspired — like the loss 
 of his O'wn blood was the sacrifice of that gold which 
 alone could purchase his desire. True, an occa- 
 sional handful was drawn from his immense store 
 toward the erection of some public edifice that 
 might emblazon the initials of the donor ; but alas ! 
 while these ungenial and ostentatious gifts may 
 possibly preserve and perpetuate the name of the 
 giver, they want the imperishable qualities which 
 can alone add a mark of respect to his memory.
 
 20 VICTORIA. 
 
 It is said tliis liiunan t^^e of wealth, ignorance, and 
 power — this self-created and imperious monarch 
 and owner of half a million sterling, intends to 
 return to the mother country and the scenes of his 
 youth, for the purpose of "lording it above his 
 betters." When there, will his wealth alone be a 
 passport to the select society for which he is in 
 other respects unfitted ? We think not. But time 
 will furnish his colonial Highness with an answer. 
 Those of oiu' readers who are unacquainted with 
 the cause, may reasonably inquii-e tchy such men 
 were appointed to the magistracy? The local 
 government had no alternative in the matter. On 
 the discovery of gold and the sudden increase of 
 population in the colony, a large number of magis- 
 trates were immediately required ; and, although a 
 little more care might have been evinced in the 
 selection, men of property, who felt a desire for 
 the honour, were of necessity commissioned. As 
 for municipal distinction, our great City of London 
 may with equal propriety be required to answer 
 ^L'hy her first class merchants invariably decline the 
 gingerbread decorations which are eagerly sought 
 after by those Tom Tits of importance, whose 
 puny pretensions to greatness would otherwise 
 pass through their own circumscribed demesne 
 unknown and unnoticed. Like their great proto- 
 t;\q3e, therefore, are the tovnis and cities of our 
 colonies ; and those who aspire to ci\dc honours 
 therein are, for the most part, men with little
 
 VICTORIA. 21 
 
 minds, large pockets, and capacious stomachs. It 
 is perliaps well that it is so. All things, however 
 small, have their prescribed uses. The painted 
 butterfly in its place and brief season may be as 
 needfid and useful to the creation as objects of 
 greater magnitude ; and were it not for the exist- 
 ence of common councilmen, aldermen, and lord 
 mayors, England might lose the high rank and 
 notoriety Avhich — above other nations — she has 
 long maintained, and still maintains, for civic dis- 
 play and its material adjuncts — turtle and venison. 
 Without a lord mayor, what would become of our 
 fat-bellied "diner out" — of ministerial city ban- 
 quets — of political re-unions, elocutionary sky- 
 rockets, and harmless emblematic crackers — of 
 cabinet toastmaking, personal whitewashings, and 
 internal ablutions — of splendid fetes to foreign 
 allies, and sumptuous entertainments, in turn, to 
 the celebrities of all comitries and of all orders? 
 But, of greater importance than all these, what — 
 without a chairman — woxdd become of the nimie- 
 rous anniversary dinners, which have the double 
 object of providing something of a substantial 
 nature both for the patrons and the institutions 
 mtli which they are connected. Unable, then, to 
 solve propositions that involve matter of so mvich 
 moment and consideration to the personal comfort 
 of the parties more immediately concerned, we 
 conclude, in the absence of contrary e^ddence, that 
 lord mavors, aldermen, and common councilmen
 
 22 VICTORIA. 
 
 are useful as well as ornamental appendages to 
 national greatness. 
 
 Selfishness is the natural ally of ignorance. 
 Ignorant men are generally selfish men — at least 
 our observations in the colonies lead us to that 
 conclusion. All mankind are no doubt more or 
 less selfish, but the uneducated portion — especially 
 those on whom fortune has smiled — are unques- 
 tionably more selfish than their better informed 
 or more intellectual kinsmen. Sensible men are 
 averse to, and turn in silent disgust from that 
 public show, empty ostentation, or private display 
 wliich little minds alone delight in. Let a well 
 informed man provoke a discussion with the best 
 of our city sho"v\Tiien on any subject but those of 
 feasting, self-importance, wealth, or those branches 
 of commerce with which they may happen to be 
 connected, and the argimient vnR be brief indeed, 
 for the mover would alone be equal to its continu- 
 ance. If these men, however, were less vain of 
 their little knowledge and great wealth ; if thej^ 
 e\Tnced a stronger desire to do good with what 
 they possess, and displayed a little more modesty 
 in publishing their own pretentions to greatness, 
 but few persons, we thinlc, woidd be disposed to 
 find faidt with them. But when some lilliputian 
 tea or sugar merchant fills two or three columns 
 of a newspaper with after-dinner small talk, bad 
 grammar, or fidsome praise of some noble of whom 
 he expects a favour, the public may well complain 
 of the want of something better in its place.
 
 VICTORIA. 23 
 
 But in spirit, as in act, selfislmcss, above all 
 other features, may be seen at every age and every 
 stage in bunian nature. From childliood to man- 
 hood — from the cradle to tlie grave — from the 
 ambitious monarch to the meanest serf — from the 
 oppressive landlord to the iniprincipled tenant — 
 from the grasping politician to the cruel privateer 
 — from the heartless profligate, Tvho for personal 
 gratification robs his family, to the wretched miser, 
 who for love of gain robs himself — in every scene, 
 as in every station — in every tribe, as in every 
 nation — in the remote as in the immediate grades 
 and stations of life — from the rude savage to the 
 polished courtier, and from the Hebrew bagman 
 to the Christian bishop, self is the great globular 
 monster — the concealed or visible human spring 
 that impels, guides, and regulates the movements 
 of the world. ^Yhile the majority of maiddnd 
 are wholly or partially under its control, none are 
 entirely exempt from its influence. Are not most 
 of our thoughts and actions influenced by selfish 
 motives ? If all were to furnish an honest answer 
 to the foregoing question the affirmatives we ima- 
 gine would display a vast majority. Modelled as 
 we are — or rather as we re-model ourselves, with 
 earth oiu- idol and its pleasures oui' chief dehght — 
 the result of such an inquiry woidd create no 
 siu-prise in a reflective mind, although it might 
 cause some regret. We cannot help thinking, how- 
 ever, if the himiaii heart contained less of the
 
 24 VICTORIA. 
 
 stimulating nitre of selfisliness it wovild possess more 
 of real happiness. A very selfish man can never be 
 a ver}^ happy man ; for, as he ever pines for some- 
 thing more than he commands, his present state, 
 whatever that state may be, is a discontented one, 
 consequently an unhappy one. 
 
 But there is one social evil caused by unre- 
 strained selfishness that is greater than aU, for it 
 merges from a natural failing into a positive crime. 
 By the concentrated love of self vre lose om- afiec- 
 tion for friends, and forget om' duty to others. 
 Selfishness, in fine, is not only the bane of our 
 love and duty to others, but it likewise proves a 
 blast to present enjojinent, and a barrier to future 
 happiness. At the sacrifice of honor, of peace of 
 mind, and of honesty of pui'j)ose, it incites the 
 owners to an imcontrolable desire for personal 
 aggrandizement. The opulent but selfish mer- 
 chant, who has risen from some humble rank, 
 forgets his former position and his present duty, 
 when he declares himself cursed by the existence 
 of his less fortunate and jyoor relations. 
 
 The humble peasant, while he ranks no higher, 
 
 Will mix with others in the same attire ; 
 
 Eut, raised by fortune to the wealthy squire, 
 
 You'll see how station regulates desire : 
 
 His rustic joys by regal ones look dim, 
 
 To whom he stoop' d, he'd now see stoop to him ; 
 
 So low do past to present friends appear, 
 
 That each must keep his own and proper sphere.
 
 VICTORIA. 25 
 
 By twenty steps, and then by twenty more, 
 The selfish squire attains the second floor ; — 
 The summit gain'd, the wish at length draws near 
 That covers twenty thousand pounds a year; 
 And this secured, ambition makes him try 
 To raise his mansion nearer to the sky ; 
 But as the bubble lets his pride ascend, 
 Death shows him the beginning as the end. 
 
 In continuation, and before the conclusion of 
 our "first impressions of Victoria," we will make 
 a few general but brief observations concerning 
 Melbourne, Geelong, tlie cKmate, &c., as noted by 
 us in tbe year 1853. But these and other subjects 
 will be foiuid reviewed at greater length in the 
 accoimt of our subsequent visit to the colony. 
 
 On the discovery of gold in Victoria, Melbovirne 
 was not much larger than an EngKsh village, or 
 small market town ; and we were somewhat sur- 
 prised to find that during a period of little more 
 than two years it had grown to, and covered that 
 immense space — the extent of which may be ga- 
 thered from our comparative population tables. 
 The site of the town — had it been for a moment 
 anticipated by the founders at the time of selection, 
 that it would idtimately become the seat of govern- 
 ment and a great commercial city — is ill chosen. 
 It lies low, and without any of the natural advan- 
 tages possessed by places not far distant. All 
 merchant ships, except those of very small tonnage 
 are compelled to anchor in Hobson's Bay, a dis- 
 tance of about seven miles from the town, there
 
 26 VICTORIA. 
 
 not being a sufficient deptli of water in tlie narrow 
 winding river, Yarra Yarra, to take them to the 
 wharves. The e\als arising from this necessity are 
 many. All goods have to be taken from the bay 
 to the town in barges or lighters ; and this labor 
 is not only attended T\dth additional expense to the 
 importer, but the delay occasioned thereby often 
 entails a loss of a much more serious nature. It 
 not unfrequently happens that after a ship has 
 reached her destitiation, four, six, and even eight 
 weeks elapse before the merchant can obtain the 
 cargo of which he has received ad^dces. In perish- 
 able articles, or goods suited to particular seasons, 
 these delays often occasion heavy losses — while the 
 immediate delivery of the articles in demand in 
 the market might have insured handsome profits. 
 Besides, a serious inconvenience that arises from 
 the number of lighters required for the trans-ship- 
 ment of cargo is, the great impediment to passenger 
 traffic, produced by the crowded state of a narrow 
 river. Steamers and other passage boats are in- 
 variably delayed, more or less, — in addition to 
 frequent damage to life and jsroperty — in the 
 narrow and intricate stream leading to or from 
 Melboui'ne. If the reader woidd become more 
 familiar with the personal inconvenience occasioned 
 bv the confused and overcrowded state of the Yarra 
 Yarra, let him, on a busy day at noon, suppose 
 Cheapside a river, and himself in an omnibus, or 
 cab — steam, or ferry-boat — charged vdih some
 
 VICTORIA. 27 
 
 important and immediate dispatcli, and anxious to 
 leave town by the lialf-past twelve o'clock " express 
 train " from Euston-square station ; when, to his 
 utter astonishment and dismay, he suddenly dis- 
 covers the entire stream of conveyances perfectly 
 motionless, and that every inlet, or rather outlet, 
 is closed up with craft of all sizes and description, 
 and therefore impassable. When a detention of 
 half-an-hour, or more, has convinced him that he 
 must fail in his mission and lose his " train," and 
 that to calcidate distance by time in a crowded 
 thoroughfare is a dangerous practice, he will then 
 have a tolerably correct idea of a scene daily pre- 
 sented on the Yarra Yarra, and painfidly expe- 
 rienced by the actors who are compelled to appear 
 therein. 
 
 Most of the streets of Melbourne are narrow. 
 There are a few, however, of a good width and 
 well arranged ; for, being formed at right angles, 
 they are easily found or regained. Of public 
 edifices there are but few, a description of which 
 we leave for our second visit, the buildings them- 
 selves and the purposes for which they are intended 
 being alike incomplete. There are numerous large 
 and excellent warehouses and store-rooms in dif- 
 ferent parts of the town. The substantial and 
 extensive exterior of these invest the locality in 
 which they stand with an appearance not unlike 
 that of some parts of Manchester. But, with 
 regard to dwelling houses, shops, &c., there is not
 
 28 VICTORIA. 
 
 tlirougliotit the entire to^ni tlie slightest approach 
 to uniformity, either in class, elevation, or design. 
 It would he a difficiilt matter to twin any out of 
 the immense miscellaneous collection of the town- 
 ship, as two houses alike are but seldom, if ever, 
 seen, either jointly or separately. As a colonial 
 wit remarked to us, "Australian builders, like 
 glovers, pair their articles by making odd ims " — 
 with this diiference, he might have continued, that 
 while the latter assort and classify the sizes of what 
 they make, the fonner mix all together, from adults 
 down to infants. In one place we find a handsome 
 foui' or five storied building, having on the right a 
 miserable looking edifice of half its dimensions, 
 and on the left an iron or wooden shed standing 
 not more than ten or twelve feet above its base. 
 In another leading street and thoroughfare, we 
 find a lofty and magnificent building, "v\dth shop 
 and frontage of the Regent-street school, having 
 for its neighbom" either a single storied hut, or 
 some dii'ty clothes shop that would disgrace old 
 St. Giles, or oui' present Holywell- street. 
 
 To a stranger, and one accustomed to see some- 
 thing like uniformity in the design and elevation 
 of English buildings, the appearance of the streets 
 and houses in Melbourne presents a singidar, al- 
 though by no means an agreeable appearance. 
 TVliether the fault originated with the government, 
 in not binding the original purchasers of land in a 
 township to certain conditions, is a question we
 
 VICTORIA. 29 
 
 cannot at tliis moment decide. It is well kno■\^^^ 
 that when a man leases or purchases a piece of land 
 in England for building piu'poses, he is compelled 
 by articles in the lease or transfer from the original 
 owner, or ground landlord, to erect buildings of a 
 certain class or elevation — the violation of such 
 articles invalidating the proprietor's claim to the 
 property. In England the articles are even of a 
 more stringent character on cro-svn than on other 
 lands. In Australia, however, a man may build 
 how, or what he please — so long as he does so on 
 his own property. 
 
 Such a Kcense offers facilities for, and often 
 causes social annoyances as well as public evils ; 
 for it cannot be an agreeable thing for the respect- 
 able proprietor of a handsome building to have the 
 double annoyance of a dirty shed and its low un- 
 washed owner for neighbom^s ; neither are such 
 approximate inequalities in person and property 
 likely to improve or benefit society, or to add to 
 the pleasiu'es or beauties of the to\^Ti or city in 
 which they arise. 
 
 We have heard it stated that, prior to the dis- 
 covery of gold, when the colony was but thinly 
 popidated, the government avoided any restrictions 
 in the erection of buildings, for the purpose of 
 inducing the — then j)oor — immigrants to build 
 places in accordance with their means. But we will 
 not vouch for the accuracy of this imtil we have 
 better and official authority for its confirmation.
 
 30 VICTORIA. 
 
 Geelong has been endowed by nature with ad- 
 vantages which could not be secured by art, and 
 which Melbourne can never possess — advantages 
 that in every respect woidd have entitled her to 
 rank as the first city in Victoria, had Melbourne 
 not been at the time of proclaiming the separation 
 of the colony from New South Wales the more im- 
 portant place of the two, and consequently fixed 
 on as the seat of government. In place of the 
 narrow intricate river of Melbourne, Geelong is 
 fronted by a fine expansive bay, of sufficient width 
 and depth for the formation of docks that would 
 equal in extent, and excel in their local proximity 
 to the town, any in the United Kingdom. As a 
 London jom-nal justly observed, " Geelong will 
 some day be the Liverpool of Australia." The 
 situation is also vastly superior to that of Mel- 
 bourne. There is a gradual ascent from the mouth 
 of the bay to the summit of the town, the whole of 
 which is refreshed, and the atmosphere purified, 
 by the morning and evening sea breeze ; and this, 
 after a semi-tropical day, or a sufibcating hot 
 wand, is a luxury, that may easily be imagined — 
 independently of the benefit to health which the 
 inhabitants derive therefrom. 
 
 At present, however, there is a temporary 
 impediment to the conunercial progress of this 
 improving town, No ships, except those of small 
 tonnage, can approach within five or six miles of 
 the wharves, owing to the existence of a small
 
 VICTORIA. 31 
 
 shoal or sand bank — tlie removal of wliicli would 
 at once allow of five hundred ships to lie at anchor 
 within as many yards of the towai. That such an 
 obstacle — admitted even by the ruling powers to 
 be capable of removal at a trifling expense, com- 
 pared with the benefits to be derived therefrom — 
 should have been allowed to remain so long, is a 
 positive disgrace to those who have the power to 
 secure the accomplishment of an object of such 
 immense importance to the colony. 
 
 This, and other evils of equal magnitude, mil 
 fail to exist so soon as the press and public opinion 
 shall have acquired their legitimate corrective 
 power, and are capable of exercising that whole- 
 some influence over men and matter that has 
 raised England to her present independent position, 
 and made the freedom and liberties of her jjeople 
 the admiration and envy of other nations. 
 
 The streets of Geelong are well laid out and of 
 good width ; but the houses have the same sin- 
 gular appearance and are equall}'^ objectionable 
 with those of Melbourne, OAving to their want of 
 uniformity in elevation and design. There are, 
 however, some good substantial buildings ; and so 
 soon as the miserable sheds that adjoin or sui'round 
 them shall be removed — a work which time and 
 the requirements of the inhabitants TvaU no doubt 
 accomplish — Geelong will be superior in every- 
 thing but the number of her inhabitants to her 
 sister town. The market square — or rather the
 
 32 VICTORIA. 
 
 large oj)en space assigned and left for the pui'pose 
 of a square — for neither the place nor the siuTound- 
 ing houses haye at present any claim to the title — 
 might he made a really useful as well as an orna- 
 mental spot, for being situated in the centre of the 
 town, a tasteful enclosure, in place of the few 
 stumps of old trees that peep just above the sur- 
 face, woidd not only have a pleasing effect and 
 greatly improve the aspect of the localit}^, but 
 woidd likewise benefit the fine open streets abutting 
 therefrom. Altogether, the outhne for a fine city 
 has been supplied, and when time, taste, and labor 
 shall have perfected the details — and the present 
 obstruction to the shipping is removed — Geelong 
 will not suffer by a comparison with any commer- 
 cial town of equal size in the United Kingdom. 
 Of the public institutions we defer our notice to a 
 future period. 
 
 It is by no means an agreeable thing for public 
 writers to find themselves oj^posed to public opinion. 
 Public opinion on important subjects is generally 
 the correct one. Occasional instances are recorded 
 in which future generations of jurors quash the 
 judgments of their forefathers, and, by reversing 
 the verdicts given antecedent to their own time, 
 pronounce former minorities to be right. These 
 cases are of rare occurrence ; still they go to prove 
 that majorities are not always right. In addition 
 to this the subject in question is not exactly a home- 
 made one ; for the opinion on which we suppose
 
 VICTORIA. 33 
 
 ourselves at issue with the British public is one 
 founded by the latter on report only — and that 
 from an opposite land. 
 
 By T\Titers great and small, public and private, 
 at home and abroad — from the prince to the peasant, 
 and from the historian to the penny-a-liner — Aus- 
 traha has been pronounced, " the finest climate iu 
 the world." Unable to speak of all other climates 
 from our own experience, but having traversed a 
 larger portion of the globe than those whose pens 
 — not persons — ^have compassed it, truth compels 
 us to say, if Austraha be the finest climate in the 
 world, there are other climates — including those of 
 Van Diemen's Land and New Zealand, of which 
 we shall speak at a futui'e period — that, in our 
 opinion, belong to a better world. But, in speaking 
 of the climate of Austraha, our remarks are not 
 exclusively confined to Victoria, but also to New 
 South Wales, &c. Considered altogether, — having 
 ourselves experienced the alternate seasons in each 
 locality — we pronounce Austraha, for reasons we 
 shall assign, not only to be not the finest climate 
 in the world, but to be inferior to any other with 
 which we are personally acquainted. We are there- 
 fore totally at a loss to account for those favorable 
 sketches and highly colored pictures of the coimtry 
 which not only impressed us with opinions contrary 
 to our present conviction, but which, dm-ing om- 
 residence in the Colonies, prevented us for some 
 time from arriving at conclusions directly opposed
 
 34 VICTORIA. 
 
 to fonner impressions. No doubt many of the 
 extravagant eulogiums that have been written and 
 circidated, either originated with, or were penned 
 by private and interested persons. Some of the 
 more prominent and influential accounts probably 
 originated with a higher motive — that of populating 
 a uxalthy and extensive colontj, by holding out every 
 kind of temptation, real and imaginary, that would he 
 lilxely to draw the surplus and unemployed pojnilation 
 of the United Kingdom to a land in which they might 
 benefit themselves as well as distant branches of the 
 mother country. That writers in such a cause might 
 successfidly plead in justification of their praises, 
 is not a question for us to decide. We have simply 
 to record the truth, according to our belief; and 
 this we will do, to the best of our ability, whatever 
 opinions may prevad to the contrary. "While 
 speaking calmly and impartially of the Colonies 
 and their inhabitants, or exposing the failings or 
 defects of either, we do not for a moment wish nor 
 intend to check emigration. On the contrary, it 
 will probably be found that we are even stronger 
 advocates for its extension than those whose un- 
 measured praises woidd rather tend to retard than 
 advance it. God forbid that we should so forget 
 our duty and neglect our advice to thousands of 
 ovir half paid and half starved laborers and me- 
 chanics, as to say anything that woidd stay them 
 from a country where they will not onl}^ find full 
 employment, but where they will receive that
 
 VTCTORIA. 35 
 
 handsome remuneration for their labor whicli, with 
 industry and sobriety, would enable them to live 
 in present comfort and futiu-e ease. No. We will 
 merely sketch the groundwork and objects of tlie 
 vast and unfinished surface as we find them, so that 
 our readers, or the future spectators of the scene 
 may not be disappointed with the picture. 
 
 In pronoimcing Australia an imgenial climate, 
 we do not declare it to be positively imhealthy. 
 On the contrary, we believe it conducive to health 
 for a season, only that the season is of short 
 duration. The excessive heat of the summer 
 months, and the want of atmospheric hmnidity are 
 the holy stones that imperceptibly wear out the 
 machine of life, although they may not produce 
 any organic disease in the machinery so long as it 
 lasts. Great age is but seldom attained either by 
 the native or the settler. As for the early shoots 
 of human nature which arrive from the mother 
 country — they become like hot-house plants that 
 are forced to maturity at an early age ; but they 
 appear deficient in that natural stamina which can 
 alone preserve their beauty and prolong their exist- 
 ence. Colonel Miinday justly observes that " the 
 females attain maturity with a degree of j)recocity 
 which is sure to react in after life. The fair, fresh 
 rose-bud of fifteen or sixteen will be full blo>\Ti next 
 summer ; but, alas ! often shows the first sjonptoms 
 of decay at an age when the English girl will 
 scarcely have reached perfection. Doubtless a
 
 36 VICTORIA. 
 
 certain degree of atmospheric liiunidity is necessary 
 fos the preservation of the human skin ; for where 
 is to be seen such brilliancy of complexion as in 
 our o^Ti misty native islands ? — and it is a bril- 
 liancy that wears well, not a mere coruscation gone 
 almost as soon as seen. But in a sultry and dry 
 climate beauty and bloom are not so evergreen." 
 The frequent ruinous disasters that befal the squat- 
 ters, owing to the heat of the climate, want of 
 water, and destructive bush-fires are so truthfully 
 described by the same writer, who never fails to 
 praise the country when he can, that a quotation 
 will furnish our own evidence and opinion on the 
 subject : — 
 
 "Of all the featiu-es of Australian climatology, 
 di'ought is the most prominent and forbidding. I 
 find in my diaries several jDoriods of four and five 
 months without one drop of rain ; live stock and 
 grain crops ruined ; the country like tinder, sus- 
 ceptible to the smallest spark, and, at the back of 
 every puff of high wind, blazing in all directions ; 
 well if the bush-fire encroach not on the faims, 
 as is too often the case, consuming stacks, fences, 
 standing crops, out-houses, cattle, and even human 
 beings." 
 
 * " In April 1849, the sun set at Sydney for several 
 weeks successively in a lurid haze of smoke. During 
 his last two hours above the horizon, the weakest 
 eye might gaze un^n'uking at his rayless disk. 
 The whole West was either in flames or smouldering.
 
 VICTORIA. 37 
 
 In January 1850, during a lengthened drought, 
 the north shore of the harbour was on fire for ten 
 or twelve days. At night it looked like a line of 
 twenty or thirty huge furnaces, extending over 
 some fifteen miles. The city was shrouded in smoke, 
 and the air was pervaded with the aromatic odour 
 of the burning gum-trees. Many poor settlers 
 would have been ruined but for a liberal subscrip- 
 tion raised for the sufferers. In 1851, hundreds of 
 miles of country in the district of Port Philip were 
 included in one vast conflagration, and as many 
 families brought to destitution by the destruction 
 of their property. The heavens were obscured for 
 a long period by a canopy of smoke, the soot falling 
 on board vessels at sea one hundred and fifty miles 
 distant from the land. When the rain does come 
 it comes with a vengeance, sometimes carrjdng 
 away, in its torrents, roads, gardens, walls, palings, 
 and bridges, which had proved invulnerable to the 
 preceding bush-fires. Every highway becomes a 
 river, every by-way a brook, every bank a cataract. 
 The thmider cracks right over head like the report 
 of a gun. Hailstones come rattling down an inch 
 long, knocking over young live-stock and domestic 
 poultry, levelling orange orchards and vineyards, 
 breaking windows and hiunan heads ; still, in 
 twenty-four hours, or less, the dust is blowing 
 about as bad as ever. No one who has not lived 
 in a comitry liable to drought can appreciate the 
 eagerness with which every assemblage of clouds
 
 38 VICTOKIA. 
 
 is watched ; with what feelings of disappointment 
 their breaking up without yielding a drop is accom- 
 panied ; with what thankfulness the boon of mo- 
 derate rain and showers is received when it does 
 come. ' My word/ cries the inland squatter, * this 
 will fill the water-holes rarely, and save me a thou- 
 sand or two head of stock, which would otherwise 
 have died for want of water.' He is delighted 
 with the gift, though he may possibly lose two or 
 three horses, if not his own life, in attempting to 
 cross the bottom, where yesterday there was nothing 
 to be seen moister than a glaring white sand, hot 
 enough to boil a retort." 
 
 But the long droughts, excessive heat, hot winds, 
 bush-fires, &c., which are peculiar to Australia, are 
 more serious and destructive to the agricultural 
 interests and squatters stock, and have a more in- 
 jurious efiect on the landed proprietor's pui'se than 
 his person. Although attended with considerable 
 personal inconvenience and occasional injurj', these 
 atmospheric excesses and transitions tend rather 
 to cripple or retard the progress of agriculture 
 than to inflict any serious or immediate danger on 
 the himran frame. We entirely agree with the 
 subsequent observations of the writer we have just 
 quoted, who ha\TJig truthftdly described some of 
 the inconveniences which arise from a semi-tropical 
 summer, goes on to state that "the Australian 
 autumn and winter will be fovmd altogether de- 
 lightful." These expressions are in imison with
 
 VICTORIA. 39 
 
 oiir own feelings and opinion on the subject. An 
 Australian autumn is equal in all respects, if not 
 superior to an English one ; while an English 
 winter is colder and altogether less agreeable than 
 an antipodal one. 
 
 We have already described the causes which 
 prevent the creation of a refined or intellectual 
 taste on the part of the illiterate residents in the 
 colony, as also the immediate and monetary object 
 that retards the cidtivation or advancement of any 
 of the higher facidties of the mind on the part of 
 those — although but a small minority of the poj)u- 
 lation — by whom the fruit of useful knowledge had 
 been tasted before leaving the mother country, and 
 who are convinced of the superior advantages of 
 what they nevertheless neglect for — gain. But the 
 great cause, above all others, of the unintellectual 
 as well as the immoral state of society in Australia 
 may be found in the fact that a very large majority 
 of her inhabitants are composed — partly of those 
 who have been either bred in vice or contaminated 
 by their association -vsath it, and others whose minds 
 have been abused or pointed before leaving their 
 native land. Pointed by what, or by whom ? — By 
 the dregs of tJte press ! 
 
 A large proportion of the inhabitants, as we have 
 already stated, comprise those whose ignorance is 
 their leading characteristic, and others who prove 
 that "little knowledge is a dangerous thing," 
 and that total ignorance were better than the
 
 40 VICTORIA. 
 
 unripened and bitter friiit produced by the early 
 seeds of democratic and revolutionary doctrines, 
 and the pernicious influence exercised by those who 
 entertain them. But we advise those who question 
 the permanent evils arising from trashy and im- 
 moral literature, and who require striking demon- 
 stration to dissipate their doubts, to traverse, as we 
 have, the length and breadth of the popidated parts 
 of the Australian colonies ; they will then discover 
 from actual observation the demoralising eiFects 
 produced on the minds and habits of the working 
 classes, and the growing evils arising through 
 having at an early age imbibed the intoxicating 
 poisons dispensed and disseminated by low and un- 
 principled publications ; — they will then discover 
 that thousands of the youthful branches of their 
 own countrjTnen and of the present generation 
 have had their minds polluted, their morals cor- 
 rupted, and their talents partially, if not wholly 
 perverted, by a mass of impure matter which dur- 
 ing the greater part of the last thirty years has 
 been vomited from the disorganised bowels of an 
 unhealthy press, as icholesome food for an enlightened 
 j^eople ! From the tent to the city — from the 
 squatter's station to the storekeeper's cupboard — 
 from the digger's hut to the merchant's drawing- 
 room, they will find that the RejTiolds or the 
 Eugene Sue class of fables, and Lloyd's Sunday 
 NewsjDaper, form the chief, and in many cases, the 
 only literary feature of the resident's habitation.
 
 VICTORIA. 41 
 
 Yes ; such is tlie principal mental stock of these 
 rich and extensive Colonies. One would suppose 
 them to be the receptacle for all the accumulated 
 literary sweepings of the United Kingdom. And 
 such woidd appear to be the fact ; for but little 
 else is either imported or inquired for. Let the 
 blame, however, for this depraved literary taste rest 
 with the originators — the writers, not the readers. 
 
 The mischievous effects produced by the venal 
 portion of the British press might naturally sug- 
 gest the following question, \dz. : — Did not the 
 respectable part of the EngKsh press and people 
 prove and exercise a superior power over the baser 
 and poorer half, what at present would be the state 
 of Great Britain ? Instead of being above, would 
 she not be on a level with, or below other nations ? 
 There may be found in England both writers, pro- 
 fessors, readers, and pupils of democratic principles 
 and revolutionary doctrines — to which low and 
 immoral literature of any description has a direct 
 tendency. But, fortimately for the v security and 
 welfare of the British empire, these persons form 
 but a small minority of her population; and al- 
 though the reduced ranks of this once rather for- 
 midable body still retain the names of a few influ- 
 ential individuals — influential with the poor and 
 uneducated — and some public characters of the 
 rabble creation, they judiciously disguise or conceal 
 the inflammable side of their doctrines in order 
 to avoid the fate of many of their predecessors —
 
 42 VICTORIA. 
 
 a total extinction in tlie tide of popular indig- 
 nation. In ambush, there are doubtless some 
 descendants of the O'Connell or O'Connor school ; 
 and there ever will be, so long as env^^ unscrupu- 
 lous selfishness, and great but prostituted talents 
 conspire to make mob orators the deceived and the 
 deceivers. The better the form of existing govern- 
 ments, the more abusive and malignant wiU be 
 found those fiery demagogues who en\y in others 
 the honesty they want themselves, and who merely 
 aspire to place for emolument ; and to power with 
 a view to create or perpetuate on an extended 
 scale the abuses they decry. But these political 
 mountebanks who study to delude the ignorant 
 and imwary — these oratorical aeronauts and occa- 
 sional disturbers of the peace woidd have but a 
 short public existence, and would soon fall into 
 merited insignificance and obscurity, if they were 
 dependent on themselves alone for their popidarity. 
 Deprived of their paid trumpeters — writers to 
 publish and defend their doctrines — the ringleaders 
 in any and every imprincipled scheme — whether 
 political, social, or commercial — woidd prove as 
 harmless as butterflies, and lose their transient 
 position and showy complexion at the close of 
 their own brief season. Unfortunately, the leaders 
 of any cause however dark, or the teachers of any 
 theory however fallacious — the advocates of any 
 practice, however base, will not fail in their de- 
 signs for the want of literary organs to espouse
 
 VICTORIA. 43 
 
 their cause, so long as the consideration bo equal 
 to the importance of the matter in hand. Un- 
 assisted by the prostituted talents of his paid 
 agents, O'Connell would not have inflicted such 
 lasting misery on his coimtry ; nor would he for 
 so many years have di-awn the hard-earned pence 
 from his starving countrymen whom he professed 
 to benefit. Alas ! for his departed greatness ! 
 ^Yhere shall we look for a single relic of his glory ? 
 Let the millions whom he deceived and plmidered 
 answer ; — let the undefiled consciences of his be- 
 loved and time-ser\'ing priests reply ; — or above 
 all, let those mortal meteors of the age who coui't 
 popularity in order to obtain some selfish end — let 
 them pause for a reply. The masked demagogues 
 of the present day would find no difiiculty — did 
 the time favor their designs — in obtaining writers 
 who, for a consideration, wovJd not hesitate to direct 
 their weapons against the constitution under which 
 they hold theii' liberties, or even to malign the 
 character or question the purity of one of the most 
 amiable and %drtuous monarchs that ever graced 
 the English throne. 
 
 The lovers of notoriety and power whose merits 
 may be unequal to their desii'es, and who may fail 
 to realize their wishes by legitimate and honorable 
 means, will not scruple to pursue any course by 
 which their vanity may be gratified or their selfish- 
 ness feasted. And in the by-lanes and corners of 
 literature there may always be foimd certain small
 
 44 
 
 VICTOEIA. 
 
 groups of Kterary cads or lookers out, ready on the 
 shortest notice to do any little job that may be 
 required of them. Englishmen would not be so 
 often disgusted with the inflammable doctrines and 
 trashy harangues of some low popidarity hunter, 
 were it not for the marketable services of those 
 mercenary scribblers who would readily sacrifice a 
 people's morals or a coimtry's good for personal 
 gain. The seed of the honest husbandman might 
 take root and multiply without danger from ab- 
 straction, were it not for the existence of that black- 
 feathered tribe who are ever watching a favorable 
 opportunity to povmce upon and destroy the hopes 
 of the unguarded. So would the noble standard 
 of our ancient literature retain and add to its 
 former glory, were it not endangered by those 
 literary crows whose polluted quills are ever ready 
 to pander to a vitiated taste. 
 
 In none of the British dependencies — probably 
 in no part of Great Britain — are the demoralizing 
 fruits arising from the early seeds sown by the 
 degraded portion of om- press so painfully apparent 
 as in the AustraKan colonies — more especially in 
 the colony of Victoria. This proves that even the 
 greatest blessings are open to the greatest abuses. 
 "While the daily and principal portion of the 
 weekly newspaper press of this coimtry may re- 
 spectively and tridy be termed the chief justice 
 and the guardian of society, its unworthy followers 
 the Simday newspapers, with but few exceptions,
 
 VICTORIA. 45 
 
 tend rather to demoralize tlian improve it. If, 
 witli the respectable part of the press, tliey were 
 more frequently to pietui^e the foibles of their ovm 
 readers, instead of for ever painting in the blackest 
 dye their many persecutions, and the remorseless 
 tyranny of their proud persecutors, it woidd then 
 be but fair and reasonable to suppose that their 
 columns were not tainted by sinister motives. But 
 no ; this would not be palatable to their patrons — 
 the working classes. Equality ! fraternity ! toge- 
 ther with every other revolutionary howl, or social 
 or political delusion, are much more likely to accord 
 with the feelings of their readers than anji;hing of 
 a more rational character ; and the writers have a 
 greater respect for their propertj^ than to lessen its 
 value by a more exalted course — although they 
 must be quite aware that their wholesale denuncia- 
 tions and fiery compositions are constantly sowing 
 the seed of discontent and disaflPection in the minds 
 of those who, being too illiterate to form correct 
 opinions of theii' own, are unfortunately too ready 
 to receive and adopt the fallacious doctrines of 
 others. In a word, the Sunday newspapers, with 
 the exceptions alluded to, are a curse to society. 
 They not only destroy, in many noble minds, 
 loyalty to the throne, proper respect to superiors, 
 and a brotherly love for each other ; but they also 
 turn them from their duty to God, by creating an 
 improper feeling towards his creatures, and a total 
 disregard for a proper observance of the Sabbath 
 day.
 
 46 VICTORIA. 
 
 If tlie principal part of those connected vnth the 
 low Sunday newspapers are not absolute infidels, 
 their own writings wotdd lead an impartial reader 
 to consider them but one remove from the title, — 
 while such writers cannot fail to draw their deluded 
 patrons to the lamentable and hopeless condition 
 consequent on their profession, Nevertheless, some 
 of these men are popular. Popidar ! — with whom ? 
 Popularity in its unrestricted and proper sense is 
 not merely /at'or with any particular class of indivi- 
 duals, imless that class should happen to represent 
 a majority of the entire country or nation to which 
 it belongs. And with whom are the editors alluded 
 to popular ? With those only whose favor is more 
 readily and securely won by pandering to the 
 passions than by appealing to the intellect. And 
 although such "WTiters cause mischief enough in 
 their own immediate circle, and create most of the 
 evils which tend to unsettle the minds of their 
 poor subscribers, with no other class are their pub- 
 lications either read or recognised. Neither the 
 papers nor the proprietors are either known or 
 respected beyond their own circumscribed sphere. 
 True ; literary men of acknowledged talent occa- 
 sionally connect themselves with, or are induced 
 for a handsome consideration to prostitute their 
 abilities in editing these low papers and trashy 
 periodicals — a recent instance of which may be 
 within the knowledge of some of our readers — but 
 men who thus sacrifice the small claim to respect-
 
 VICTORIA. 47 
 
 ability tliat they may have previously acquired, 
 are mostly those who are indebted for their public 
 position rather to some prize in the fortimes of 
 chance than to the exercise of genius ; for — like a 
 gorgeous stage spectacle that owes its success to 
 the decorator's art — the transitory fame of these 
 writers may generally be traced to circumstances 
 apart from real merit. 
 
 Such strong and unqualified expressions on the 
 part of those so hmnble and miaspiring as oiu'selves, 
 will, no doubt, arouse the indignation of that part 
 of the press to which our observations appl3^ We 
 cannot help this. The certainty of provoking the 
 imited censiu'e of the entire body would neither 
 prevent us from publishing the effects produced by 
 their perverted talents, nor induce us to modify in 
 the slightest degree the tone of our honest opinion. 
 Independent alike of fiarty, party purpose, or 
 place, our pen is not influenced by either ; and we 
 seek no higher return for our labor than that which 
 is usually awarded to those who work for the public, 
 and use only the materials of truth. 
 
 Having reverted chiefly to the pernicious ten- 
 dency the venal portion of a newspaper press has 
 on the minds of the imeducated part of the com- 
 munity, it may not be considered irrelevant to one 
 of the leading objects of our work — that of ten- 
 dering any suggestion by which the condition of 
 the working and middle classes may be improved — 
 to refer to another kind of literature which, with
 
 48 VICTORIA. 
 
 more refined and intellectual readers, may not pro- 
 duce evils of equal magnitude witli tlie former, 
 but wMcli wiU nevertheless be found to exercise a 
 demoralising, tbougb indirect influence over the 
 feelings and babits of its readers. Let it be under- 
 stood, before we proceed, that we are not advocates 
 for the total extinction of all works of fiction. On 
 the contrary we consider that the better class of 
 such productions which have no immoral tendency, 
 may contribute to the welfare while they meet the 
 requirements of the community, and that they are 
 as necessary to the wants and enjoyments of a 
 people, and add more to the amusements, if not to 
 the comforts of life, than a course of fanciful 
 tartlets and jellies, or a siunptuous dessert, after a 
 substantial meal. Our remarks are intended to 
 apply only to the large and increasing number of 
 trashy novels which at present find a ready sale, 
 and are eagerly sought after by persons in every 
 grade of society — especially by the junior branches. 
 ^Vho can at present reflect with unalloyed pleasure 
 on the rapid strides of invention of the nineteenth 
 century — what literary man of the present day, 
 who feels an interest in the intellectual progress of 
 society beyond mere personal gain, can view with 
 classic pride England's daily advances in science, 
 while some beardless youth can readily command 
 for a few sheets of fulsome romance a larger sum 
 than the inmiortal Milton obtained for his " Para- 
 dise Lost ? " While a host of romantic young
 
 VICTORIA, 49 
 
 ladies and "fast" young gentlemen dive with 
 avidity into the "Mysteries of Paris," and feast 
 freely, and with increased relish, on the revolting 
 horrors and accumulated filth to be found in such 
 productions, surely the most sensible part of the 
 community cannot but feel bitter regret for the 
 degenerate taste of the other half; and while so 
 many of the senior branches — men of years and 
 station — parents, guardians, employers, and others 
 in good society — pronounce history " dry," and 
 poetry " a bore," and declare that our best periodi- 
 cals and first-class magazines are uninteresting, 
 no wonder one of our best modern writers should 
 declare that — " there is no country in the world 
 the inhabitants of which know so little of the 
 institutions, the laws, and the government under 
 which they live as the English." The same writer 
 goes on to observe that — " when the popular nature 
 of the constitution is considered the ignorance of 
 the people on this subject — and indeed on all other 
 subjects but that of money-making — is almost 
 miraculous. It is not confined to classes which are 
 supposed to be ignorant and uneducated, but it 
 extends to those in whom such ignorance is not 
 only disgraceful but criminal. It is impossible to 
 go into middle class society without hearing the 
 strangest falsehoods propounded as facts, and the 
 most absurd inferences drawn from them, whenever 
 the conversation turns upon history or politics. 
 A manufacturer, a wholesale dealer, a surgeon, or 
 
 E
 
 50 VICTORIA. 
 
 any other person giving employment to others, 
 might be pardoned for kno^\"ing less of his own 
 coimtry and its institutions than a German or a 
 Frenchman, were not his ignorance contagious, 
 and sometimes fatal in its consequences." We 
 will simply add to these remarks, which emanated 
 from the editorial pen of one connected with a 
 leading journal, our belief — for the consideration 
 of those who neglect substantial literary food and 
 useful knowledge for unwholesome garbage — ^that 
 the majority of romantic adventures, uneven and 
 unhappy love matches, elopements, seductions, and 
 even suicides, which occasionally cause so much 
 misery to parents and families, have their origin 
 in, or are precij)itated by the intoxicating but 
 odious vapours inhaled from the imnatural and 
 heated tales of the fulsome pubKcations to which 
 we have allvided. 
 
 By speaking in condemnatory terms of fidsome 
 romances and trashy pubHcations, let it not be 
 supposed that our observations apply to all litera- 
 ture of a low price. We intend the word trashy 
 to include imwholesome and immoral works of 
 any and every description or price. Many of om' 
 cheapest rank with many of our best publications, 
 because they have a moral tendency, and because 
 they not only amuse but improve the mind — and, 
 more than all, because they are within the reach 
 of the poor and those with whom an increase of 
 knowledge would be both a social blessing and a
 
 VICTOIITA. 51 
 
 national boon. It would be unfair and invidious 
 in us to particularise any periodical or periodicals, 
 either for the purpose of praise or censure, although 
 we coidd name several cheap and valuable publica- 
 tions which are largely patronised by the middle 
 classes — jjublications which, if extensively kno'^Ti 
 and read by the poor in place of low and scurrilous 
 Simday newspapers, covJd not fail to produce social 
 and mental benefits where they are mostly needed. 
 Half the grievances in the world are sentimental 
 grievances ; and half the virtues and vices in the 
 world are either ancestral or parental ones. The 
 youthfid or junior part of a generation are the 
 inheritors, rather than the originators. Example 
 is better than precept ; and a good example will 
 insure a larger nimiber of faithful followers than 
 can be secured by a . good sermon. Yii'tue being 
 the cidtivated vine, or conservatory shoot and 
 household gem, rather than a wild and growing 
 instinct of nature, we are more likely to foUow 
 good qualities than to generate them, although 
 they may in some instances be neglected or aban- 
 doned in matm^ity. The taste, the habits, the 
 manners, the failings — indeed the good or evil 
 qualities of any class or complexion, which adorn 
 or disfigure the human race, may — like some en- 
 tailed inheritance — generally be traced to a former 
 and relative owner, as the first step to or groimd- 
 work of their title but seldom originate with the 
 immediate possessor.
 
 52 VICTORIA. 
 
 Who can doubt tliat tlie knavery, immorality, 
 and all other social, commercial, and political evils 
 wliicli are to be foim.d in Australia — not only in 
 Australia, but in any and every other land — are 
 the offshoots or after-crops which spring either 
 from early association, bad example, or want of 
 moral training ? The history of an Australian 
 murderer will generally prove the cvdprit to have 
 entered on the highway to his awful goal at an 
 early date — probably before he had left, or been 
 expelled, the mother country. The rogue or gam- 
 bler in a foreign land, had no doubt been one or 
 the other, or perhaps both, in his owm. Social 
 serpents and political agitators at home will not 
 be found family protectors or public peace-makers 
 when abroad. No. The actors and the acts have, 
 each and all, some antecedent to wliich they are 
 related in a greater or lesser degree, and the first 
 connecting link may generally be traced to the 
 want of good or the influence of bad example at 
 an early age. 
 
 Those who feel an interest in the future welfare 
 of their children and their country should remem- 
 ber that the liberal education of the former or an 
 extravagant outlay in the latter will not — alone — 
 accomphsh what they desire. " By good moral 
 training," says a modern writer, " by kindly actions 
 which shim the guise of ostentation — ^by words of 
 sympathy, genuine and unaffected — ^parents, mas- 
 ters, and employers may make those around and
 
 VICTORIA. 53 
 
 below them not only more diligent and faitlifid in 
 their respective duties, but thej will also make 
 them better men and better subjects." Parents 
 often regard others as the originators of any im- 
 perfections which may present themselves in their 
 children ; and they frequently attribute to the 
 monitor or commercial instructor of such children 
 not only the discovery of any bad quality, but 
 they also lay the cause entirely at the master's 
 door, although it might have merely opened a 
 stronger light on growing e^dls created or neglected 
 under their o"svn paternal roof. The earliest im- 
 pressions on the mind are generally the most per- 
 manent ; and although they may for a time be 
 partially obscured, or even perverted by the changes 
 and allurements of life, their effect is but seldom, 
 if ever, wholly effaced. The sacred injimction of 
 "Train up a child in the way he should go, and 
 he wall not depart from it " has been so fully and 
 frequently exempKfied by proof, that it will merely 
 be necessary to refer our readers to our own simple 
 and — to the best of our ability and belief — faithfid 
 account of the Australian population for a further 
 illustration of the moral precejDt. 
 
 There are many, however, with whom the pre- 
 ceding remarks may suggest the following question 
 — How does it happen that a prodigal or dis- 
 obedient son frequently descends from the most 
 affectionate and irreproachable parent ? The ex- 
 ception or exceptions to every rule must, of course,
 
 54 VICTORIA. 
 
 yield an affirmative to such an interrogation ; but 
 it may be fairly assumed that the subjects of pro- 
 digality or disobedience are more numerous, in the 
 proportion of at least five to one, in those gay or 
 tinsel-minded circles in wliich the jxmior branches 
 find no moral principle propoimded, and have no 
 good example to follow. Then let it be borne in 
 mind by that parent who would shelter or doubt 
 the appearance of any bad quality in his child, by 
 attributing its discovery to the caprice of his tutor, 
 that an impartial observer may possibly regard it 
 as the ripening fruit of his o^\ti garden, or the 
 growing weeds produced by neglect or mismanage- 
 ment. Shoidd a parent forget, at an early period, 
 to prepare in his son's mind the way to a substan- 
 tial foundation, or omit to cvdtivate the path by 
 the force of good example, there will be but faint 
 hope of its subsequent formation. If the proper 
 principles be not instilled before the youth enters 
 on his commercial or scientific career, the chance 
 of their future installation will be but small indeed; 
 for although, in the spring of life, opportunities 
 occur for beautifying the intellect and increasing 
 the amount of useful knowledge, they are but 
 seldom, if ever, embraced, if a foretaste of their 
 utility has not been previously acquired. Without 
 the vital spirit of true morality be imparted by 
 the parent in a child's progress through life, the 
 chances are at least two to one in favor of the 
 enemy.
 
 VICTORIA. 55 
 
 Those parents, masters, and employers wlio are 
 anxious to see om- Colonies peopled with a better — 
 that is, a more upright and honest class of men — 
 should endeavour to infuse into the minds of their 
 dependants that which woidd prove a mental barrier 
 — to stay them from those schools of vice with which 
 the great English metropolis abomid. Such j)laces 
 not only lead the mechanic, the young tradesman, 
 the professional pupil, or the scholar from the 
 sacred paths of wtue, but likewise pervert the 
 mental faculties, prostrate the physical energies, 
 and increase the distance and fortify the difRcidties 
 on the way to every great and honorable distinction 
 in the drama of life. Such places deter and hold 
 back the frequenters from noble aspirations — as- 
 pirations more wholesome, more legitimate, and in 
 all respects more beneficial in their residts both to 
 mind, body, and soul ; for the frequenters of such 
 places not only waste their time and money, but 
 they waste everything that can impart a bloom to 
 the intelligence of youth, or vigour to the years of 
 manhood. What are these saloons and casinos, 
 which annually spring up in the metropolis in 
 sorae new form, but the originators and harbin- 
 gers of the very worst description of vice and 
 immorality — where thousands of respectable youths 
 are deprived of their honorable title, seduced by 
 the allurements of the scene, and finally made the 
 victims of dishonest and abandoned practitioners 
 — the first step, in too many cases, to their total
 
 56 VICTORIA. 
 
 ruin. It must be a matter of regret to all morally 
 disposed persons that there is no legislative enact- 
 ment in which the authorities can arm themselves 
 with power to close such dens of dissipation and 
 obscenity. The mischief caused to youth by visiting 
 these places — the nightly resorts of pickpockets 
 and prostitutes — is incalcidable. With young men 
 and citizens — especially with those who have no 
 protecting power, beyond the dictates of their own 
 inclinations, to guide or govern them after the 
 business of the day — such places generally lead to 
 extravagance ; and extravagance is often the pre- 
 cursor of dishonesty ; and dishonesty, it is well 
 known, is the parent of ruin. 
 
 "We woidd briefly refer to another custom which 
 tends to impair the morality, if not to weaken the 
 probity of the practitioners — a custom which, within 
 the last few years, has been gaining ground with 
 many of our specidative young men. We allude 
 to the practice of "making betting books." True, 
 the working and middle classes may plead, in 
 justification of such a practice, that they are only 
 following the track of many of their betters — men 
 of rank and station. We can only regret the 
 existence of that fashionable species of gambling 
 which will admit of such a plea being placed on 
 record; and we regret still more that the recent 
 legislative measiu-e, which placed a temporary 
 check on low betting houses, did not also apply to 
 betting in general, without reference either to
 
 VICTORIA. 57 
 
 station or denomination. Can anything be more 
 absurd — we might almost say dishonest, for such 
 practices are a near approach to dishonesty — than 
 a young man in a situation of fifty, seventy, or 
 eighty pounds a year, making bets on a single race 
 to the amount of several hundreds of pounds ! We 
 have kno-uai not only of one or two such cases, but 
 of many. But apart from the general result of 
 such folly, kt us weigh the subject — as all such 
 matters should be weighed — ^by moral principle. 
 We woidd ask employers whether such jvivenile 
 trading without ccqjital is not only wrong in prin- 
 ciple, but whether it is not an absolute infringe- 
 ment of duty on the part of their servants ? The 
 individual disposition to serve oneself first is but 
 natural, and when the servant becomes a secret 
 trader on his own account, the master must be the 
 sufferer — even if it be but in loss of time or labor. 
 The youth whose whole facidties are at fever heat, 
 in the hope of "winning fifty or a hundred poimds 
 on a single race, which the brief space of a few 
 minutes will decide, will not — nay, cannot give his 
 undivided attention to one whom he is pledged to 
 serve faithfully at so much per annum. We would 
 advise all employers who have a regard to their 
 own interest, as well as for the welfare of their 
 assistants, to look to this. Out of one e\aL spring 
 many. And than this practice of betting nothing 
 can have a more dangerous tendency on the mind 
 of youth.
 
 58 VICTORIA. 
 
 Yet how are such, evils prevented and opposite 
 results accomplislied ? It can hardly be expected 
 that the junior part of a communitj^ should benefit 
 by the force of good example, honest principles, 
 upright dealing, and moral training, while so many 
 parents, masters, and employers stand in need of 
 these things themselves. It would be imreason- 
 able to expect of a profligate or dishonest parent 
 or master a well trained child, or a faithful and 
 upright servant. Dependants take their tone from 
 those above them ; and the child who has vice for 
 his father — to be virtuous, must be disobedient. 
 And how many parents and employers are there 
 in the commercial arena — some of whom stand 
 high, very high with the world — who, deeming 
 dishonesty the surest way to advancement, embrace 
 it rather as a virtue than a vice. Mark, for in- 
 stance, the innimierable tricks, puifs, and wilful 
 falsehood practised by some of the modern trades- 
 men or bubble-blowers of the day — men who pro- 
 fessing to vend their goods at ten, fifteen, or twenty 
 per cent, less than their value, are in reality study- 
 ing the most deceptive means for securing thirty, 
 forty, or fifty more, or so much more than unpre- 
 tending but more respectable neighbours. But, 
 apart from every honest principle, we would ask, 
 what does such a system efiect ? Does it not more 
 frequently defeat than attain the object of the 
 party adopting it ? The liar at once sacrifices his 
 own honor, and when detected, he also sacrifices
 
 VICTORIA. 59 
 
 the faith of his customer. Suspicion is, in most 
 cases, attended with fear ; and to suspect those 
 with whom we wish to do business, is frequently 
 to deter us from doing it. Even in the most 
 trivial matters, exaggeration and falsehood are now 
 so frequently resorted to, that their pernicious 
 fruits seem almost to grow imperceptibly in men's 
 nature. Dissimidation at its present pace will soon 
 become habitual ; for even in the ordinary discus- 
 sions of social life — although there be no personal 
 motive to serve — the speakers constantly employ 
 falsehood, without even being aware of it. Yet 
 many will note in others what they unconsciously, 
 or willingly practise themselves. So much again 
 for the influence of example. It proves that the 
 want of moral resolution, as a riding principle of 
 action, is one of the greatest defects in human 
 nature. Most of us know what is right — many 
 feel disposed to do what is right — but, through the 
 want of a little moral courage, there are but few 
 indeed with whom wdsdoni and strength of mind 
 are proof against temptation, and who are not 
 sometimes induced to act contrary to what they 
 know to be right. This proceeds not from a want 
 of knowledge of a duty we owe ourselves, but from 
 the abuse of it — originating in the neglect of oiu' 
 early obKgations to our Creator. Why not a suffi- 
 cient restraint on oiu- actions to bridle our inclina- 
 tions, or to resist the temptation of others ? The 
 influence of pernicious example, and the want of
 
 60 VICTORIA. 
 
 instant courage to resist it prepare the way to th.e 
 ruin of thousands. Nor is this frailty in hiunan 
 nature a feature less prominent in manhood than 
 in youth. 
 
 In concluding our "first impressions" of the 
 colony of Victoria, it is necessary to remind those 
 of our readers who may consider the gist of our 
 observations to apply rather to the habits and 
 character of the inhabitants than to the progress 
 and position of the country, that it is usual to 
 regard with greater interest the character than the 
 habitation of a newly made acquaintance, and that 
 visitors generally note the manners or sketch the 
 vices or virtues of their host, before they proceed 
 to review the style of his residence or the peculiar 
 features of his domain. Besides which, the moral, 
 social, political, and commercial greatness of a 
 country spring from the people themselves, not 
 from the land they inhabit — even though the re- 
 gion be a golden one. No covmtry can arrive at, 
 or maintain permanent commercial prosperity, 
 imless the inhabitants possess and properly apply 
 the elements of success. And to hold a high posi- 
 tion with kindred states or spirits, nations, like 
 individuals, must command and merit a character 
 for honesty, not only in profession, but also in 
 action. That an unprincii^led and profligate com- 
 munity — however wealthy — can take a high rank 
 in the scale of nations, we believe as impossible 
 as that the World would consider an individual who
 
 VICTORIA. 61 
 
 had lost his cliaracter for integrity to be a person 
 worthy of trust. The colony of Victoria has all 
 the elements of greatness, but will never become 
 great, so long as her inhabitants continue in 
 their present course, and embrace and practice dis- 
 honesty rather as a virtue than a vice. Strong in 
 this belief, we have in our preceding remarks dwelt 
 at greater length on the barriers which impede the 
 greatness of the colony than on the colony itself; 
 and we shall only be too hapj)y, after the abate- 
 ment of the present excited and reckless state of 
 the people, to note a favorable change in the 
 settlers themselves — without which the comitry 
 will remain an imcidtivated, though not a barren 
 land, and its residents nothing but imscrupulous 
 gamblers.
 
 SECOND IMPEESSIONS 
 
 YICTOEIA. 
 
 In newly populated countries or colonies a little 
 time lias been known to effect great changes. 
 Even so witli Australia — more especially with the 
 colony of Yictoria, of which we now speak. During 
 the short sjDace that divides the first from our 
 present visit — a period of less than two years — ^not 
 only great changes, but great and visible improve- 
 ments have taken place both in persons and places. 
 Indeed there has been a perceptible move in the 
 right direction with regard to almost everything 
 and everybody. From the digger in his tent to 
 the merchant in his store ; — from the governor and 
 his attendants to the council and its members ; — 
 from the administrative to the executive, and from 
 the highest in authority to the meanest ofiicial, a 
 marked advance has been made toward the general 
 interests of the colony and its inhabitants. In all 
 — except the climate itself — a striking improve- 
 ment is observable. True ; the country has not
 
 64 VICTORIA. 
 
 been re-modelled, nor its peojjle replaced, but the 
 aspect of both, are more inviting than formerly. 
 The elements of vice and immorality are still 
 here, although they appear to have been somewhat 
 checked — let us hope reduced. Instead of a curse, 
 — misfortune sometimes proves a blessing ; for it 
 enables the sufferers to reflect on their present 
 state and serves as a wholesome lesson in the 
 future. The commercial crisis which we previ- 
 ously predicted, and which has now arrived and 
 brought with it the fall of thousands of adven- 
 turers who speculated without capital and without 
 principle, has been and will continue to be of great 
 benefit to the colony, although it may produce a 
 temporary pressure even with those whose means 
 enable them to withstand the shock. A more 
 healthy state of the country is already visible. 
 Though colonial rogues have not grown upright, 
 nor sabbath-breakers turned saints, nor profligates 
 become pure, honesty and good conduct appear to 
 be a little more respected. Swindling, dissij)ation, 
 and other relative ^^ces are not so openly and im- 
 pudently practised and encoiu-aged, nor allowed 
 to remain so entirely unnoticed as heretofore. 
 Travellers may now venture in many, or rather 
 in most parts of the colony, and pursue their course 
 without the fear of being "stuck up" (robbed) or 
 murdered ; and even a storekeeper on the diggings 
 is permitted to take his rest at night without being 
 compelled, as a necessary guard to his person and
 
 VICTORIA. 65 
 
 pocket, to fortify liis pillow with a revolver. Per- 
 sonal and social comforts — formerl}' unattainable — 
 are occasionally within the reach of those who 
 have the monetary means to secure them. A 
 gentleman has not at all times to submit to the 
 indignity of sleeping, or rather lying, in a room 
 with some half dozen liimian strang^ers together 
 with countless living things of a smaller but 
 not less objectionable species. The requirements 
 of the people may at present be satisfied with 
 something at least approaching to civilization, 
 Now that the condition of the colony has been 
 calmly considered, and affairs have assumed a 
 more settled state, that great leveller of monopoly, 
 that commercial and social standard-bearer and 
 public benefactor — competition — has at length 
 apjjeared, and satisfied masses as well as individuals 
 that to secui-e a profitable and permanent position 
 for themselves they must study the iuterests and 
 contribute to the comforts of their customers. 
 People have not, as formerly, to beg for accom- 
 modation anywhere at any price ; neither have 
 they so frequently to submit to such daring and 
 unheard-of extortion, or be compelled at a mo- 
 ment's notice to leave their hotels, because some 
 bull-headed and ignorant landlord chooses to tell 
 them they " don't spend money enough." 
 
 There is lOvCwise a perceptible, if not a consi- 
 derable diminution of another monster evil — an 
 evil the existence of which will seriously affect the
 
 66 VICTORIA. 
 
 ■well-bemg of any commimitv. Tlian tlie love and 
 excessive use of ardent and intoxicating drinks 
 notMng impedes tlie progress of science and art 
 and everything connected -^th the march of 
 civilization more — ^while nothing can impair the 
 health and corrupt the morals of a people so much. 
 Intemperance in this respect has hitherto been and 
 still is the self- generated curse that afflicts the 
 Australian colonies. Like some pestilential and 
 contagious disease, it seems to affect all classes and 
 all ages. The -working part of the popidation — 
 that includes nearly all, for the aristocratic portion 
 is confined to the several governors, their respective 
 suites and a fe\r others — aj)pear to breathe the air 
 or to be influenced more or less by the noxious 
 vapour of the prevailing malady. The colony of 
 Victoria, as \vill be seen by our comparative table 
 on the consumption of spirits, is more largely im- 
 pregnated with the deadly poison than either of 
 the others. This, no doubt, is owing to her being 
 the mistress of the great gold fields, on which the 
 scum of EngKsh society, and a portion of American 
 are located. The more respectable and educated 
 class of persons who have within the last few years 
 settled in the country are, of course, not so easily 
 affected by the contagion ; but these persons are 
 represented by simple imits tmder very large num- 
 bers, and which, if deducted therefrom, would not 
 materially reduce the total. Indeed, it may be 
 fairly assumed that two-thirds of the entire popu-
 
 VICTORIA. 67 
 
 lation eitlier drink freely or excessively of intoxi- 
 cating liquors. A very large proportion of the 
 squatters and old settlers are great and habitual 
 drinkers ; and as di'ink is one of the great elements 
 of, and is invariably associated -with crime, all 
 those who have either been expelled their coimtry 
 or selected self-banishment as a lenient punishment 
 for some criminal or unlawful act, are drimkards 
 by aid of their calling. 
 
 The persons in Australia more seriously affected 
 than others by intemperance, and who enlist oiu' 
 pity, if not our sjonpathy, are those honest and 
 hardworking artizans and naturally temperate men 
 who want the moral courage or strength of mind 
 to avoid " doing as others do," and who gradually 
 become the victims of intemperance, not from the 
 absolute love of drink, but through the seductive 
 and pernicious influence of evil association. For 
 the puqDOse of improving their position, hundreds 
 of steady industrious mechanics have left the 
 mother country for one in which — did they but 
 continue in their former temperate career — their 
 object might be easily and at once secured ; but in 
 the majority of cases the ser^dces of these useful 
 adventurers are partially if not wholly lost to the 
 Colony ; and the men themselves will be foimd to 
 have derived less profit in person and pocket from 
 extravagant wages and dissolute habits abroad 
 than they did by moderate wages and sobriety at 
 home. For the good opinion of those indolent
 
 68 ^^CTORIA. 
 
 and drunken companions, whose good opinion is 
 worse tlian worthless, many honest but weak- 
 minded men become their o\^ai executioners ; for 
 to obtain the applause and win the smile of some 
 old and hardened cidprit, they enter the path on 
 which they not onh^ destroy their hopes in life 
 but in too many cases come to an imtimely and 
 unhajDpy end. If such persons at the outset were 
 only to consider or weigh for a moment the good 
 opinion of intemperate workmen against that 
 matchless blessing — health — the value of whose 
 presence is never known till needed, they would 
 surely perceive that the empty gain of the one 
 would not repay them for the irreparable loss of 
 the other. 
 
 AYe seldom venture more than a passing opinion 
 on political subjects, and then an\.y so far as the 
 matter referred to has some bearing on the work 
 in hand. Had we however the good or ill fortmie 
 to belong to that class of politicians who advocate 
 universal suffrage, equality, fraternity, §t., our ex- 
 perience in the Colonies would have been more 
 than sufficient to convince us of the frailty of the 
 materials on which such principles are formed. 
 England woidd indeed be in a dej)lorable con- 
 dition, were the respectable and well-educated 
 portion of her people reduced to a level \ni]i those 
 who fiu'nish the most direct and unanswerable 
 evidence of theii' incapacity to take care either of 
 themselves or anything intrusted to their care.
 
 VICTORIA. 69 
 
 The man who cannot protect his own would be 
 but a feeble guardian for the property of others ; 
 and if unfit to guard private rights, he would 
 hardly be qualified for a public trust. ^VTiether 
 his protection be required for a political priAdlege, 
 or a pound, the residt woidd be identical ; for 
 although the coin might be more convertible than 
 the vote, the incapacity of the holder with respect 
 to the application wovdd be the same in either 
 case — for the influence of associates would prove a 
 sufficient leading-string for any purpose or any 
 point. On political questions, which contribute 
 so much either to national greatness or national 
 weakness, a man's capacity shoidd be equal to 
 his power ; and while the poorer classes have not 
 the power to comprehend and appreciate, nor 
 the moral courage to protect political privileges, 
 even absolutism with its attendant evils would, in 
 our opinion, be preferable to universal suffrage. 
 
 Returning to the point that proA^oked the pre- 
 ceding remarks, we come to an important question : 
 — when does a nation benefit most by the me- 
 chanical part of her popidation and working classes 
 generally — when the return for their labor will 
 supply them with all the necessaries and a few of 
 the luxuries of life, or at a period when they can 
 command wages sufficient either for accumidation 
 or extravagance ? Oiu* experience enables us to 
 supply something more than a speculative answer 
 in favor of the lower scale ; for we are satisfied
 
 70 
 
 VICTORIA. 
 
 that not only a nation or colony benefits by mode- 
 rate rates but likemse the recipients or laborers 
 tbemselves. With, moderate wages the artizan 
 devotes his services to his country or his employer, 
 while his absence from the pot-house or gin-shop 
 is one of the best guarantees for the preservation 
 of his health. But with inordinate wages not 
 only two-thirds of the mechanic's labor is entirely 
 lost, but his constitution generally becomes a prey 
 to intemperance, while the accumulated evils 
 arising from indolence, ^dce, sickness, and misery 
 follow. A man who can earn two pounds in one 
 day, which he squanders in idleness and dissipa- 
 tion during the rest of the week would of course 
 benefit both his employer and himself by having 
 to work six days for the amount which he receives 
 in one. The same ride appKes alike to workmen 
 and servants of either sex, and of any profession 
 or denomination. The female domestic in Aus- 
 tralia who receives fifty or sixty pounds a year is 
 more indolent, impudent, extravagant, or dissi- 
 pated, and regards the security of her situation 
 with greater indifference than when she was in 
 receipt of one-third of the amomit. Still she is 
 not richer at the end of the year than formerly. 
 She spends the surplus in finery, while her male 
 companion takes his to the public-house. The 
 sailor who receives fifty pounds instead of ten for 
 his services on the voyage to England will not be 
 found to be a richer, but — in health and strength
 
 ■\aCTORIA. 71 
 
 — a poorer man iu less tlian a montli after reacliiiig 
 his destination. Indeed, we mig-lit fm-nisli cases 
 to an indefinite number witli the same residts. 
 Everything tends to strengthen our behef, that 
 moderate but fair wages for the servant, the me- 
 chanic, and the laborer, contribute more to the 
 "welfare of themselves, their employers, and their 
 country, than high or excessive rates. 
 
 By a singular coincidence, our remarks on the 
 above head appear somewhat confirmed on (this 
 16th of April, 1855,) the day on which they were 
 written, by a leading article in " The Melbourne 
 Morning Herald," which we subjoin without 
 abridgement — less on account of its following our 
 view of the subject, than for the purpose — at some 
 futui'e page of our work — of contrasting the elastic 
 and conflicting doctrines of a colonial press, and 
 of showing how impulsive and accommodating 
 writers, — ^like rash and unsubstantial speculators, 
 — change, in the time of adversity, the cheerfid 
 tmie or consequential air they are wont to play in 
 a season of prosperity. " The Melbourne Morning 
 Herald," from which the following article is taken, 
 is perhaps one of the most consistent newspapers 
 in the colony : — 
 
 ''WHAT HAVE WE GAINED BX GAMBLING 
 PRICES ? 
 
 " WitMn our brief career, as a separate colony, we have 
 some experiences worth, noting for futui'e remembrance. 
 The chief of these lessons from the past may be derived
 
 72 VICTORIA. 
 
 from the events produced by the gold discoveries, as in- 
 fluencing prices of real and personal property, labor, &c. 
 With very few exceptions, the extraordinary prices of 1852 
 and the two succeeding years, have given way to fair and 
 moderate rates, for all descriptions of property; and we 
 may now look around, and ascertain what has been the 
 actual advantage gained, either by individuals or the com- 
 mvinity, from the excited and highly artificial state of affairs 
 that lately prevailed here. 
 
 ' ' We commence ^ndth the Executive ; and we find that, 
 during the above period, they obtained for Cro^Ti lands 
 rates which could scarcely have been realised even in the 
 Great Metropolis of London. Building allotments went ofl' 
 at the rate of five to ten thousand pounds per acre, and 
 suburban and country lands at ten to fifty times the upset 
 prices, — rendering their profitable cultivation absolutely 
 impracticable. At the same time, the general revenue of 
 the colony advanced, — ^not at the rate of thousands only, — 
 but of millions, diu'ing the three years in question. It is, 
 therefore, evident that the Government had their full share 
 of the golden gains of the period. Yet what is its present 
 position ? Has it, Uke the Executive of the United States, 
 an overflowing ti'easiuy, — a reserved capital from the ple- 
 thora of the golden era of revenue, prudently husbanded 
 to meet the reaction which every man of common sense must 
 have foreseen? The answer to these questions must be 
 sought in the present bankrupt position of the public 
 finances, with heavy debts unliquidated, and prospective 
 wants far beyond prospective means. 
 
 "The mercantile body came in for the lion's share, in 
 these unwonted sources of rapid wealth. Commerce was 
 suddenly quadrupled, and commercial gains were increased 
 in a still greater ratio. Established houses counted their 
 profits by thousands, where hundi-eds had before represented 
 them ; and mushroom traders sprung up, to tui-n immense
 
 AaCTORIA. 73 
 
 sxims weekly, "witlioiit a shilling of capital to commence 
 ■with. If figures possess any value, in enabling us to 
 estimate results, -we should now look for a large class of 
 capitalists amongst the merchants and traders, possessed of 
 sui'plus wealth sufficient to carry on most of the great public 
 works required in the colony, by investments of capital, 
 such as we find in the mother country. Yet what has been 
 the result of all this rapid money-maldng iu commerce? 
 Not only have the mushroom class wholly disappeared, 
 lea\-ing in most instances an ugly record in the Insolvent 
 Court, but houses have been di-agged do^^^l with them, 
 which had previously stood on a firm foundation, and had 
 ample capital to support theii' operations. About a score of 
 this body, more selfish or far-seeing than their compeers, 
 have indeed realised their gains, and carried them off to 
 spend, amongst a more sober community on the other side 
 of the globe ; but these exceptions only increase the general 
 loss sustaLaed bj' the colony. 
 
 ' ' The speculators in real propeiij" have been generally 
 considered a leading class of gainers by the extravagancies 
 of the golden era. They bought laud at four times its 
 value, to re- sell at twelve-fold that value ; and they buUt 
 hoiises at three -fold the average cost, to let them at rents 
 which represented two and thi'ee years' pxu'chase. Yet in 
 this class we also look in vain for surplus capital, — for any 
 number of men able and willing to expend extravagant 
 gains in reproductive works, permanently beneficial to 
 themselves and the colony. Their land investments are 
 now wholly unproductive in many instances, and houses 
 which xjost three-fold their actual value to raise, now pro- 
 duce far less to their o'ftTiers than the ciu'rent rate of interest 
 for money on loan ; although, -ndth rents reduced one-half, 
 we still find tenements that would be considered exorbi- 
 tantly high at £10 per year at home, have a rental affixed 
 to them of £50 to £80 per annum. In this class, therefore,
 
 74 VICTORIA. 
 
 th.e general public are even now laboring under a disad- 
 vantage, whicb has, in a great measui-e, disappeared from 
 current prices, while no counterbalancing advantages remain 
 to any one. 
 
 *'The laboring man, it will be said, surely profited by 
 the enormous rate of wages which prevailed. But here, 
 also, we fail to trace out any endui-ing evidence of that 
 profit. Much of these unusual gains we know went into 
 the tills of the publicans, and thereby created a temporary 
 value in tavern property, which has since landed many of 
 the latest speculators in the Insolvent Com-t. But where 
 are we to seek the results of the sui-plus wages of the 
 laboring class? Do we find the vicinity of Melbom-ne 
 dotted with farms and market-gardens, — ^the natiu-al chan- 
 nels for investment by this class ? No such provident habit 
 has been encouraged amongst them; and so blind to the 
 future have the mass shown themselves, that a few days 
 lack of employment plunges them in difficulty. 
 
 " Our late Governor, Mr. La Trobe, (of whom it is easier 
 to speak with pity than anger,) plainly confessed his in- 
 ability to stem the tide of improvidence which set in from 
 the year 1852, and met every argument for ameliorating it 
 by a plea of helplessness, on the part of the Executive, to 
 control the tendency of the public to overlook the future, in 
 dealing with their exorbitant gains. A statesman woidd 
 have pursued a very different course. We have now very 
 dear-bought experience to guide us in the struggle we have 
 entered upon, to acquire anew the opportunities of progress 
 that we have lost ; and a statesman we must have to govern 
 Victoria, and initiate for her population measures for her 
 real advancement, and to set examples of prudence and 
 patriotism to the community." 
 
 As tlie writer of the foregoing article justly 
 observes, liigh. wages failed to make the working
 
 VICTORIA. 75 
 
 classes in the colony of Victoria "provident." He 
 might hare added that moderate "wages comj)els 
 them — if not to be proyident, to be less extrava- 
 gant, thereby insming theii" longer absence from 
 the j)ot-house, and the consequent benefit to their 
 health if not to their pocket. There is not half 
 so much dissipation, di'imkenness and riot, vnth 
 the working classes at present as we found in the 
 colony during our first visit. Wli}^ ? Simply 
 because the working classes cannot at present earn 
 half so much as formerly, consequently have not 
 half so much to spend. The decline of intemper- 
 ance arises from no social advance in the habits 
 and tastes of the people themselves. Their in- 
 cKnation and desire for drink are the same now as 
 then, and only lie dormant for want of the means 
 to indidge them. We occasionally recognise at 
 the bar of our hotel, quietly taking a glass of ale, 
 some familiar form whom we remember to have 
 seen during our last visit shouting for "nobblers 
 roimd," and with oaths and clamoiu" spending five 
 or ten shillings on a lot of strangers, instead — as 
 at present — of calmly dispensing sixpence or a 
 shilling on himself. 
 
 But great gains, suddenly acquii'ed by the 
 middle classes, appear to be as improvidently 
 wasted, or at least to be quite as difficult to hus- 
 band as the inordinate wages of the laborer or 
 mechanic. Only two years since we had oitr at- 
 tention directed to numerous fortimate land or
 
 76 VICTORIA. 
 
 mercantile speculators, wlio were worth some 
 forty, fifty, or a hundred thousand poimds per 
 man, many of whom at this present writing — 
 instead of repairing to tlieir native land with the 
 substantial weight of their former sport, have 
 their names entered for a passage through the 
 Insolvent Court. One gentleman whom we had 
 the honor — or rather misfortune, for he was a low 
 person — to meet in 1853, and who then proceeded 
 to England for the purpose, as he supposed, of 
 enjoying a permanent income of £10,000 a year, 
 has just returned to find that he is not worth as 
 many shillings. Those to whom he had either 
 sold or let his property having failed, he discovers 
 that his land is not worth the twentieth part of its 
 former imaginary value. All — from the governor 
 to the humblest mechanic — ^mistook and calculated 
 on that revenue for an age which lasted only for a 
 season; and the mistake has surprised, misled, or 
 embarrassed one and all in a greater or lesser 
 degree. Sudden and miheard-of successes drove 
 the people mad, and in that state they were either 
 miable or mi willing to anticipate a reaction ; but 
 by equally sudden reverses their senses have been 
 partially restored — though not without a severe 
 shock even to those whose means and credit have 
 enabled them to maintain their position. 
 
 Notwithstanding the reaction which has taken 
 place, the various branches of commerce in Victoria 
 have at present the appearance of approaching a
 
 VICTORIA. i 7 
 
 more healthy state. It TV"ill of course take some 
 time before they continue periodically to yield the 
 substantial fruit arising from prudence and care ; 
 for after the reckless specidation of merchants, 
 companies, and private individuals during the last 
 two years, it is scarcely possible for regular traders 
 to ascertain what the actual reqidrements of the 
 colony have been — what they are, or what they 
 are likely to be. Such immense shipments of 
 unsuitable merchandise from England and other 
 parts of the globe have been daily, almost hourly, 
 forced into the markets and sold or sacrificed 
 without reservation, that large quantities both of 
 unseasonable and unsuitable goods have been pur- 
 chased by the inhabitants at one half their original 
 cost, in place of others wliich they required. The 
 extravagant price of almost everything for a short 
 time after the discovery of gold, together with the 
 flaming accoimts which were inmiediately and 
 extensively cii'culated throughout Europe, created 
 that prodigious appetite for speculation, for the 
 imprudent indulgence in which the actors have 
 already paid a severe penalty. .Almost everybody 
 in England had heard that by sending goods to 
 Australia a fortune was to be made ; ahnost every- 
 body tried to make it ; and almost everybodj^ has 
 been disappointed with the residt. Anything 
 woidd do for Australia where everything was 
 wanted — although but few have received anything 
 in retm^n. But an improvement is now observable
 
 78 VICTORIA. 
 
 — not witli reference to commercial prosperity but 
 with regard to tlie manner commercial matters are 
 conducted in the colony. True ; large fortunes 
 have not been made dm-ing the last two years ; on 
 the contrary — through excessive trading, caused 
 by former successes, a considerable portion, and in 
 some cases all the profits previously acquired, have 
 been lost to the original holders. But these 
 reverses have already produced beneficial results. 
 Reckless speculation has partially if not wholly 
 ceased ; trade has reached a more settled and 
 healthy state ; while anything which is likely to 
 prove of real service to the coimtry — either with 
 regard to persons or things — meets with more 
 attention and encouragement than heretofore. 
 
 Of greater benefit to the colony than all — in a 
 commercial point of view — is the diminution of 
 that swarm of ephemeral or transitory class of 
 speculators who, like summer flies, are blown into 
 existence during the heat of great commercial 
 excitement. These trading nondescripts being of 
 a migratory nature, no wonder that so many of 
 them should have been found in Yictoria. They 
 are nothing more nor less than human bubbles that 
 start without capital and end without character. 
 Their antipodal season is now over, although the 
 mischief caused during theii' presence remains. 
 Fortunately, however, the persons on whom it 
 chiefly falls are able to bear the burden. Rich 
 merchants should remember that mites would not
 
 VICTORIA. 79 
 
 exist -witlioiit matter ; and when they lend their 
 support to that which takes from theii' own sub- 
 stance, they have only themselves to blame. 
 Colonial banking houses are entitled even to less 
 commiseration — indeed, to none at all; for had 
 thej'^ not, during a brief period of commercial ex- 
 citement and speculation, afforded assistance to 
 persons without discrimination, and discounted 
 paper at enormous rates without care or inquiry, 
 the evil would have been nipped in the bud. 
 
 For the benefit of colonists generally, and for 
 the information of those persons in the TInited 
 Kingdom who are commercially connected with 
 them, we here make mention of a system which is 
 frequently complained of, not only in the colony 
 of Victoria but in all the colonies we have visited. 
 The custom has long existed, and although not so 
 universally adopted as in former years, it still 
 continues, and is often practised by English mer- 
 chants at home to the great inconvenience, and 
 sometimes at the serious cost of their colonial 
 customers. The practice we refer to is one that is 
 common with many of the manufacturing, com- 
 mercial, and export houses, viz., — inattention to, 
 or want of proper care in the execution of foreign 
 orders. In some cases, the e\'idence would go to 
 prove that inattention and carelessness are not the 
 only things to be complained of, but that gross 
 deception, or downright dishonesty are more ap- 
 propriate terms for the evil. " Anji-hing will do
 
 80 VICTORIA. 
 
 to go abroad," cries some Bread-street or Milk- 
 street warehouseman, as lie selects tlie damaged, 
 imfashionable, or dirty j)ortioii of his stock for 
 shipment. " Here's an order from Australia," says 
 a Birmingham manufacturer to his foreman, as he 
 instructs him to send some lacquered rings, ten- 
 penny brooches and unsaleable wares and charge 
 them double jjyice- That anything is often sent, 
 but that anything will not do, those who are ac- 
 quainted with, or have "\asited the colonial markets 
 will at once confirm. No greater mistake can be 
 made than to suppose that some woi .hless article 
 at home can acquii'e a value by being sent abroad, 
 or that the distance of a few thousands of miles 
 will prevent our own comitrymen or others from 
 laiowing what is or what is not worthless. And 
 no greater mistake can be made by those English 
 merchants who value their foreign connexion than 
 to imagine that distance "wdll prevent the detection 
 of unfair or dishonest dealing, or that the discovery 
 would not be the means of stopping "future orders." 
 Some of our first-class houses appear to be aware 
 of this, and devote as much care and attention in 
 the execution of foreign as home orders. As may 
 be supposed, such upright deahng leads to an in- 
 crease in the number of customers on the part of 
 those who practise it. 
 
 With regard to the principal towns in the colony 
 of Victoria — Melboui'ne and Geelong — we may 
 observe that the improvements which have taken
 
 VICTORIA. 81 
 
 place since 1853 correspond T\dth the favorable 
 change manifested in the tastes and habits of 
 the population. Melbourne can now boast of its 
 University — with, at present, sixteen students — its 
 Chamber of Commerce, and other Institutions that 
 fui'nish evidence of the social and mental progress 
 of the place and the people. The town is now 
 partially, and will shortly be entirely lighted with 
 gas, while the improved state of the streets, as well 
 as the buildings, public and private, prove that 
 neither the local authorities nor private individuals 
 have been insensible to the advantages to be de- 
 rived from the abolition of public nuisances and 
 private hovels. The improvements in Geelong, 
 although not quite so striking and extensive as 
 those in the caj)ital, have steadily and substantially 
 progressed; and while Melboiu-ne, as the seat of 
 government, is likely to maintain the lead in a 
 commercial as well as political point of view, the 
 situation and salubrity of Geelong are infinitely 
 superior, and may well cause all those connected 
 with the government and its administration to 
 regret that "head quarters" was not originally 
 fixed in a place — the natm'al advantages of which 
 are so superior to those of the capital. 
 
 In reference to the climate — either with regard 
 to health, pasture, or agricultural pursuits, all the 
 information we have gathered from others '^and oiu' 
 own experience dm'ing our present visit merely 
 tends to the confirmation of our previous remarks 
 
 G
 
 82 VICTORIA. 
 
 on the same subject. Long drouglits, and tte want 
 of inland lakes and rivers are the chief drawbacks 
 to this and indeed to all the Australian colonies. 
 Although many parts of the country are very 
 beautiful, so far as scenery is concerned, they 
 woidd be still more beautiful if the creeks and 
 valleys were undidated by streams and running 
 brooks. During the summer months one may 
 traverse a space of fifty or one hundred miles 
 without seeing anything of a nearer approach to 
 crystal fluid than that which may be found in some 
 stagnant pool or gully hole. Indeed the want of 
 water is one of the greatest wants in a semi-tropical 
 climate, and one that is more severely felt than 
 any other. During the six months antecedent to 
 this present writing there has not been in many 
 parts of the colony more than twenty-four hours 
 rain, while in other parts there has not been a 
 drop ; and the sight of a piece of fat beef or mutton 
 woidd at present be as great and as rare a dish on 
 a colonial table as a basket of strawberries wotdd 
 be considered in England on Christmas-day. In 
 a long dry season the squatters lose thousands of 
 their sheep entirely through the want of water, 
 and consequent absence of pasture. 
 
 There are many other drawbacks arising from 
 the same and similar causes ; but to the personal 
 inconveniences produced by a warm climate, 
 through hot winds, dust, flies, mosquitoes, together 
 with myriads of insects of various sorts and sizes
 
 VICTORIA. 83 
 
 y\-e consider It unnecessary to do more than refer — 
 as sucli things are known to exist and are periodi- 
 cally looked for by old settlers, however unexpected 
 or unpleasant they may appear to new comers. 
 
 The newspaper press in Victoria is neither im- 
 partially nor ably conducted — a truth that applies 
 more especially to the leading organ, which is ever 
 ready to pander to popular opinions, however ex- 
 travagant or erroneous, without having either the 
 influence to guide or govern them, or the ability 
 to disguise its own subser\dency. The editors 
 mistake impudent assurance for power, and per- 
 sonal abuse for satire. After heading the cry of 
 speculators and gamblers during two years of arti- 
 ficial success and predicting the most absurd and 
 visionary pictures of Victorian glory, and after 
 havirig assisted, by its advocacy of useless and ex- 
 travagant outlays, to precipitate the colony and 
 its inhabitants toward their present state of insol- 
 vency, the Melbourne "Argus" — the government 
 organ for the present moment^ — displays the full 
 extent of its power and its spleen in articles like 
 the following — simply because a proposition ema- 
 nates from a more respectable source, that the 
 government of Victoria ought to seek the advice 
 and assistance of the Ofiicer at the head of the 
 Australian Colonies, who is invested by her Majesty 
 with special powers for supervision at any time 
 his services may be required.
 
 84 VICTORIA. 
 
 "HO! DEXISON, TO THE RESCUE! 
 
 ' ' An idea has been set on foot by some sagacious gentle- 
 men, that the condition of tliis Colony is so critical that it 
 is necessary to caU in extraneous assistance ; and that the 
 best course to be adopted is to send for Sir "William Denison 
 to come down, and endeavour to put us all to rights by a 
 coup ile main. 
 
 " Whatever we may think of the wisdom of this proposal, 
 or of its efficacy, if adopted, there can be no doubt of the 
 perfect originality of the suggestion; and those who have 
 stumbled upon such a clew to lead us out of the labyrinth 
 of our misfoi'tunes, deserve credit for the fertility of their 
 invention, at aU events, be those who proceed to adopt their 
 idea many or few. 
 
 ' ' For ourselves, we must confess that, supposing any such 
 step as that suggested to be consistent with the duties of a 
 Governor-General, or at all compatible with the position 
 of the Lieutenant-Governor of an independent colony, we 
 demur to any such proceeding on several grounds. 
 
 " In the first place, we do not think it necessary. It is 
 the fashion to rejiresent affairs in the colony in a very 
 desperate condition : and there is much, certainly, which 
 requires prompt and energetic attention; but of all the 
 prognostications which are likely to lead to their own veri- 
 fication, few are so likely as those of people who run about, 
 incessantly proclaiming the advent of a crisis. Lead men's 
 thoughts continuously to dwell upon the expectation of 
 great and exciting events, and they begin to look for and 
 insist upon them. The humdrum routine of every-day life 
 becomes insipid, and they demand the gratification of the 
 excited spirit in which they have been taught to exist. But 
 national crises have rarely a beneficial tendency. They may 
 sometimes be necessary to clear the political atmosphere, as 
 a thunder-storm does that of the natural world; but if a
 
 VICTORIA. 85 
 
 cotmtry can get on "udthout all the thunder and lightning, 
 and earthquake and volcano, depend upon it that it is better 
 for it in the end ; and that "the calm health of nations" is 
 much greater, more reliable, more satisfactory in every way, 
 without the occui'rence of such paroxysms at all. It is not 
 the part of good citizenship to precipitate such crises, and 
 therefore it is not good citizenship to constantly predict 
 them. Men may run about, and urge their neighbor to 
 look out instantly for great events ; but, by doing so, they 
 confer no benefits on such neighbor, or on the community of 
 which they each constitute a part. 
 
 "For our own part, we do not believe that any crisis is 
 necessarily impending. We are inclined rather to hope that 
 a considerable progress towards a better condition of things 
 is perceptible ; and we feel as indignant with those who 
 would recklessly interfere with that progress, as we should 
 feel with the man who should intercept a railway train, or 
 blow one of our Liverpool cKppers into the air, because she 
 was not a mail steamer carrjoag us our letters in something 
 under fifty days. The great and most imminent difficulty 
 in the colony lately has been the management of the gold- 
 fields. The license-fee is done away with, — the obnoxious 
 commissioner system is immediately to follow ; an amoimt 
 of representation as adequate as local legislation can secure, 
 will be brought into operation without any delay ; the land 
 in the neighbourhood of the gold-fields must be brought 
 more freely into the market ; and any other reform which 
 may be energetically and temperately lu'ged will receive 
 prompt attention. Meantime the yield from the gold-fields 
 is increasing, as the rain comes. Quartz-crushing promises 
 very great results indeed. Wages of various kinds are 
 rising, and people are becoming more generally employed. 
 The inhabitants of the towns and their suburbs are betaking 
 themselves to the country — placing themselves in the way 
 of becoming producers, instead of mere distributors ; the
 
 86 VICTORIA. 
 
 plough passes merrily tkrougli many a sod — never yet turned 
 up before ; and genuine colonisation is going on more rapidly, 
 and with, a more promising aspect, than has ever yet been 
 the case. The public is officially told that the revenue is 
 increasing; and several large measures of retrenchment 
 have been forced upon the Government, and still further 
 economy is inculcated for the future. Already a feeling of 
 greater confidence is prevailing amongst our trading classes ; 
 and many articles are, one after another, reaching a highly 
 remunerative rate, and affording promises of adequate profit 
 to aU concerned in their introduction. 
 
 " These are hopeful features ; and although there is still 
 much to regret, and much to blame, there is nothing that 
 necessitates a crisis. "We may aU set to work to treat our- 
 selves to " a bit of row," if we choose ; but it would scarcely 
 be the act of an intelligent or civilised people ; and we, 
 therefore, think it would be better to postpone such an event 
 till we cannot do without it ; and, in the meantime, try to 
 shame those who would bring it about, and those who too 
 readily prophecy it, into the adoption of a more reasonable 
 course of policy. 
 
 "But, however unsatisfactory, or even desperate, our 
 condition might be thought, even by the least sanguine, we 
 protest against the invitation to Sir William Denison, as 
 one of the most preposterous suggestions we ever heard of. 
 We are suffering from the want of Yictorian experience of 
 one governor, and we are to remedy the evil by appealing to 
 the want of experience of another! We are complaining 
 of mismanagement upon the part of one of ouj colonial 
 representatives of Royalty, and one whom most people still 
 believe to mean well to the colony, and we are to call in the 
 assistance of another, whose whole Australian career has 
 stamped him a reckless and unscrupulous tyrant. Nay, the 
 very evils of an impoverished exchequer, and extravagantly 
 expensive estabHslmients, under which we are groaning, are
 
 VICTORIA. 87 
 
 more immediately traceable to Mm, and his detestable con- 
 vict policy, than to any other man or any other cause in 
 existence. Our gaol penal and police expenditure last year 
 amounted to £1,000,000 ; and oue-thii'd of this woidd have 
 been sufficient, but for Victoria having been deluged vnth. 
 the felonry, introduced into the Australian colonies by the 
 aid of his artifices and intrigues. And this is the man to 
 ■whom "we are to appeal for assistance! Are "we mad, or 
 blind, or sinking into a condition of fatuity, even to listen 
 to such a piece of flagrant inconsistency ? 
 
 * ' Ho'n^ever, let us suppose the improbable case — that Sir 
 William Denison should be asked to come, and "would assent 
 to that request. What could he do ? Could he be expected 
 to tell at a glance what was right and what "was "svrong ? 
 Could he select our good officials from our bad ones, by in- 
 tuition? Woiild he, rimning do"wn here for a fortnight, 
 hang Smith, and promote Bro"wn ; elevate to honor the chief 
 butler, and give the chief baker to the fowls of the air? 
 By "what peculiar art coiild all this be done ? And what 
 confidence can any man place in Sir William Denison, to 
 intrust in his hands this sort of "vdce-regal Lynch la"w ? He 
 might possibly come, see, and conquer; he might "visit us 
 "with all the authority of the prophet ; ' ' strike his hand over 
 the place," and at once cm-e us of our leprosy. But we do 
 not believe in the possibility of all this. The evils we suffer 
 from are chronic ills. They have groAvn up under long 
 years of the most abominable misgovernment and oppres- 
 sion; and it is simply absurd to fancy that they can be 
 removed by any more ready process than that of patient and 
 continuous reform. It "would be a thing unprecedented, for 
 the national diseases of years to be ciu'ed by the operations 
 of a day. We must "wade laboriously and persevei-ingly out 
 of the mire of our difficulties, as we waded fooUshly into it ; 
 and "we must apply oiu' o"wn shoulders to the "wheel instead 
 of prajTug to such a very questionable Hercules as Sir 
 William Denison.
 
 OO VICTORIA. 
 
 "In sober truth, that gentleman is, even in point of 
 talent, one of the most over-estimated men in the Austra- 
 lian Colonies. His whole career in Tasmania was a great 
 mistake ; and the condition in which he left it was as Kttle 
 creditable to his capacity, as his vile pandering to convictism 
 was creditable to his honor. That entire country is at this 
 moment in a state of collapse ! The dearth of labor is only 
 equalled by the incapacity of the inhabitants to offer rates 
 of wages which shall supply it. Commerce is stagnant : and 
 the landowner, the householder, and the capitalist, look 
 blankly at one another, and ask whether things are always 
 to be so dull ; whether the exhaustion consequent upon the 
 rapid suspension of expenditure of imperial funds, is or is 
 not to dwindle into an incui-able disease ? The attractions 
 of the gold-fields of Victoria have, in their overflow, helped 
 to populate every one of the adjacent colonies, except Deni- 
 son-cursed Van Diemen's Land. New South "Wales has 
 greatly increased her popidation ; that of South Australia 
 has greatly increased ; that of New Zealand has increased. 
 Van Diemen's Land alone has retrograded ; and her gaoler- 
 governor most beautifully illustrated the effects of his 
 benignant rule, by informing the people, a short time pre- 
 vious to his lea\ang, that, since the discovery of gold, the 
 population had decreased to the extent of about ten thousand 
 souls ! A noble patriot, indeed, to put vs in order ! 
 
 "But, besides all this, what woiild there be in even the 
 successful rule of such a colony as Tasmania, to justify 
 expectation in dealing with the affairs of such a colony as 
 tliis ? The whole population of that island amounts to little 
 more than that of the city of Melbourne. And is there 
 anything in the control of such a number of people as that, 
 to lead to very high hopes in our much greater affairs? 
 Why, Mr, Town-Clerk Kerr rules all Melboiu-ne with a rod 
 of iron, and his subjects do not raise barricades, hoist 
 standards, or otherwise rebel! But does anybody suggest
 
 VICTORIA. 89 
 
 that Mr. Kerr shall, therefore, be constituted Dictator- 
 General of Victoria, to supersede the Lieutenant-Governor, 
 and cut and carve oiu* establishments at his pleasure ? 
 
 "No! good people of Yictoria! your true remedy lies 
 with 110 one man ! Look not to England ! look not to 
 Sydney, for redi-ess ! If you cannot reform yoiu' own 
 abuses, rest assiu'ed that no one will reform them for you. 
 But you lean xxpon a broken reed if you trust to individual 
 zeal, individual vigilance, individual integrity. The remedy 
 for what is wrong amongst you rests with yourselves alone ; 
 and you are not true to yourselves if you do not tiu-n with 
 a stout heart to the labor before yoii, and succeed in working 
 out yom- own redemption." 
 
 Tlie writer of tlie above article reminds us of 
 the timid patient, who on the approach of the 
 physician, declares himself free from disease, yet 
 with the next breath proposes to cure himself. If 
 the colonists are in the healthy state the wi'iter 
 would lead them to suppose, why desire them to 
 work out their redemption? This is but a mild 
 specimen of the tone and inconsistency of " The 
 Argus," compared with the majority of its leaders, 
 some of which propose measures and propound 
 doctrines in one issue which are utterly denied or 
 repudiated in the next. It is a newspaper that 
 may be trxily termed the colonial weathercock ; 
 for it will join the rabble in any popidar cry on 
 any subject, however extravagant ; but should the 
 more intelligent part of the commmiity, by the 
 force of reason and common sense, turn the cur- 
 rent in an opposite direction, it will immediately
 
 90 VICTORIA. 
 
 point its arrows against its former friends. For 
 instance, — the large influx of Chinese immigrants 
 during the last few months has created some alarm 
 in the minds of the indolent, dissipated, and illi- 
 terate part of the inhabitants, lest those whose 
 peaceful and industrious habits prove them to be 
 a superior class of persons should reap the friut of 
 their own labor in a foreign land — a liberty and a 
 right which in England are granted to raen of 
 any and every nation, so long as they respect and 
 obey the laws of the country. Thinking, however, 
 that popular opinion was with them, the editors 
 and contributors to this liberal and enlightened 
 newspaper were highly indignant at the increase 
 in the number of persons from the Celestial Empire, 
 and endeavoured to impress on the Government 
 the necessity of at once introducing a measure for 
 the total exclusion of any and all from the same 
 region — or they, the writers, woidd not be respon- 
 sible for the peaceful behavior of the diggers. 
 After the columns of a largely circulated news- 
 paper had been daily filled with articles and letters 
 of so inflanunatory a natiu^e, it is not surprising to 
 find that a body of emancipated felons, robbers, 
 and diggers did actually, and without provocation 
 on the part of the defendants, turn round on these 
 inofiensive and miprotected individuals and vio- 
 lently drive them from the diggings. Fortunately 
 however for the progress of civilization, and as a 
 check to the public buzz and infectious blasts of
 
 VICTORIA. 91 
 
 literary blue-bottles, Melboiu'ne bas a Cbamber of 
 Commerce — wbose members on this occasion have, 
 by tbe influential expression of tbeir opinion, put 
 a stop to that monstrous and retrogressive step by 
 wbich the rabble, and the leading newspaper of 
 Victoria, proposed to check the intercourse and 
 social improvement of nations. The following will 
 explain the subject in all its bearings which the 
 members were summoned to consider : — 
 
 "CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.— THE CHINESE 
 aUESTION. 
 
 *' A special general meeting of tlie Chamber of Commerce 
 was held yesterday afternoon, at tlie Exchange R-ooms, 
 Collins-street, for the purpose, according to the cu'cular 
 issued, of considering the following questions : — • 
 
 "1st. Whether under the treaty with China any British 
 colony has power to exclude the natives of China. 2nd. To 
 consider whether the government of Victoria can impose 
 any restrictions on the passenger intercoiu-se between China 
 and this colony. 3rd. In case of passing any exclusive law 
 relative to the Chinese, to what extent the lives and property 
 of British subjects in China would thereby be affected. 
 4th. What effect such interference would have upon the 
 commercial interests of Great Britain and the Australian 
 colonies in connection with China. 5th. What measiu-es 
 might be beneficially adopted by this colony, with the view 
 of securing peace and harmony between the Chinese and the 
 inhabitants." 
 
 And to the lasting credit of the body, the fol- 
 lowing resolution, after full discussion, was carried 
 by a very large majority :^
 
 92 VICTORIA. 
 
 "That, in the opinion of this Chamher, it is contrary to 
 the spirit of the age, opposed to the interests of this colony, 
 and opposed to the treaty with China, to pass any laAV 
 peculiarly applicable to the prevention of the Chinese from 
 landing in this colony." 
 
 Now let tlie reader observe, in tlie following 
 leader, how an important Colonial newspaper, 
 wliich had done all in its power to excite popular 
 indignation against the Chinese, immediately turns 
 round to compliment those by whom its doctrines 
 have been defeated. Well may such tergiversation 
 arouse the pity and disgust of the small body of 
 sensible and thoughtful men in the colony : — 
 
 "CHII^ESE IMMIGRATION. 
 
 "The council in Collins-street has anticipated that in 
 Bourke-street, and declared its opinion on the subject of 
 Chinese immigration. It is a good omen for the country 
 that a body like the Melboiu'ne Chamber of Commerce should 
 at last have begun to display such energy as has of late 
 characterised their proceedings, although their discretion 
 may sometimes appear questionable. It is satisfactory to 
 find our merchants deliberating on the important points 
 which from time to time arise, and expressing their views 
 in reference to them. Often and often we have regretted 
 the apathy in reference to public questions of vital import- 
 ance which was displayed by the members of the mercantile 
 community, and we rejoice in the proofs they are now giving 
 of a somewhat livelier interest in matters which concern 
 them as much, at least, as any other class. We are con- 
 \dnced that serious evils would have been averted had this 
 energy been earlier displayed.
 
 VICTORIA. 93 
 
 "But it strikes us tliat in considering tlie Chinese ques- 
 tion the Chamber have looked at it too exclusively in its 
 commercial aspect. There is something rather remarkable 
 in the almost unanimous decision of this body being in 
 direct opposition to the also almost unanimous decision of 
 the public meeting of the citizens, which was held the 
 other day. 
 
 " The question, it is true, has great importance in a com- 
 mercial point of view. The opening of a new stream of 
 immigration into the colony, broader and more rapid, in all 
 probability, than has hitherto flowed into it, would have an 
 influence immediate, direct, and of the most decided kind 
 on the commercial condition of Melboui-ne. Our Chinese 
 visitors are not, it is admitted, by any means such good 
 customers as those who come to Victoria from the United 
 Kingdom, America, or the Continent of Em-ope. But, on 
 the other hand, they are all customers, — not competitors. 
 They do require supplies, and though they may not be as 
 great consimiers, even by two-thii-ds, as other immigrants 
 are, yet, if they come in numbers thi-ee times as great, the 
 effect upon trade will be the same. The Chinese may not 
 be good customers to the importers of wines and spirits, and 
 furniture, and ladies' di'esses, and ornaments ; but food they 
 must have, and they have of late displayed a ready appre- 
 ciation of British clothing, in preference to the rough cotton 
 in which they reached our shores." 
 
 The following speech, (translated) was written by 
 one of the leading men among the Chinese immi- 
 grants, who hearing of the intended or threatened 
 expulsion of his coimtrymen, felt anxious both on 
 their account and his own to arrest the colonial j)er- 
 secution. The address is pregnant with such good 
 feehng, common sense, and gentle forbearance,
 
 94 VICTORIA. 
 
 tliat we subjoin it without abridgment ; and if our 
 expectations were only equal to our hope, some of 
 our bigotted and despotic colonists, and popularity- 
 bunting scribblers, would not fail to profit by the 
 kindly expressions and manly sentences of those 
 whom they so hastily and cruelly condemn : — 
 
 "SPEECH OF aUANG CHEW, 
 
 " LATELY AEEIVED, A JIAIf, BErNG GOOD IK HIS HEASON 
 AJfD AEEECTIONS, AND FIFTH COUSIN OE THE MAJS^DAMJiT 
 TA QTTANG TSING LOO, WHO POSSESSES MAIfY GAEDENS 
 NEAR IIACAO. 
 
 "Kind people of the Gold-enticing Country! — ^I, a man 
 of some years beyond tlie rest of us CMnese who have 
 recently disembarked upon the hospitable shores of your 
 yellow fields ; also a man, wishing very humbly to express 
 the gratitude of his heart, and of all those who accompany 
 him, or who have gone before us, and not forgetting all 
 those who are humbly on the way ; I, being, moreover, a 
 man of moderation and cautioiis judgment, even after 
 looking on both sides of the bridge, according to the wise 
 laws and advice of Cimg Foo T'see, and Lao Shang, cannot 
 but give words to my surprise at some of the roughly- spUt 
 and knotty bamboos which, as we are informed by the 
 tongue of GUI' interpreter, Atchai, have been swung threat- 
 eningly above the shoulders of aU the golden sea-crossing 
 people of the Central Flowery Empire, our much- distant 
 native land. 
 
 " Man being subject to many changes and dark clouds, 
 must submit with resignation. Man must be j)atient ; and 
 likewise exceedingly respectful. All good laws teach this ; 
 and all dutiful Chinese reverence the laws, because they are 
 the finest fiowers and fruits which the heavenly sun extracts
 
 VICTORIA. 95 
 
 from tlie roots of wisdom. Therefore man must always bow 
 before bis governors and superiors, because they are tbe 
 roots of wisdom. With all becoming ceremonies we wish 
 to approach and bow before the governor of this town. 
 
 ' ' Eut in what thing have we, the Chinese, humbly landing 
 on yoiu' delightful shores, given just cause of offence ? That 
 is what I am desirous to know. "We wish to be made sen- 
 sible. Man at all times needs instruction, and particularly 
 when he arrives in a foreign land. Our interpreter Atchai 
 would not deceive us. Atchai is a respectable young man, 
 formerly one of the agents of Howqua and Mowqua, mer- 
 chants ia tea ; but Atchai may have made some mistakes in 
 your words, and in the characters he places before us as 
 representing your words. This is my opinion. It is also 
 the opinion of Ayung Fi, a man of extensive judgment, and 
 one of the principal tailors of Canton. I will say more. 
 All the oldest men among us think the same as I think, and 
 Ayung thinks Atchai has made a bad looking glass. 
 
 " Understanding, by the assurances of many respectable 
 people in our own coimtry, and additionally convinced by 
 others who had voyaged to this land, and retiu'ned to the 
 Central Flowery Empire, that, not only do the people of 
 England come here, but the people of India, and Japan, and 
 America, and also from French lands, and other places ; and 
 having been informed that there were no people of any 
 country who were excluded, and that all those people were 
 even welcomed with both hands, and the sound of triangles 
 and kettles [meaning drums], who came from civilised 
 places, where the arts and other useful labors were studied 
 from the wisest and most ancient traditions, and were in- 
 dusti'iously cultivated ; now, therefore, in all reverence, and 
 with every proper ceremony, I, the speaker of this, Quang 
 Chew, a very humble man, but having reason, do not think 
 it will justly balance in your wise governor's hand, when 
 bitter and unfruitfid counsellors [more literally, mandarins 
 made of orange-peel] propose that all nations shall be
 
 96 YKJTORIA. 
 
 welcomed here, excepting the Cliinese. I appeal to you aU, 
 diversified people of the gold-enticing country, if this woxdd 
 not be a hard-grained and distorted proceeding ? At the 
 thought of being sent home with disgrace, and for no ^vTong 
 done, we blush, though innocent, we tremble excessively, 
 though free from guUt. 
 
 " Among oui' numbers we have men well skilled in gar- 
 dening, and the cultivation of all sorts of fruits and flowers ; 
 likewise cai*penters, and workers in fine wood, and in ivory, 
 which we hear abounds in your forests ; also cunning agri- 
 cultiu'ists, who know how to manage the worst as well as 
 the best soUs, particularly Leu Lee, and his five nephews ; 
 also two men accustomed to make ornamental bridges, and 
 a skiKul man named Taw, who can make the best kites, 
 having wings and gi'eat glass eyes, not to be surpassed; 
 likewise Tin, who understands the breeding of fish, and 
 birds, and dogs, and cats; also many excellent cooks who 
 would allow nothing to be wasted ; and, moreover, we have 
 lockmakers, and toy makers, and many umbrella makers, 
 greatly needed, and inventors of piizzles and fii'eworks, and 
 carvers of fans and chessmen, and some who make musical 
 instriunents, which others can play. "Why should all these 
 things be sent back with disgrace ? 
 
 "If it has, unfortunately, happened that any among our 
 people, through ignorance of your laws, have committed 
 any offences, let them suffer the punishment awarded, and 
 due to ignorance. Man must be insti'ucted, either by wise 
 precepts, or by punishment. That is aU I'shaU say on this 
 matter. But it is necessary that I should speak about gold, 
 
 "Thinking very considerably on the subject, I can see 
 very siu'ely that it is not every man who can find much 
 gold. Some indeed will find none at all. These poor men 
 will need to live upon the labor of others, who will not be 
 pleased with that arrangement. Therefore, these poor men 
 will return to this town, and to all your smaller towns, and 
 ■vdllages, and villas, and farms, and sell theii' skill and their
 
 VICTORIA. 97 
 
 services in their several waj's for a little money, and 
 perhaps rice. Why should aU our gardeners, and cooks, 
 and fish and bii-d breeders, and conjurors, be driven away 
 in scorn, when they might be of great nse to many others, 
 if allowed to remain here ? Should it be deemed prudent 
 not to allow above ten or twenty thousand more Chinese to 
 come here, it surely would be a harsh proceeding to send 
 away any of those who have already come so far, and are 
 all full of respect. 
 
 " I will propose one thing in particular. Being aware 
 that the governors of this place are always chosen as being 
 most eminent in wisdom ; also being well informed of the 
 great extent of lands in the distant regions beyond the 
 town, and that the greatest part of those lands have never 
 been cultivated ; I, the speaker of this, Quang Chew, a 
 hxmible man, but having some little sense, feel very certain 
 that most of those men of different countries who have 
 foimd much gold, have purchased land from the governor of 
 the soil. Man delights in having land, and also in orchards 
 and gardens, and prosperous farms. If, then, these places 
 have not been cultivated, it is because those who have 
 bought, or perhaps been presented with aU these small farms 
 and fields, for good conduct, by your generous and rational 
 governor, are men accustomed only to dig for gold, and not 
 to till the soU, or else not numerous enough for the work 
 of cultivation. Perhaps, also, not being cunning in those 
 labors. 
 
 ' ' If this speech have any reason in it, I know it will be 
 heard with a close ear, and the head leaning on one side ; 
 and I most anxiously hope that the governor of this town, 
 and all the towns and lands beyond, will condescend to 
 weigh and measure, and refiect a little upon my words ; in 
 the belief of which, with all humbleness of heart, and 
 respectful ceremonies, we await, in silence, the vermilion- 
 coloured reply." 
 
 H
 
 98 VICTORIA. 
 
 We have before observed tbat a marked im- 
 provement has taken place within the last two 
 years in this colony with regard to the inhabitants 
 — from the governor down to the meanest official. 
 But this improvement is to be attributed more to 
 the subdued and settled state of the times than to 
 anything else. During the brief season of specu- 
 lation, riot, and confusion, that preceded this, each 
 one was too busily engaged in the general scramble 
 for gain either to think of his own social progress, 
 or of the mischief caused to society by the irnre- 
 strained acts and dishonest practices of his neigh- 
 bor or his superior. But the calm that has now 
 succeeded this disorder affords sensible men time for 
 reflection — and a social improvement is the result. 
 It is the powerfid voice of such thoughtful men — 
 a small minority of the entii^e popidation — not the 
 popidar cry of the rabble and their organs, by 
 which recent public benefits have been achieved 
 and by which futiu-e ones may be accomplished. 
 It is by such men and by such means that the 
 press in this colony will discover its present sandy 
 foimdation ; if it would hold that independent 
 position it has not yet attained, or be invested 
 with that power and influence becoming its high 
 office writers must be employed who will mark out 
 and pursue an honest com^se, without the influence 
 either of party purpose or private intrigue. 
 
 The governor of Victoria, Sir C. Hotham, is not 
 at present very popular, although about twelve
 
 VICTOIIIA. 99 
 
 montlis since — in the middle of 1854 — the entire 
 popidation of the colony pronounced him nothing 
 less than a modern Caesar, or a colonial Washing- 
 ton, not from their knowledge either of the man 
 or his deeds — ^for they knew but little of either — 
 but simply from the great things they predicted 
 and expected him to achieve. Amid the roar of 
 cannon and the strains of martial music, the new 
 Governor first stepped on the land he was destined 
 for a time to govern. Beneath triumphal arches, 
 festoons of laurels, flags of all nations, but that 
 of Russia, and surrounded by flowers of every 
 hue, both natural and artificial, the Knight Com- 
 mander of the Bath traversed his semi-province, 
 and was welcomed alike both in the capital and in 
 the bush — in the township and on the diggings, 
 and by all persons and all ages, with loj'al ad- 
 dresses, emblematic devices and demonstrations, 
 popidar ensigns, complimentary ovations, together 
 with every imaginable mark of private attention 
 and public favor. Like some Bonian monarch or 
 ancient warrior, he was led to the helm of state — 
 although the majority of those by whom he was 
 conducted had not previously heard even of the 
 name of their hero. But, alas ! for the brief exist- 
 ence of such popidar and unsubstantial greatness ! 
 Our modern heroes and public idols might surely 
 profit by the fate of their great forefathers — those 
 whose noble deeds " live after them " — and not 
 place much reliance on what too often proves
 
 100 VICTORIA. 
 
 merely the frotli of popular feeling that disappears 
 with the momentary blast by which it is created. 
 The very men who applauded Caesar's assassin — 
 when addressed by another orator — vowed the 
 next hour to be avenged for Caesar's death. And 
 those in the present day whose musical voices and 
 sweet caps rend the air as tributes of admiration 
 on the advent of any great official " star " are no 
 more to be depended on for the sincerity of their 
 ovations than their rude and shppery ancestors. 
 
 We are inclined to think that the majority of 
 public characters, in the spring of their career, 
 and during the exhilirating but treacherous ray of 
 a little popularity, are apt at the moment to forget 
 the compliments usually conveyed to persons 
 selected for exalted stations, and to mistake the 
 respect due to their position for personal honors, 
 or private esteem. Undeserved praise is often 
 followed by immeritted censure. The one provokes 
 the other ; and many men have been imjustly con- 
 demned through the mistaken kindness of those 
 who in attempting to render them a service adopt 
 the surest means of securing their downfall. " Be 
 not deceived by the applause of false friends," says 
 the honest critic to some new candidate for public 
 favor, whom the lovers of novelty will applaud to- 
 day, and as readily condemn to-morrow. Such 
 advice may with j)ropriety be applied to political 
 no less than to any other public or professional 
 actors — to the young statesman no less than to the
 
 VICTORIA. 101 
 
 young tragedian ; for eacli alike are too ready to 
 mistake empty salutations for substantial favor, 
 and are often led by such mistake to say or do 
 something which, on reflection, they wish unsaid 
 or undone. Old stagers, or experienced politicians 
 are aware of this ; and those agitators who blame 
 them for their evasion or their reserve woidd blame 
 them still more did they commit themselves to 
 some measure or measm'es which circumstances 
 might afterwards compel them to abandon. 
 
 The popular and universal, yet at the same time 
 extravagant acclamations that hailed the present 
 governor. Sir C. Hotham, on his arrival in the 
 colony, very naturally betrayed him into the error 
 we have just described, and which has already 
 proved a severe blight on his early-blown popu- 
 larity. He commenced his career, like many 
 others, by promising too much — more than was 
 subsequently found convenient or desirable to 
 perform. Hence the reaction that has since taken 
 place in public opinion. Having good-himioredly 
 but injudiciously acknowledged the just as well as 
 many of the uxireasonable demands of those around 
 him, and ha^dng, as a natural consequence, failed 
 to fidfil all that was expected of him, the Lieute- 
 nant Governor is, of course, no longer pronoimced 
 the great man the people had prei-iously pictured 
 him. It is easier to make a fortmie than to retrieve 
 a fallen one. Even so with popularily ; and what- 
 ever the amount of good the present governor^
 
 102 VICTORIA. 
 
 during tis term of office, may accomplish — and 
 we believe him capable of much — he will never 
 hold the same rank in public estimation as that 
 assigned to him before the failure of the perform- 
 ances which he led or allowed the people to believe 
 he was able to accomplish. The stringent mea- 
 sures he caused to be adopted with and enforced 
 on the diggers, immediately after listening to and 
 promising to redress their grievances, produced 
 much dissatisfaction — while it is generally believed 
 that just and impartial dealing with the original 
 aggressors at Ballarat woidd have prevented the 
 riot and bloodshed that subsequently ensued. 
 True ; the officers, not the governor, might have 
 been to blame, although the principal is of course 
 held responsible for the acts of his subordinates — 
 especially when their acts are approved rather 
 than censured. The attorney- general coidd not 
 find a jury that woidd return a verdict against 
 any one of those who fired on the soldiers at Bal- 
 larat, and who were tried for "high treason;" for 
 it is the prevailing opinion of all classes that the 
 provocation the rioters received precipitated, al- 
 though it might hardly justify their acts. 
 
 That the governor was and is beset with in- 
 numerablec difficulties in administering the affiiirs 
 of a colony lilce this, no impartial observer of the 
 heterogeneous mass he has to govern, or of the men 
 and matter at his command, will for a moment 
 doubt. For our own part, we consider, as we
 
 VICTORIA. 103 
 
 previously stated, that he has erred most in pro- 
 mising what he has been unable to perform. 
 That his desire for doing good is equal to his 
 profession and greater than the power at his dis- 
 posal for doing it, all who are acquainted with his 
 character will readdy admit. To please all in so 
 miscellaneous an assembly were impossible ; and — 
 as an old colonist one day sagaciously remarked 
 to us — "if the folks at home were to send an 
 angel from heaven to govern us, there be many 
 devils here that would'nt then be satisfied." The 
 governor is surrounded by men of o^Dposite tastes 
 and opposite interests ; and he no doubt finds a 
 greater difiiculty than administering to the wants 
 of the colony is that of ascertaining what those 
 wants really are, or whose advice or opinion to take 
 when each happens to be adverse to the other. 
 Without the almost superhuman power to compass 
 the various reqmrements of Victoria and the popu- 
 lation, together with a determination to ride 
 independent both of party or party purpose, the 
 time is not, nor ever will be, when the colonists 
 will be satisfied with theii' governor, or when the 
 governor will be satisfied with those he has to 
 govern. 
 
 Before we proceed to fui'nish tables of revenue, 
 popidation, &c., we may briefly notice the great 
 change that has taken place within the last 
 twelve months, on the leading gold fields, which 
 instead of having the sui-face irregidarly covered
 
 104 VICTORIA. 
 
 by a number of imsightly tents and liuts, as 
 heretofore, have now assumed more of the ap- 
 pearance of commercial towns. Although the 
 buildings are chiefly of wood, they form lines of 
 streets, with substantial hotels, and shops with 
 plate glass fronts, that might lead a stranger into 
 the belief of being in a thickly populated borough, 
 rather than in the midst of, and sm-rounded by 
 hundreds of holes of various depths and richness, 
 from which thousands of ounces of the precious 
 metal are daily extracted. The estimated popula- 
 tion at Ballarat at the present time is about 20,000; 
 and the estimated jdeld of gold ?00 ounces 
 
 per day. 
 
 The aborigines, or native inhabitants of the 
 colony are now fast disappearing, and "v\aLl, no 
 doubt, in the course of a few years become nearly 
 if not entirely extinct. It woidd appear strange, 
 but nevertheless true, that whenever or wherever 
 the white man sets his foot as a permanent re- 
 sident, the black man gradually disappears. One 
 cause of this may be found in the love invariably 
 displayed by the native popidation for stimu- 
 lating drinks, with which they are supplied by 
 Em'opean settlers in exchange for birds, animals, 
 skins, and other articles of native produce. A 
 strong desire and an increasing taste for such 
 drinks soon prove fatal to constitutions pre\dously 
 tmaccustomed to them. Besides this, the indolence 
 and other evils generated by their use, induce the
 
 VICTORIA. 
 
 105 
 
 lubras, or females of tlie tribe, to destroy their 
 offspring in order to avoid the trouble of rearing 
 tbem ; and, as a natviral consequence, the depopula- 
 tion of the race generally follows. 
 
 MRS. EMMA WALLER. 
 
 For a few — they were altogether but very few 
 — of the hours of intellectual enjojanent we passed 
 at the Antipodes we were indebted to an occa- 
 sional opportunity of witnessing some highly- 
 finished di '•;' pictm-es, as embodied by the 
 above-named lady ; and we are pleased to observe 
 that the professional abilities of this accomplished 
 artist are at present being favorably recognised in 
 the great English metropolis — where distinguished 
 merit from any country or of any class will meet 
 its due reward, or will only remain unrewarded 
 while imknowTi. 
 
 Having previously described the general cha- 
 racter of the entertainments which meet with 
 encouragement in the colonies, we deem it an act 
 of justice both to Mrs. Waller and the more intel- 
 ligent part of the colonists by whom she was 
 patronised, to record a success which cannot but 
 be gratifying to all concerned — to none more so 
 than to the himible individual who predicted for 
 the actress a position in England which ajDpears 
 likely at no distant period to be obtained.
 
 OFFICIAL 
 
 STATISTICAL INFOEMATION. 
 
 Charles J. La Trobe Esq., was sworn in Lieu- 
 tenant Governor of Victoria, on its separation from 
 New South Wales, July 1st, 1851. 
 
 Sir Charles Hotham, Mr. La Trobe' s successor, 
 received his appointment on the 3rd December 
 1853, and arrived in the colony on the 21st Jvme, 
 1854. 
 
 The officer admmistering the Government of 
 Victoria since the death of Sir Charles Hotham is 
 Colonel Mc Arthur, the Commander of the Forces, 
 who merely retains his position till the arrival of 
 the newly appointed Governor.
 
 
 POPULATION. 
 
 
 
 
 Comparison of Population in Port Phillip (now 
 
 Victoria. ) 
 
 
 
 1841. 
 
 1846. 
 
 1851. 
 
 Popxila- 
 
 Ratio 
 
 Popula- 
 
 llatio 
 
 Popula- 
 
 Ratio 
 
 
 ]Males. 
 
 Uon, 
 
 per cent. 
 
 tion. 
 
 per cent. 
 
 tion 
 
 per cent. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Under 2 years 
 
 305 
 
 3.686 
 
 1691 
 
 8.378 
 
 3745 
 
 8.106 
 
 2l 
 
 'ears and under 7 years 
 
 479 
 
 5.789 
 
 2520 
 
 12 485 
 
 5874 
 
 12.714 
 
 7 
 
 „ 14 „ 
 
 395 
 
 4.774 
 
 1500 
 
 7.432 
 
 4636 
 
 10.034 
 
 14 
 
 „ „ 21 „ 
 
 561 
 
 6.780 
 
 989 
 
 4.900 
 
 3172 
 
 6.865 
 
 21 
 
 „ ,. 45 „ 
 
 6045 
 
 73.060 
 
 12198 
 
 60.434 
 
 24666 
 
 53.387 
 
 45 
 
 » » 60 „ 
 
 442 
 
 5.342 
 
 1122 
 
 5.559 
 
 3595 
 
 7.781 
 
 60 
 
 ,, and upwards . . 
 Females. 
 
 47 
 
 0.568 
 
 164 
 
 0.812 
 
 514 
 
 1.113 
 
 8274 
 
 
 20184 
 
 
 1-6202 
 
 
 
 
 
 Under 2 years 
 
 340 
 
 9.815 
 
 1689 
 
 13.304 
 
 3685 
 
 11.832 
 
 2 years and under 7 years 
 
 425 
 
 12.269 
 
 2465 
 
 19.417 
 
 5633 
 
 18.088 
 
 7 
 
 „ V 14 „ 
 
 395 
 
 11.403 
 
 1352 
 
 10.650 
 
 4374 
 
 14.045 
 
 14 
 
 » „ 21 „ 
 
 384 
 
 11.086 
 
 1001 
 
 7885 
 
 3576 
 
 11.482 
 
 21 
 
 „ ., 45 „ 
 
 1828 
 
 52.771 
 
 5754 
 
 45.325 
 
 12273 
 
 39.409 
 
 45 
 
 „ „ 60 „ 
 
 86 
 
 2.483 
 
 393 
 
 3 096 
 
 1435 
 
 4.608 
 
 60 
 
 „ and upwards . . 
 
 6 
 
 0.173 
 
 41 
 
 0.323 
 
 167 
 
 0.536 
 
 3464 
 
 
 1269.3 
 
 
 31143 
 
 
 
 Total IMales . . 
 
 8274 
 
 70.489 
 
 20184 
 
 61.389 
 
 46202 
 
 59.735 
 
 
 „ Females 
 
 3464 
 
 29.511 
 
 12695 
 
 38.611 
 
 31143 
 
 40.265 
 
 11738 
 
 100.00 
 
 32879 
 
 100.00 
 
 77345 
 
 100.00 
 
 
 In 1841, there were for every 1 
 
 00 females, 239 m 
 
 ales. 
 
 
 
 .. 1846, 
 
 159 
 
 
 
 
 ,, 1851, 
 
 148 
 
 )} 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 POPULATION 
 
 Increase and Decrease of the Population of the Colony of Vick 
 
 
 (not including Aborigines, 
 
 
 Population on the 31st December, 1850 
 
 Popi 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 
 1^ 
 
 
 
 * 
 
 a 
 
 
 Co 
 
 
 
 
 Fh 
 
 
 O^ 
 
 
 Increase by Immigration 
 
 6479 
 
 42S1 
 
 10760 
 
 
 1165: 
 
 „ Births 
 
 1350 
 
 1323 
 
 2673 
 
 
 157: 
 
 Total Increase 
 
 7829 
 
 5604 
 
 
 13433 
 
 
 Decrease bv Deaths 
 
 453 
 
 327 
 
 780 
 
 
 65 
 
 Departures 
 
 2300 
 
 1004 
 
 3304 
 
 
 285- 
 
 Total Decrease 
 
 Net Increase 
 
 2753 
 5076 
 
 1331 
 4273 
 
 
 4084 
 
 
 9349 
 
 Population on 31st December, 1849, ) 
 
 36631 
 
 23759 
 
 
 60390 
 
 
 1850, 1851, and 1852 ) 
 
 Population on 31st December, 1850, 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 41707 
 
 28032 
 
 
 69739 
 
 1851, 1802, and 1853 ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 OF VICTORIA. 
 
 
 r the Years ending the 31st December, 1850, 1851, 1852, and 1853, 
 
 timated at about 2500). 
 
 
 31st December, 1851. 
 
 1 
 
 Population on the 31st December, 1832. 
 
 Population on the 31st Dec, 1853. 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 a 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 i 
 1 
 
 S 
 
 
 Go 
 
 
 15433 
 3049 
 
 
 74872 
 1868 
 
 19792 
 
 1888 
 
 94664 
 3756 
 
 
 66032 
 
 26280 
 
 92312 
 5000 
 
 
 5254 
 
 
 18482 
 
 76740 
 
 21680 
 
 
 98420 
 
 
 
 
 97312 
 
 
 1165 
 3706 
 
 
 1236 
 28620 
 
 869 
 
 2418 
 
 2105 
 31038 
 
 
 36532 
 
 5911 
 
 5000 
 42443 
 
 
 1366 
 
 
 4871 
 
 29856 
 
 3287 
 
 
 33143 
 
 
 
 
 47443 
 
 3888 
 
 
 13611 
 
 46884 
 
 18393 
 
 
 65277 
 
 
 
 
 49869 
 
 28032 
 
 
 69739 
 
 51429 
 
 31921 
 
 
 83350 
 
 98313 
 
 50314 
 
 
 148627 
 
 31920 
 
 
 83350 
 
 98313 
 
 50314 
 
 
 148627 
 
 
 
 198496
 
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 ESTIMATED POPULATION OF THE GOLD 
 FIELDS, 1854. 
 
 
 
 »-. *" 
 
 u 
 
 ^Ji 
 
 
 
 o o 
 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 
 «« 
 
 V !- 
 
 <u t? 
 
 
 bccs 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Men 
 
 57,871 
 
 77,123 
 
 77,186 
 
 62,982 
 
 68,790 
 
 "Women .... 
 
 14,870 
 
 17,469 
 
 17,096 
 
 13,1:.^5 
 
 15,640 
 
 Children .... 
 Total 
 
 11,177 
 
 19,079 
 
 18,765 
 
 14,662 
 
 15,921 
 
 83,918 
 
 113,671 
 
 113,047 
 
 90,609 
 
 100,351 
 
 CENSUS OF VICTOPIA, 1855-6. 
 
 (From the Registrar General's OflSce.) 
 
 The following statement will show the actual poj^ulation 
 of the Colony at the commencement of the present j'ear, so 
 far as the same can be calculated from the Census of 1854, 
 the Immigration Agent's subsequent returns, and the 
 Registers of Bii-ths and Deaths. 
 
 By the Census Returns there were 
 on the 26th April, 1854 
 
 Subsequent arrival by sea to 31st 
 December, 1 854 
 
 Males. 
 
 Females. 
 
 Totals. 
 
 155,876 
 
 80,900 
 
 236,798 
 
 39,386 
 
 17,245 
 
 56,631 
 5,914 
 
 Births registered same period .... 
 
 Departures by sea same period . . . 
 Deaths registered same period .... 
 
 18,054 
 
 3,997 
 
 22,051 
 3,600 
 
 The ascertained population of Victoria on the 1st January, 
 1855, consisted therefore of 273,792 persons of all ages. 
 
 Total population on the 1st January, 1856, 319,223.
 
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 THE FOLLOWING EETUEN WILL SHOW THE TOTAL 
 
 SHIPMENTS OF GOLD FEOM THE COLONIES OF 
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES AND VICTORIA 
 
 FROM 1851 TO 1855. 
 
 GOLD FEOM AUSTRALIA. 
 
 A retui'ii moved for by Mr. Hankey, M.P., 
 shows that in 1855 64,384 ounces of gold were 
 exported from New South Wales (value £209,256) 
 against 237,910 ounces in 1854, 548,052 oimces in 
 1853, 962,873 in 1852, and 144,120 oimces in 
 1851. The export of gold from Victoria was in 
 1855, 2,575,745 oimces (value £11,303,980), 
 against 2,144,699 oimces in 1854, 2,497,723 ounces 
 in 1853, 1,988,526 oimces in 1852, and 145,137 
 oimces in 1851. Some of this gold was exported to 
 America and to foreign countries, but all the gold 
 exported from New South Wales came to England. 
 The grand total value of the gold exported from 
 both colonies in the five years already mentioned 
 amounts to £41,630,625.
 
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 118
 
 TAEIFF OF VICTOEIA. 
 
 
 
 
 BATE OP 
 
 IMPORT DUTIES. 
 
 DUTY. 
 
 Ale, porter, spruce, and other beer, eider 
 
 S. ^ 
 
 a. 
 
 and perry, the gallon 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 Cigars, the lb 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 Coffee and chicory, the lb 
 
 Spirits, or strong waters, of any strength 
 
 
 
 not exceeding the strength of proof by 
 
 
 
 Sj^ke's hydrometer, and so on in pro- 
 
 
 
 portion for any greater or less strength 
 
 
 
 than the strength of proof, the gallon . 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 Spirits, cordials, liqueurs, or strong waters. 
 
 
 
 sweetened or mixed with anj- article so 
 
 
 
 that the degree of strength cannot be 
 
 
 
 ascertained bv Syke's hydrometer, the 
 
 
 
 gallon 
 
 10 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 Spirits, perfumed, the gallon .... 
 
 Sugar, raw and refined, and sugar-candy. 
 
 
 
 the Q-wt 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 Molasses and treacle, the cwt 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 Tea, the lb 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 
 Tobacco and snufF, the lb 
 
 Wine, the gallon 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 All other goods, wares, and merchandise, 
 
 free. 
 
 *^* Spirits in bulk under 25 gallons cannot be imported, 
 
 nor of tobacco under 80 lbs. 
 
 
 
 EXPORT DUTY. 
 
 
 d. 
 
 Gold, manufactured and Tinmanufactured, 
 
 s. 
 
 and foreign coin, the oz 
 
 2 
 
 6
 
 
 
 
 
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 1855. 
 June 
 July 
 August 
 Scpteiiil 
 October 
 Novcmb 
 Deccnibi 
 
 CO bj3 . 
 
 
 
 
 
 180 
 
 Janua 
 
 I'^ebru 
 
 March 
 
 April 
 
 May. 
 
 120
 
 EETURN OF BONDED GOODS IN 
 MELBOURNE. 
 
 For the week ending 31st May, 1856, showing the Eeceipts, Issue, 
 and Stock. 
 
 Description. 
 
 55^ 
 
 •a 
 
 II! 
 
 lit 
 
 
 =^-?; 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
 ^'S o 
 
 Q^ 
 
 136,166 
 
 4,404 
 
 11,229 
 
 61 
 
 40,987 
 
 — 
 
 4,362 
 
 142 
 
 17,437 
 
 ■ — ■ 
 
 2,801 
 
 4 
 
 4,127 
 
 1,334 
 
 2,393 
 
 — 
 
 8,146 
 
 — 
 
 94 
 
 — 
 
 542 
 
 — . 
 
 — 
 
 — 
 
 5,047 
 
 259 
 
 154 
 
 — 
 
 59,487 
 
 — 
 
 1,208 
 
 — 
 
 37,278 
 
 — 
 
 550 
 
 — 
 
 939,720 
 
 5,306 
 
 26,577 
 
 749 
 
 65,630 
 
 — 
 
 2,400 
 
 — 
 
 9,277 
 
 — 
 
 140 
 
 — 
 
 517,266 
 
 — 
 
 58,811 
 
 — 
 
 504,288 
 
 — 
 
 18,362 
 
 — 
 
 20,874 
 
 1,078 
 
 1,407 
 
 64 
 
 o a . 
 
 Brandy gals. 
 
 Rum , , 
 
 Geneva . . . . ; . . ,, 
 
 Whiskey ,. 
 
 Cordials , , 
 
 Perfumed „ 
 
 Other Spirits. ... ,, 
 
 Wines ,, 
 
 Beer ,, 
 
 Tobacco lbs. 
 
 Cigars , 
 
 SnuflF ,, 
 
 Tea „ 
 
 Coffee ,, 
 
 Sugar bags. 
 
 126,768 
 
 36,456 
 
 14.350 
 
 3,037 
 
 8,052 
 
 542 
 
 5.152 
 
 58,279 
 
 36,728 
 
 917,700 
 
 63,230 
 
 9,137 
 
 458,455 
 
 485,926 
 
 20,481 
 
 BONDED WAREHOUSE CHARGES. 
 
 
 • Housing 
 
 and 
 Marking. 
 
 Eent. 
 
 Delivery. 
 
 Pipe or Puncheon 
 
 Hogshead 
 
 s. d. 
 2 6 
 1 6 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 2 6 
 2 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 1 6 
 
 s. d. 
 1 6 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 1 6 
 
 S. d. 
 3 6 
 2 
 
 Quarter Cask . . 
 
 Tierce of Tobacco 
 
 1 6 
 3 6 
 
 Keg or box, 2o01bs 
 
 2 
 
 Large case Cigars 
 
 2 6 
 
 Box of Cigars, lOOO 
 
 Four gallon case .... 
 
 2 
 3 
 
 Chest of Tea 
 
 3 
 
 Coffee and Sugar, per ton 
 
 2 6 
 
 Eepack, 2s. 6d. ; sample, 2s, 6d. ; regauge, Is. 
 Both Free and Bonded Warehouse Room is rery plentiful, and 
 lower rates are taken for quantities. 
 
 * Less 10 per cent, allowed in this charge to importer.
 
 MELBOURNE STOCK AND SHAEE LIST, 
 JUNE, 1856. 
 
 
 a 
 
 CO 
 
 Paid Up. 
 
 Last 
 Dividend. 
 
 Latest 
 
 Sales. 
 
 BANKS. 
 
 Australasia 
 
 40 
 
 25 
 
 20 
 50 
 20 
 25 
 20 
 10 
 
 5 
 5 
 
 10 
 5 
 
 25 
 
 50 
 25 
 20 
 
 £ s. 
 
 40 
 
 /25 
 
 \ 2 10 
 
 20 
 
 15 
 
 20 
 
 25 
 
 20 
 
 2 
 
 5 
 4 
 2 
 15 
 12 10 
 
 50 
 15 
 18 
 
 20 p. ct. 
 
 { 30 do. 
 
 10 do. 
 
 10 do. 
 
 6 do, 
 
 10 p. ct. 
 
 & £2 15 
 
 bonus. 
 
 £92 to 94 
 £70 to 72 
 
 £8| 
 
 £33 
 
 £24 
 
 £17 
 
 £40 
 £171 18 
 5 p. 0. dis. 
 
 par. 
 
 par. 
 
 10 p.cdis. 
 
 £13 
 
 4 to 5 dis. 
 no sales. 
 10 p.cdis 
 
 Union 
 
 New South Wales 
 
 Victoria 
 
 London Chartered 
 
 Oriental 
 
 English, Scottish, and Aus. . . 
 Colonial Bank of Australia . . 
 
 PUBLIC COMPANIES. 
 
 City Melbourne Gas 
 
 1st Issue .... 
 
 2nd Issue 
 
 3rd Issue 
 
 Colonial Insurance 
 
 Victoria Insurance 
 
 PUBLIC LOANS. 
 
 City of Melbourne (6 per cent.) 
 Town of Geelong ( do ) . . . . 
 Melbourne Gas (10 per cent.) 
 
 RAILWAYS. 
 
 Melbourne and Hobson's Bay 
 Melb. and Mount Alexander." 
 Geelong and Melbourne — 
 
 
 122
 
 EATES OF PILOTAGE. 
 
 Office of Commissioner of Trades and Customs, Melbourne, 
 
 21st January, 1856. 
 
 In accordance with the provisions of the 11th 
 section of the Act 17 Victoria, No. 28, intituled, 
 " An Act to Consolidate and Amend the Law re- 
 lating to Ports, Harbors, and Shipping in the 
 Colony of Victoria," his Excellency the Officer 
 administering the Gorernment, Avith the advice of 
 the Executive Council, has been pleased to approve 
 of the rates of pilotage set forth in the accom- 
 panying schedule, which have been fixed by the 
 Pilot Board of Victoria, in lieu of those published 
 in the supplement to the " Government Gazette " 
 of the 12th January, 1855, page 126. These 
 rates will take effect, with respect to all vessels 
 reporting inwards or clearmg outwards, as the 
 case may be, on and from Friday, the 1st February 
 next. 
 
 By his Excellency's command, 
 
 Hugh C. E. Childeks.
 
 Schedule A. 
 
 PORT PHILLIP. 
 
 1. From -without the Heads to Mel- 
 
 bourne or Geelong, and vice versa 
 
 2, From -within the Heads to Melboiu'ne 
 
 or Cxeelong 
 
 3. From -without the Heads to outer an- 
 
 chorage, Hobson's Bay,* or anchor- 
 age at Point Henry, and vice versa 
 
 4, From -within the Heads to outer an- 
 
 chorage, Hobson's Bay, or anchor- 
 age at Point Heniy 
 
 o. From -without the Heads to any an 
 chorage Avithin the Heads, and be 
 lo-w the channels, and vice versa . 
 
 6. From Melbom-ne to Point Heniy, and 
 
 vice versa 
 
 7. From Melboiu'ue to Geelong, and vice 
 
 versa 
 
 8. For each remove from one place of 
 
 anchorage to another in Hobson's or 
 Corio Bays 
 
 9. From Hobson's Bay to Melbourne, and 
 
 vice versa 
 
 10. From Point Henry to Inner Harbor, 
 Geelong, and vice versa 
 
 * N.B. — A line bearing from the 
 
 lighthouse on Gellibrand's Point, and run- 
 ning through the St. Kilda -n^hite buoy, 
 di-vddes the inner from the outer anchorage 
 of Hobson's Bay. 
 
 OUTPORTS. 
 
 Into or out of Port Albert . . 
 ,, ,, Portland Bay 
 
 ,, ,, Belfast 
 
 , , , , Warrnambool 
 
 Sailing 
 
 Vessels. 
 
 d. 
 
 steamers 
 and 
 
 Vessels 
 
 towed by 
 
 Steam. 
 
 3 20 
 
 Vessels forced back after ha-ving been piloted to sea, 
 one-half of the above rates. 
 
 124
 
 SciTEDtrLE A. 
 
 EXEMPTIONS. 
 
 All vessels tinder fifty (50) tons. 
 
 All ships belonging to her Majesty, all ships employed in 
 the coasting trade, all ships regularly ti'ading between any 
 port of Yictoria, and any of the colonies of New South Wales, 
 Van Dieman's Land, New Zealand, Western and South 
 Australia (the master of any such ship holding a certificate 
 from the Pilot Board that he is competent to act as pilot to 
 such vessel), unless the services of a pilot shall have been 
 actually received, and all ships not having actually received 
 the services of a pilot. 
 
 (Signed) Chahles FEEGirsojf, 
 
 President of the Pilot Board. 
 
 BALLASTING, &c. 
 
 Eiver ballast, delivered in the Bay, per ton, 4s. 6d. 
 beach, do., 4s. ; stone, do., 7s. 6d. ; water, 15s. per ton. 
 
 LIGHTERAGE. 
 
 From Hobson's Bay (the Port) to Melbourne Wharf, 
 measurement goods, per ton, 8s. ; bonded goods, bricks and 
 dead weight, 10s. ; to Geelong, 8s. to 10s. 6d. Steamers, 12s. 
 
 BAEBOR REGULATIONS. 
 
 Vessels entering or departing from Port Phillip are re- 
 quired to hoist their numbers or distinguishing flag, on 
 approaching the Electric Telegraph Stations at Shortland's 
 BuiF and Gellibrand's Point. A heavy penalty can be 
 inflicted for a breach of this regulation. 
 
 125
 
 ScHEDrLE A. 
 
 TONNAGE. 
 
 On all vessels arriving in Yictoria, per ton, Is. 
 
 Note. — K"o vessel shall pay the above duty more than 
 once in six months ; fi'om January to June, both inclusive, 
 and from July to December, also both inclusive. 
 
 TOWING CHAEGES. 
 
 Towing up from Hobson's Bay to Melboiu-ne — ^under 20 
 tons, 2s. 6d per registered ton ; under 200 tons, 2s. ; above 
 200 tons, Is. 8d. From Melbourne to the Bay, two thirds 
 of the above rates. Towage in the Bay as per agreement. 
 Towage to or from the Heads, 500 tons and under, inside 
 £40; five miles outside, £60 — under 750 tons, inside, £50; 
 outside,'£70 — xmder 1000 tons, inside, £60 ; outside, £80 — 
 under 1,500 tons, inside, £90; outside, £120 — ^under 2,000 
 tons, inside, £105 ; outside, £135 — above 2,000 tons, 
 inside, £120; outside, £150. All towage not paid within 
 fourteen days to be charged 10 per]|cent. additional, unless by 
 special agreement.
 
 CONCLUDING EEMAEES. 
 
 Ill briro-y^o-. our observations on tlie Colony of 
 Yictoria't^fl- i'lose, we would willingly modify the 
 opinions we have previously expressed, if experience 
 and the love of truth enabled us to do so. A calm 
 and impartial review of an important subject will 
 sometimes lead to the discovery of an error in 
 judgment, and afford the lover of justice pleasure 
 in correcting bis mistake. Time and reflection, 
 however, by which our " First Impressions of Vic- 
 toria " have been duly weighed, convince us that 
 they are substantially correct. The improvements 
 which have taken place during the interval that 
 divides the first from our second visit have been 
 faithfully recorded ; but these improvements con- 
 stitute a finer cloak or external gloss over the body 
 of Victorian society, rather than a radical change 
 in the system. In the city, as in the bush, there 
 is an absence of those strict principles of integrity 
 and high moral training by which the movements 
 and actions of good society in England are regu- 
 lated. The great feature in colonial life, so far as 
 our experience goes, appears to be that of deception;
 
 128 VICTORIA. 
 
 and he wlio displays the greatest ingenuity in 
 taking-in his friend or his neighbor, is called a 
 " smart fellow," and is complimented by his less 
 sagacious kinsmen for his superior ability. As for 
 the good ojy'mion of others — in the colony of Yic- 
 toria this is a matter, with the multitude, of 
 secondary importance, or more frequently of no 
 importance at all ; for a resident's qualification for 
 any office is determin, 1 b^" t^e balarioe at his 
 banker's. A man without . - ipital is 
 
 nobody, although his character may oe unimpeach- 
 able ; but the capitaKst — ^be his character what it 
 may — can ascertain the extent of his power by the 
 extent of his riches. This, no doubt, is in a great 
 measure caused by the utter impossibility of ascer- 
 taining the true characters of so miscellaneous a 
 population, the majority of whom have arrived 
 within the last four years from the opposite side of 
 the globe. 
 
 Even the laudable endeavour of a few of the 
 more intellectual part of the inhabitants to benefit 
 the jioiior branches by an University in Melbourne 
 has proved a decided failui'e. The desire of the 
 few was too much in advance, not of the means, but 
 of the minds of the many. True, they have a' 
 splendid building, built at an enormous expense ; 
 and all for what ? — for the accommodation and 
 instruction of sixteen pupils ! And such is the 
 number at present aspiring to future mental great- 
 ness in the colony of Victoria, with a population
 
 VICTORIA. 129 
 
 of more than three hundred thousand. To enricli 
 the pocket, not the mind, appears to be the grand 
 object of life with at least seven-eighths of the 
 population of this colony, for an}i:hing of an 
 intellectual character is totally unappreciated, 
 except by a very small minority. "We have read, 
 although we had not the pleasure of hearing the 
 author deKver, a beautifid and most instructive 
 lecture given at the exhibition building in Mel- 
 bourne, by M^_C ^'" " ^ ord, than whom we have 
 not met a vlose -jnted man south of the line. 
 But where is this gentleman noic ? Has he met 
 with even a semblance of that encouragement — to 
 say nothing of the just reward due to distinguished 
 merit ? We will spare the reader trouble, ourselves 
 sorrow, and the lecturer a deeper sense of wrong 
 by suppressing the indignation that suggests a 
 
 reply- 
 Finally, we have only to repeat that throughout 
 all our observations on the colony we have ex- 
 pressed, as we now express, our opinion with 
 reference to society in general — on the charac- 
 ter and habits of the majority of the inhabitants, 
 not on all. Hundi'eds, probably the chief number 
 of the really respectable settlers have arrived since 
 1851. But the extraordinary cause that led to 
 the sudden increase of 200,000 to a popidation of 
 only half that number, leaves the respectable 
 portion of the arrivals — men of character and 
 position — in a small minority. Whether this small 
 
 K
 
 130 VICTORIA. 
 
 but influential body may or may not have tlie 
 power of creating in the minds of the multitude a 
 superior tone of action, in a commercial and moral 
 sense, is a question to be solved by time. The 
 greatest events both of ancient and modern times 
 have originated with, and been accomplished by a 
 few individuals ; and if the small knot of spirited, 
 and independent nierchants, who have recently 
 taken the initiative in a good cause, in opposition 
 to the dangerous power of a venal and unprincipled 
 press, shoidd succeed in advancing the interests of 
 their adopted land, by improving the habits and 
 elevating the minds of those around them, they will 
 indeed deserve well of their own and other nations, 
 in ha\ang made a great colony worthy of a great 
 country. 
 
 THE GOVERNOH OF VICTORIA. 
 
 With more than ordinary facilities for arriving 
 at a just conclusion respecting the increasing 
 impopularity of Sir Charles Ilotham, we are 
 reluctantly compelled to declare our opinion in 
 favor of the public verdict ; for after a residence 
 of twelve months in the Colony we leave with the 
 painful conviction that the present Governor is in 
 no way qualified for the high position assigned him 
 by Her Majesty's ministers. Indeed, the selection 
 of such a man for an office so lucrative, impor-
 
 VICTORIA. 131 
 
 tant, and responsible as that of administering the 
 govermnent of a great colony, clearly proves that 
 aristocratic influence — that great barrier to the 
 development of human greatness — stiU reigns 
 supreme. Sir Charles llotliam has furnished the 
 colony with ample evidence that he is indebted for 
 his appointment rather to the interest of some 
 friend "at Court" than to his o-\yn individual 
 merit. "Wliile his every official act has proved him 
 to be totally imilt to govern a comitry, it has also 
 proved that the command of a 16-gim boat would 
 more nearly accord \rith his limited capacity than 
 that of a "colonial ruler." Imperious, without 
 being dignified, he is likewise austere, reserved, 
 and unaffable. Add to these failings selfishness, 
 and miserly parsimony, together with the minor 
 ingredients necessary to indiA-idualise such a com- 
 pound, and the reader will be furnished with a 
 figurative t}^e of Sir Charles Hotham, the present 
 governor of Victoria. 
 
 Those persons who aUow their sjonpathy to 
 interfere with their duty woidd probably advise 
 the suppression of the preceding remarks, which 
 were peimed prior to the demise of the person to 
 whom they refer. But a public character, though 
 dead, will live in history ; and his past deeds will 
 be his future robes, let his friends fashion them as 
 they may.
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES.
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 New South "Wales — as miglit be expected from 
 its priority — is considerably in advance of the 
 otber Australian Colonies. Its cbief barbor — Port 
 Jackson — is bardly surpassed, if equalled, by any 
 in the world, wbile tbe city of Sydney, the mistress 
 of tbis noble barbor, and tbe capital of tbe colony, 
 is, witb regard to its geograpbical position, as in 
 every otber respect, very superior to Melbourne. 
 Even in tbe appearance of tbe two cities, tbere is 
 as mucb difference as would be furnisbed by com- 
 paring tbe city of Westminster to tbe borougb of 
 Soutbwark — or Regent-street to Wbitecbapel. 
 Tbis bowever can bardly be wondered at, wben it 
 is remembered tbat Sydney was founded some fifty 
 or sixty years before Melbourne. Time may pos- 
 sibly make tbe uniformity and splendour of tbe 
 buildings of tbe latter equal tbat of tbe otber, 
 altbougb tbe superior situation of Sydney must 
 ever defy comparison.
 
 136 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 By the adjoining colonies, Sydney has been 
 designated the " Queen of the South," and is, in 
 our opinion, fully entitled to the favorable dis- 
 tinction. Many of the warehouses and shops rank 
 with some of the best in London, and the leading 
 banking establishments, so far as the buildings 
 are concerned, are superior to any of the private 
 or joint-stock banks of the English metropolis, 
 and are not unlike some of our noble West-end 
 club-houses. 
 
 Owing to the extensive and extravagant com- 
 mercial sj)ecidations of the last two years, occa- 
 sioned by the great gold discoveries in Victoria, 
 and those of less importance in New South Wales, 
 very heavy losses have been sustained by a large 
 number of the Sydney merchants, and those in 
 England by whom many of the colonial houses 
 were assisted or suj)ported — although the panic 
 has neither been so general nor so serious in its 
 character as that which has just taken place in 
 Melbom^ne, where two-thirds of the speculators 
 were composed of imsubstantial adventurers and 
 professional and unprincipled gamblers. Still, the 
 commercial failures in Sydney during 1854-5 have 
 been greater than any that have taken place in 
 the same space of time within the preceding ten 
 years, prior to which the disaster that befel the 
 colony through the vast alterations of property 
 was greater than that which has recently occurred. 
 
 " During the three years, 1842-3-4, when the
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 137 
 
 population of 'New South Wales was only 162,000 
 — owing to the wild spii'it of speculation and 
 ruinous facility of credit — there were 1,638 cases 
 of sequestration of estates, the collective debts of 
 which amounted to three- and-a-half million ster- 
 ling." * 
 
 Before proceeding to describe, agreeably with 
 our own impressions, the social condition, habits of 
 the people, &c., of New South Wales, we will ex- 
 tract a faithfid description of the colony, together 
 with a few observations on the peculiarities of the 
 soil and climate of AustraKa, from a work by the 
 talented author of " The Three Colonies of Aus- 
 tralia," remarking however that oiu' own opinion 
 of the climate is somewhat less favorable than that 
 of any and every writer we have met "v^ith — the 
 majority of whom appear to us rather in the cha- 
 racter of colonial pleaders than that of impartial 
 reviewers. 
 
 " Port Jackson, is the fittest centre from wliich to take a 
 survey of the settled and inhabitable districts in Australia ; 
 being the finest harbor and the port of the greatest Austra- 
 lian city. 
 
 " The usual course to Sydney for sailing-vessels is through 
 Bass's Straits, and in fair Tveather, with a favorable wind, 
 ships frequently pass sufficiently near the shores to aftbrd an 
 agreeable but very tantalizing view of the scenery. 
 
 ' ' ' The shore is bold and pictiu'esque, and the country 
 behind, gradually rising higher and higher into swelling 
 hills of moderate elevation, to the iitmost distance the eye 
 
 • Braim's History of New South "Wales.
 
 138 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 can reacli, is covered with wide-brancliing, evergreen forest 
 trees and close brushwood, exhibiting a prospect of never- 
 failing foliage, although sadly monotonous and dull in tone 
 as compared with the liixuriant summer foliage of Europe. 
 Grey rocks at intervals project among these endless forests, 
 while here and there some gigantic tree, scorched dead by 
 the summer fires, uplifts its blasted branches above the 
 green saplings around.' * 
 
 " Approaching Port Jackson, the coast line consists of cliffs 
 of a reddish hue. Where the land can be seen, shrubs and 
 trees of strange foliage are found flourishing on a white, 
 sandy, ban-en soil destitute of herbage. 
 
 * ' The entrance to the Port is marked by the north and south 
 heads, about three quarters of a mUe apart. On the southern 
 head a stone lighthouse, bearing the often-repeated name of 
 Macquarie, affords a revolving flame at night and a white 
 landmark by day to the great ships from distant quarters of 
 the globe, and to the crowd of large-sailed coasters which 
 ply between innumerable coast villages and Sydney. 
 
 " Steering westerly, the great harbor, like a landlocked 
 lake, protected by the curving projecting heads from the 
 roll of the Pacific storms, opens out until lost in the dis- 
 tance, where it joins the Paramatta River. The banks on 
 either hand, varying from two to five miles in breadth, are 
 sometimes steep and sometimes sloping, but repeatedly in- 
 dented by coves and bays, which, fringed with green shrubs 
 down to the white sandy water -margin, when bathed in 
 golden sunlight, present dainty retreats as brilliant as 
 Danby's Enchanted Island. 
 
 " On one of the first and most romantic coves in Vaucluse 
 the marine ^oUa of William Weutworth is situated. 
 
 "Five miles from the heads, on " Sydney Cove," stands 
 the city of Sydney, the head-quarters of the Governor 
 General, the residence and episcopal city of the Bishop of 
 
 * Cunningham.
 
 KEW SOUTH WALES. 139 
 
 Australia, and the greatest wool port in the world. The 
 still waters, aUve "svith steamers passing and re-passing, with 
 ships of English and American flags, and a crowd of small 
 craft, yachts, and pleasure-boats, betoken the approach to a 
 centre of busy commerce, eyen before the chiu'ch spires show 
 themselves against the sky. In this city, which has been 
 too often described to need any detailed account here, every 
 comfort and every luxury of Em-ope is to be obtained that 
 can be purchased Avith money. 
 
 "The entrance to Port Jackson is so safe and easy that 
 the American survej'ing ships ran in at night without a 
 pilot ; and when the inhabitants rose in the morning they 
 found themselves imder the guns of a frigate carrying the 
 stripes and stars. 
 
 " Vessels of considerable biu'den can unload alongside 
 the quays. 
 
 "Sydney Cove is formed by tn-o small promontories, 
 between which the rivxJet flows which induced Governor 
 Phillip to choose this site for his settlement, as it possessed 
 a safe harbor, wood, and water, thi'ee essential points, 
 although not alone sufiicient to support a flourishing colony. 
 The first — harbor — is of little value, unless it is the outlet 
 to a country capable of producing some exports. 
 
 " Tanks were cut for storing the water of the fresh- water 
 stream during the summer ; but, the increase of the town 
 having rendered this supply insufficient, water was brought 
 from Botany Bay ; and, recently, further extensive works 
 have been executed, by which an aqueduct is brought from 
 Cook's River, where a dam has been built to exclude the 
 salt water. 
 
 " Along the hollow formed by the two promontories or 
 ridges, where the native ti'ack thi-ough the woods down to 
 the water's edge, formerly George-street, extends, and 
 which holds in the colonial metropolis the relative ranks 
 of the Strand and Regent-street, London, combined, there,
 
 140 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 until recently, stately shops witli plate-glass fronts were to 
 be found side by side with wooden huts. 
 
 " The harbor of Port Jackson affords an almost unlimited 
 line of deep water, along which, when needed by the ex- 
 tension of commerce, quays and warehouses may be erected 
 at a very triiiing expense, so gTeat are its natural dock 
 advantages ; many of the coves in Port Jackson are even 
 now as much in a state of nature as when Captain Phillip 
 first discovered it. As a central point for the commerce of 
 the Australian seas, it is not probable that it can ever be 
 superseded as a maritime station even by any other colonies 
 planted in a more fertile situation, although it may be 
 asserted that, with rare exceptions, the land for a himdred 
 miles round Sydney is a sandy desert. But roads, raili'oads, 
 and steamers will afford Sydney the advantages of the pro- 
 duce of districts which have no such harbor as Port Jackson. 
 
 "Cumberland and Camden were the two counties first 
 settled, Cumberland is the most densely-populated district 
 in Australia, and has the poorest soil ; a belt of land parallel 
 to the sea, from twenty to forty miles in breadth, is either 
 light sand dotted with picturesque, unprofitable scrub, or 
 a stiff clay or ironstone, thickly covered with hard-wood 
 timber and underwood. After passing this belt, to which 
 the colonists confined themselves for more than ten years, 
 with a few spirited exceptions, the soil improves a little ; 
 that is to say, narrow tracks of a rich alluvial character are 
 found on the banks of the rivers, but the greater proportion 
 consists of forest on a poor impenetrable soil, which defies 
 the perseverance of the most skilled agriculturist : the 
 deeper you go the worse it is. 
 
 "Camden has a moderate extent of cultivable land, in- 
 cluding the singular district of lUawarra, which is at once 
 one of the most beautiful and fertile spots in the world, in 
 regard both to the luxuriance and variety of its vegetable 
 productions. The pastui-es of Camden are extensive, and
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 141 
 
 were considered impoi'tant iintil tlie discovery of the western 
 and southern plains. 
 
 "These are almost the only coimties much named colo- 
 nially; other parts of the colonies are chiefly laiown as 
 districts, and the counties which till up so much space on 
 the maps are seldom named. 
 
 * ' The dryness of the coimties of Camden and Cumber- 
 laud, in which, in the course of the year, nearly as much 
 rain falls as in the counties of Essex and Sussex, is greatly 
 owing to the stifl' clay of which the soil is chiefly composed, 
 through which the rain cannot easUy filter, or from which 
 springs can with difficulty biu-st forth. Boring on the 
 artesian plan has been recently adopted with success. 
 
 "To describe in detail the character of each county and 
 each district would be a diflicult, an interminable, and, to 
 the reader, a wearisome task. Many, after being charmed 
 with the exquisitely pictui-esque appearance of Poi't Jackson 
 and Sydney, on a very cursory inspection of the surrounding 
 country, come to the conclusion that the whole province of 
 Kew South Wales is a barren desert, only fit for feeding 
 sheep, — a conclusion which is not more correct than to judge 
 of the agriciiltural capabilities of England by Dartmoor, or 
 of France by the * Landes.' 
 
 " Within the Sydney district are the towns of Paramatta, 
 Windsor, and Liverpool; but, in consequence of the dis- 
 persion incident to the pastoral pursuits which have hitherto 
 formed the chief employment of Australia, there are really 
 no towns in the Eui'opean sense of the word, with the 
 exception of the thi'ee capitals, Sydney, Melbourne, and 
 Adelaide, and Geelong in Victoria, which, being the port to 
 a rich district, is likely to rival Melbom'ne. The other 
 towns with imposing names are mere villages, with a gaol, 
 a magistrate's ofiice, some stores, and a great many public- 
 houses. 
 
 " Taking Sydney as the stai-ting-point, we propose to
 
 142 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 survey tlie general features of tlie settled and pastoral dis- 
 tricts, proceeding first towards the north, and retui-ning to 
 Port Jackson, traveUing along the coast to the other tsvo 
 colonies. 
 
 " The thi'ee great colonies of Xew South Wales, Yictoria, 
 late Port PhiUip, and South Australia, occupy a continuous 
 coast line, extending from AYide Bay, in Xew South "Wales, 
 to Cape Adieu, in South Australia. "With the exception of 
 the small and unsuccessful colony of "Western Australia, or 
 Swan Eiver, the remaining coast line of this island-con- 
 tinent is unsettled, and^only inhabited by wandering savages 
 or stray parties of whalers and sealers. Attempts have been 
 made more than once to form settlements in Northern Aus- 
 ti'alia, but they have been abandoned, and will not probably 
 be renewed until the older colonists find the need of further 
 extensions inland, or some coal stations are established for 
 the munerous steamers which are now plying between Eng- 
 land and the gold regions. 
 
 " The three colonies are only divided by imaginary lines, 
 so easy are the means of inland intercommunication. Over- 
 land journeys have been executed between qU by parties 
 di'iving great herds over an untracked country, 
 
 "The principal ports to the north of Port Jackson are 
 Broken Bay, the mouth of the River Hawkesbury, up which 
 vessels of one hundred tons can proceed for four miles 
 beyond the town of "Windsor, which is one himdred and 
 forty miles by the river, and about forty miles in a direct 
 line from the coast. Broken Bay is not a safe harbor, being 
 much exposed to the east and south-east as well as the 
 north-west winds. 
 
 "Port Hunter is the mouth of the Hunter River, which 
 receives the waters of the Rivers "Williams and Paterson. 
 It is navigable for about thirty-five mUes by waterway, and 
 twenty-five miles in a direct line from the coast. This 
 stream was formerly called the Coal River. On the bay
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 143 
 
 slieltered hj Nobby Island stands Newcastle, town which, 
 owes its name of importance to the coal-fields by which it is 
 smTounded. The soil in the neighbom-hood is for the most 
 part barren. On the opposite northern shore of the bay are 
 East and "West Maitland, the outports of the great squatting 
 district of Liverpool Plains ; and, four miles further, Mor- 
 peth, the port of the Himter's Eiver Company. A regular 
 steam-boat ti-affic in all the produce of the Hunter's Eiver 
 district is carried on between Morpeth, Maitland, Newcastle, 
 and Sydney, from which they are distant about eighty miles, 
 the cheapness of steam communication having led to the 
 abandonment of the road formed at immense cost by convict 
 labour over the moimtainous barren coimtry inland between 
 Sydney and the Hunter's River. 
 
 "The Hunter's Eiver is subject to di-oughts, but other- 
 wise one of the oldest and finest agricultural disti'icts. Vine 
 cultivation is carried on there successfully, on a large scale. 
 Its tributaries, the "WUliams and Paterson Elvers, are both, 
 navigable for a greater distance than the Hunter, the Wil- 
 liams uniting at twenty miles and the Paterson at thirty- 
 five miles from Newcastle. They give access to distiicts 
 which are cooler and better supplied with rain than the 
 Hunter. 
 
 " Maitland owes its double name to the government 
 having laid out East Maitland during the land-buying 
 mania, with its usual infelicity, three miles up the river, at 
 a point too shallow for steam-boats to approach ; on which 
 shrewd speculators laid out West Maitland alongside the 
 deep water. Thus a town of a single street, with inns for 
 the accommodation of squatters, sprang up. 
 
 "The country around is flat, sometimes flooded, and 
 produces fine crops of wheat and Indian corn. Along the 
 Paterson the country is undulating and fertile, surrounded 
 by hills which attract rain, and render it better adapted for 
 cattle than sheep. Tobacco cultivation has been successfully
 
 144 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 pursued : thriving farms occupy the banks of the rivers, 
 which fetch a good price, either to sell or rent. Kangaroos, 
 plentiful a few years ago, are becoming scarce ; but wild 
 ducks may be shot on the river, and good fish caught. 
 
 ' ' In April the winter sets in and continues until Septem- 
 ber, with nights cold enough to make a fire pleasant, and 
 sharp frost at daybreak. 
 
 " In October the summer commences, and the wheat har- 
 vest in November. Then in the Hunter district the hot 
 winds commence, blow for three days, and not unfrequently 
 bHght wheat just coming into ear : they are usually suc- 
 ceeded by a sharp southerly gale, accompanied by rain, 
 which soon makes everything not actually blighted look 
 green again. This more particularly refers to the Paterson. 
 At Segenhoe, one of the most beautiful estates in New South 
 Wales, which extends in romantic park-Ulie scenery for six 
 miles along the Eiver Hirnter, in the county of Brisbane, 
 thi-ee years have sometimes elapsed before the fall of rain. 
 
 ' ' The Hunter Eiver may be considered a favorable speci- 
 men of an accessible and long- settled district. The river is 
 now not only the means of communication by the sea for the 
 produce of its immediate ten-itory, but also for all the wool 
 and aU the supplies interchanged by the great squatting 
 disti'ict of New England and Liverpool Plains, to which 
 access is obtained by a deep cleft through a spui' of the 
 Austi'alian cordUleras, called the Liverpool Eange, which 
 bounds the Liverpool Plains in a northerly direction. A 
 great and increasing steam communication exists between 
 Sydney and the Eiver Hunter. 
 
 " Port Stephens is a large estuary fifteen nules in length 
 and contracted to about a mile in breadth in the centre, into 
 which the Eivers Karuah and Myall flow. The Earuah is 
 navigable for twelve miles only for small craft to Booral, a 
 village built by the Australian Agricultiu-al Company. The 
 vaUey of the Karuah, in the county of Gloucester, is chiefly
 
 IS^EW SOUTH WALES. 145 
 
 in tlie possession of the Australian Agricnltiu'al Company, 
 and pronounced by Count Strzelecld one of the finest agri- 
 cultm-al districts in the colony. The company in England 
 were desirous of opening it to colonization, as they found 
 farming and stoekfeeding at the distance of sixteen thousand 
 miles an ujiprofitable pui-suit; but their resident servants 
 threw so many obstacles ia the way that the project failed, 
 and within one hundred miles of Sydney colonization is 
 checked by a monopolist oasis. 
 
 "Australia is the largest island in the world, so large 
 that it is more correctly described as an island- continent, 
 situated between the 10th and 4oth degrees of south latitude, 
 and the 112th and lolth degrees of longitude east from 
 Greenwich. It may be said to be nearly thi-ee thousand 
 miles fi-om west to east, and two thousand uiiles from north 
 to south, of a nearly square form, were it not for the deep 
 indentation formed by the great Gulf of Carpenteria. But 
 this superficial extent, which is sometimes compared with 
 that of other contiaents, aftbrds no true index to the area 
 reaUy available, or ever liliely to be available, for coloniza- 
 tion. A great portion of the interior is more hopelessly 
 barren and impassable than the deserts of Africa, being in 
 dry weather a hoUow basin of sand, in raiay seasons a vast 
 shallow inland sea, alternately and rapidly swelled by tropi- 
 cal torrents, and dried up by the tropical sun. 
 
 " Comparisons are frequently instituted between the rela- 
 tive areas and populations of Europe and Australia; but 
 nothing can be more fallacious or dishonest. 
 
 " The resources of Australia have been as yet barely 
 discovered; a century of active colonization can scarcely 
 develop them to their fullest extent. Even without the 
 appliances of science and combined labour a vast population 
 may be subsisted in comfort; but, without some change 
 more extensive and material than it is possible to foresee, 
 there can be no such dense multitudes concentrated in 
 
 L
 
 146 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 Aiistralia as are found in tlie more civilized states of Europe, 
 and as may be found at some future period in North. Ame- 
 rica, The absence of great rivers and the means of forming- 
 inland water communication, and the quality of a great 
 proportion of the soil, settle this point. 
 
 "The siu'face of this island is depressed in the centre, 
 bounded by an almost continuous range of hills and pla- 
 teaujt, which, varying in height from one to six thousand 
 feet above the level of the sea, in some places approach the 
 coast and present lofty, inaccessible cliffs to the ocean, — as, 
 for instance, the heads of Port Jackson, — and in others tend 
 toward the interior of the countiy, at a distance of from 
 twenty to eighty miles ; but, these elevations being all of 
 an undulating, not a precipitous, character, no part of the 
 country can be considered strictly alpine. 
 
 " The features of the country on the exterior and interior 
 of this range differ so much as to present the results of climates 
 usually found much further apart, especially on the eastern 
 coast, where between the mountains and the sea, as, for 
 instance, at Illawarra, Port Macquarie, and Moreton Bay, 
 the vegetation partakes to a great extent of a tropical cha- 
 racter ; and on the rich debris washed down from the hills 
 we find forests of towering palms and various species of 
 gum-trees (Eucalypti), the siu'face of the groimd beneath 
 clothed with dense and impervious underwood, composed of 
 dwarf trees, shrubs, and ti-ee-ferns, festooned with creepers 
 and parasitic plants, from the size of a convolvulus and vine 
 to the cable of a man-of-war. These dense forests, through 
 which exploring travellers have been obliged to cut their 
 way inland at the rate of not more than a mile or two a 
 day, are interspersed with open glades or meadow reaches, 
 admirably adapted for pastm-ing cattle, to which the colo- 
 nists have given the name of apple-tree flats, from the 
 fancied resemblance between the apple-trees of Europe and 
 those (Angophorse) with which these glades are thinly dotted.
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 147 
 
 "Witliin the ranges, on the other hand, are found im- 
 mense open downs and grassy phiins, divided by rocky and 
 round-backed ranges of hills, and interspersed by open 
 forest without undergrowth and detached belts of gum treeiB 
 (Eucalyi^ti acacise), presenting a park-LUce appearance, which, 
 advancing towards the interior, are succeeded either by 
 marshes, or sandy and stony deserts, perfectly sterile and 
 uninhabitable, except by a few reptiles and birds which 
 prey upon them, 
 
 " The rivers of Austi'alia are few in number, and insigni- 
 ficant in a navigable point of view. The one series, rising 
 from the seaside of the mountain range, flow deviously until 
 they reach the coast, seldom aftbrding a navigable stream 
 more than twenty miles inland, usually rushing down with 
 such rapidity during the rainy season as to fill up their sea- 
 mouths with a bar which excludes all except boats of slight 
 draught of water. The other series, falling toward the 
 interior, are lost in qidcksands, marshes, or shallow lakes ; 
 after a course varying from a score to many hundred miles 
 of zigzag current, now flowing with a full, deep stream, and 
 then suddenly diminishing to a depth of a few inches, or 
 even totally and suddenly disappearing." 
 
 One of the many signs in tlie capital of New 
 Soutli Wales wHcli seem to indicate an approach 
 to national greatness, is the recent construction of 
 a mint, which — as wiU. be observed by the following 
 article — is on the eve of commencing operations 
 consequent on the formation of such an establish- 
 ment. 
 
 The Home Government pay Sydney a well- 
 merited comphment by assenting to the establish- 
 ment of the first colonial mint in that city —
 
 148 KEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 the oldest and most advanced in tlie AustraKan 
 colonies. That it will create a little jealousy else- 
 where we have not the least doubt. Time will 
 show. 
 
 THE SYDNEY MmT. 
 [From " The Syd^tet Heeald."] 
 
 " It will be remembered tbat, a short time ago, "we gave 
 a lengtliy description of the biiildings and aj^paratus then 
 in course of construction, for the purpose of carrying on the 
 Sydney Branch of the Royal Mint. 
 
 " In that notice it was stated that the establishment would 
 be brought into operation about this time, and we find that 
 our information was correct. In pursuance of a proclamation 
 in last Friday's Government ' Gazette,' the Mint was opened 
 yesterday for the first time, and will be ready to receive 
 gold bullion for coinage until the 29th of June next. From 
 that time a different scale of charges will be framed, and 
 due notification of the fact pubKshed in the Government 
 * Gazette.' 
 
 "The conditions on which gold bullion will be received 
 for coinage are as under : — 
 
 " 1st. Importations of bullion, in quantity from one 
 thousand oiinces upwards will be admitted daily 
 (Satui'days and holidays excepted), between the 
 hours of 11 o'clock a.m., and 3 o'clock p.m. 
 
 "2nd. The value of the bullion will be calculated at 
 £3 17s. 10|d. the ounce standard, and determined 
 on the reports of the Mint assayers. It will then 
 be converted into coin with all convenient despatch. 
 
 *' 3rd. Payment for importations will be made in the 
 order of their receipt, subject to a deduction of 
 three-fourths per cent, as a Mint charge. 
 
 ' ' 4th. The Mint will also issue, if required, gold bullion, 
 ingots, or bars, at £3 17s. 10|d. the ounce standard. 
 
 I
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 149 
 
 ' ' It would be prematiu'e at present to express any decided 
 opinion as to the advantages wliicli may be likely to result 
 from the facility thus afforded lis of coining oirr own money. 
 It is a subject on which a great diversity of opinion prevails, 
 even among the members of the Legislature, to whom we 
 are mainly indebted for the costly gift. In mercantile 
 circles we believe the general opinion is adverse, or in other 
 words that a mint in this colony * wiU not pay.' The ex- 
 periment which is now to be tried will soon prove the fallacy 
 or soundness of this impression, and therefore we may leave 
 the matter to time. ' The advantage,' says the proclamation, 
 ' anticipated from the introduction of a Branch of the Royal 
 Mint in Sydney, is the facility such an establishment will 
 offer for the conversion of standard gold biiUion, and of 
 bullion, the produce of Australian Colojiies, into the legal 
 coin or tender for payment ; to this every assistance will be 
 given. The Sydney Mint is not open for melting and 
 refining plate and jewellery or bullion which has been pre- 
 viously wrought, or for converting such into coin. Any 
 importations therefore, which, after being melted and assayed 
 at the mint, shall appear to the Deputy Master to have been 
 brought to a state difficult or expensive to restore to standard 
 purity, will be returned to the importers, subject to a charge 
 of three-fourths per cent, on its value, reckoned at £3 17s. 
 10|d. the standard ounce." The establishment has abeady 
 cost the colony a large sum of money, and if there was no 
 other consideration, the knowledge that this expense can 
 only be reimbursed by the successful operations of the Mint 
 ought to secure the support and friendly co-operation of the 
 public. 
 
 " It is satisfactory to be able to state, that the quantity of 
 gold received at the Mint yesterday was unexpectedly large, 
 being between ten thousand and eleven thousand ounces, or 
 fi'om £40,000 to £50,000 worth. All the necessary arrange- 
 ments for coining have been nearly completed, and it is not
 
 150 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 at all improbable tbat we shall see our own sovereigns in 
 circulation in the eom'se of a few days. The erection of the 
 machinery, and the construction of the necessary buildings, 
 are already finished, so that there is nothing to be done now 
 but the perfecting of those minor and interior appliances 
 which are essential to the successful operation of every great 
 undertaking of the kind." 
 
 By advices just received (August 1856) we find 
 that the New South Wales mint has more than 
 reaKzed the favorable anticipations of the colonists ; 
 but, as will be seen by a remark of " The Times " 
 correspondent, the operations of the estabKshment 
 woidd have been on a still more extended scale but 
 for the contracted policy and commercial jealousy 
 displayed in the adjoining colony of Victoria — • 
 many of the merchants in which would readily 
 bear the entire loss of a penny or a poimd rather 
 than allow the Sydneites to derive either benefit 
 or honor by a di\dsion of the coin. Our former 
 prediction in this matter would appear to be rea- 
 lized to the letter : — 
 
 "The New South Wales Mint appears to be a subject of 
 great congratulation. Last year from the date of the opening, 
 on the 14th of May, the coinage was £512,000 in sovereigns 
 and half-sovereigns, and this year it has already reached 
 £644,500. Its operations would be m\ich greater but for 
 the non-recognition of this coinage in Victoria and the duty 
 of 2s. 6d. per ounce levied in that colony both on imports 
 and exports. South Australia seemed about to favor the 
 more rational course of admitting it as a legal tender." 
 
 In a subsequent issue of the same paper, the
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 151 
 
 following letter of " A Colonist " assigns a reason 
 why the JSTew South Wales sovereign should be- 
 come a legal tender north of the line, but the 
 writer omits to state w/ii/ it is not made so by 
 Victoria and other of the Australian colonies — for 
 the joint benefit of wliich we presume the mint 
 was established. If "A Colonist" had signed 
 himself " A Yictorian," the cause for his attempt- 
 ing to foster the blame on the Home Government 
 would have been too clear a matter for sui'mise : — 
 
 " Ser, — ^You have recently given facts and figures slio-sving 
 tlie success that Las attended the establishment of a branch 
 of the Royal Mint in Sydney. It appears that upwai'ds of 
 £1,157,000 were coined during the fii'st year of the Mint's 
 existence. 
 
 ; "Are you aware that a large nxunber, possibly one-half, 
 of the coins thus made have now no existence, having been 
 sent to England, where they are piu'chased as biJlion and 
 melted and transmitted to the continent in bars and iagots ? 
 
 " I shall be obliged if you will allow me to ask why the 
 Austi'alian sovereign has any device on it to distinguish it 
 fi'om the sovereign cast on Tower-hill ? 
 
 "The Royal Mint has an establishment in London and 
 one at Sydney, both under the same control. 
 
 " The Lords of the Treasuiy appoint the officers and issue 
 the regtdations for both establishments. The colonial au- 
 thorities have no power in either case. The Legislatm-e of 
 the colony votes the supplies, and if it ceased to do so the 
 Mint in Sydney would be closed ; but while it remains open 
 they have nothing more to do with it. Even the pyx is sent 
 to England to be tried. In short, it is in reality Avhat it is 
 in name, a branch of the Royal Mint, superintended, as it
 
 152 KEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 ought to be, bj^ officers of the Imperial Government, and the 
 
 coin Touclied for by the Crown, 
 
 " Why should not the natural consequence foUow, and 
 
 the coin have the same currency throughout the Queen's 
 
 dominions as if made in London ? 
 
 " A Colonist. 
 " Berkeley- street, August 18." 
 
 Society in New South. Wales may be said to be 
 classified, wbile the lines which are drawn to dis- 
 tinguish the respective grades are rigidly adhered 
 to. In Victoria, where the population has trebled 
 itself in three years, it is a matter of difficulty, 
 if not impossibility, for one man to ascertain the 
 former character or position of another; and a 
 property qualification is the only one that makes a 
 distinction in the social intercourse of the inha- 
 bitants — excepting of course the illiterate and low 
 and the educated and refined, whose dissimilar 
 habits and tastes would prove a barrier to friendly 
 association in any country or any colony. 
 
 In Sydney men of j)rojDerty and position hold 
 thenLselves distinct — except on matters of business 
 — from men of property loitliout character. In 
 Melbourne all mix indiscriminately together, like 
 a mob at a fair, or figures at a masquerade. In 
 Sydney, the emancipated felon and the English 
 outlaw have no locu% standi "wdthin the threshold 
 of those whose characters are untainted. In Mel- 
 bourne few men know the private character of 
 their neighbors or fellow- citizens ; and the wealthy 
 rogue is accepted as an honest man and a gentle-
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 153 
 
 man — so long as there is nothing in his acts to 
 unmask the disguise. But in Sydne}'-, where the 
 increase to the population has been gradual, each 
 one seems to know the character of the other, 
 while each knows where he vnU. and where he wiU 
 not he received. 
 
 In New South Wales, as in Yan Diemen's Land, 
 there are many wealthy merchants who in early 
 life were convicts, and who have either served out 
 their term of imprisonment or obtained " tickets 
 of leave," and who, by commercial or other specu- 
 lations, have amassed considerable fortunes. But 
 these persons are strictly excluded from social 
 circles — save and excej)t with their own class. 
 
 In 1840 New South Wales ceased to be a place 
 to which convicts might be transported from the 
 United Kingdom, since which period the number 
 of "bondmen" have gradually decreased. In the 
 year 1840, upwards of 21,000 convicts were as- 
 signed to private service, at which time the entire 
 popidation of New South Wales was about 150,000. 
 
 Since 1847, emigration has been constantly flow- 
 ing towards Australia ; but in 1846-7 the tide 
 appeared almost exclusively turned toward the 
 American colonies. In the latter year the emi- 
 gration from the United Kingdom was as foUows : 
 
 To the North American Colonies . 109,600 
 
 To the United States 142,500 
 
 To the Australian Colonies and 
 New Zealand 4,900
 
 154 NEW SOL'TH WALES. 
 
 Heference to oiu" Population Tables will show tlie 
 extraordinary change which has taken place in 
 favor of the last named places from and after the 
 period to which the above figures refer. 
 
 In an intellectual point of view, the inhabitants 
 of New South Wales are greatly in advance of 
 those of Yictoria, as may be inferred from the 
 well -stocked libraries and superior habits and 
 tastes of the former. But in N^ew South Wales, 
 as in each of the colonies we have at present 
 visited, there appears to be an immense amount of 
 vice and immorality, although perhaps not so dark 
 and overwhelming in its character as that which 
 prevails in Victoria. 
 
 To correct past abuses and reform existing ones, 
 the new governor. Sir William Denison, has an 
 herculean task to perform. That he has the moral 
 courage to attempt the task, and the ability to 
 accomplish much, if not all of what he attempts, 
 few persons seem disposed to doubt. But our 
 readers will perceive by the following article from 
 " The Sydney Empire " what are the opinions of 
 the press — a very superior press to that of Yictoria 
 — with reference to the capabilities of Sir WiUiam 
 Denison, and of the hopes entertained of his future 
 government : — 
 
 " THE HEAVY RESPONSIBILITIES OF SIR W. 
 DEXISOX. 
 
 " That we have a clever man to govern us now is indu- 
 bitable — at once a soldier, a man of science, a tbinker, and
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 155 
 
 one not unused to rule. Nor is there any certain ground on 
 wMch. any one can impeach, his good intentions, though in 
 one or two instances already, there is too much reason to 
 suspect that evil influences have had the ascendancy, or 
 that the probity of our new ruler can only be strictly main- 
 tained at the expense of his sagacity. Much, therefore, 
 ought to be hoped for. But when we look at the times and 
 the country, at internal affairs and external relations, at 
 society and its wants both physical and moral, it is impos- 
 sible not to feel convinced that he has a task before him 
 from which a hero might well shrink. It is not because it 
 is pleasant to raise causes of anxiety that this subject is 
 introduced, but because it is necessary to look all things 
 fairly in the face. 
 
 " Some of the difficulties which must beset his Excel- 
 lency's administration rise out of a system common to all 
 the Australian colonies, and inveterate in its vicious quali- 
 ties, originating as it did in the corrupt times of George III. 
 Others rise out of the mischievous courses uniformly pursued 
 by his Excellency's predecessor. We know not whether 
 Sir William aspii-es to the glory of being a true and com- 
 plete government reformer, or whether, like almost all his 
 pi'edecessors, he will propose to himseK merely the distinc- 
 tion of new plans with but little reference to their character. 
 That he will make alterations everjiihing seems to indicate ; 
 but whether he will set himself seriously to put the whole 
 colony on a good footing, is as yet at best a matter of mere 
 conjectiire. But this we say, that everything calls for 
 revision, and that there are faults so deep that the most 
 penetrating research bids fair to be baffled and confounded. 
 Should the present Grovernor, therefore, do well for the 
 colony, he -will be a hero indeed. 
 
 ' ' In Su- Richard Boiirke and Sir George Gipps the colony 
 had shrewd and well-intentioned, but not faultless Gover- 
 nors. Wbatever may have been vicious, however, in their
 
 156 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 administrations must be attributed ratber to tbe vices of tbe 
 wbole system of Colonial government, incorrect theories and 
 principles, mistaken views of tbe relations of rulers and 
 people, tban to personal imbecility or profligate disregard of 
 right. A considerably higher praise than this is due to Sir 
 George Gipps. His intellect was comprehensive and exact, 
 his power of thought equal to almost any emergency, and 
 Ms struggles against a rising and greedy faction were in- 
 cessant. His treatment of Maori rights in New Zealand 
 shows that his political philosophy was not perfect ; but his 
 views on that subject, though we deem them to have been 
 erroneous, were rather to the advantage of Xew South "Wales 
 than otherwise, if they had not been too successfully re- 
 sisted, for they tended to impede the establishment of the 
 present squatting system. On this ground we have, there- 
 fore no cause to complain of his error ; and this apart, he 
 was by far the completest and most sagacious Governor, to 
 say nothing of his high moral reputation, which New South 
 "Wales ever had. "WTiat the Imperial Cabinet meant by 
 sending such a man as Sir Charles Fitz Roy to supersede 
 him, it would be hazardous to insinuate. "We have recently 
 read a short article on Australia in " The British Banner," 
 in wliich Sii- Charles is applauded in contrast with Sir 
 George, with something resembling a sneer on the death of 
 the latter, and the authority appears to be some statement 
 of "The Sydney Morning Herald!" We must hold Dr. 
 Campbell's knowledge of Australia very cheap after such a 
 proof of its value. Sir Charles undid, if that was his dis- 
 cretion, almost every wise thing that Sir Qreorge Gipps 
 martyred himself to do. His course of government was one 
 course of official indulgence and seK-indulgenee, at the ex- 
 pense of the most sacred rights and interests of the colony. 
 The land system, which Sir George would have prevented if 
 he could, was Sir Charles's stronghold. In it he found his 
 fi'iends, and in its opponents he saw his foes. The reckless
 
 KEW SOUTH WALES. 157 
 
 conduct of our squatting Council on recent occasions was to 
 liis mind, for it iiattered his vices, and promoted his pre- 
 dilections. He has thus " established iniquity by law," and 
 made it almost coincident and commensui-ate with all that 
 we know of government in this colony ; so much so, indeed, 
 that it is a question now with the wisest and best men 
 among us, whether we shall prociu-e amendment by reform 
 or by revolution. 
 
 " It is such a government, and in such circumstances. Sir 
 William Denison has assumed, and he must either proceed 
 in the beaten course and be blasted with the evil auspices of 
 his predecessor ; or introduce mere glosses of reform to de- 
 ceive the eyes of observers, and so to beguile the colony into 
 ill-placed confidence ; or set himself seriously to rectify the 
 fundamental wrongs of the whole system, with aU it acces- 
 sory vices. If he do not do this latter thing, the day is not 
 far distant when the colony Avill reform itself without asking 
 leave of its blind and infatuated rulers. His responsibility, 
 therefore, is in a crisis. 
 
 " But without reference to the past, and merely to take 
 the colony as it is — there are subjects sufficient to make any 
 reflecting man's heart ache, much more that of a Grovernor, 
 It cannot surely be quite satisfactory to a man of Sir Wil- 
 liam's penetration, and that speaking of him merely as a 
 political economist, without regard to those religious feelings 
 which are commonly attributed to him, that the revenue is so 
 largely made up of destructive elements, that the money 
 which is applied for the support of churches and educational 
 systems is only a fraction of an amount supplied by intem- 
 perance. Will a wise and soberminded man, a friend to his 
 species, or even one who is ambitious of the honoua- of a good 
 politician and reformer, acquiesce in such, a state of things 
 as this, or congratulate himself upon it ? And will he fail 
 to trace out one of the great causes of national vice in the 
 quality of the existing Magistracy, and another in the check
 
 158 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 upon legitimate industry whicli the present land system 
 exerts ? Will he not see that it is utterly in vain to vote 
 sums of money for education in resistance to such appalling 
 powers of profligacy as exist all abroad ? 
 
 " The subject now touched on is of a very broad bearing, 
 and has also many collaterals, and all of them are matters 
 which must lie with a heavy incumbency on the conscience 
 of an enlightened ruler. But the economics of the colony 
 are not unworthy of a passing notice. It is no slight task 
 the government has undertaken in the whole railway enter- 
 prise of the colony, which is now upon its shoulders, and 
 that, whether the work or the funds be considered. The 
 tendency of the last three years has been to multiply govern- 
 ment commissions, and every one of these must be a source 
 of anxiety. The multiplication of patronage is not always 
 the enlargement of pleasure ; and if it were, even pleasure 
 has its toils and its deteriorations. And if all this were not 
 yoke enough to gall the shoulders, the departments are an 
 Augean stable ; or to change the figure, they will be a huge 
 stone which yviU. roll back on the Sisyphus who labors to 
 force it up the hill." 
 
 We have often heard that talent of the first 
 order when allied to modesty, will prove of Kttle 
 service to its possessor in the Australian colonies, 
 while the owner of a little ability and a great deal 
 of bombast or impudent assurance would leave his 
 less pretending but more deserving kinsman con- 
 siderably in the rear. 
 
 Our own observations on the subject will not 
 permit us to question or doubt the foundation for 
 the prevailing opinion — especially with regard to 
 old settlers or natives of Eui'opean descent. As a
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 159 
 
 body, those persons are eitlier devoid of a superior 
 order of talent, or tliey deem its application, as 
 the means to colonial success, unnecessary ; for 
 ignorance and impudence appear to be the chief 
 characteristics of many of Australia's wealthiest 
 sons. Old settlers and natives are generally very 
 ignorant or very impudent — or both. But a little 
 talent makes their egotism even less bearable than 
 their ignorance ; and we have rarely met an Aus- 
 tralian native that was not either an egotist or a 
 bully. True, there are men, like Daniel Cooper, 
 modest, great, and generous, but in AustraKa such 
 persons are rare exceptions. 
 
 Want of good breeding — or positive ill-breeding 
 — is another striking feature with these AustraKan 
 natives. 
 
 Dining one day at the house of a highly respect- 
 able o'entleman in the neighbourhood of Geelong, 
 we were introduced to an AustraKan native of 
 European descent, who was not only a man of 
 property, but was Kkewise considered one of the 
 leading men of the town — for his name generally 
 figured on any and every committee for conducting 
 complimentary or public dinners. This in itself 
 was sufficient to prove the importance of the indi- 
 vidual, as only those who have an exalted opinion 
 of themselves are solicited for, or expected to fill 
 an office of such responsibility — especially in a 
 colony where any successful impostor may, with 
 certainty, expect to receive, at the hands of his
 
 160 ?fEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 brother to'wnsmen, a good dinner and a piece of 
 plate prior to liis departure from the colony. 
 
 "Well; it might reasonably be expected that a 
 gentleman — a native too ! — who had assisted in 
 conducting so many public dinners, would at least 
 know how to conduct himself at a private one. 
 After the following facts, let the reader decide the 
 question. Not only did the individual alluded to 
 misconduct himself at the dinner table, but at the 
 close of his oicn dinner, and previous to the re- 
 moval of the cloth, he suddenly rose without excuse 
 or apology, and quietly seated himself before the 
 fire in company with a colonial newspaper, to 
 which he directed his undivided attention for about 
 an hour; after this he played so many fantastic 
 and unmanly tricks, that a mere reference to them 
 must suffice for their disposal. This, then, is ano- 
 ther natwe specimen of degenerated humanity. 
 Than the worthy host himself — a gentleman who 
 had been but a few years in the colony — no one 
 was more ashamed of the fellow's behaviour ; but 
 being related to him by marriage, he was some- 
 times compelled, as it were, to suffer the infliction 
 occasioned by the presence of so disagreeable a 
 guest. 
 
 But what will English lawyers — even those 
 accustomed to sharp practice — think of the fol- 
 lowing case, which is a fair sample of colonial 
 effrontr5\ 
 
 A governess to a respectable family in the colony
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 161 
 
 liad for some time been engaged and was on tlie 
 eve of being married to a wealthy mercbant, wbo 
 however thought proper to transfer his hand, if 
 not his love, to a lady of fortune, whom he sub- 
 sequently espoused. 
 
 Acting on the ad^ace of the family with whom 
 she lived, who had no fiu'ther use for her ser-^^ces, 
 the discarded governess sought the assistance of 
 one of the first lawyers in the locality. The 
 yoimg lady possessed considerable personal attrac- 
 tions. The law}"er was struck with her appearance. 
 Being a widower and a man of family as well as 
 fortune, a lucrative situation as sujoerintendent in 
 and over his household might possibly suit the 
 lady better than the uncertain award to be obtained 
 for her disappointment on the termination of a law 
 suit ? Those who seek the adince of a lawj^er 
 generally adopt it — except where future considera- 
 tion makes the issue doubtfid. The lady disliked 
 law, and, like other of her sex, felt disposed rather 
 to forget or forgive the man who had wronged her 
 than to prosecute him. The proffered situation 
 would enable her to abandon her former inten- 
 tion if not to forget her lover. She became an 
 inmate of the lawj^er's house — and the lawj'cr 
 subsequently seduced her. One would have sup- 
 posed that this would have been the climax to the 
 lawj^er's knavery. No ; having obtained the lady's 
 love letters, with the answers thereto, he brought 
 an action and obtained a verdict against her former 
 
 M
 
 162 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 suitor for " breach of promise of marriage." It 
 may be mmecessary to add, that he obtained the 
 verdict for the lady, and the damages for himself. 
 We have no occasion however to refer alone to 
 individual faidts, or to merely a few out of the 
 endless specimens of imfair dealing which are 
 daily practised in the Australian colonies by par- 
 ticular persons, while, at the same time, institu- 
 tions, companies, or collective bodies are no less 
 guilty than individuals. The following letter will 
 furnish the particulars of a case in which the writer 
 himself on his first visit to the colony happened to 
 be the victim : — 
 
 "COLOMAL BAI^KS. 
 
 " TO THE EDITOK OF ' THE SYDNEY MORKDfG HEBAIB.' 
 
 " SiE, — I liave been but a short time in tbis country, on 
 a literary mission, and only arrived here (from Geelong) 
 yesterday, when I became the victim of the following act of 
 injustice, committed by one of the leading banking houses 
 of the colony, and which act I feel in duty bound to publish 
 — ^less on account of my own indi\idual annoyance than for 
 the information of the public, 
 
 " Diu'iug my stay in Greelong I kept an account with the 
 Bank of New South Wales, on closing which I informed the 
 cashier of my intended departm-e for Sydney, and requested 
 him to give me the small balance of £200 standing in my 
 favour in cash. To this he made no apparent objectioti ; 
 but politely inquired "whether a draft on the bank in Sydney 
 wouldn't suit as well P" Finding, however, that to prociu'e 
 cash for such a draft would entail a loss to the holder of one 
 per cent., I dccUned the offer, and repeated my former desire,
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 163 
 
 wlien. the obliging casliier in question said, "then there -nill 
 be no occasion for you to take more gold than you require 
 for the voyage, as you can get our notes cashed at Sydney 
 without any charye whatever for the exchanye," "With this 
 assurance I pocketed the notes, and (as I supposed) the 
 cashier's word of honor, never for a moment supposing that 
 for such belief in printed paper and a gentleman's word, I 
 should have to pay the penalty of misplaced confidence. 
 
 " So much for the want of colonial experience, my oavti 
 simplicity, and future chagrin ; for, judge of my surprise 
 and disappointment, when, waiting on the bank here vnth. 
 the said notes, indorsed as I told them ^dth the assurance of 
 their branch at Geelong of "immediate cash" — -judge, I 
 say, of my siu'prise on being told I should have to pay t«'o- 
 and-haK per cent, for the exchange, whatever might have 
 been the assm-ances or promises of their agents at Geelong 
 to the contrary. Never in my life was I so completely 
 mulct of £5. This may be colonial honesty ! That, how- 
 ever, is a point I leave with yoiu-self, the public, and the 
 Bank of New South Wales. 
 
 ' ' I am. Sir, your obedient servant, 
 
 "D. P. 
 
 "Petty's Hotel, Jan^^ary 14. 
 
 " P.S. — For your own satisfaction I enclose my real name, 
 and beg to add as a postscript to my former communication 
 that, although the Banlv of New South Wales refused to 
 cash their own notes for less than two-aud-haK per cent., 
 on withdrawing the said notes at the advice of a respectable 
 firm here, and paying them into another bank, they were im- 
 mediately placed to my credit at a charge of one per cent." 
 
 By the quarterly returns of the banks — which 
 •will be found under the head of " Statistical In- 
 formation " — made up to 31st March 1856, it will
 
 164 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 be seen that the dividend usually declared by an 
 established bank in the colony is about twenty 
 per cent., although on the part of one estabbsh- 
 ment thirty per cent, figures in the space devoted 
 to profits. 
 
 Our surprise on this subject is, not that the pro- 
 fits are great but that they are not much greater 
 than they are — and they would be greater but that 
 occasional private financiers and pubKc speculators 
 outwit board-room gentlemen, by pinching them 
 in a part in which such gentlemen unmercifully 
 pinch the public — the pocket. But for the draw- 
 back caused by the failure of colonial wits, in 
 whom confidence is sometimes allowed to repose a 
 leetle too long, what is to prevent the shareholders 
 in colonial banks from periodically dividing a 
 profit of fiftp or sixty per cent ? We leave arith- 
 meticians to determine what woidd be the rate of 
 per centage per annum exacted by an estabKsh- 
 ment which for cashing its own paper — " payable 
 ON demand" — retains for itself fifty shillings from 
 one hundred poimds. 
 
 When in IS^ew Zealand, we were infonned that 
 in the early stage of one of the provinces of that 
 colony, and previous to the establishment of a 
 bank, a shrewd merchant was in the habit of 
 issuing his own I. 0. U.'s for cash deposits received 
 for the convenience and secxirity of the public. 
 Such I. 0. U.'s were either returnable, at par, in 
 exchange for goods, or at a discoimt of two-and-
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 165 
 
 lialf per cent, for cash. The gentleman, it ap- 
 pears, traded in the double capacity of banker and 
 merchant. He had a goods department as well as 
 a money department. With that difference, what 
 is there to distinguish this private banker from 
 the Bank of JSTew South Wales ? The one issues 
 paper and goods at a profit, the other issues paper 
 only. The private banker grows rich at the ex- 
 pense of the few ; the public bankers grow rich at 
 the expense of the multitude. 
 
 Uninfluenced in the sKghtest degree by the 
 trifling case in which we were personally con- 
 cerned — an incident that only tended to strengthen 
 an opinion previously formed and subsequently 
 confirmed — we do not hesitate to subscribe to the 
 general belief that the colonial banks are in a 
 great measure responsible for the reckless specula- 
 tion and consequent dej)ression which so frequently 
 take place in the Australian colonies. Ever ready 
 by liberal but temporary advances to inspire new 
 customers with false notions of credit, they faciK- 
 tate speculation on the approach of a promising 
 season, merely to reap their own harvest and crush 
 the husbandman at the close. More than this ; 
 not content to confine themselves to their peculiar 
 calling, by imposing excessive rates of interest for 
 discounting local biUs of exchange, and large pre- 
 miums for issuing foreign ones, they absolutely 
 monopolise a profitable part of their customers' 
 business, by outbidding them for the staple
 
 166 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 commodity of tlie coimtry. They despatch to the 
 diggings a large staff of agents, who, like wander- 
 ing Jews at a coimtry fair, open their stalls and 
 money boxes, in order to snatch from the legiti- 
 mate trader every omice of gold that comes to 
 market. Indeed, they have only to extend their 
 purchases to hides and tallow to perfect their qua- 
 lification for the term of " colonial merchants." 
 That all transactions in their joint capacity would 
 be consistent with good faith and fair dealing, our 
 own illustrated case might lead one to infer. 
 
 Finally, suppose a gentleman from Ireland or 
 Scotland, on presenting at the Bank of England 
 some notes from one of the branches of the said 
 bank, received — instead of the required cash — an 
 intimation from the cashier that two-and-half per 
 cent, woidd be the charge for cashing their oion 
 paper. Great no doubt would be the surprise or 
 consternation of the stranger ; but greater still 
 woidd be his surprise, on finding that some joint- 
 stock or commercial bank would grant him the 
 accommodation at two-fifths of the charge. 
 
 Considered collectively, the inhabitants of New 
 South Wales are much more respectable than those 
 of Victoria — evidence of which is furnished by the 
 superior tastes, habits, and manners of the popu- 
 lation of the former colony as compared with that 
 of the latter. A celebrated writer has said, " the 
 press of a country is a faithful index to the minds, 
 morals, and habits of the people." Supposing this
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 1G7 
 
 doctrine partially correct, New South "Wales is 
 considerably in advance of Yictoria — tlie press in 
 which, is not for a moment to be compared vnih 
 that in the senior colony, either with regard to its 
 influence, its ability, or its respectability. The 
 leaders of the press in Yictoria, like the members 
 of any other trade or profession in that colony, 
 propound their doctrines, advocate their claims, or 
 descant on their grievances by a species of colonial 
 slang, or low Irish bull}dsm. In New South "Wales 
 a brighter spirit of independence, reason, and mo- 
 deration, woidd appear to regulate both the press 
 and the people. Compare, for instance, the tone 
 and temper displayed in the leading papers of the 
 respective colonies — ^the contrast with respect to 
 which is generally more striking than that pre- 
 sented by the follomng leading articles from two 
 of the respective newspapers : — 
 
 {From the Mclhonrne "Moexixg Heeald" of 3Iay 30^7i.) 
 
 " Our columns lielow contain a Summary of the Colonial 
 Statistics for the past month, so far as they are likely to he 
 useful to our correspondents in England ; and, as for our 
 politics, there is little to interest people who are living at 
 the head-quarters of the civilised world, in anything that 
 we can have to say, or in any grievances that we have to 
 complain of. They get our gold, it is true, hy the ton weight, 
 and they very kindly send us, in return for it, a vast quan- 
 tity of goods, including the refuse of theii" warehouses and 
 manufactories ; hut they have displayed no eagerness to 
 comply with oiu- -^-ishes as to a new Constitution, and they
 
 168 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 seem almost to regard it as an impertinence, that we should 
 trouble them with any application on the subject. 
 
 " We only request of the mother country either to attend 
 to our aftairs with zeal and promptitude, or to leave us, 
 ■without any more of their foolish dictation and ignorant 
 interference, to manage them oui'selves. We sympathise 
 with our countrymen, and oiu* gracious Q,ueen at their head, 
 in their chivalrous efforts to save Tiu-key from falling under 
 the yoke of that egregious tyrant and oppressor, the late 
 Emperor Mcholas ; but we beg to assure them that we are 
 actually Hving under a despotism quite as odious to us as 
 that of Russia would be to the Turks, and not as formidable, 
 only because we have learnt to regard it with a feeling of 
 unanimous contempt. So perfect is this unanimity that it 
 affords us almost the same protection that a free constitution 
 would. Anybody may say what he likes, in this colony, 
 against the Government, and people may carry theii- resist- 
 ance to the verge of rebellion and high ti-eason, with absolute 
 impunity ; because no jury would be foimd willing to con- 
 vict, under such cii'cumstances. So profound and universal 
 is the hatred and contempt, felt in this colony, for the Exe- 
 cutive, that it serves as a protection to them, against any 
 violent attack. They stand so isolated by their unpopidarity, 
 that nobody thinks it worth while to approach them, even 
 for the pui-pose of inflicting chastisement. They are Uke 
 great cri min als who have fled for sanctuary, and theii- real 
 punishment is that no one will dare to succoiu" them, and no 
 one will take the trouble to put an end to their misery. 
 
 * ' Such is the position of our local Government — secured 
 against the attacks of individuals by the hatred of the 
 community ; a cmious phenomenon of political life, which 
 it woidd require a Tacitus to delineate. 
 
 " AVe can, at the same time, give our friends in Downing- 
 sti-eet one gratifying piece of intelligence, and that is — ^if we 
 cannot secui'e the favor of their attention, very speedily,
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 169 
 
 we will not trouble them, witli importuuitj'. "We will re- 
 lieve them from the onerous task of governing us, and we 
 will do this upon the slightest indication they may aiibrd 
 us, of theii- desii'e to get rid of the very thankless under- 
 taking. 
 
 "A ball and supper, given by his Excellency and his 
 lady, at the Government House, is another topic of discussion, 
 which has, for the time, superseded all others, and it appears 
 to have made a deeper impression upon large numbers of 
 colonists than the danger of a national bankruptcy, or the 
 mischief of an arbitrary Government. Her Majesty's re- 
 presentative is charged with a niggardly economy, in his 
 arrangements for the festi\dty. It is even reported that, 
 before the supper, there was no better beverage than sour 
 Marsala and colonial beer, and that the costliest di'esses were 
 spoiled by the liquefaction of tallow candles. AU this — or 
 a part of it — may be exaggeration ; but there can be no 
 doubt of the fact, that the most intense dissatisfaction has 
 been created by the manner — the personal hauteur of a very 
 offensive kind — in which the guests were received — or rather 
 not received at all; for people seem to have been left to 
 themselves, as completely as they would have been at any 
 subscription assembly. 
 
 "A most unaccountable, and as it appears to us, very 
 flagrant act of injustice, has been perpetrated towards an 
 old and highly respected colonist. Dr. Campbell, in lus 
 sudden, arbitrary, and insulting dismissal from the office of 
 Coroner. "We reserve this topic for a full discussion ; but, 
 in the mean time, we must refer our readers to the corres- 
 pondence on the subject, published by us on Tuesday, as a 
 fair illustration of what we mean by the evils of a bui'eau- 
 cratic government, 
 
 "The Government officers, themselves, when faithful, 
 diligent and conscientious, like Dr. Campbell, are frequently 
 the lii'st victims to intrigue, and the most signal examples of
 
 170 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 injustice. There is one comfort, — that we shall soon have 
 a 'noble army of martyrs' — men of the greatest capacity 
 and most eminent station in the colony — all either sacrifices 
 or scapegoats — ^who will be quite ready to join with the 
 humblest of us, in the final assault we are detennined to 
 make on the stronghold of a bad and base GoTernment. 
 Their wrongs, and their undoiibted sincerity in seeking 
 redress, if not revenge, will give them great value in the 
 public camp ; and we thall forget all their errors, in their 
 future devotion to the common cause." 
 
 {From the " Sydkey Empike" of May 2Gth.) 
 
 "THE EULE OF SIR WILLIAM DENISON. 
 
 "The reputation of the present Governor General had 
 already awakened strong hopes of a vigorous administration 
 under his hands, even before his arrival to assume the 
 higher powers of his new office, for it was known that in 
 the government of a neighbouring colony he had displayed 
 ability and character which were likely to be improved by 
 time and experience, and which must necessarily be called 
 out into fiiU i^lay by the disordered state of our public 
 affiiirs. The first movements of Sir William Denison were, 
 therefore, watched with no ordinary interest by many who, 
 though they stood aloof from Government House, were reso- 
 lute in demanding fair-play for his government among the 
 outer circles of the population. All seemed to shrink from 
 word or deed that should embarrass his action or prejudge 
 his policy. "Without manifesting any undue reliance on his 
 wisdom, the people expressed no doubt of his patriotism. 
 He had been called to a high post by his Sovereign ; they 
 ■were Avilling to discover in him worthy qualities to fill it. 
 By common accord. Sir William was put upon his trial ; and 
 every bystander was prepared to insist on justice to both 
 governor and governed.
 
 NEW SOrXH WALES. 171 
 
 "Dui'iug the foiu* months Sir William Denison has bccu 
 amongst ns, he has succeeded in strengthening his hold on 
 the respect and confidence of the colonists. Manlj^ and un- 
 pretending in his personal conduct, easily accessible to the 
 public, painstaking in matters of business, and severe in 
 his notions of duty in the departments imder him, he appears 
 to be fearlessly woi-king out his mission. But, hitherto, his 
 hand has been seen only in the economy of small things — in 
 the ludicrous details of clerical reform in the departments — 
 tortui'ing official sloths into pitiable activity, and trying to 
 reduce administrative blunders to order and arrangement. 
 It is now imderstood among persons possessing the best 
 means of information, that Sir William is about to give a 
 nobler pledge to the colony of his determination, not only 
 to infuse \-igoiu: into the routine of government, but, to the 
 fullest extent of his power, to base his administration on 
 constitutional principle. 
 
 "The hateful incubus of Schedule A, under which the 
 principal expenditui-e for the State machinery was held 
 without the consent and in defiance of the Legislatm-e, is 
 to be cast to the winds. We believe the event mil prove 
 that we are correct in stating that the iirst Estimates of 
 Expenditure submitted by Sir William Denison to the 
 Legislative Coimcil "svill embrace the whole public service, 
 inclusive of the establishments reserved by the tj-rannical 
 Parliamentary Schedule, thus subjecting the appropriation 
 of the Territorial Eevenue to the popular vote. Under this 
 Schedule of the Constitution Act, it will be recollected, the 
 salaries of Governor, of the Judges and other officers in the 
 administration of justice, of the Colonial Secretary and his 
 subordinates, of the Colonial Treasiu-er and his subordinates, 
 of the Auditor General and his subordinates, together with 
 a considerable pension-list and an enormous fund for the 
 support of public worship, are secured to the Executive 
 authority. These were among the principal grievances
 
 172 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 against whicli Mr. Wentwortli's famous Remonstrance was 
 repeatedly levelled. ' The material powers exercised for 
 centuries by the House of Commons are stUl mthheld from 
 us,' was the burden of that document ; and never was any 
 protest more just than that which was raised against this 
 despotic appropriation of the public revenue and its asso- 
 ciated grievances. Sir "William Denison has assigned to 
 himself the task of liberating the colony from the irksome 
 bondage of which we have so long and so loudly complained. 
 Whether his Excellency has received despatches from home 
 advising a com-se more in accordance with the constitutional 
 government of England, or whether he has striven, in the 
 exercise of a higher faculty of statesmanship than our rulers 
 have hitherto displayed, to interpret the law and his in- 
 structions in favor of the rights and liberties of the governed, 
 rather than in support of the diy prescriptions of red-tape 
 rule, we, of course, have no means of knowing ; but the 
 people of this colony will accept the fact as a fail' augury of 
 the future, that their representatives, in the next session of 
 Council, wdU be asked to vote every salary and every penny 
 required for their government. 
 
 " A course of enlightened policy such as seems to be in- 
 dicated by this intention of his Excellency, carrying with 
 it decisive and unbiassed action in the development of our 
 natural resources, will make Sir "William Denison a great 
 ruler of a great country. "We do not know where we could 
 look to find a faii'er field for a pure ambition. For the 
 Australian colonies, this concession to popular demands of a 
 principle so vital, and powers so important to government, 
 wiU be hailed as the dawn of liberties, the full blessing of 
 which cannot be long withheld." 
 
 If additional evidence were required, notliing 
 could perhaps furnish stronger proof of the ad- 
 vanced state of New South Wales, as compared
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 173 
 
 witli Yictoria, tlian the ready perception and just 
 appreciation of real merit by the inhabitants of 
 the former colony, and the acuteness •vrith which 
 they detect and expose an attempt at " cramming," 
 or the false praise of anything by the nmnerous 
 puffs of the day. We may instance, for example, 
 a case or two that came under our o^^^l notice — in 
 which the gullibility and want of taste on the 
 part of the Victorians received a merited reproof 
 by the inhabitants of the senior colony. 
 
 An actor and manager named Coppin, whose 
 success in Victoria at the time of the gold dis- 
 covery, when money was easily made and foolishly 
 squandered, led many of the pla}^- goers of the 
 colony to consider the object of fortune's favors — 
 what the gentleman evidently considers himself — 
 a first-rate comedian. In our humble opinion this 
 person is nothing more than a second or third class 
 representative of low characters. This opinion ap- 
 pears to be shared by more competent judges than 
 ourselves ; for, if we have been correctly informed, 
 the retention of the southern star was not consi- 
 dered desirable by the sagacious London managers 
 — ^notwithstanding the opportunity afforded them 
 of witnessing at the Haymarket Theatre the gra- 
 tuitous performance of the " celebrated Australian 
 comedian," who with characteristic generosity an- 
 nounced in all the London newspapers that the 
 proceeds of such performance would be devoted to 
 a charitahle purpose.
 
 174 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 Finding little room for the display of his genius 
 on the London stage, this gentleman engaged the 
 celebrated G. V. Brooke — whose arrival in Mel- 
 bourne was prefaced by puffs, copies of requisitions, 
 and testimonials that not only covered all the spare 
 walls within the city boundary, but were likewise 
 to be seen in every grog-shop as well as in every 
 hole and corner of the Victorian capital. The bait 
 was taken ; and the inhabitants nightly crowded 
 the theatre, at the advanced price of 12s. 6d., 
 dui'ing a period of some five or six weeks. That 
 the fame acquired by Mr. Brooke through the 
 talent he displayed on the English boards slightly 
 contributed to such a resvdt, we do not for a mo- 
 ment doubt. But the puffing that preceded his 
 appearance was no doubt the chief cause ; for it is 
 otAj fair to presume that the majority of those who 
 visited the theatre had not previously heard of the 
 actor's name. 
 
 Elated by success, some persons — friends we 
 presume — adopted in Sydney a plan which had 
 been found to succeed so well in Melbourne — ^but 
 with a very different residt. In Sydney, as in 
 Melbourne, every imaginable form of the " puff 
 preliminary" was resorted to. The theatre was 
 illximinated, and complimentary devices and mottos 
 might be seen in all parts of the city, — "He's 
 coming, he's coming," in a thousand places an- 
 nounced the advent of the great luminary; and 
 " he's come, he's come," subsequently proclaimed
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 175 
 
 the presence of tlie " star " that was pronounced 
 " incomparable." If the bills which, prior to the 
 actor's professional appearance announced in large 
 type that "Mr, G. V. Brooke would honor the 
 theatre with his presence," had substituted His 
 Majesty for plain Mr. the title of the individual 
 would have been more in keeping with the osten- 
 tatious and gorgeous preparation made for his 
 reception. 
 
 But how great must have been the surprise of 
 those immediately concerned, on finding that the 
 inhabitants of the most respectably populated 
 city in Avistralia failed — in large numbers — to 
 acknowledge or appreciate the potent brilliancy 
 or magnetic influence of the evening " star " that 
 condescended to illumine the Sydney boards for 
 the gratification of those who might be disposed to 
 pay the price stipulated for the promised pleasure. 
 The truth is, the Sydneites would have readily 
 bestowed on Mr. Brooke, or Mr. anybody else, 
 both the attention and reward due to merit ; but 
 they appeared determined to mark in an unmis- 
 takeable manner their objection to have anji;hing 
 or any one fostered on them by the ephemeral 
 puffs of the time. The consequence was that the 
 actor failed to receive that encouragement which 
 his ability would have otherwise insured for him. 
 Perhaps some of the more critical of the Sydney 
 people might have been of our opinion — that Mr. 
 Brooke is a talented but not a great actor; that
 
 176 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 nature endowed hini with more of the external 
 than the internal advantages of the human form ; 
 and that the owner wants the genius for the con- 
 ception of a great character, as well as the nice 
 discrimination of light and shade requisite to illus- 
 trate it. Nevertheless, Mr. Brooke is a showy 
 and effective melo-dramatic actor ; and had the 
 Sydneites not been disgusted with the fulsome 
 eulogies that prefaced his appearance and contri- 
 buted to his success elsewhere, he woidd have 
 received a larger amount of patronage than was 
 accorded to him in the capital of New South Wales. 
 
 If we simply refer to, it will be unnecessary to 
 enlarge on, other of the many cases with which we 
 are acquainted, in order to show the advanced 
 state of the colony of New South Wales over that 
 of Victoria. 
 
 In Melbourne, we have known the lowest cha- 
 racter as a man — the veriest buffoon as an actor — 
 a mere clown from the ring at Astley's or some 
 strolling English company — to be in the receipt of 
 a salary of £75 a week from a low mountebank 
 establishment that has been nightly crowded with 
 the elite of the capital, while a professor of the fine 
 arts, has been delivering a talented and intellec- 
 tual discourse in another part of the city to empty 
 benches. 
 
 In Sydney, we have known the very reverse of 
 the above to be the case. 
 
 If additional evidence were required, not only
 
 NEW SOUTH "WALES. 177 
 
 of the superior taste, but likewise of the nobleness 
 of action and benevolence of heart of the inha- 
 bitants of jN^ew South Wales over those of Victoria, 
 the munificent contribution to the Patriotic Fund 
 by the former colony, as compared with the paltry 
 sum collected in the latter, would alone serve as a 
 conAoncing proof. With a population of 300,000, 
 Victoria, — the golden coimtry and by far the 
 richest of all the AustraKan colonies — has to this 
 date, October 1855, contributed to the above-named 
 fund about £7,000, while the colony of jN'ew South 
 Wales, with a smaller popidation stands on the 
 list of donors for £60,000!* 
 
 With regard to the self- generated colonial dis- 
 ease — the human rot, arising from the excessive 
 use of ardent spirits — New South Wales, is fear- 
 fully infected with the destructive malady, although 
 not to the same extent as Victoria, in which colony 
 the consumption of spirits and tobacco has been at 
 the rate of nearly £10 per head, per annum, for 
 man, woman, and child. Were the inhabitants of 
 England to absorb these stimidants and narcotics 
 in a proportionate degree the value of the consump- 
 tion woidd exceed £100,000,000 sterling, per ann. 
 
 Colonists would do well to ponder the above. 
 Those who may deem the vices of Australia imde- 
 serving the strictures they provoke, may, at least, 
 discover the origin of the one, if not a justification 
 for the other. 
 
 * Since our return to England we find that the Victorians — probably 
 ashamed of the repeated proclamations of their immense ■wealth by side of 
 figures that told of their charity — have made an addition to theii' former 
 bounty.
 
 178 
 
 NEW SOUTH "WALES. 
 
 COMPAEATIYE POPULATION TABLE, 
 
 FEOii 1851 TO 1854. 
 The Total Population of New Soutli Wales was — 
 
 On 31st December, 1853 231.288 
 
 On 31st December, 1854 
 
 . ... 251,315 
 
 Increase, being 8'7 per cent 
 
 . . . . 20,027 
 
 The Xumber and Increase of the Respective Sexes were — 
 
 
 Males. 
 
 Females. 
 
 1853 
 
 131,368 
 144,121 
 
 99,920 
 107,194 
 
 1854 
 
 Increase 
 
 Do. per cent 
 
 12,753 
 
 7,274 
 
 9-7 
 
 7-3 
 
 In the year 1853 the Centesimal Increase of Females was 
 about one per cent, above that of the other sex ; last year 
 the increase was about two-and-haK per cent, in favor of 
 the males. This alteration was caused by the greater num- 
 ber of male immigrants in proportion to that of female. The 
 nett addition to the population from this source, being the 
 Surplus of Arrivals over Departures, was — 
 
 
 1853. 
 
 1854. 
 
 Male 
 
 10,499 
 7,851 
 
 10,436 
 4,439 
 
 Female 
 
 Excess of Male 
 
 2,648 
 
 5,997 
 
 
 The excess of 1854 being above that of 1853 by more than 
 two to one.
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 179 
 
 The Proportions of the PtespectiTe Sexes to each Tea 
 Thousand of the Population were — 
 
 
 Males. 
 
 Females. Total. 
 
 1853 
 
 5,684 
 5,735 
 
 4,316 
 4,265 
 
 10,000 
 10,000 
 
 1854 
 
 Increase 
 
 Decrease 
 
 51 
 
 51 
 
 
 The Number Added to the Population last year by the 
 Excess of Immigration over Emigration, and of Births oyer 
 Deaths, were as follows : — • 
 
 Immigration 
 
 Deduct departures 
 
 Nett increase by Immigration 
 
 Births 
 
 Deduct Deaths 
 
 27,212 
 12,337 
 
 9,663 
 4,511 
 
 14,875 
 5,152 
 
 Nett Increase by Births 
 
 Total nott Increase, as above . 
 
 
 20,027 
 
 "We have now to trace the Progress of the Population since 
 the last Census, which was taken on the 1st March, 1851 : — 
 
 
 Males. 
 
 Females. 
 
 Total. 
 
 1st March, 1851 
 
 31st Dec, 1851 
 
 106,229 
 113,032 
 118,687 
 131,368 
 144,121 
 
 81,014 
 84,136 
 89,567 
 99,920 
 107,194 
 
 187,243 
 197,168 
 208,254 
 231,288 
 251,315 
 
 1852 
 
 1853 
 
 1854 

 
 180 
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 The Numerical Increase of the Respective Sexes was — 
 
 
 Males. 
 
 Females. 
 
 Total. 
 
 1851 
 
 6,803 
 
 5,655 
 
 12,681 
 
 12,753 
 
 3,122 
 
 5,431 
 
 10,353 
 
 7,274 
 
 9,925 
 11,086 
 23,034 
 20,027 
 
 1852 
 
 1853 
 
 1854 
 
 
 The Centesimal Increase upon their own Respective 
 Numbers was — 
 
 
 Males. 
 
 Females. 
 
 Total. 
 
 1851 
 
 6-4 
 
 5-0 
 
 10-7 
 
 9-7 
 
 3-9 
 
 6-5 
 
 11-6 
 
 7-3 
 
 5-3 
 
 5-6 
 
 11-0 
 
 8-7 
 
 1852 
 
 1853 
 
 1854 
 
 
 The Total Increase during the four years and ten months 
 which have elapsed since the Census was as under : — 
 
 
 
 Per Cent. 
 
 Male 
 
 37,892 
 26,180 
 
 35-7 
 32-3 
 
 Female 
 
 Total increase 
 
 64,072 
 
 34-2 
 
 
 So that during this period the population has increased full 
 one-third ; and the proportional increase of the sexes has 
 been nearly on a par.
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 181 
 
 The Numbers in Proportion to each Ten Thoxisand of tlie 
 Population throughout the period were as follows : — 
 
 
 Males. 
 
 Females. | Total. 
 
 1st March, 1851 
 
 5673 
 5733 
 5699 
 5684 
 5735 
 
 4327 
 4267 
 4301 
 4316 
 4265 
 
 10,000 
 10,000 
 10,000 
 10,000 
 10,000 
 
 31st Dec, 1851 
 
 1852 
 
 1853 
 
 1854 
 
 It is thus sho'mi that on the 31st December, 1854, the 
 proportion of females was 62 less than it was on the 1st 
 March, 1851. 
 
 EEYENUE AND EXPENDITURE OF 
 NEW SOUTH WALES, 
 
 Feom 1851 TO 1854. 
 
 
 EEVEJflTE. 
 
 EXPENDITURE. 
 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 1851 
 
 486,698 4 
 
 444,108 9 10 
 
 1852 
 
 682,137 1 7 
 
 600,322 2 
 
 1853 
 
 987,476 15 8 
 
 682,621 5 10 
 
 1854 
 
 1,239,147 8 
 
 1,136,568 16 11 
 
 ABSTRACT OF THE REVENUE OF THE COLONY 
 OF NEW SOUTH WALES, 
 
 In the under-mentioned periods, ending 31st March, 1856, compared -with 
 the corresponding periods of the preceding year. 
 
 
 QTJAETEES ENDTNG 
 
 30th June 
 1854. 
 
 30th Sep. 
 1854. 
 
 1st Dec. '31st March 
 1854. 1855. 
 
 Customs 
 
 £ 
 98,164 
 10,546 
 6,081 
 54,076 
 59,244 
 981 
 
 £ 
 
 87,838 
 
 9,899 
 
 6,795 
 
 83,265 
 
 58,097 
 
 1,328 
 
 £ 
 
 107,915 
 
 7,556 
 
 5,445 
 
 67,866 
 
 35,318 
 
 19,733 
 
 £ 
 94,358 
 12,167 
 5,861 
 52,860 
 27,655 
 15,767 
 
 Colonial Spirits 
 
 Post Office 
 
 Land Sales 
 
 Miscellaneous 
 
 Special Receipts 
 
 Totals 
 
 229,092 
 
 247,222 ! 243.833 
 
 208,668 
 
 

 
 182 
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 
 QIJAHTERS ENDrNG 
 
 oOth June 
 1855. 
 
 30tli Sep. 
 1855. 
 
 31st Dec. 
 1855. 
 
 31st March 
 1856. 
 
 Customs 
 
 £ 
 
 146,816 
 15,490 
 
 6,103 
 62,096 
 59,982 
 21,459 
 
 £ 
 97,587 
 10,919 
 1,181 
 6,126 
 77,949 
 63,216 
 10,404 
 
 £ 
 
 82,975 
 
 13,040 
 
 4,227 
 
 6,556 
 
 79,411 
 
 35,040 
 
 9,683 
 
 £ 
 
 102,568 
 
 14,774 
 
 4,697 
 
 6,520 
 
 52,493 
 
 39,490 
 
 9,351 
 
 Colonial Spirits 
 
 Mint 
 
 Post Office 
 
 Land Sales 
 
 Miscellaneous 
 
 Special Eeceipts 
 
 Totals 
 
 311,946 
 
 267,382 
 
 230,932 i 229,893 
 
 
 TEAKS ENDING 
 
 31st March, 
 1855. 
 
 31st March, 
 1856. 
 
 Customs 
 
 £ 
 
 388,275 
 
 40,168 
 
 24,182 
 258.067 
 180,314 
 
 37.809 
 
 £ 
 
 429,946 
 
 54,223 
 
 10,105 
 
 25,305 
 
 271,949 
 
 197,728 
 
 50,897 
 
 Colonial Spirits 
 
 Mint 
 
 Post Office 
 
 Land Sales 
 
 Miscellaneous 
 
 Special Eeceipts 
 
 Totals 
 
 928,815 
 
 1,040.153 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 INCREASE AND DECREASE IN THE QUARTER AND YEAR. 
 
 
 QTJARTERf 
 
 31st March, 1855. 
 
 i ENDING 
 
 31st March, 1856. 
 
 Increase. 
 
 Decrease. 
 
 Increase. 
 
 Decrease. 
 
 Custom.s 
 
 £ 
 
 8,210 
 2,607 
 4,697 
 
 659 
 
 11,835 
 
 £ 
 
 367 
 6,416 
 
 £ 
 41,671 
 14,055 
 10,105 
 
 1,123 
 13,882 
 17,414 
 13,088 
 
 £ 
 
 \ Colonial Spirits 
 
 1 Mint 
 
 j Post Office 
 
 ! Land Sales 
 
 Miscellaneous 
 
 Special Eeceipts 
 
 Totals 
 
 Nett Increase 
 
 28,008 
 
 6,783 
 
 111,338 
 
 — 
 
 21,225 
 
 — 
 
 111,338 
 
 —
 
 TAEIFF OF J^EW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 IMPORT DUTIES. 
 
 BATE OP 
 DDTY. 
 
 s. d. 
 
 Tea, tlie lb 3 
 
 Coffee, the lb 2 
 
 Sugar, raw, the cwt 5 
 
 Sugar, refined, the cwt 6 8 
 
 Molasses, ditto, ditto 3 4 
 
 Chicory 2 
 
 Beer, in wood, the gallon 1 
 
 Ditto, in bottle, ditto 2 
 
 Wine, not more than 25 per cent, alcohol 1 
 
 Brandy and gin, Sykes' proof, ditto . .10 
 
 Whiskey and rum, ditto 7 
 
 Liqueurs, cordials, and brandied fruits, 
 
 ditto 10 
 
 Perfumed spirits, ditto 10 
 
 Colonial ditto, from sugar 6 5 
 
 Ditto, ditto, grain 7 
 
 Tobacco, the lb 2 
 
 Cigars 3 
 
 Snuff 2 
 
 Drawback on Refined Sugars, 6s. 8d. the cwt. 
 Drawback on Bastard Sugar, 5s. ditto. 
 
 All other Imports are Free. 
 
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 NEW SOUTH WALES. 187 
 
 AUSTRALIAN DEBTORS AND ENGLISH 
 CREDITORS. 
 
 " Their loss is our gain." A remark as familiar 
 as " lioxiseliold words " to any one who may have 
 resided for a short period in any of the Australian 
 colonies. It is an observation invariably provoked 
 on the occasion of any great failiu'e or failures in 
 which those good-natiu'ed creditors north of the 
 Hne happen to be the victims of liberal-minded 
 debtors on the south side. So often has the sound 
 met our ears that we believe it a national term of 
 consolation in bad times. They say, and say truly, 
 " if you send us goods and get nothing for them, 
 your loss is our gain." 
 
 It would now appear by the following account, 
 copied from " The Times," that in future it will be 
 a difficidt matter for those in the mother coimtry 
 to obtain the trifle they may suppose themselves 
 entitled to, even from an insolvent estate. Get, 
 did we say ? Should their claims resemble that of 
 the respectable finn in question, they wiU not only 
 not get anything, but they will not be allowed to 
 prove that they are entitled to anything. It seems 
 there are so many persons so much alike in the 
 colonies that although one may represent many in 
 many cases, the pliu'al number cannot represent 
 any particiilar one in any case, except for the 
 purpose of administering colonial justice to absent 
 Enfflishmen.
 
 188 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 "COMMERCIAL LAW IN AUSTRALIA. 
 
 " 'The Sydney Morning Herald' of the 26th of April 
 reports a judgment of the Insolvency Court of that colony 
 which appears of some importance to the interests of English 
 merchants. An application was made to the Chief Com- 
 missioner in the insolvent estate of Gr. C. Tutiiig and Co. 
 to allow the sum of £6,175 3s. 4d. to be ranked against the 
 said estate as a debt alleged to be due by them to the firm 
 of Copestake, Moore, and Co. , of London, for goods sold and 
 delivered. This application was opposed by counsel for the 
 colonial creditors upon the following grounds : — 
 
 "1. That no priority of contract originally existed be- 
 tween the insolvents and Copestake, Moore, and Co. 
 
 " 2. That by no subsequent act of theirs was the original 
 debt (for which, he contended, Mr. Tuting alone was liable), 
 so adopted, or recognized, as to render their estate liable for 
 payment to Messrs. Copestake, Moore, and Co. 
 
 " On the other hand, it was contended by the counsel for 
 Messrs. Copestake, Moore, and Co., that even if the e\T.dence 
 taken before the Chief Commissioner was not sufficient to 
 establish the original liability of the insolvents (which he by 
 no means admitted), yet that by their subsequent conduct 
 and dealings they clearly adopted the original contract, and 
 were therefore liable for payment of the original debt, 
 
 " The facts of the case, as they appeared in evidence, were 
 shortly these : — Mr. G. C. Tuting, of Sydney, had for many 
 years been extensively engaged in importing goods from 
 London for the Sydney market. Among others, he imported 
 largely fi-om the house of Messrs. Copestake, Moore, and Co., 
 of London, and up to the 1st of September, 1853, carried on 
 the business in Sydney in his own name, and (so far as ap- 
 pears from the evidence) on his own account. On the 1st of 
 September, 1853, Mr. G. C. Tuting entered into a partner- 
 ship with two gentlemen named Cousens and Yallack (neither
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 189 
 
 of wliom was a capitalist), and who were formerly employed 
 by Mr, Tuting when conducting business on his own account. 
 The partnership thus formed was carried on under the name, 
 style, and firm of Gr. C. Tuting and Co., of Sydney. One of 
 the express stipulations of this partnership, however (as 
 proved by the evidence of Mr. Tuting, as also that of Messrs. 
 Cousens and Vallack), was that Mr. Tuting was to reserve 
 to himself the exclusive right of importing goods from 
 London as heretofore, and to be at liberty to dispose of such 
 goods on arrival in Sydney at his own discretion, and to 
 whom he pleased. The partnership being thus formed, Mr. 
 G. C. Tuting continued to order goods from Copestake, 
 Moore, and Co., in his own name, as before, which, on 
 arrival in Sydney, were in every instance sold by Mr. Tuting 
 to his copartners, Cousens and Vallack, sometimes for cash, 
 and sometimes without making any express agreement either 
 as regards price or payment, which was left as a matter for 
 future arrangement. From the books of the firm produced 
 at the examinations of the insolvents it appeared that Mr. 
 G. C. Tuting was duly credited by the firm with all goods 
 thus purchased from him, and debited with all moneys drawn 
 on account of the said goods. In the month of May or June, 
 1855, a power of attorney fi'om Copestake, Moore, and Co., 
 of London, to JIi*. "William "Wise (then in the emjjloy of 
 Messrs, Ray, Glaister, and Co., of Sydney), arrived in the 
 colony. This power is dated London, 5th of February, 
 1855, and under the power of substitution therein contained, 
 Mr. "Wise (by indenture of the 16th of November, 1855,) 
 duly appointed Mr, Tom Eay as attorney for Copestake, 
 Moore, and Co. Mr, Eay, in pursuance of the power thus 
 vested in him, called on Mr, Tuting and handed him an 
 account current with Copestake, Moore, and Co, In his 
 evidence of the 10th of March, Mr, Ray says, ' I saw Mr. 
 Tuting in May or Jime, 1855, with reference to Copestake 
 and Co.'s claim against Tuting; a few days afterwards I
 
 -190 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 furnislied him with an account current, which he said was 
 quite correct ; he said he had a scheme to propose for paying 
 it off, which was to pay off the whole debt with interest in 
 sixteen months, at £300 to £400 per month. In conse- 
 quence of that conversation the bills were drawn about the 
 middle of June, which (with interest) amounted to £6,171 
 3s. 4d. I sent the bills about the middle or the 20th of 
 June to Tuting, and on the 14th of August I received back 
 sixteen biUs accepted.' The fii-st of these bills was paid at 
 maturity by a check of the firm ; but it also appeared from 
 the books in evidence that the amount so paid was carried to 
 the debit of Mr, Tuting' s private account. On the 20th of 
 October last the fii'm of Tuting and Co. became insolvent, 
 and their estate was duly placed under sequestration, and 
 the whole of these bUls (with the exception of the one paid) 
 have since been returned to the official assignee, the new 
 claimants (through their attorney, Mr. Ray) declining to 
 prove upon these bUls, merely using them as evidence of the 
 adoption of the debt by Tuting and Co. 
 
 " The question therefore which the commissioner had to 
 determine was this, — whether under the circumstances 
 abeady stated Mr. George C. Tuting alone was liable for 
 the payment of these goods, or whether Messrs. Copestake, 
 Moore, and Co., could prove their debt against the joint 
 estate of G. C. Tuting and Co. 
 
 " The learned Commissioner, in an elaborate judgment, 
 reviewed the evidence, and concluded as follows : — ' Looking 
 at aU the cii'cumstances of this case, and seeing that the 
 authorities referred to establish the principle ' that in order 
 to convert a separate into a joint debt there must be the 
 deliberate and mutual assent of three parties,' and being 
 unable to discover that assent here, I am of opinion that I 
 ought not to allow this claim to be ranked as a debt against 
 the estate of Tuting and Co., and I therefore reject it 
 accordingly.' "
 
 NEW SOUTH WALES. 191 
 
 THE 
 
 GOYEENOR OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 Within the region of civilised society there does 
 not perhaps exist two members of the human race 
 in whom ability, character, disposition, and taste 
 present a more striking contrast than that fur- 
 nished by the late and present Governors of New 
 South Wales, Sir Charles Fitzro}^, and Sir William 
 Denison. While the former was all that a Go- 
 vernor ought not to have been, the latter would 
 appear to be all, or nearly all, that a Governor 
 should be. Indeed, the official incapacity and 
 self-indulgence of the one are succeeded by the 
 comprehensive faculty and prudent habits of the 
 other. 
 
 If, as is generally admitted, the working classes 
 take their tone from their superiors, or at least 
 from those in a superior station of life, the public 
 abuses and social evils for which the colony of 
 New South Wales was notorious during the rule 
 of Sir Charles Fitzroy, may still continue to create 
 regret, but cannot longer cause surprise — even on 
 the part of strangers. The extravagant doings 
 of the Governor and his profligate " Court " are 
 patent to every colonist. As their exposition here 
 would only be interesting to those who are curious 
 in such matters, we close the subject. Simple 
 reference to past failings or follies may sometimes
 
 192 NEW SOUTH WALES. 
 
 suggest a profitable lesson for the present or 
 future. But the rule as well as the misrule of 
 the late Governor, so far as the colony is con- 
 cerned, are for ever closed. And to expatiate, 
 without a laudable object, on things of the past 
 were to display something more censurable than a 
 want of judgment. 
 
 The business of the colony — the business of the 
 English government — is no longer with the late, 
 but with the present Governor. That the rule of 
 Sir William Denison will satisfy the colonists, so 
 far as they are capable of satisfaction, few if any 
 impartial persons are disposed to doubt. That his 
 rule will satisfy those to whom he is more imme- 
 diately responsible there can be no doubt whatever. 
 In free coimtries the official acts of public men 
 are public property'', and are not unfrequently 
 judged and commented on, not by their merits, 
 but by the peculiar fancies, interested and other- 
 wise, of the commentators.* Honest men may, 
 and often do for a time, excite popidar indignation, 
 and become themselves the objects of general con- 
 demnation. But those who regard the public weal 
 as of greater value than the empty sounds of praise 
 which proceed from the advocacy of class or partial 
 measures, will either survive an unjust verdict, or 
 feel assured that it will be reversed by posterity. 
 
 * At one period, the Tasmanian public denounced Sir William Denison 
 as a very demon. Before Sir William's departure from Tasmania, the 
 public proclaimed their ruler as nothing less than a man, and little less than 
 an angel.
 
 TASMANIA, 
 
 (LATE VAN DIEMEN'S LAXD.)
 
 TASMANIA 
 
 (l.ATE VAN DIEMEN's LAND.) 
 
 Presuming tlie reader to be an Englisliman, 
 we would ask whether lie is acquainted with the 
 natural beauties of his own country — or rather 
 with the combined beauties of the United King- 
 dom? for it has been the practice of late years 
 with a certain class of British subjects, whose 
 means, rather than their accompKshments, second 
 their desire to rank with the fashionable world, 
 to arrange and execute a continental tour, without 
 having seen more of their ovm. country than the 
 distance from the point of embarkation compels 
 them to cross before leaving the English shore 
 for another. Should the reader, however, be 
 familiar with the grandeur of the Scottish moun- 
 tains, the romantic views on the Irish coast, the 
 charming beauties of the Cumberland lakes, the 
 fertile valleys of the South, and the bold scenery 
 of the North of Devon, he may then draw on his 
 imagination for a series of views to be found on 
 and aroimd an island on the opposite side of the
 
 196 TASMANIA. 
 
 globe ; for, in beauty and grandeur, many if not 
 all tlie delightful spots previoiisly named are 
 equalled, if not surpassed, in this distant and 
 comparatively unknown land — Tasmania. Both 
 the land and lake scenery in the island must 
 be pronounced by any true lover of the beauties 
 of natui'e to be superbly grand — so grand 
 as almost to baffle an attempt at description. 
 The climate, too, is no less beautiful than the 
 country. Why so delightful an island should 
 have been selected as a penal settlement, we are 
 at a loss to conjecture. Probably the selection 
 was made for the purpose of improving or re- 
 storing constitutions previously steeped in vice, 
 and impaired by dissipation. If so, we presume 
 the desired end has been obtained, for in no part 
 of the habitable globe can be seen a more healthy 
 body of indi^dduals than the criminals at present 
 under sentence in this penal settlement. 
 
 But what a fearful drawback to this lovely 
 country and climate is the criminal part of the 
 population — those whose terms of imprisonment 
 have expired or who have tickets of leave, and 
 others whose morals and habits are contaminated 
 by association with them. It is only necessary 
 to refer to the Police Summary under the head 
 of Statistical Information, to satisfy the reader 
 of the fearful amount of crime with which the 
 colony is still pregnant. It will be foimd that 
 the nimiber of offences committed in the city
 
 TASMANIA. 197 
 
 of Hobart with a population of only 23,000, 
 exceeds by fifty per cent, that of Liverpool \nth 
 its 296,000 inhabitants. 
 
 Although the colony is no longer to be the 
 receptacle for convicted criminals from Great 
 Britain, it vnR reqiiire a very lengthened period 
 — probably a century or more — to purge or even 
 partially to piu'ify the social atmosphere of the 
 infectious vapour -with which it is impregnated. 
 
 The following descriptive account from a little 
 work published some years since, will give our 
 readers a correct idea of the leading features of 
 the colony : — 
 
 ' ' This interesting island lies between the parallels of 
 forty-one degrees twenty niiniites south, and between the 
 meridians of one hundred and forty-four degrees forty 
 minutes, and one hundred and forty-eight degrees twenty 
 minutes of east longitude. Its most northern points 
 stretching into Bass's Strait towards New Holland, are 
 Cape Grim on the western extremity, and Cape Portland 
 on the eastern, distant from each other about one hundi-ed 
 and fifty miles, and its most southerly projections are the 
 South-west and South Capes, and Tasman's Head, at the 
 south end of Brune Island, stretching out like three 
 immense rocky buttresses into the great Southern Ocean 
 to defend as it were, the island against the inciu'sions of 
 that stormy sea. Its greatest extent from north to south 
 may thus be estimated at about two hundred and ten 
 miles, and from east to west one hundred and fifty miles, 
 calculating the degrees of longitude in that parallel at 
 the average of about fifty miles each, and covering an 
 extent of surface of about twenty-fom* thousand square 
 miles, or fifteen millions of acres.
 
 198 TASMANIA. 
 
 "Th.e general character of tliis surface is tilly and 
 mountainous, the mountains rising to the height of from 
 three to four thousand feet ; the hills being mostly cov- 
 ered with trees. The climate in the very lofty and exposed 
 regions checks vegetation, the tops of the mountains being 
 for iive or six months in the year, from April till October, 
 more or less covered with snow. A range of lofty moun- 
 tains runs across the island fi'om north to south, attracting 
 towards it a corresponding elevation of surrounding land, 
 the highest points of which are Quamby's Bluff, over- 
 hanging Norfolk Plains, the Peak of Teneriffe, Mount 
 Field, Mount "Wellington, and the great southern moun- 
 tains near Port Davey. The other most lofty points of 
 land in this range, are the extreme Western and Platform 
 Bluffs, and the Table Mountain,' Jericho, and in more 
 insulated positions, stretching along the eastern side, the 
 beautiful and picturesque eminences of Benlomond, and 
 St. Paid's Dome, on the northern quarter of the island, 
 and the Three-thumb Mountains, near Prasser's Bay, lattA. 
 the singular rocky heights on Maria Island ealled* the' 
 Bishop and Clerk. Besides these a minor range of lofty 
 moiintains extends from the western coast at Mounts 
 Heemskirk and Teehan along a high rugged chain towards 
 the "Western Bluff, where it joins the north and south 
 range. 
 
 " The billy character of the country, especially on the 
 southern side of the island, admits of but little inter- 
 ruption. The hills are not only frequent, but continuously 
 so, the general face of the island being a never ending 
 succession of hill and dale, the ti'aveller no sooner arriving 
 at the bottom of one hill than he has to ascend another, 
 often thi'ee or four times in the space of one mile ; while 
 at other points the land swells up into greater heights, 
 reaching along several miles of ascent. The level parts, 
 marshes, or plains, as they are called in the colony, that
 
 TASMANIA. 199 
 
 give relief to tliis fatiguing surface are eomparatiyely few. 
 Among the first of these, beginning at the south, and 
 on the opposite side of the DerAvent to the east of Hobart 
 To-vvn, may be mentioned the rich and highly cultivated 
 country round Pittwater; the cultivated tracts of Brushy 
 and Prosser's Plains, towards Oyster Bay ; the level spot 
 around where the town of Brighton is built, originally 
 called Stony Plains, and extending with little inter- 
 ruption to the bottom of Constitution Hill, a distance of 
 about six miles in length, and from two to three in width ; 
 the fertile farms at the Green Ponds and Cross Marsh ; 
 and further to the west, on the banks of the Derwent 
 ani.Eiver Ouse, the beautiful tract of country called 
 SoreU Plains; and higher up, the extensive district of 
 the Clyde, St. Patrick's Plains on the banks of the 
 Shannon, and other extensive tracts of level country round 
 the lakes; on the east of the road to Launceston, York, 
 Salt Pan, St. Paul's, and Break-o'-day Plains, the fine 
 country round Ross, and along the banks of the Macquaria 
 and EUzabeth rivers ; and, lastly, the noble tract of rich 
 land on the banks of the Soiith Esk, the Lake River, 
 Norfollc Plains, as far as the eye can reach, bounded on 
 the east by the picturesque heights of Benlomond, and 
 on the west by the no less romantic range of the Western 
 Moimtains, and extending to the north as far as Launceston, 
 forming a tract of nearly forty miles in width, and in a 
 great measure overspread with valuable and extensive 
 farms, many of them in a high state of cultivation. 
 
 " The reader, however, must not conclude from this 
 description either that the hills of this island are all 
 sterile or the plains all fertile. On the conti-ary, though 
 most of the larger hills and mountains are either too steep 
 and rocky, or too thickly covered with timber to admit 
 of cultivation, a large proportion of the more moderately 
 sized hills and gentler undulations are thickly covered
 
 200 TASMANIA. 
 
 with herbage, presenting to the view an agreeable suc- 
 cession of moderately wooded downs, and affording excellent 
 pasture to sheep and cattle. Many of the most thickly 
 wooded and steep hills nevertheless possess a rich soU, 
 which though difficult of access, and too expensive and 
 laborious in the present state of the colony to be cleared, 
 may at some future period be brought under cultivation. 
 Indeed this has already in part been done on several of 
 the hills round Hobart Town, where though the surface 
 is too deep to admit of the operation of the plough, yet 
 it amply repays the labor of the spade and hoe by the 
 luxuriance of its vegetable productions. On the other 
 hand, many of the more extended plains are either too 
 bleak, or have been so washed and swept by the prevailing 
 westerly winds to which their unbroken surface exposes 
 them, that much of the soil is cold, thin, and comparatively 
 valueless. Altogether, and on the most liberal computa- 
 tion, the productive siu'face of the island cannot fairly 
 be estimated at more than one-third. 
 
 "To one accustomed to the moist cUmate and plenti- 
 fully watered countries of England, Scotland, or Ireland, 
 Tasmania at first sight may present a day and impro- 
 ductive appearance ; but upon a nearer acquaintance it wiU 
 put on a more inviting aspect. Although, however, the 
 rivers and streams may not be so large nor so frequ.ent 
 as in England, they are sufficiently so to answer every 
 purpose of agriculture ; and water — clear wholesome water, 
 unlike that in Yictoria — is more or less to be found in 
 every part of the island. With the exception of the two 
 inlets of the sea at the mouths of the Derwent and Tamar, 
 there is no inland navigation in the colony. The chief 
 rivers in the settled parts of the island are the Derwent, 
 with its tributary streams, the Jordan, Clyde, Shannon, 
 Ouse, and the Huon, flowing into the ocean on the southern 
 side of the island ; and on the northern the Tamar, being
 
 TASMANIA. 201 
 
 the collected waters of the North and South Esk, the Lake, 
 and Western Rivers. In addition to these, in the higher 
 regions of the interior are several extensive lakes or sheets 
 of water. 
 
 "According to the lattitude of Tasmania it ought to 
 enjoy a climate equal to that of the southern parts of 
 France, or the northern parts of Spain and Italy along 
 the coasts of the Mediterranean, But the general tem- 
 perature of a country is affected by other circumstances 
 besides that of latitude, and geographers have generally 
 agreed that the great extent of the uninterrupted ocean 
 round the South Pole, compared to that in the northern 
 hemisphere, where land so much more abounds, makes a 
 dijQference in the climate equal to several degrees of latitude. 
 It would however appear that this difference is scarcely 
 sensible under the fortieth degree of latitude, for while the 
 summer heat at Buenos Ayres, the Cape of Good Hope, and 
 Sydney, is as great as at Gibraltar, Tunis, or Charleston, 
 or Bermuda in America; Patagonia, New Zealand, and 
 Tasmania have a temperature almost as cold in the summer 
 season as that of London, Brussels, or, at least, as Paris or 
 Vienna. While therefore Tasmania has a portion of the 
 sun's rays, and a length of day equal to that enjoyed by 
 the inhabitants of Rome, Constantinople, or Madrid, in the 
 mildest winters, its summer heats are so moderated as to 
 be not only congenial but delightful to a person who has 
 lived to maturity in an English climate, and whose system 
 has become habituated to it. However warm the middle of 
 the day may be, it is invariably attended by a morning and 
 evening so cool as completely to brace and restore any 
 enervating effects that the meridian heat might have 
 occasioned ; and while the summer heat is thus moderated, 
 the inclemency of winter is equallj^ dissipated by the 
 equality of temperature diffused from the extent of ocean 
 surrounding its insular position.
 
 202 TASMANIA. 
 
 "Except on the days when rain actually falls, which 
 on an average do not exceed fifty or sixty out of the three 
 hundred and sixty-five, the sky is clear and the sun 
 brilliant. The atmosphere is, consequently, for the most 
 part dry, pure and elastic, which renders the system 
 in a great measure insensible to the sudden changes of 
 tempei'ature that so frequently occur, especially at Hobart 
 Town, under the influence of Mount Wellington, and which 
 otherwise must prove injurious to the health, especially 
 of persons with delicate constitutions. The extreme of 
 summer generally shows itself in two or three sultry days 
 when a hot wind from the north-west at times prevails, 
 so oppressive as to raise the mercury for three or four hoiirs 
 in the middle of the day to ninety and even one hundred 
 and one hundred and ten degrees. It is however to be 
 remarked, that the extensive fires which frequently occur 
 in the woods in the heat of summer, when the accidental 
 dropping of a spark will spread the flames for miles along 
 the hills, may be reasonably supposed to have the effect of 
 increasing the heat of the air, especially if the absence of 
 winds, and the relaxed torpid state of the atmosphere at 
 the time should arrest and, as it were, beat down its 
 heated volumes on the valleys and lower regions, where 
 the towns are generally situated. In winter the frost at 
 night, except in the higher regions of the interior, or in 
 some deep dell, where the sun's rays scarcely ever reach, 
 is never so severe as to withstand the heat of the ensuing 
 day. Sleet or snow generally falls once or twice a year, 
 but never lies on the ground above a day or two, except 
 on the tops of the mountains, or in the central parts 
 of the island, where it has been known to continue for 
 a week or ten days. 
 
 "In such a cHmate, especially with the settlers or farmers, 
 owing to the active life they lead, the health of the inhabit- 
 ants, as might be supposed, is of the best kind. The
 
 TASMANIA. 203 
 
 atmosphere, as we have said, is for the most part dry and 
 elastic, the effect of which is to fortify and promote hoth 
 animal and vegetable life ; for as it contains a larger 
 proportion of oxygen than most countries of the old world, 
 the stimulating effect of this gas taken into the lungs, 
 natiu'ally communicates with the stomach, and tends to 
 keep in a healthy state, the digestive action of that 
 grand organ on which the habit and temperament of the 
 body mainly depends. The aromatic herbs and shrubs 
 also, which everywhere cover the island, impregnate the 
 air with their perfume, and cannot fail in some degree 
 to spread a certain feeling of health and comfort over the 
 human frame." 
 
 Than Sir Henry Young a more prudent and 
 conciliatory Governor could hardly be found in 
 any of the English colonies. His letter to " The 
 Times " however will explain how any officer on 
 duty in a distant part of Her Majesty's dominions 
 may, through the selfish motives of a few dema- 
 gogues, when ingeniously disguised by the venal 
 part of an unscrupulous Colonial press, become 
 the subject of unmerited reproof or injui-y. Had 
 " The Times," or any other respectable part of 
 the English press been in possession of full par- 
 ticulars of the late illegal political proceedings in 
 Tasmania, Sir Henry Young would have had no 
 occasion to pen the following letter : — 
 
 "TO THE EDITOR OF 'THE TIMES.' 
 
 " Sm, — In your powerful and world-known journal ' The 
 Times,' of the 10th of April last, you have, for lack of 
 full and correct information, injuriously libelled me as 'a
 
 204 TASMANIA. 
 
 Governor dissolving his Council with a precipitation and 
 violence which recall the days of the Oxford Parliament 
 of Charles II., or the attempt to seize the five Members by 
 Charles I.' 
 
 " I notice the libel as soon as it reaches me at the anti- 
 podes, yet the injustice which your philippic does me 
 necessarily retains the 'vantage ground of being without 
 reply or refutation for six or seven months. I trust that 
 this consideration will prompt you to be generous to the 
 extent of having the whole case before you whenever in 
 future you assail under the advantage of so long an exemp- 
 tion from the possibility of defence or contradiction. 
 
 " The system of appointing naval and military governors 
 is not, as you insinuate, illustrated in my case, for the 
 honor of having ever belonged to the army or navy I do not 
 possess. The civil service has been from early youth my 
 sole profession, and I appeal confidently to official records 
 as abundantly proving that, as a colonial ruler in the 
 eastern disti-icts of the Cape of Good Hope and in South 
 Australia, my policy and practice have been liberal and 
 constitutional, and in keeping with that of the great popular 
 statesman whose name I bear as one of my own, owing to 
 my late father's connexion with the family of Fox. 
 
 In South Australia upwards of thii-ty popularly elected 
 district councils were formed in my administration. In 
 Tasmania, by the constitutional prerogative of prorogation 
 (not dissolution, as you state), I upheld the respect due to 
 the supreme judicature and the sanctity of the writ of 
 Habeas Corpus as a time-honored guarantee of the liberty 
 of an Englishman against an illegal warrant ; and by the 
 prorogation I preserved the public peace. The prorogation 
 was most deliberate, unexceptionable in tone, language, 
 and manner, and opportune, for it quietly in the evening 
 prevented the violence of an impending riot, pubHcly 
 threatened and annonnced to take place the next morning.
 
 TASMANIA. 205 
 
 " WTien Mr. Dimcombe's question on Tasmania was im- 
 perfectlj" answered in the Honse of Commons the whole of 
 the correspondence had not reached Do-s^-ning- street ; it has 
 now, and I refer j^on to it as confii-matory of the above 
 account. For my own part, I am most "ndlling to quit the 
 office of Governor whenever I am unable to exemplify the 
 axiom — on which my policy hitherto has been founded — 
 that Englishmen can be constitutionally governed by their 
 own will and consent. 
 
 " I beg to subscribe myseK yoiu- obedient humble servant, 
 
 "H. E. E. Yorae. 
 
 " Government House, Hobart Tomti, July 5." 
 
 "Witli reference to tlie Government of Tasmania, 
 we will merely observe tliat the present able and 
 upright Governor appears to be encompassed by 
 many difficulties. His own honesty is the very 
 thing that produces envy and hatred in those 
 persons of an opposite character, and may alone 
 accoimt for the malignity of the turbulent spirits 
 by whom he is at present surrounded. Should 
 Sir Henry Young, without much opposition and 
 many obstacles, succeed in his desire to administer 
 the government of Tasmania in a manner the 
 most conducive to the welfare of the colony 
 and its inhabitants, he will surprise many able 
 and intelligent men, and, among the nimiber, if 
 we mistake not, will be — himseJf.
 
 
 
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 TASMANIA. 
 
 207 
 
 RETURN OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INTO, AND 
 
 EXPORTS FROM, THE COLONY, 
 
 Fhom 1844 TO 1855. 
 
 YEAR. 
 
 VALUE OF IMPORTS. 
 
 VALUE OF EXPORTS. 
 
 
 £ 
 
 £ 
 
 1844 . 
 
 442,988 
 
 408,799 
 
 1845 . 
 
 520,562 
 
 422,218 
 
 1846 
 
 
 561,238 
 
 582,585 
 
 1847 
 
 
 724,593 
 
 600,876 
 
 1848 
 
 
 594,154 
 
 490,281 
 
 1849 
 
 
 573,730 
 
 658,682 
 
 1850 
 
 
 658,540 
 
 613,850 
 
 1851 
 
 
 641,609 
 
 665,790 
 
 1852 
 
 
 i 860,488 
 
 1,509,883 
 
 1853 
 
 
 ! 2,273,397 
 
 1,757,596 
 
 1854 
 
 
 ! 2,604,680 
 
 1,433,021 
 
 1855 
 
 
 1,559,797 
 
 1,428,560 
 
 POLICE SUMMAEY. 
 
 The following Siunmary, at the i3reseiit moment, may be 
 considered useful as showing the actual strength of the 
 Police of this Colony before and after the reduction of 1853 
 and 1854. The number of Petty Constables for eighteen 
 districts, exclusive of Hobart and Launceston, is only 145 ; 
 and for Hobart and Launceston 89, including those for out- 
 stations. The working of this Police Force by the number 
 of cases brought before the Magistrates in 1851, was 16,807 ; 
 m 1852, 22,030 ; in 1853, 25,904 ; in 1854, exclusive of 
 Emu Bay, 24,007 ; and for the half-year up to the 1st July, 
 1855, 12,058 ; of these there were : — 
 
 For Launceston. 
 
 For Hobart. 
 
 In 1851 
 
 1 8.5'2 
 
 „ 1853* 
 
 „ 1854 
 
 Half-year 1855 
 
 2,244 
 4,361 
 5,061 
 5,233 
 2,634 
 
 7,616 
 7,808 
 10,075 
 8,240 
 3,544 
 
 The year in which reduction was made.
 
 208 
 
 TASMANIA. 
 
 This statement is important, as it shows the enormous 
 work, independently of escorts, &c., &e., perfoi-med by the 
 Police, and the fallacy of taking the amount of population 
 as the basis upon which to apportion it. The nature of the 
 population and the extent of territory to be protected is the 
 true criterion. To illustrate this, we find by the Returns 
 of 25th December, 1841, that:— 
 
 
 Population. 
 
 Area of 
 Miles. 
 
 No. of 
 Police. 
 
 Cases. 
 
 Bristol . . 
 
 120,688 
 
 7 
 
 228 
 
 5,314 
 
 Liverpool 
 
 296,000 
 
 13 
 
 616 
 
 16,460 
 
 Edinburgh 
 
 146,133 
 
 5^ 
 
 274 
 
 10,917 
 
 Manchester 
 
 235,139 
 
 6f 
 
 317 
 
 13,345 
 
 Leeds 
 
 113,632 
 
 12| 
 
 133 
 
 2.320 
 
 Glasgow 
 
 215,365 
 
 5 
 
 299 
 
 14,768 
 
 Birmingham 
 
 182,698 
 
 13i 
 
 391 
 
 5,556 
 
 Metropolitan District, ) 
 in 1840 J 
 
 1,500,000 
 
 
 4,323 
 
 70,717 
 
 Thus it will be seen that the amount of business at the 
 Police Offices here exceeds that of Liverpool, with its 296,000 
 inhabitants, by fifty per cent ; that the Citj^ of Hobart, vntla. 
 its comparatively small population, furnishes in number, 
 cases nearly equal to Manchester, with its 235,139 inhabi- 
 tants, and the cases tried throughout the territory being 
 equal to almost one-thii'd of the number in the Meti'opolitan 
 District, with a population of 1,500,000.
 
 TASMANIA. 
 
 209 
 
 CONSTABULARY OF VAN DIEMEN'S LAND. 
 
 (NOW TASMANIA.) 
 
 DATE. 
 
 O 
 
 <-> 
 
 si 
 
 Eg 
 
 
 -a to 
 111 
 
 o 
 
 31st July, 1853, authorised 
 
 strength 
 "With power to employ 50 extra 
 
 constables on emergencies, 
 
 £600. 
 1st August, 1853, reduc- 1 
 
 tion by Government .. 100 
 1st Jan., 1854, reduction V 
 
 by Legislative Council . 55 
 And since . . . . 1 
 Allowance to employ extra 
 
 constables reduced from 
 
 £600 to £200. 
 
 Present Strength . . 
 
 Petty District 
 Cons. Sergs. Cons. 
 
 Deduct for \ 
 
 Hobart . . 63 24 7 • 
 
 Do. Launceston 26 8 4, 
 
 Total force for 18 Country 
 Districts 
 
 390 
 156 
 
 62 
 12 
 
 38 
 3 
 
 47 
 
 537 
 171 
 
 234 
 89 
 
 50 
 
 35 
 32 
 
 47 
 11 
 
 366 
 132 
 
 145 
 
 50 
 
 3 
 
 36 
 
 234 
 
 SYNOPSIS OF OFFENCES COMMITTED IN THE 
 COLONY OF VAN DIEMEN'S LAND. 
 
 PERIODS. 
 
 Free. 
 
 Bond. 
 
 Total. 
 
 Number of offences in 1851 
 
 
 5,632 
 
 11,175 
 
 16,807 
 
 Do. 1852 
 
 
 9,841 
 
 12,189 
 
 22,030 
 
 Do. 1853 
 
 
 12,574 
 
 13,330 
 
 25,904 
 
 Do. 1854 
 
 { 
 
 15,137 
 
 8,870 
 
 24,007 
 
 Do. 1 year June 1855 
 
 8,632 
 
 3,422 
 
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 TAEIFF OF TASMAIS'IA. 
 
 BATE OF 
 
 IMPOKT DUTIES. dx,tt 
 
 s. d. 
 
 Brandy, tlie gallon 12 
 
 E-um, and all other spirits and strong 
 waters, tlie gallon, and so on in propor- 
 tion with respect only to spirits and 
 strong waters in bottle, or for any 
 greater or less quantity than a gallon, 
 not being less than one-eighth part of 
 
 a gallon 9 
 
 "Wines, in wood, the gallon 10 
 
 Ditto, in bottle, the dozen reputed quart 
 
 bottles 4 
 
 Ditto, the dozen reputed pint ditto ..20 
 Tobacco (snufF excepted) and cigars, 
 
 the lb 2 
 
 Tea, ditto 3 
 
 Raw sugar and molasses, the cwt. ..30 
 
 Refined sugars, ditto 6 
 
 Coffee, the lb 1^ 
 
 Dried fruits, ditto 1 
 
 Hops, ditto 2 
 
 Malt liquors, in wood, the gallon ... 2 
 Ditto, in bottle, the dozen reputed quart 
 
 bottles 10 
 
 Ditto, the dozen reputed pint, ditto ..06 
 
 EXEMPT FEOM DUTY. 
 
 Wines imported or piircliased in bond for the supply 
 of regimental messes. All articles imported for the 
 supply of her Majesty's land or sea forces. All articles 
 imported for the use of her Majesty's Government. 
 
 212
 
 TASMANIA. 
 
 213 
 
 By the follomng Table (compiled by Mr. "West- 
 gartb) it Avill be seen tliat a large quantity of 
 Agricultural Produce annually leaves this colony 
 for Victoria. 
 
 Comparative view of the value of Imports into, and 
 
 Exports from, the colony of Tasmania, for the 
 
 years 1853, 1854, and 1855, respectively. 
 
 IMPORTS. 
 
 Bistinguuhing the place from which sent. 
 
 From 
 
 1853. 
 
 1854. 
 
 1855. 
 
 United Kingdom 
 
 £ 
 1,506,093 
 595,792 
 171,512 
 
 £ 
 1,776,694 
 696,613 
 131,373 
 
 £ 
 920,695 
 540,824 
 
 98,278 
 
 British Colonies 
 
 Foreign States 
 
 Total 
 
 2,273,397 
 
 2 604 680 
 
 1,559,797 
 
 
 
 EXPORTS. 
 
 Distinguishing the place to which sent. 
 
 AMiere sent. 
 
 1853. 
 
 1854. 
 
 1855. 
 
 United Kingdom 
 
 £ 
 581 815 
 
 £ 
 424 575 
 
 £ 
 445,557 
 969,070 
 
 13,933 
 
 British Colonies 
 
 1 167 786 
 
 1,007,287 
 1,159 
 
 Foreign States. . . . 
 
 7,995 
 
 Total 
 
 1,757,596 
 
 1,433,021 
 
 1,428,560 
 
 
 Remahk. — The exports to " British Colonies" are chiefly the 
 supplies of Agricultural Produce to Victoria.
 
 214 TASMANIA. 
 
 LIST OF CHIEF PLACES IN 
 TASMANIA. 
 
 (foe, which we AHE IlfDEBTED TO THE TAXENTED WORK 
 OF MK. WEST,) 
 
 BRIDGEWATER. 
 A village and post station on the Derwent, in tlie parish 
 of Wellington and county of Buckingliam., twelve miles 
 above Hobart. The Derwent, which is about three-quarters 
 of a mile in width at this place, is crossed by a bridge of 
 wood, which forms a part of the main road from Hobart to 
 Launceston, and is said to be the largest work of the kind 
 in the Austi'alian colonies. The river is spanned to a 
 length of 2,300 feet by an earthen causeway, and the length 
 of the biidge from the end of this to the northern shore is 
 1,010 feet, with a breadth of roadway of twenty-four feet; 
 the whole length of the work being 3,310 fe^^or nearly 
 three-quarters of a mile. The navigation of the river is 
 preserved by means of a moveable platform near the northern 
 shore. The timber was procured from Mount Dromedary, 
 seven miles from the bridge, which was begun in January, 
 1848, and opened in April, 1849. The cost was £7,580. 
 
 BEN LOMOND. 
 
 A mountain in Cornwall, 5,000 feet high, about forty-five 
 miles from Launceston, and fifteen from Fingal. A rivulet 
 of the same name rises here, and falls into the South Esk, 
 about thirty miles from Laimceston. About fifteen miles 
 north of this mountain is Ben Nevis, 3,900 feet high. 
 During winter these elevated points, which arc named after 
 celebrated mountains of Scotland, are covered with snow, 
 and seen from a distance, they present a magnificent appear- 
 ance. They form parts of a chain of mountains extending 
 inland from St. Patrick's Head to the northern coast.
 
 TASMANIA. 215 
 
 BRIGHTON. 
 A town in the parish, of Drummond and county of Mon- 
 mouth. It is on the eastern side of the Jordan, on the 
 main road, seventeen miles from Hobart, and one-hundred- 
 and four from Launceston. The country aroimd Brighton is 
 cultivated and fertile, and was early occupied. On the 
 right is a branch road to Jerusalem and Jericho, districts on 
 the Coal River. On the left is the district on the Jordan, 
 called the Broadmai'sh. Brighton has a resident magistrate, 
 a post station, several inns, small stores, and retail shops. 
 The church (St. Mark's) and police office are at Pontville, 
 near the to-wo. The population of the town and police dis- 
 trict is 2,582, and the number of houses 427, half of which 
 are of stone or brick. 
 
 CAMPBELL TOTVT^. 
 
 A town in the parish of Campbelton and county of Somer- 
 set, eighty-nine miles from Hobart, and forty-two from 
 Launceston, It is situated in a level pastoral country, on 
 the Elizabeth River, and the main road fi-om Hobart to 
 Launceston passes thi'ough it. The town consists chiefly of 
 one long sti'eet, in which are four large inns, a brewery, 
 some stores, small shops, and an assembly room. There ai-e 
 in the town an episcopal and presbyterian church (St. Luke's 
 and St. Andi-ew's), a Wesley an chapel, and schools. The 
 river is crossed by a bridge or causeway, 200 yards long, 
 and on the southern side are numerous fine farms. The 
 road to Avoea, Fingal, and the eastern coast here branches 
 off from the main Hue. In the town there are also a gaol 
 and police and post offices. There is a resident police 
 magistrate. The population of the town and police district 
 is 2,319, and the number of houses, 255 of which are of 
 stone or brick, is 386. Campbell Town is also an electoral 
 district. It is considered to be the middle district of the
 
 216 TASiVL^NIA. 
 
 colony, and the Midland Agricultural Association, originated 
 here. 
 
 HOBART. 
 
 In the parish of Hoharton, and county of Buckingham, 
 is the chief town of the colony, and is in lat. 42°. 53'. S., 
 and long. 147". 21'. E. It was named after Lord Hobart, 
 once secretary for the colonies ; and stands on the shores of 
 Sullivan's Cove, about fifteen miles from the entrance of the 
 Derwent. It is finely situated on a rising groimd, and 
 covers a surface of nearly two square miles. On the western 
 side it is bounded by a range of wooded hills, with Mount 
 Wellington, a snow-capped mountain, 4,000 feet high, in 
 the back-ground. On the southern side of the harbor there 
 are many beautiful residences, and, on a commanding emi- 
 nence, fine military barracks. Close to the harbor, on the 
 western side, stands the government-house, an extensive 
 range of wooden buildings, erected at different times. 
 Mulgrave Battery is on the southern side of the harbor. 
 The streets are regular and well made ; and many of the 
 buildings — some buUt of fi-eestone — are commodious and 
 handsome. The wharves are extensive and well constructed, 
 and are lined with numerous large stone warehouses and 
 stores. St. David's church is a large well-built brick edifice, 
 in the Gothic style, stuccoed, and well fitted up. The court 
 house, nearly opposite the chxu'ch, is a large stone building, 
 containing various offices. The hospital and prisoners' bar- 
 racks, on the north-eastern side, are extensive buildings. 
 The police office is a substantial edifice. The female factory 
 and orphan schools, a short distance from the town, on the 
 western side, are commodious buildings. The commissariat 
 stores, the treasury, the bonded stores, the custom-house, 
 and other public buildings are built of freestone. The 
 legislative council chamber is included in the custom-house. 
 On the north side of the harbor are situated the engineer
 
 TASMANIA. 217 
 
 stores and otlier government buildings. On tliis side also 
 is the government domain, a large open piece of groimd, 
 used as a place of amusement and exercise. The magnetical 
 observatory is erected here. Many of the shops are large 
 and handsome. Besides St. David's (the cathedral church), 
 there are three handsome episcopalian ehiu'ches — Trinity, 
 St. George's, and St. John's. There are two presbyterian 
 churches — St. Andrew's and St. John's — both commodious 
 buildings — one Roman catholic chui'ch, two Wesleyan 
 chapels, three congregational chiirches, a baptist chapel, a 
 free presbyterian church, and a synagogue. There are four 
 banks and a bank for savings, thi-ee local and two English 
 insurance companies, and a company to establish steam 
 communication with the adjoining colonies. The educa- 
 tional establishments are the High School and Hutchins' 
 School, besides private schools. The public institutions are 
 the Mechanics' Institute, the Tasmanian Society of Natural 
 Science, the Eoyal Society, the Public Library, Gardeners' 
 and Amateurs' Horticultural Society, St. Mary's Hospital, 
 Dispensary and Humane Society, Dorcas Society, Hebrew 
 Benevolent Institution, Asyhim for the Protection of Desti- 
 tute and Unfortunate Females, Branch Society for Promoting 
 Christian Knowledge and for the Propagation of the Gospel, 
 Auxiliary Bible Society, Wesleyan Library and Tract 
 Society, Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign 
 Parts, Auxiliary London Missionary Society, Wesleyan 
 Missionary Society, Colonial Missionary and Christian In- 
 struction |Society, Infant School, Auxiliary of British and 
 Foreign School Society, Wesleyan Strangers' Friend Society, 
 Sunday School Union (including eight schools), three Ma- 
 sonic Lodges, Masonic Benevolent Fund, three Odd Fellows' 
 Lodges, with Widows' and Orphans' Fvmds attached, Inde- 
 pendent Order of Rechabites, Hibernian Benefit Society, 
 four Temperance Societies, Society of Licensed Victuallers, 
 Choral Society, Mercantile Assistants' Association, Turf
 
 218 TASMANIA. 
 
 Club, Bathing Association. There are a wet dock and a 
 patent slip, and 170 vessels belonging to the port, their col- 
 lective tonnage being 14,640. The population is 23,107, 
 and the number of houses 4,050 ; 2,932 of which are of 
 stone or brick. Five bi-weekly newspapers and a Grovern- 
 ment " Gazette" are published in Hobai't. 
 
 LAUXCESTOI\\ 
 In the parish of Launceston and county of Cornwall, is 
 the second town of the colony, and is in lat. 41°. 24' S., 
 and Ion. 147°. 10'. E. It stands at the confluence of the 
 North and South Esk rivers, which here discharge their 
 waters into the Tamar, It is one-hundred-and-twenty-one 
 miles from Hobart, and forty from the sea at Port Dalrymple. 
 On the east and west it is bounded by hills, and on the north 
 sti-etches the valley of the Tamar. The town is well laid 
 out, and viewed from the hills which overlook it, or from 
 the Tamar, it has a picturesque appearance. The wharves, 
 which aftbrd accommodation to vessels of large tonnage, 
 extend along the river which forms the northern boundary. 
 Farther up are numerous spacious stores and other commer- 
 cial buildings. There are two large episcopalian churches, 
 a handsome presbyterian chui-ch, a Eoman catholic church 
 (all built in the Gothic style), a Wesleyan. chapel, two con- 
 gregational chapels, a free ehui-ch, a baptist chapel, and a 
 synagogue, all neat and commodious buildings. The court 
 house, the gaol, the house of correction, female factory, and 
 several other government establishments, are large and well 
 built. Many of the shops, offices, inns, and private build- 
 iags are of considerable size and respectable appearance. 
 On the hill which bounds the town on the eastern side, and 
 commands a splendid view of the town and river, are many 
 private residences and gardens. There are foui- banks, four 
 insui'ance offices, three printing establishments, and two bi- 
 weekly newspapers. The principal public offices are the
 
 TASMANIA. 219 
 
 police office, the custom house, the post office, and the port 
 office. The population of the to'mi is 10,855 ; the number 
 of houses, 2,181 ; 798 of which are of stone or brick. There 
 are an episcopal grammar school, a Wesleyan day school, 
 an infant school, three episcopal day schools, a catholic 
 school, seven Sunday schools, and numerous private schools. 
 The public institutions, besides the banks and insurance 
 offices, are a mechanics' institute and reading room, a literary 
 society, several circulating libraries, two horticidtiu-al so- 
 cieties, a benevolent society, auxiliary bible society, two 
 masonic lodges, odd fellows' society, Rechabite society, and a 
 teetotal society. There are seventy vessels belonging to the 
 port, their collective tonnage being 8,564 tons. There is 
 also a floating dock. 
 
 MOUNTAINS. 
 The principal mountains are the western range in "West- 
 moreland, of which the highest point is Uiaamby's or Dry's 
 Bluff, 4,590 feet above the sea ; a high rocky range in 
 Cornwall, of which Ben Lomond and Ben Nevis are the 
 highest points, and the Eldon range. A range extends 
 along the western coast, and another farther inland, of 
 which the highest points are the Frenchman's Cap, 3,800 
 feet above the sea ; Mount Arrowsmith, east of the former 
 4,075 feet high ; Mount Humboldt, 5,520 feet ; Cradle 
 Mountain, 4,700 feet. St. Valentine's Peak, on the Van 
 Diemen's Land Company's estate, is 4,000 feet high; Mount 
 "Wellington, near Hobart Town, 4,195 feet. 
 
 NEW NORFOLK. 
 A town in the parish of New Norfolk and county of 
 Buckingham, on the Derwent and Lachlan rivulet, twenty - 
 one miles from Hobart, and one -hundred- and-nineteen from 
 Launceston. It has a resident police magisti'ate and post 
 master, and contains an episcopal chm'ch (St. Matthew's)
 
 220 TASMANIA, 
 
 and school, a Wesleyan cliapel, and another place of worship, 
 a police office, a government house, an asylum for insane 
 persons, and several inns. The population of the town and 
 district is 2,226, and the number of houses 389. The 
 district contains several fine farms. Coaches run daily to 
 New xTorfolk from Hobart, and communication between the 
 two places is also carried on by means of boats on the 
 Derwent. 
 
 OATLAOT)S. 
 
 A considerable town in the parish of Oatlands and county 
 of Monmouth, fifty-one miles from Hobai-t, and seventy 
 from Launceston, It contains an episcopal (St. Matthew's) 
 and Roman catholic church, a "Wesleyan chapel, several 
 schools, a gaol, police and post offices, a military station, 
 several inns, and other large buildings. It has a resident 
 police magistrate, and courts of request and qiiarter sessions 
 are held in the town. The supreme court sits twice in a 
 year. The population of the town and police district is 
 1,873, and the number of houses 279. 
 
 RICHMOND. 
 A town at the mouth of the Coal River, in the parish of 
 Ulva and county of Monmouth, fifteen miles from Hobart, 
 and one-hundred fi-om Launceston. It contains an episcopal 
 and a catholic church, a congregational chapel, a police 
 office, post station, a gaol, and court house, and several inns. 
 It has a resident police magistrate, and the population of 
 the town and district, which consists of farms, is 1,344, and 
 the number of houses 545, nearly half of which are of 
 stone or brick. The Coal River, which here falls into the 
 bay of Pittwater, is crossed at the town by an excellent 
 stone bridge of six arches. 
 
 ROSS. 
 A township on the Macquarie, in the parish of Ross and
 
 TASMANIA. 221 
 
 county of Somerset, seventy-tliree miles from Hobart, fortj"- 
 seven from Laimceston, and six from Campbell Town. It 
 contains an episcopal church and school, a chapel, a police 
 and post station, and two inns. The police magistrate of 
 Campbell Town holds a court here once in a week. There 
 is a bridge across the Macquarie at this township. The 
 district is chiefly agricultural. 
 
 WESTBURY. 
 A town in the pai-ish of Westbury and county of "West- 
 moreland, one-himdred-and-forty miles from Hobart, and 
 twenty from Launceston. It has a resident police magis- 
 trate, a post-master, and other ofiicers, and contains an 
 episcopal church and school, a Roman catholic chui'ch and 
 school, a Wesleyan chapel, and thi'ee inns. The town and 
 district has a popidation of 2,842, and 420 houses. 
 
 THE GOVERNOR OF TASMANIA. 
 
 We presume that Sir Henry Yoimg has not 
 found the convict island a "bed of roses." If 
 however he has made so pleasing a discovery, he 
 has succeeded in doing what none of his prede- 
 cessors did before him. The romantic country 
 and delightfid climate of Tasmania must, we ima- 
 gine, prove the most pleasing features to a mind 
 like that of the present Governor. He can find 
 but little else to be pleased with ; for never was a 
 gentleman surrounded by so many ignorant, tur- 
 bidant, and conceited spouters as those which at 
 present constitute a body called the "Legislative
 
 222 TASMANIA. 
 
 Assembly." Pompous lawyers, or lawyers' clerks, 
 vainly aspiring to place and emolument, and illi- 
 terate settlers who " spKt the ears of the ground- 
 lings" and murder the Queen's English, make 
 up a knot of as self-satisfied orators and political 
 gnmiblers as ever played the game of speculation 
 for party purposes ; while, in importance, they can 
 only be equalled by the magpies on Lilliputian 
 Island, or the stentorian debaters in the back 
 room of some Tom and Jerry shop. 
 
 Encompassed by these would-be patriots, who 
 are not without literary scribblers and penny-a- 
 liners, with petty quills to indorse the noble doc- 
 trine of their leaders. Sir Henry Young's situation 
 is by no means an enviable one. But with the 
 high principle, just determination, and moral 
 courage he is known to possess, and which won 
 for him a noble name while Governor of South 
 Australia, we have no doubt he will overcome all 
 obstacles ; and although he may fail to quiet the 
 factious opposition of a few discontented indivi- 
 duals, he will deserve well of the English govern- 
 ment, should he ultimately succeed in his sole 
 desire — that of administering to the prosperity 
 and advancing the welfare of the colony of which 
 he is Governor.
 
 NEW ZEALAND,
 
 INTEODIJCTION. 
 
 A longer residence in New Zealand miglit have 
 made tlie author of the following sketches more 
 familiar, not only with the natural capabilities of 
 the country, but likewise mth the political dis- 
 sensions of the people — although a longer period 
 for praise of the one, or censure of the other, 
 would not have increased the writer's present high 
 opinion either of the colony or its incomparable 
 climate. 
 
 To the interest taken in the progress of New 
 Zealand, may be attributed the reprehension of 
 those local evils by which that progrees is im- 
 peded. 
 
 In New Zealand, as in other colonies, may be 
 found a swarm of political him bottles, incapable 
 of good themselves, although they seriously affect 
 what has been or might be prepared and dispensed 
 for the public weal. But these lilliputian states- 
 men, in attempting great characters, present the 
 world with an unenviable picture of their own 
 littleness. 
 
 Q
 
 226 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 Witli the exception, however, of a few of these 
 provincial trumpeters, and certain members of the 
 house of clamour and confusion, by which some of 
 the provinces are misgoverned, and the commer- 
 cial expansion of others retarded, the inhabitants 
 are in every respect superior to those in either of 
 the Australian settlements. And if asked to name 
 the first colony in the southern hemisphere, as a 
 desirable home for the intending emigrant, the 
 writer, with the most impartial sincerity, would 
 answer — 'Nkw Zealand. 
 
 Of greater interest than a long editorial preface 
 will be found the following pointed and sensible 
 address of the new Governor ; and if certain ISTew 
 Zealand politicians only profit by a gentle rebuke 
 for past mischief, by following good advice for 
 future action — if they will only evince a little 
 more regard for the general welfare of the country 
 than for private purposes or provincial squabbles 
 — they will prove themselves more worthy of a 
 colony which is indeed worthy of nature's noblest 
 sons. 
 
 GENERAL ASSEMBLY.— LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 
 
 The fourtli session of the General Assembly of New 
 Zealand was opened on the 15th of April, by his Excellency 
 the Governor, with the customary formalities. At two 
 o'clock, his Excellency entered the Legislative Council, and 
 the members of the House of Representatives having been 
 sent for, his Excellency read the following address : —
 
 INTRODTTCnON. 227 
 
 "HONOEABLE GeNTLEMEX OF THE LEGISLATIVE COTJ^CIL, 
 
 AND Gentlemen of the Hottse of Repkesentatites. 
 
 " Various causes prevented the last Assembly from legis- 
 lating on many subjects materially affecting tbe welfare of 
 the colony, and it has been reserved for you to imdertake 
 that important duty. 
 
 " duestions involving numerous conjiicting interests re- 
 main for your consideration and adjustment, and in the 
 solution of these difficulties an arduous task awaits you. 
 
 " To enable me to call to my Councils advisers possessing 
 the confidence of the General Assembly, is naturally a sub- 
 ject which will engage your earliest attention. This may 
 be considered the corner stone on which all other legislation 
 should be built ; and I now repeat in the most explicit 
 terms the assurance which I gave on the prorogation of the 
 last Assembly, that I would give my confidence to the gen- 
 tlemen who possess that of the Legislature, and that when- 
 ever changes become necessary I would allow no personal 
 feelings to influence my public conduct. 
 
 " I doubt not that the gentlemen who accept from you a 
 responsibility conferring such an honorable distinction on 
 themselves, will consign to forgetfulness all of the past 
 which has no reference to the future ; that they will arm 
 themselves with a determination to disregard all private 
 interests ; and, devoting themselves heart and soul to those 
 of New Zealand, they will declare what ought to be enacted 
 for the welfare of the colony at large. 
 
 " Such conduct will ensure respect from opponents and 
 the esteem of Englishmen, not only in this colony but 
 throughout the empire ; not only at the present time but in 
 the future, when party feelings and local interests have been 
 obliterated and forgotten, and history records the strength 
 or weakness of those who guided the infant steps of a great 
 country.
 
 228 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 " If, on the contrary, the men chosen for this honorahle 
 trust should prove unequal to it, looking for the applause 
 and preferring the interests of a party or a province to that 
 of the colony at large, then will the power they are unable 
 to wield remain but a moment in their nerveless grasp, and, 
 once released, it will oscillate backward and forward until 
 seized on by some statesmen worthy of their adopted country, 
 strong in the rectitude and integrity of their intentions, and 
 regardless of all considerations which can in any way hinder 
 the progress of the public weal. 
 
 " Such are the men whose counsel I desire, and by whose 
 advice I hope to be guided. 
 
 " I rely entirely on your patriotic aid, and feel assured 
 that, however divided you may be by political or party 
 feelings, your best efforts will always be directed to secure 
 the interests of the inhabitants of this country, mindful that 
 theii" welfare depends on our efficient and faithful exercise 
 of the powers vested in us by the Imperial Government. 
 
 " My recent visit to the different pro\"inces has enabled 
 me to bear testimony to their general prosperity, and to the 
 evident signs of progress and improvement in each and all 
 of them. 
 
 "I have witnessed with great satisfaction the strong 
 feelings of loyalty and attachment entertained throughout 
 the colony to the throne and person of our gracious 
 Sovereign ; and I feel deeply grateful for the cordial re- 
 ception everywhere accorded to myself as her Majesty's 
 representative. 
 
 " Information has been prepared on various subjects, with 
 a view to enable the gentlemen honored by your confidence 
 to lay before you certain measures of importance : among 
 them I may mention a proposal to extinguish the claim of 
 the New Zealand Company, on terms which are therein 
 explained ; another for a uniform postal communication with 
 the mother country ; the improvement and extension of our 
 own overland posts ; and an alteration in the custom laws ;
 
 INTRODUCTION. 229 
 
 and 1 trust you will lose no time in authorising tlic forma- 
 tion of a commission, with full powers to settle the many 
 vexed questions connected mth land claims, and for the 
 quieting of disputed titles. 
 
 " Another subject will, I trust, engage your early atten- 
 tion, namely, the propriety of adopting some plan of final 
 audit for the accounts of the General Government which 
 will be more satisfactory than the one at present in force. 
 
 " Gentlemen of the House of Eepkesentatives. 
 
 " The utmost economy has been practised in the expen- 
 diture of the funds placed at my disposal by the late House 
 of Representatives. The fullest accounts shall be submitted 
 for your approval, and the most complete information 
 afforded to your inquiries, 
 
 " I have to request you to make an early provision for 
 the repayment of £14,086 lis. 5d. advanced by the Union 
 Bank of Australia, being part of a sum of thirty thousand 
 pounds obtained under sanction of a resolution of the late 
 House of Representatives. 
 
 " Gentlemen of the Assembly. 
 
 " Your deliberations will be viewed with interest in the 
 mother country ; for whether in Great Britain or the colo- 
 nies. Englishmen watch the proceedings of theii' legislative 
 bodies wdth the greatest attention. 
 
 " But the Legislature of this colony has no reason to 
 shrink from such a scrutiny, for while adopting all that is 
 good in the laws and usages of oiu* native land, it has a 
 caus^for congratulation of which few other lands colonized 
 by Europeans can boast. 
 
 " In order to form this flourishing and rapidly increasing 
 colony, no property has been -^Tested from its native owners ; 
 no hospitality has been violated ; no laws of humanity or 
 justice have been trampled under foot. The land enriched
 
 230 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 by the sweat of oui* brows has been honestly acquired and 
 is rightfully enjoyed. Nor, when we consider that, in place 
 of a dreadful form of idolatry, we have commiinicated to 
 the natives a knowledge of the blessings of Christianity, and 
 of the arts and appliances of civilization, can it be Tirged 
 that the advantage has been exclusively on the side of those 
 who gave money and received land alone in exchange for it. 
 
 " These are considerations which make England proud of 
 her youngest colony — and she has reason to be so. Situated 
 in the same relative position in the southern hemisphere ; 
 similar in size to Great Britain ; like her, separated fi"om 
 other lands by broad seas ; possessing the same natui'al 
 advantages and colonized by the same hardy race — New 
 Zealand cannot fail to become the Britain of Australasia. 
 
 " Free institutions, deeply graven in the hearts of Eng- 
 lishmen, the glory of the British nation, framed, amended, 
 and maintained by the wisdom and perseverance of succes- 
 sive generations, have devolved on you as an inheritance. 
 To them we owe much of that enterprise and independence 
 which have been and are the characteristics of oiu' nation 
 in all parts of the world. They have been transplanted for 
 you in their matm-ity, and their broad shadow spreads 
 already over this favored land. 
 
 " The history of the growth of these institutions dui'ing a 
 thousand years in our native country would be but a tale 
 that is told, and the retrospect of the past but an idle dream, 
 if they teach us no lessons of Avisdom. May we profit by 
 them ; and when time has consigned all who now hear me 
 to the stillness of the grave, and children's children have 
 succeeded to the inheritance of their fathers, may those who 
 will then review the acts of this Assembly feel for you that 
 admiration and esteem which we cannot wdthliold from the 
 time-honored men to whom we owe our origin and our laws. 
 
 "Thom:as Gobje Bkownk 
 
 " Auckland, April 15, 1856."
 
 NEW ZEALAND 
 
 " Though last, not least in our estimation." — Hamlet. 
 
 In describing tlie Australian Colonies agreeably 
 with a matured judgment, and with, the painful 
 conviction that oiu* own feeble but impartial 
 sketches would be in dii-ect opposition, not only 
 to the majority of accounts previously published 
 by visitors and settlers, but likewise to impres- 
 sions created by the fluent pens and imaginative 
 pencils of absentee poets and painters, we availed 
 ourselves of every opj)ortimity, consistent with 
 fairness, to qualify the unfavorable opinions 
 formed from personal observations during a resi- 
 dence of twelve months in the golden region. 
 The country, the climate, the social and intel- 
 lectual condition of the people — ^Australia and all 
 we beheld therein, save and except the precious 
 metal, appeared so completely to negative every- 
 thing we had either heard or read on the subject, 
 that we paused for a time in penning a verdict
 
 232 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 whicli might cover tlie recorder with colonial 
 abuse. But as the united indignation of the 
 entire population of Australia would have caused 
 us less pain than that which would spring from 
 the disguise of an honest opinion, we preferred 
 the chance of a penalty from the least painful 
 alternative, and entered our verdict accordingly. 
 
 We now find ourselves placed in another di- 
 lemma — although one of an opposite character. 
 The hesitation caused by an unfavorable impres- 
 sion of Australia confronts our mind like the 
 apparition of some condemned criminal, now that 
 New Zealand compels us to furnish of this more 
 favored land, a sketch the very reverse of that 
 which forms the subject of the neighbouring colo- 
 nies. If in a social jDoint of view we reluctantly 
 pronounced Australia to be the most objectionable 
 of all British dependencies, and the inhabitants, 
 as a body, to be the most depraved, immoral and 
 reckless of any and every European country with 
 which we are acqiiainted, we may possibly be ac- 
 cused of prejudice when we declare New Zealand 
 to be the finest colony in the world, and the 
 majority of its people to be equal in respectability, 
 intelligence, temperance, and honesty, to those in 
 a similar scale of society in any part of Europe. 
 The fear however of rej)roach, or the false accu- 
 sation of prejudice in no way influenced our 
 judgment in the former case, and the certainty 
 of either, or both, or of a more bitter censure
 
 NEW ZEALAND. 233 
 
 still, would be insufficient to check the expression 
 of an honest opinion in the present instance. As 
 stated in our prefatory remarks, we write neither 
 for party nor party purposes, and being entirely 
 independent of and uninfluenced by either, our 
 simple motto is — truth. 
 
 We once either read a prediction or heard it 
 predicted that " New Zealand would at no very 
 remote period become the Great Britain of the 
 southern hemisphere." Although we have but 
 little faith in modern prophets and prophecies 
 generally — ^least of all in those theological and 
 political compounds of the Gumming creation — 
 we confess oiu\selves sufficiently credulous to accept 
 and believe in the above prediction as an excep- 
 tion to the rule. 
 
 Comparatively little known, as she is at present, 
 New Zealand u-ill, no doubt, some day become an 
 important and populous country, if not a great 
 nation. She possesses all the elements to warrant 
 such an opinion and to justify such a belief. With 
 a fine, if not the finest climate in the world, the 
 colony has every corresponding advantage. The 
 capabilities of the land are so great and the pro- 
 duce therefrom so astounding that a stranger and 
 an eye witness is almost afraid to record what, to 
 distant landowners, will naturally appear more like 
 fiction than fact. But as no imaginary sketches 
 — nothing but facts collected from and aiithenti- 
 cated by the best authorities will find room in the
 
 234 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 pages of tliis volume, tlie reader may be assured 
 of dealing with truths, however strange or extra- 
 ordinary may appear the matter they reveal. 
 
 Having visited and personally insj)ected each 
 and all the provinces of New Zealand from Auck- 
 land to Otago, we intend, after a few general 
 remarks on the colony, to transcribe our obser- 
 vations in the chronological order in which they 
 were taken — supplying at the same time, through 
 the kind assistance of the leading settlers, those 
 valuable statistical and other records of the re- 
 spective settlements which — without such aid — it 
 would have been impossible to furnish after a 
 hasty visit of barely six months. 
 
 The following brief but able description of the 
 position, &c., of New Zealand (from " Chambers' 
 Papers for the People") so completely accords 
 with what we have gathered from personal obser- 
 vation and other authentic sources, that we will 
 not vary or mystify so concise an account for the 
 purpose of obtainmg credit for originality : — 
 
 ' ' New Zealand lies in the immense Austral Ocean between 
 New Holland and Cape Horn. On the east that ocean rolls 
 to South America, on the south to the Pole, on the west to 
 Van Diemen's Land, and on the north it stretches bound- 
 lessly away to the Arctic Circle. The group is situated 
 between 34 and 48 degrees south latitude, and between 160 
 and 179 degrees east longitude. It consists of two large 
 islands — the North and the Middle, otherwise New Ulster 
 and New Munster, with a lesser one called Stewart's, or 
 New Leinster, and several scattered islets. The extreme
 
 NEW ZEALAND. 235 
 
 lengtli from Nortli to South Cape exceeds 1 1 00 miles ; its 
 breadth varies from 300 to 1 mile, though 100 is the aver- 
 age. The larger islands are separated by Cook's Strait, 
 and Stewart's is divided from the Middle Island by Four- 
 neaux's Strait. The North Island contains, it has been 
 computed, about 31,174,400 acres of area ; the Middle 
 46,126,080; and Stewart's 1,000,000. 
 
 " To afford the reader an idea, by familiar comparison, of 
 their extent, we may say that the North Island is about a 
 thii'ty-second part less than England, exclusive of Scotland 
 and Wales ; that the Middle is about a ninth less ; and that 
 the whole group contains 78,300,480 acres, or not more than 
 50,000 acres less than the whole of Great Britain and Ire- 
 land with all the adjacent isles: conseqiiently we have in 
 New Zealand an extensive country, capable, in respect of 
 its size, of accommodating 25,000,000 persons at the least. 
 Its natural capabilities are by no means of inferior propor- 
 tion. Tracts of barren hills, iiTCclaimable bogs, naked 
 sandflats, and considerable expanses of water-siu-face, there 
 certainly are ; but amply allowing for these, it appears no 
 exaggeration to assert that at least two-thii-ds, or about 
 52,000,000 acres, are fitted for settlement, and might yield 
 abundant sustenance to a population, whether by herds and 
 flocks, or vintage and grain. New Zealand is most nearly 
 of all countries the antipodes of Great Britain. It lies 1200 
 miles east of the mighty island of New Holland ; and if we 
 suppose an immense semicii'cle formed by the continents of 
 Asia, Africa, and America, extending in a sweej) fi'om Cape 
 Horn, by Behiiug's Strait, to the Cape of Good Hope, 
 encompassing the Indian and Polynesian Archipelagos, and 
 comprising the greatest oceans on the globe. New Zealand 
 occupies nearly the centre. 
 
 New Zealand, like many other groups in the Southern 
 Sea, is of volcanic origin. A chain of lofty hills, broken 
 into liigh sharp peaks, runs along the Middle Island from
 
 236 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 north, to south, their summits towering in some instances to 
 a height of 14,000 feet. The most elevated pinnacles are 
 wrapped in a robe of everlasting snow ; and during the 
 winter season, when the whole ridge is clothed in this mag- 
 nificent covering, its efiect is beyond the power of art to 
 describe. The mariner has compared it to a gigantic crest 
 of foam rolled up by the biUows of the Austral Ocean, and 
 appearing ever ready to sink down and disperse over the 
 waves. In the North Island the hiUs are lower and less 
 distinctly connected ; but a few of their isolated peaks 
 invade the regions of perpetual snow. One of them, Mount 
 Egmont, is an extinct volcano, reckoned to be 8840 feet 
 high : it is situated at the South- West Cape, near Cook's 
 Strait. The first person who ascended it was the intelligent 
 traveller Dr. Dieflfenbach in 1839. Tongarroo, a volcano 
 still active, and Ruaperhue, whose fires have long been ex- 
 tinguished, stand in the centi-e of the island — one 6200, 
 the other loftier, both crowned with perpetual snow, and 
 forming, "wdth two or thi-ee others, a magnificent group of 
 mountains, reared in the middle of a more level but pic- 
 turesque country. Mount Edgecombe is an extinct volcano 
 near the Bay of Plenty. K'o one has ever been known to 
 ascend its summit, which is supposed to be about 7000 feet 
 high. Hence the surface of the island north-east to Mount 
 Egmont wears the traces of violent volcanic action, chiefly 
 proceeding from the crater of Tongarroo. Boiling fountains 
 break from the ground in many places, geysers spout up 
 theii' foam, fumeroles emit columns of sulphury steam, 
 solfataras shoot forth clouds of limiinous vapour, and hot 
 springs in constant ebullition spread over the district in an 
 extended line. In White Island, lying in the Bay of Plenty, 
 exists a low crater, with the rim composed of alloyed sulphur. 
 A chain of lakes, closely connected with the volcanic agencies 
 we have enumerated, gives additional proof of the formation 
 of the region. Lake Tago, in the south-west, is the most
 
 NEW ZEALAND. 237 
 
 extensive. Of an irregular triangular shape, its greatest 
 length is about thirty-six miles, its width twenty-five. 
 Many little creeks indent its borders, and several streams 
 feed it from the south ; while the Waikato River, flowing 
 away westward, bears to the sea the superabundant waters. 
 Around spreads a broad level ti-act or table-land, beyond 
 which the siu'face is depressed, and gradually formed into 
 hills and valleys, where the drainage of the peaks, ranges, 
 and plateaus, accumulated in the beds of streams, is carried 
 to the ocean. Detached ridges, more or less elevated, diver- 
 sify the aspect of New Zealand, lying almost invariably in 
 one direction — from north to south — and dividing the low 
 alluvial plains from the high table lands. 
 
 "As in most other countries presenting similar geo- 
 graphical features, New Zealand presents numerous indica- 
 tions of mineral wealth. Copper, silver, and ii'on, with coal, 
 sulphur, and manganese, have been discovered, each in at 
 least one spot, and worked with considerable success. They 
 already form articles of exportation, and will probably fur- 
 nish materials for manufactui'ing on a large scale. Lead- 
 ore, tin-ore, and what is supposed to be nickel, have been 
 detected, but not hitherto procured in any extraordinary 
 abundance. Many other riches remain, doubtless, for fur- 
 ther research to discover ; but it wiU be M'ell if what has 
 been already brought to light is developed even to a mode- 
 rate extent. Compared with the geological formation of the 
 Andes, the ranges of New Zealand present very similar 
 characteristics, and it is believed they may contain even the 
 more costly metal which is found in the giant chain of South 
 America. 
 
 "In these mountains are traced the soui'ces of streams 
 and rivers which flow into the sea at various points along 
 the extensive coast-line. Some rise from many springs, 
 play down the slopes in rivulets, accumulating and meeting 
 until their associated waters form a river. Others gush
 
 238 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 from copious foimtains, and break into many brooks, which 
 ramify until they shoot like threads of silver over the sur- 
 face of the plains. Pdsing, as all the streams do, at a 
 considerable elevation above the level of the sea, into which 
 they discharge themselves after a very abrupt course, or 
 long windings through a rugged country, they are not gene- 
 rally navigable for any great distance. Some, however, 
 tortuous and broken as they are by falls and rapids, flow 
 one, and even two himdred miles. The high peaks of the 
 hills, intercepting masses of cloud formed by the congre- 
 gated vapours of the surrounding ocean, bring them down 
 in "floods, which supply the rivers with a perennial flow, 
 afibrding an exhaustless water-power in every hollow and 
 vaUey of New Zealand. Advantageous as they would thus 
 be were the region densely peopled in the more elevated 
 tracts, they are in the lower provinces blessings to the popu- 
 lation, spreading out wide alluvial flats, fertile beyond 
 exaggeration, large spaces of which are now ready for the 
 plough and the di-Ul ; while in others the axe of the wood- 
 man and the task of drainage still remain to render the land 
 susceptible of cultivation. 
 
 " Few regions in the world — in comparison with the extent 
 of coast-liae, about three thousand miles — equal New Zea- 
 land in the excellence and abundance of their harbors. 
 Here a commodious, safe, and central rendezvous is offered 
 to the vast shipping trade of the Southern Seas, including 
 myriads of islands, many of them the most fruitful in the 
 world. It might form the entrepot of commerce between 
 the Indian and Polynesian Archipelagoes ; and will probably, 
 when its affairs have been liberally settled, literally become, 
 as many orators, writers, and economists have prophesied, 
 another Great Britain in the Austral Ocean. 
 
 "To the British emigrant, however, one consideration is 
 paramount above all views of profit. It is nothing to him 
 that a region abounds in harbors, ports, and bays ; that it
 
 NEW ZEALA^^^. 239 
 
 has a fertile soil, is rich in minerals, abounds ■with timber, 
 and promises wealth to the industrious settler, unless its 
 climate be genial to the European constitution. A mine of 
 gold or an estate near Cape Coast Castle woidd not induce 
 him to make his habitation there ; the gold-washings of 
 Borneo will not aUure him to live amid its marshes ; but in 
 New Zealand soil and cHmate equally invite his enterj^rise. 
 We have with respect to this subject heard many erroneous 
 statements ; but a careful examination of accounts by the 
 most competent authorities imposes on us but one belief. 
 "We maintain without reserve that the climate of New 
 Zealand is better adapted to the English constitution than 
 that of any other British colony. The immense preponder- 
 ance of water over land in those latitudes causes a less 
 degree of average heat than in the northern regions, where 
 the land greatly preponderates over the water. In tempe- 
 rature, therefore, New Zealand resembles that of the country 
 between the south of Portugal and the central departments 
 of France, or rather that which, from its insular character, 
 Great Britain would enjoy if its centre lay twelve hundred 
 miles to the west of Cape Finisterre." 
 
 Pre\-ious to a distinct review of eacli locality, 
 we will make a few general remarks — such as 
 would natiu-ally occur to the mind of a stranger 
 or any one who has noted or may note the political 
 and social atmosphere of New Zealand in visiting 
 the respective provinces. In the first place (with- 
 out inquiring into or suggesting a remedy for the 
 cause of the disease or attributing blame to any 
 particular class of persons) our honesty compels 
 us to declare that politics, politicians, and petty 
 jealousies, constitute the great if not the only
 
 240 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 barrier to the rapid progress of tlie colony, and 
 to the social and mental elevation and prosperity 
 of the inhabitants. Although prosperity and ma- 
 terial wealth are within the grasp of, and easily 
 obtained in a few years by the humblest individual 
 in New Zealand, it is to be regretted that such 
 desirable acquirements are not more frequently 
 accompanied with peace of mind to the owners 
 and good will towards others. Men aspire to, or 
 are elected to fill seats in the legislative assemblies 
 who are in no respect qualified for the senatorial 
 and (in the colony) anything but peaceful honor. 
 But while these persons are not qualified for their 
 position they obstruct others that are. It appears 
 to us that many of these gentlemen would make a 
 larger and more substantial provision for their 
 families and a smaller number of enemies for 
 themselves if they would attend to their private 
 afiairs instead of obstructing pubKc ones. Without 
 venturing a positive opinion on the subject, it 
 appears to us not unreasonable to submit the ques- 
 tion, whether the cause of this may not be traced 
 to the form or forms of government provided by 
 the mother country rather than to the colonists 
 themselves ; for where opportimities occur for 
 petty statesmen to fill great parts in a little play, 
 the farce will not fail for want of characters to 
 represent it. With six local governments and a 
 general assembly, in place of one efiicient govern- 
 ment for the entire colony, it is perhaps not to be
 
 NEW ZEALAND. 241 
 
 wondered at that tlie general good is sometimes 
 retarded or sacrificed to the local or provincial 
 elements of jealousy, malice, or ambition. 
 
 The contracted or selfish views of certain in- 
 fluential tradesmen or merchants will likewise 
 strike a close observer, as something to be re- 
 gretted, if not deserving of censure, as the want 
 of favor or unity on the part of a few of the 
 leading settlers in a province, has to our own 
 knowledge often been the means of losing what 
 wovdd have advanced the general interests of the 
 country. Suppose for instance an opportunity 
 ofiers to benefit the colony by increased local or 
 distant steam communication, on a plan proposed 
 by Messrs. Patriot and Co. ; Selfish, Brothers and 
 Co. at once oppose the plan — of coiu'se on 2mhlic 
 grounds — because increased facihties for the pas- 
 sage of persons and goods from one place to another 
 might at the same time have a prejudicial effect 
 on periodical consignments received by Selfish, 
 Brothers and Co. from a distant part of the world. 
 
 With the New Zealand provinces, as with jea- 
 lous and ill-natured individuals, the same imfor- 
 tunate ride is foimd to exist; and it would be 
 easier to mix oil with water than to induce the 
 spirits in one province to imite with those in 
 another, although the Avant of imity might be 
 injurious to all. These evils however are but 
 trifles in a country where the advantages possess- 
 ed by a settler are greater by tenfold than the
 
 242 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 disadyantages ; for while such impediments may 
 obstruct for a time the rapid progress of small 
 communities, they will gradually disappear as the 
 districts become more thickly populated, and when 
 the public voice for the public good grows too 
 powerfid to be suppressed by the influence of a 
 few selfish and bigoted individuals. 
 
 Nothing but some imforeseen and dire calamity, 
 emanating from a higher power than man, can 
 check the gradual progress of the finest colony in 
 the world, or prevent the immense resources of 
 New Zealand from being more generally kno^Ti, 
 so soon as, through increased enterprise and addi- 
 tional manual and other appliances, her resources 
 are more fidly developed. 
 
 The internal and dormant riches of a country, 
 like real sparks of genius in the retiring mind of 
 man, may be obscured for a time by the smoke 
 and steam of more imposing but less sterling 
 objects, but flashes from concealed merit occa- 
 sionally attract attention, till the strength of the 
 flame dispels the surrounding vapour and finally 
 obtains for its possessor the public recognition of 
 true worth. 
 
 New Zealand is essentially a poor man's country, 
 although there are but few poor in it. It is a 
 country to which those of the working classes in 
 England who have the means or intend to emi- 
 grate should direct their steps ; for it is a colony 
 in which nine out of every ten who land therein
 
 NEW ZEALAND. 243 
 
 rise in the course of a fevr years from poverty to 
 affluence, or from a poor to a good position. With 
 industry and sobriety, the artisan, or laborer, soon 
 becomes his own master, lando^vner, or farmer ; 
 and the majority of the most wealthy men in the 
 colony are those who landed a few years since 
 without any capital beyond that which is most 
 valuable in New Zealand — individual labor. At the 
 present time the colonial government are trying, 
 in vain, to obtain common laborers to work on the 
 roads at eight shillings a day. A good mechanic 
 can obtain treble that amount per diem. Indeed 
 the laboring classes — even while laborers — ^may be 
 termed the independent gentrj^ of the colony. 
 Their wives have never been waited on by servants 
 in the mother country, and have not to experience 
 that loss which is severely felt by those accustomed 
 to good society, and who, owing to the difficulty 
 of obtaining domestic servants, have frequently to 
 undertake any and every menial office. We have 
 known kind and considerate husbands — solicitors, 
 merchants, and some of the leading men in a 
 province — rise early in the morning, and as a 
 singidar prelude to their professional or commer- 
 cial duties, open the business of the day by lighting 
 the fire, washing the dishes, or scrubbing the floor 
 for their amiable ladies. Servants are so scarce 
 and so independent that the difficulty of obtaining 
 them is exceeded by that of keeping them when 
 obtained. We have more than once dined with
 
 244 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 a family of respectability who have themselves 
 cooked and served the dinner, presided at the 
 dinner table, and afterwards favored us with a 
 little instrumental or vocal music, or joined their 
 friends in a pollia or quadrille. To a few heavily 
 taxed and good-natured husbands in the United 
 Kingdom we take the liberty of suggesting that 
 twelve months residence in l^ew Zealand might 
 prove of infinite service to those gentle partners 
 whose fair featxrres dare not enter their own 
 kitchens, from the fear of being smoked or over- 
 heated. Yet strange to say, we have never in 
 New Zealand met a well educated lady who was 
 less the lady on account of ha^^ing for a time to 
 submit to social discomforts and privations, the 
 very mention of which would make some of our 
 English drawing-room dolls turn pale in disgust, 
 or red with shame. A sensible lady not only sub- 
 mits with good grace to the requirements of an 
 altered position, or the necessities of the moment, 
 but she likewise retains her title and her dignity, 
 even though circumstances compel her to become 
 her own waiting-maid or cook. 
 
 With a working man in England a large family 
 is not unfrequently regarded as a social calamity. 
 In J^ew Zealand a large family proves a source of 
 ultimate wealth, as any lad of twelve or fourteen 
 years of age can, in return for his services, readily 
 obtain a comfortable home with a salary of £20 
 or £30 a year. On this subject there is one im-
 
 NEW ZEALAND. 245 
 
 portant fact, the knowledge of wliich may be found 
 useful to or taken advantage of by a few married 
 but childless individuals in the mother country. 
 While many or most parts of the colonj^ under 
 consideration are highly favorable to agricidtual 
 or pastoral purposes, the invigorating effects of 
 its delightful climate would appear to be eqiially 
 fayorable to a local increase in the population. 
 We have met with settlers who for many years in 
 England had despaired of ever becoming parents ; 
 but since their arrival in the colony they have 
 been blessed with the parental title — a title "with- 
 out which man's estate, however bomitifully sup- 
 plied with the periodical riches of the land, would 
 be still poor without those tender saplings which 
 can alone perpetuate the seed of domestic bliss. 
 
 The newspaper prass in New Zealand is certainly 
 not calculated to lessen out* unfavorable opinion 
 of colonial periodicals and colonial Kterature in 
 general. With two worthy, independent, and 
 honorable exceptions, to which we will not more 
 particularly allude, the New Zealand newspapers 
 represent all those petty jealousies and political 
 animosities with which so many of the inhabitants 
 are infected, and which the residents of one pro- 
 vince evince towards those in another. European 
 intelligence and occasional extracts from the Eng- 
 lish papers comprise the leading matter of interest 
 — or rather only that which is at all likely to 
 interest any one imconnected with local squabbles.
 
 246 KEW ZEALAND. 
 
 Whatever is said or done by one party, or the 
 leaders of a party, is sui'e to be disapproved or 
 condemned by another. It occurs to us that these 
 journals, which should ratlier endeavour to subdue 
 than irritate the public mind on trifles, would 
 prove of greater service to the colony and the 
 settlers, if in their repeated attacks on persons 
 and places they were to display less violence and 
 more moderation — which would be news indeed. 
 
 Returning however to the advantages of New 
 Zealand, as the most desirable home for those who 
 are about to emigrate from the United Kingdom, 
 we deem it desirable to be clearly understood on 
 this point. AVhile we are anxious to afford useful 
 information to all intending emigrants, the entire 
 worth of New Zealand would not (intentionally) 
 induce us, in stating our own opinion, to allow 
 anything to escape in the shape of praise which 
 might either create a false impression in the minds 
 of others, or justify some future colonists in sajdng 
 (what thousands in Australia, who have been de- 
 luded by false representations, have had occasion 
 to say) " that book deceived us." 
 
 If any poor but well educated families — and in 
 England there are imfortunately hundreds of such 
 families — ^^■ho prefer the fascinations of jDolite so- 
 cietj^ to the more substantial rewards of industry 
 and social retii'ement — families, the male branches 
 of which regard the interior of a billiard-room or 
 a casino as indispensable margins on the page of
 
 NEW ZEALAND. 247 
 
 life, while the female members of such families 
 would rob their craving stomachs of a good dimier 
 for the latest fashion in the shape of a bonnet or a 
 boot — if such, or any such persons would rather 
 prolong their lives than die Avith melancholy we 
 earnestly advise them to remain where they are. 
 
 For a colonial life, threadbare notions of refined 
 gentility will be found useless appendages in an 
 emigrant's outfit ; and those who are still anxious 
 for the display of such ornaments will do weR to 
 keep them and themselves away from a land where 
 these things and a variety of conventional forms 
 have no existence, or are of no avail. But if such 
 persons can submit, without murmur and without 
 regret, to hard work, and to the loss of artificial 
 pleasures, they may then derive profit by a 
 change which, without ready submission to the 
 sacrifices enumerated, would otherwise lead to 
 disappointment. 
 
 Well educated persons whose means enable them 
 to live in moderate ease should likewise remain at 
 home — presuming that home to be England. To 
 people accustomed to good society and the inde- 
 pendence arising from an experienced and atten- 
 tive suite of servants, the discomforts of a colonial 
 life will be found great and many. Eut, on the 
 other hand, if those needy ladies and gentlemen 
 whose brains are heavily taxed to keep up a 
 respectable appearance on a hundred or a hundred 
 and fifty pounds a year, derived from funded or
 
 248 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 other property, are disposed to submit to a few 
 inconveniences (many of tliem temporary ones) 
 for a deKghtful climate and an increased revenue, 
 by taking tlieir three or four thousand pounds to, 
 and residing in New Zealand, they may attain the 
 summit of their desire ; and at the expiration of a 
 few years they may, if they choose, return to their 
 native land with their capital doubled, or probably 
 trebled. 
 
 In most, if not in all the provinces of New 
 Zealand ample landed security can be obtained for 
 money on loan at ten, txcelve, and in some instances, 
 fifteen, or even twenty per cent, per annum. The 
 idtimate ruin of the borrowers may probably be 
 predicted by those residing in a country where 
 money is more abundant, and where people are 
 unacquainted with the circumstances which justify 
 so large a rate of interest. A few words will 
 satisfy the reader that such a prediction would 
 prove quite fallacious, and that the security named 
 for loans at the rates quoted will be ample, while 
 the interest is justifiable. For instance, the owner 
 of a piece of land of the value of four or five 
 lumdred pounds may wish to purchase a few sheep. 
 He has no ready money, but obtains on the secu- 
 rity of his land three hundred pounds at fifteen 
 per cent. The increase of his live stock will yield, 
 on the smallest computation, from forty to fifty per 
 cent., which wovdd leave a surplus profit over and 
 above the interest paid of from twenty-five to
 
 NEW ZEALAND. 249 
 
 tliirty-five per cent. This will be yearly aug- 
 mented by the comj)oimd increase in his stock, 
 which in a few years will leave the owner thou- 
 sands for himdreds, or in other words, a pound 
 sterling for every two shillings previously in- 
 vested. We are acquainted not with one only, 
 but with many persons who at the jjresent time 
 are owners of ten, fifteen, or twenty thousand 
 sheep, and who but five or six years since dated 
 the commencement of their rise with an invest- 
 ment of fifty, one hundred, or a hundred and fifty 
 pounds. 
 
 For making capital in New Zealand, by lending 
 and borro^^ng money, various other modes might 
 be instanced, but the cases above alluded to will 
 be sufiicient to prove that in one part of the world 
 at least — ^though not in the United Kingdom — 
 people may pay or receive a handsome income for 
 a small investment, or give or take a high rate of 
 interest without danger of ruin either to them- 
 selves or others. 
 
 Respectable society on a limited scale may, but 
 good society — that which in England is termed 
 good society — cannot be found in New Zealand. 
 In speaking of society we must be understood to 
 refer to the want of a sufiicient number of persons 
 in any particular district or community to consti- 
 tute the society alluded to. To this there are of 
 course many individual and family exceptions. 
 But we speak of the rule not the exception ; and
 
 250 
 
 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 altliougli on certain occasions large numbers of 
 the inhabitants are invited to Government House, 
 the majority of such persons are regarded rather 
 as favored visitors than friendly guests. Some of 
 the provinces can boast of better society than can 
 be found in others ; but this and other social 
 matters we leave for notice under the head of the 
 respective localities. 
 
 This great prej^onderance both in the caj)ital 
 and in some of the provinces of uneducated or 
 illiterate people will fully account for the absence 
 of a refined taste with regard to anything of an 
 intellectual character, either in the shape of 
 amusement or instruction. As in Australia, a 
 lecture on poetry or the fine arts would be alike 
 unappreciated and unattended, or attended only 
 by a select few — while a mountebank on the back 
 of a horse would prove a source of attraction and 
 delight for the multitude. Unless a pubKc enter- 
 tainment be of an exciting character, such as a 
 farewell dinner to Tom Stiles or Harry Stokes — 
 although neither of the honored guests would be 
 allowed to utter half a dozen sentences without 
 interruption — it would cease to be attractive. Pro- 
 fessor Thimblerig can at all times insure a large 
 audience, while Doctor Mental's classical disserta- 
 tion commands an empty house. It is however 
 the poorer classes — or rather the working classes, 
 for there are no poor in New Zealand — by which 
 amusements are chiefly patronised. The educated
 
 NEW ZEALAND. 251 
 
 portion of the community derive their pleasure in 
 theii' own family circles. In addition to this, their 
 minds and minutes are so entirely devoted to 
 money-making, that their time appears to be 
 entirely absorbed in this and this object only. 
 
 There is one rather remarkable fact respecting 
 the movements of those who have resided a few 
 years in New Zealand, and who during their resi- 
 dence therein have — ^like the majority of colonists 
 — endeavoured to amass a large amoimt of money 
 in a short space of time, for the purpose of re- 
 turning to live in peace and plenty, if not in 
 luxury, in their own native land. The fact al- 
 luded to, or rather the revelation therefrom, is 
 simply this — those to whom it relates talk of going 
 home for a considerable time before they actually 
 go ; and having gone, nine out of every ten, after 
 a short absence, retui'n again to the land of their 
 adoption. Making allowance for the loss of friends 
 and acquaintances, and many other miattractive 
 features which might cloud the imagination on 
 the emigrant's return, the simple fact of his 
 having the means to procure every pleasure where 
 every pleasure is procurable, and that he finally 
 leaves all for a climate, friends and habits more in 
 accordance with his feelings and his taste, furnishes 
 a truth, the evidence from which, in favor of New 
 Zealand, is stronger than any other we can adduce. 
 
 The Maori or native race of New Zealand are 
 in every respect superior to any colored race with
 
 252 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 whicli we are acquainted. Through the interest 
 and attention of the present indefatigable Bishop, 
 many schools have been established ; and not only 
 can a large number of natives at present read and 
 write, but some of them have been ordained as 
 ministers of the gospel. Though they want the 
 industry and perseverance of the European, even 
 the uncivilised portion of them are not deficient 
 in honesty ; and most of their evil propensities 
 have been copied from their civilised but bad 
 companions from the mother country. If honestly 
 dealt by, the dealer may be sure of an equivalent 
 in the transaction ; but if treacherously dealt with, 
 they will, if possible, retaliate. We have travelled 
 amongst them (unarmed) into the interior, and 
 would not hesitate to journey for any distance in 
 any part of the colony, satisfied not only of hos- 
 pitable treatment at the hands of the natives, but 
 also of perfect security both with regard to life 
 and property. 
 
 But Kke other native races in countries where 
 Europeans have permanently settled, the New 
 Zealanders are annually on the decrease, and will 
 no doubt in the course of time — perhaps forty or 
 fifty years, become nearly, if not entirely, extinct. 
 
 We will at present briefly observe — it being our 
 intention to notice the subject more fidly at a 
 subsequent stage of our work — that an erroneous 
 opinion prevails in England with regard to the 
 earthquakes which periodically take place in one
 
 NEW ZEALAND. 253 
 
 part of the colony. It is generally supposed that 
 the whole of New Zealand is subject to those con- 
 ndsions of the earth, which in reality seriously 
 affect one province only. The extreme provinces in 
 which extinct volcanoes prove the complete ex- 
 haustion of internal commotion, may note, as the 
 rumbling of distant thunder, or by a slight vibra- 
 tion from the effect of the shock, the periods at 
 which the most violent convulsions take place, 
 although, as we previously stated, their effects 
 are chiefly confine(? to the locality in which they 
 occur. 
 
 Although New Zealand cannot at present boast of 
 rich gold fields fully develojDcd, like those of Aus- 
 tralia, a treasure more valuable and inexhaustible 
 may be found in the periodical riches of her soU. 
 The excessive draughts of AustraHa, by which thou- 
 sands of sheep perish and whole crops decay, are 
 totally unknow nhere. Whether the coming season 
 may or may not reward the Australian settler for 
 his labor andhis outlay is entirely a matter of spe- 
 culation ; while here the crops are as regular and 
 as luxuriant as the seasons themselves. Rivulets 
 and running streams of the purest water, unknown 
 in AustraHa, are here everywhere to be found. 
 The comparative condition of the cattle in the re- 
 spective colonies is alone a sufficient proof of this. 
 Poor and emaciated, like the aboriginal tribes in 
 the golden region, the oxen of that coimtry pre- 
 sent a miserable spectacle. But here, through the
 
 254 NEW ZEALAND- 
 
 inAagorating effects of a pure atmospliere, rich, 
 pasture, and an abundant supply of water, the 
 cattle, like the Maori, or human native race, are 
 everywhere healthy, robust, and in excellent con- 
 dition. Of vegetable and other productions we 
 shall speak in due course ; and the English farmer 
 will no doubt be somewhat surprised to hear of 
 immanured land producing fifty, sixty, and seventy 
 bushels of wheat to the acre, not for one year only 
 but for several years in succession. But these and 
 all subjects relating to figures will be confirmed by 
 the signatiu'es of the respective and most compe- 
 tent authorities in each province. 
 
 Having thus given in a few prefatory and cur- 
 sory remarks a rough and general outline of what 
 will be embodied in detail in the progressive stages 
 of the work, we will proceed with a description of 
 the capital and the respective provinces. 
 
 But in penning the attractive and other features 
 of New Zealand, it is not our intention to extend 
 the description beyond the actual requirements of 
 the subject, nor to tax the patience of the reader 
 with a rigmarole of personal adventures, which 
 are generally miinteresting and of little value to 
 the public. We will merely furnish a simple 
 record of facts, gathered from our own observation 
 and corroborated by those whose experience is 
 called on to attest their accuracy. And although 
 we earnestly advise those industrious persons who 
 are about to leave England for another home, and
 
 NEW ZEALAND. 25 
 
 who value health, sure advancement, and idtimate 
 independence, to choose the colony above all others 
 in which, with temperance and industry, a mode- 
 rate hope of future success in life would be certain 
 of realization, we >vill not recommend any parti- 
 cular province to the prejudice of another, but, 
 after a distinct though brief description of each, 
 we will leave those who may adopt our advice, in 
 the selection of this fine colony for their future 
 abode, to -select the pro^dnce they may deem the 
 best adapted to their calling or their wants. 
 
 For the information of those who cannot afford 
 the entire amount required for their passage to 
 New Zealand,, we may observe that resident Lon- 
 don agents, as the representatives of some parts 
 of the colony, are empowered to assist respectable 
 and suitable applicants. 
 
 New Zealand is divided into six provinces, viz., 
 Auckland, Taranaki (or New Plymouth), "Wel- 
 lington, Nelson, Canterbury, and Otago. Each 
 province is governed by a superintendent (elected 
 by the local residents) and a provincial council. 
 And each province contributes its proportionate 
 share of members to the House of Representatives 
 which legislates for the entire colony, the members 
 of which meet annually for the purpose of general 
 legislation.
 
 256 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 With, regard to the probable extent of the 
 mineral riches of New Zealand, or the value of 
 the recently discovered gold fields, it would, at 
 present, be impossible for any one to venture more 
 than a speculative opinion. But from all we saw 
 and heard during our stay in the colony, as well 
 as from private advices received since our return, 
 we are inclined to think that not only gold, but 
 likewise copper and other minerals will shortly be 
 found and exported in considerable quantities — 
 that is, so soon as a supply of labor will enable 
 explorers and settlers to turn recent discoveries to 
 the best advantage. It will however be unneces- 
 sary to do more than direct attention to a few 
 brief but more general remarks on the subject, 
 which will be fomid in our review of the province 
 of Nelson. 
 
 New Zealand is open alike to foreigners of every 
 nation without reference to country or creed. We 
 merely revert to this subject for the purpose of 
 supplpng what we omitted to state elsewhere — 
 that in the colony of Victoria a recent legislative 
 enactment imposes a tax of £8 or £10 per head — 
 the latter we believe — on all immigrants arriving 
 from at least one country with which England has 
 extensive commercial transactions. The reason 
 for the Executive omitting from the "Victorian 
 Tariff" this duty on human flesh is obvious.
 
 AUCKLAND. 
 
 In the town of Auckland is at present tlie seat 
 of government. We saj at present, because the 
 great bone of contention in the ensuing session 
 will be an attempt to remove the same — WeUing- 
 ton and Nelson being the chief contentionists. 
 We predict not only the failure of both, but like- 
 wise the usual waste of public time by the antago- 
 nists, and the natural result of the dispute — that 
 the speakers, like the seat of government, will be 
 just in the same position at the end as they were 
 at the beginning of the debate. 
 
 In a commercial point of view, Auckland is at 
 present the most important town in New Zealand ; 
 but whether or not she will long maintain that 
 supremacy is a question rather for time than for 
 us to determine. She is now indebted to traffic 
 with the natives for the greater portion of her 
 trade ; and as the natives are gradually on the 
 decrease, and as land in the province of Auckland, 
 either in extent or fertility, will not bear com- 
 
 s
 
 258 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 parison with that in the southern provinces, it 
 appears to be a matter of considerable donbt — 
 when some of the other districts have the benefit 
 of an increased population, and additional steam 
 communication, &c. — whether Auckland will still 
 retain the position she now holds. 
 
 The military, government officers, and a few 
 families excepted, the quality of society in Auck- 
 land, if such a term be applicable, is inferior to 
 that in any other province in New Zealand. The 
 majority of merchants and tradesmen here are 
 exceedingly coarse both in manner and education, 
 many of them being the dregs or sweepings of 
 Sydney. This fact may justify the use of the 
 doubtful term, as in the southern hemisphere 
 there is no doubt whatever respecting the refuse 
 of Sydney society. 
 
 Monthly steam communication with Australia — 
 which is in course of formation, but not yet esta- 
 bKshed by some of the other provinces — gives 
 Auckland a great advantage over her neighbors, 
 as it insures a periodical traffic between that port 
 and New South Wales, although, as we before 
 observed, some of the live stock from the last- 
 named colony — cattle excepted — add to the quan- 
 tity rather than to the quality of the inhabitants. 
 
 Making allowance for a natm-al leaning in favor 
 of the province of Auckland, the reader will gather 
 a tolerably correct idea of the town, district, 
 climate, &c., of the northern settlement in the
 
 AUCKLAND. 259 
 
 following graphic sketch, from the pen (as we are 
 informed) of a well-known and talented officer 
 attached to the government of New Zealand. The 
 want of a Government House, alluded to by the 
 writer, will no longer be felt, as a very handsome 
 building is now nearly if not quite complete, and 
 will greatly surpass that which was destroyed by 
 fire : — 
 
 *' The Town of Auckland is built on the Xorthern side of 
 the Isthmus which divides the "Waitemata from the Manu- 
 kau, and is bounded on the j!>[oi'th by the shores of the former 
 harbor. The site of the Town, as laid down on the Oificial 
 Plan, has a frontage on the water of about a mile and a 
 half, and extends inland to the distance of about a mile. 
 At present, the greater number of the houses have been 
 built near the water, in the bays and on the headlands vdth 
 which it is indented. These bays are backed by small 
 valleys which run inland to the distance of about half a 
 mile, terminating in narrow gullies, and are separated from 
 each other by spui's which run in the harbor and terminate 
 in low headlands. The lower parts of the To"uti being thus 
 separated, the roads which connect them with each other are 
 somewhat steep and inconvenient. 
 
 * ' Seen from the Harbor, the Town makes a considerable 
 appearance, and suggests the idea of expansiveness. St. 
 Paul's Church, with its neat spire, occupying a prominent 
 position on the centre headland is an ornamental feature. 
 The Barracks, the Scotch Church, the Colonial Hospital, the 
 Yfesleyan Institution, the Roman Catholic Church, and the 
 "Windmill on the hill, with Mount Eden in the back ground 
 are the most prominent objects. Approaching the shore, 
 Official Bay, commanded by St. Paul's Chnrch, and with its 
 detached cottage-like houses built on a sheltered slope, each
 
 260 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 snugly nestled in the luxuriant shrubbery of its surrounding 
 garden, looks pretty and picturesque. Commercial Bay, 
 seen from the water, presents the appearance of a large 
 Town, having a mass of houses closely packed together. 
 Mechanics' Bay is as yet but little built upon ; a large rope- 
 walk, a ship-builder's yard, a native hostelry, and a few 
 small shops are the only buildings. This Bay is the prin- 
 cipal place of encampment for the natives visiting Auckland 
 in their canoes ; here they land their native produce, iu fine 
 weather bivouacing in the open air, or under their sail-made 
 tents ; and, in bad weather, seeking shelter in the neigh- 
 bouring hostelry. Freeman's Bay, to the westward of Com- 
 mercial Bay, is occupied chiefly by saw-pits, brick-kilns, 
 and boat-builders' yards. 
 
 ' * The principal streets are Princes Sti-eet, Shortland Cres- 
 cent, Queen Street, and Wakefield Street. The first is a 
 broad, straight, spacious, well-made sti'eet, on a gentle 
 slope ; St. Paul's Chm-ch, the Treasury and the Bank, and 
 the Masonic Hotel are its principal bviildings. Shortland 
 Crescent, which connects Princes Street with Queen Street, 
 is built on rather a steep ascent. It is less broad than 
 Princes Street, but much longer. On one side it is almost 
 wholly built upon ; shops and stores are here to be found of 
 every description, and of various forms and style. No 
 attempt at uniformity has been made ; every one has built 
 according to his means, fancy, or the size and shape of his 
 ground. The only approach to uniformity is in the mate- 
 rial — ^with a few exceptions, all are of wood. The roadway 
 of the street is an even Mc'Adamized surface ; but no at- 
 tempt has yet been made to form footjmths on a general 
 level. Some of the shops would not disgrace a small pro- 
 vincial town in England ; but taken altogether as a street, 
 Shortland Crescent is irregular and unfinished. Queen 
 Street is the least built upon, but in other respects it is the 
 best and most considerable street in Auckland. It is about
 
 AUCKLAND. 261 
 
 half a mile long, nearly level, and almost straight, and 
 terminates at its northern extremity in a pier or quay, 
 which runs into the Harbor, and alongside of which small 
 craft can land, on this stage, their cargoes. At its southern 
 extremity it is overlooked by the Wesleyan Seminary, or 
 Boarding-school for the education of the children of the 
 missionaries in these seas — a spacious brick-built and sub- 
 stantial structure. The Gaol is badly situated, and is by 
 no means a conspicuous building ; but by a diligent search 
 it may be found on the west side of Queen Street, partly 
 screened from view by the Court-house and Police-oflB^ce, 
 which abut immediately upon the street. Several shops of 
 superior description, two and three stories high, have re- 
 cently been erected, and Q,ueen Street, as well as being 
 the longest, is certainly just now one of the most improving 
 streets in Auckland. "Wakefield Street ascends from its 
 southern extremity until it joins the Cemetery Road ; and 
 is the newest and most increasing sti'eet in the town. Many 
 of the houses are built of brick, and it already bears a 
 considerable resemblance to a new street in the outskirts of 
 a modern English town. 
 
 " The want of a Government House is a serious drawback. 
 Even beyond the circle of the visiting world, the destruction 
 of the Old House has been, in every respect a public loss. 
 Few men possess in their own persons qualities of an order 
 so commanding as to fit them to represent Majesty without 
 the aid of its outward trappings. The want of a suitable 
 residence, operates injui'iously on society in many respects : 
 it is a loss to the public, a detriment to the place, and heavy 
 blow and great discouragement " to that dignity which 
 ought to hedge about" the Queen's Yiccgerent. The 
 grounds on which the Old House stood, is planted with 
 English oaks and other trees, wliich already afford both 
 shade and shelter ; the lawn and walks are neatly kept ; the 
 situation is pretty and convenient, commanding a view of
 
 262 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 tlie Flag- staff, and of the entrance into the Harbor ; it is 
 close to the Town, too, without being of the town ; and it 
 excites in all who take an interest in the place a feeling of 
 regret that it has not yet been restored to its legitimate 
 purpose. 
 
 " The most considerable public buildings are the Brito- 
 mart and Albert Barracks, having together accommodation 
 for nearly 1000 men. The former are built on the extremity 
 of the headland di\dding Official from Commercial Bay, and 
 form a conspicuous, but by no means an ornamental feature. 
 The buildings are solid and substantial, mostly of scoria — 
 a dai'k, grey, sombre colored stone — square, heavy- looking 
 and unsightly. The Albert Barracks, the larger of the two, 
 are built upon the same ridge, but about a quarter of a mile 
 inland. The Stores, Hospital, Magazine, and Commissariat 
 Offices are built of scoria. The rest of the buildings are of 
 wood, plain in style, and of a sombre color. The various 
 buildings, together with the parade-ground, occupy several 
 acres, the whole of which is surrounded by a strong scoria 
 wall, about ten or twelve feet high, loop-holed, and with 
 flanking angles. The position of the Albert Barracks is 
 healthy and cheerful, overlooking the Town and Harbor, 
 and commanding an extensive view of the siuTounding 
 country ; but being commanded by a rising ground within 
 a few hundred yards, and being "within view from ships in 
 the Harbor, and within range of their shot and shell, the 
 site, in a military point of view, is not happily chosen. 
 Although much more extensive than those at Wellington, 
 the Auckland Barracks have by no means the same neat, 
 cheerful, and compact appearance. It is not probable how- 
 ever that so large a portion of almost level ground will for 
 many years be allowed to be taken from the site of a town 
 having too generally a broken and uneven surface. 
 
 " Seen from the neighbourhood of St. Paul's Church, the 
 Harbor presents the appeai'anoe of a land-locked, lake-like,
 
 AUCKLAND. 263 
 
 sheet of water : the FlaS-staff Hill, and North ITead of 
 mound-like form, bound it on the left. Over the low neck 
 of land wliicli connects them appears the rugged volcanic 
 island of Rangitoto, with its triple peaks ; in front are the 
 islands of Motukoria and Waiheki, forming the middle 
 distance, with the range of high land which divides the 
 Gulf of the Thames from the open sea, and which termi- 
 nates in Cape Colville, forming the back ground. On the 
 right, the outline is broken by numerous little bays, and 
 the low headlands which divide them ; the Sentinel Rock 
 forming at all times a conspicuous object. 
 
 ' ' On the shore of the Harbor on which the Town is bxiilt, 
 the water is shoal, and its several , bays, at low water, are 
 left uncovered. Except at high- water the landing generally 
 along the shore is inconvenient. For several years, Auck- 
 land, in this respect, enjoyed a bad pre-eminence ; but the 
 reproach has at length been removed by the erection of a 
 neat wooden jetty, iive hundred feet in length, which affords 
 a convenient boat landing-place at nearly all times of the 
 tide. It also forms an ornamental featm-e in Official Bay, 
 and affords to the public an agreeable promenade. At a 
 short distance from the foot of the pier is a brick-built tanlv, 
 supplied by a spring of excellent water. Pipes are laid on 
 to the tank, and run along to the extremity of the pier, 
 where water-casks can be fflled and taken off to the ship- 
 ping at all times of the tide. A quay or landing-place is 
 also in course of construction in Commercial Bay, alongside 
 of which vessels in the coasting trade will be able to land 
 and to take in theii* cargoes. On the North Shore — across 
 the harbor, opposite the to'mi, distant somewhat less than a 
 mile — the water deepens rapidly, the landing is good, and 
 the shore is a dry, clear, shelly beach. 
 
 " There are no port charges, harbor dues, or taxes levied 
 on shipping; and the harbor is open to all the world to 
 enter and depart free of any charge. There is a pilot, but
 
 264 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 it is optional with masters of vessels to employ Hm. If not 
 employed, no pilotage is chargeable. The port is siipplied 
 with almost everything necessary for refitting and refreshing 
 vessels — and both ships' stores and provisions can be ob- 
 tained at a moderate price. 
 
 " The Suburban District comprises the rising ground by 
 which the to'svTi is sheltered. Many of the choicest spots 
 are already occupied by neat-looking private houses. Over- 
 looking the town and the harbor — and commanding a view 
 of the Gulf, with the "Great Barrier" and "Little Barrier" 
 Islands in the far distance, and the nearer islands which 
 give shelter to the "Waitemata — these rising grounds possess 
 numerous pretty sites. But generally speaking the scenery 
 in this district is neither bold nor picturesque ; and is alto- 
 gether unlike the general character of Xew Zealand scenery 
 — comparatively bare of trees, and distinguished only by 
 the number of its volcanic hills. The surrounding countiy 
 is open, undulating — intersected in all dii-ections by the 
 numerous creeks of the "Waitemata and the Manukau, and 
 easily available for agricultural purposes ; but it presents 
 few of the characteristics of a New Zealand landscape, and 
 it has nothing to mark it as a foreign country. Nor should 
 the scenery of New Zealand be hastily judged : for no com- 
 parison can properly be made of the scenery of countries 
 occupying the opposite extremes of cultivation, except as to 
 natural features. It would be unreasonable, for instance, 
 to compare the jungle forests, the fern clad hills, and the 
 swampy plains of a new and unsettled country, with the 
 rich pastures, the green meadows, the forest glades, and the 
 highly cultivated featm-es of an English landscape. But in 
 beauty of natural scenery I think New Zealand will bear 
 comparison with England in most of its principal features — 
 mountain, river, coast and harbor. There is nothing in 
 England, for instance, to equal the snow-clad, silvery- 
 peaked Mount Egmont — or the Alpine ranges of the South-
 
 AUCKLAND. 265 
 
 ern Island, The loAver i)art of the "Waikato Pdver — the 
 upper reaches of the Thames — the scenery about the narrow 
 pass of the Manawatu — and the wild grandeur of the "SYan- 
 ganui, fully equal in their natural beauty, any of the river 
 scenery of England. The scenery of the West Coast, 
 between "Waikato and Mokou, and that of the Southern 
 Island, in the neighbourhood of IVIilford Haven, will bear 
 comparison with the finest views of the British Coast ; while 
 Monganui, the Bay of Islands, Port Nicholson, Queen 
 Charlotte's Sound, and Akaroa, are unequalled in their 
 natural features by the harbors of Great Britain. But in 
 lake scenery, Xew Zealand must yield the palm. True, 
 indeed, there are some pretty gem-like lakes in the district 
 of Roturua, but there is nothing in New Zealand to equal 
 the lake scenery of "Westmoreland and Cumberland, com- 
 bining so exquisitely as it does, the beauties of nature and 
 art. It may be too much to say that the same degree of 
 beauty will never be found in any part of this countiy : but 
 at present, in its natural uncultivated state, New Zealand 
 contains no such views as Grassinere, seen from Butter 
 Crags, or Loughrigg Fell — Jti/dal, from Rydal Park — and 
 the thousand beauties of Derwentivater, Barrowdale, and 
 Langdale. 
 
 " Strangers, however, are frequently very unreasonably 
 disappointed with the natural beauties of New Zealand. 
 They are landed at some port which possesses, perhaps, no 
 great natural beauty— they never travel twenty miles from 
 home, and they conclude that the accounts which have been 
 written of the country — so far, at least, as beauty of scenery 
 is concerned — have been written in a spirit of gross ex- 
 aggeration. A foreigner having heard much of English 
 scenery, put down in Lincolnshire or Suffolli, and, not 
 travelling beyond the borders of the coimty, would be 
 equally disappointed, and with as much reason. 
 
 " The coimtry in the neighboui'hood of the town — com-
 
 266 KEW ZEALAND. 
 
 prising the istlimus wliicli divides the two harbors, is much 
 of it cultivated. Not a stiunp of a tree is left in. the ground. 
 Solid stone walls and quick-set hedges are generally taking 
 the place of temporary wooden fences of posts and rails. 
 The greater part of the land is laid down in permanent 
 pastui'e. At Epsom, distant about two and a half-miles 
 from the town, and in the Tamaki district, distant six miles, 
 there are grass and clo^'er paddocks, as large, as rich, as 
 well laid down, and as substantially fenced as any grass 
 land in England. Owing to the neat and uncolonial style of 
 cultivation, and to the absence of trees having a foreign 
 appearance, the country around Auckland presents the 
 appearance of a home-like English landscape. One half of 
 the road across the isthmus, from Auckland to Onehunga, 
 has been MacAdamised, and the remaining half is good 
 during the greater part of the year. With scarcelj' any 
 exception, the whole of the land on each side of the road is 
 already fenced and cidtivated; and the traveller, as he 
 passes along, is never out of sight of a house. 
 
 "The town and suburbs of Auckland extend across the 
 isthmus for the greater part of a mUe ; and the Tillage of 
 Onehunga, on the other side, spreads itself inland for nearly 
 an equal distance : almost adjoining the subiu'bs of Auck- 
 land, too, is the Village of Newmarket, and the remainder 
 of the road is studded here and there by wayside houses. 
 At no very distant period there can be little doubt but that 
 the opposite coasts of New Zealand 'oill thus be connected 
 by one continued line of street. 
 
 * ' Upwards of forty thousand acres of land within the 
 Borough of Auckland are the property of private indi- 
 viduals, held imder grants from the CrowTi. About ten 
 thousand acres have been cultivated, of which the greater 
 part is substantially fenced. The most noticeable feature of 
 the country is the large quantity of cattle to be seen grazing 
 in the district. Nearly five thousand head, besides horses 
 and sheep are depastured on the isthmus alone.
 
 AUCKLAND. 267 
 
 " Immediately adjoiuing- tlie Loimdaryof the Borough, to 
 the south-east, is the Papakura district, extending along 
 the eastern shores by the Mannlcau Harbor for a distance of 
 ten or twelve miles : this district is bounded on the west by 
 the waters of the Manukau, which deeply indent it in 
 various directions, with its numerous creeks. The centre of 
 the district comprises a plain or flat valley, running inland, 
 in an easterly direction, from the Papakura Pah, for many 
 miles, until it reaches the Wairoa Eiver. About one-half 
 of this plain is densely timbered — the remaining portion 
 being clear and open, but agreeably diversified with clumps 
 and belts, which give it a park-like appearance. These 
 belts and clumps consist of a rich variety of wood ; the 
 graceful tree-fern, and the deep-green, glittering-leafed 
 karaka, clustering, in unusual profusion, around the tall 
 stems of the statelier forest trees. Surrounded by these 
 ornamental woods, melodious with the song of birds, are 
 here and there clear open spots of ground of various size, 
 sheltered from every wind — choice sites for homestead, park, 
 or garden. The soil of the plain is of various character — 
 a considerable portion, consisting of a light dry vegetable 
 soil, well adapted for clover paddocks, or for the gro-Rih of 
 barley ; about an equal quantity is dark- colored, good, 
 strong flax land, suitable for wheat and potatoes, the 
 remainder being rich swampy land, for the most part, 
 capable of drainage. On tlie north and on the south, the 
 plain is bounded by rugged ridges, densely covered with 
 kauri and other timber — and it is watered by a small, but 
 never-failing, stream of excellent water. The plain of 
 Papakura is best seen from the highest point of the southern 
 ridge, about four miles to the south-east of the site of the 
 old Pah. There may be seen on a bright sunny day, a 
 panoramic view, than which, in the whole of New Zealand, 
 there are few mere beautiful. 
 
 "The general salubrity of the climate of New Zealand has
 
 268 
 
 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 now been established by the experience of years. For per- 
 sons of delicate constitution, pre -disposed to disease of tbe 
 lungs, it is unequalled, save by Madeira. Compared with, 
 that of Nice, one of the most celebrated continental climates, 
 the climate of Auckland is tnore temperate in summer — 
 milder in the winter — equalhj mild in the spring — but a 
 little colder in the autumn :— with this advantage, too, over 
 aJl the boasted continental climates, that it is not so liable 
 to the very great variations of temperature common to them 
 all from sudden shifts of wind. The climate of New 
 Zealand is doubtless less charming and delightful than that 
 of Italy and the South of France, but it is certainly more 
 salubrious, and probably better suited to the English con- 
 stitution, generally, than even the climate of Madeira. For 
 although it has its share of wind, rain, and broken weather, 
 it has the advantage over Italy and France, in being more 
 limited in range of temperature — embracing a less oppressive 
 summer heat, and less sudden changes of temperature during 
 the twenty-four hours, and a more gradual change of tem- 
 perature from month to month. 
 
 " Many of the Continental and Mediten-anean climates 
 are, during certain seasons of the year, finer, steadier, more 
 agreeable than, and equally salubrious as, that of New 
 Zealand, but their summer heat is in some cases too great ; 
 their autumn weather frequently unhealthy — winter, too 
 cold — and spring objectionable from being liable to gusts of 
 cold and chilling winds. By moving constantly about 
 throughout the year — traversing continents and seas, it 
 would no doubt be possible to be always in a fine and salu- 
 brious climate. But, as a fijsed and permanent residence, 
 there are probably few places to be found, in all respects, 
 more suitable to the English constitution than New Zealand ; 
 and if that be so, then, few more suitable for persons of 
 delicate chest or lungs; the true theory being, that for 
 2)reventinff the development of diseases of the chest, that is
 
 AUCKLAND. 269 
 
 the best climate which will admit of the g;reatest and most 
 constant exposure to the open air, and which is at the same 
 time best calculated to promote the general health ; a ten- 
 dency to disease of any kind being best warded oif by 
 keeping the bodily system in a vigorous tone of health. 
 
 " Compared ■ndth Great Britain, New Zealand, so far as 
 its general salubrity can be ascertaiued, possesses a marked 
 superiority. From the results of observations made by 
 Dr. Thomson, of the 58th Eegiment, for a period of two 
 years, from April 1848, to April 1850, when the strength 
 of the troops stationed in the colony amounted to nearly 
 two thousand men, it appears from the following valuable 
 Tables compiled by him, that, taking diseases generally, out 
 of every thousand men, twice as many were admitted into 
 hospital in England as were admitted into hospital in Ifew 
 Zealand. And the mortality, amongst equal numbers 
 treated was about 8J in New Zealand to 14 in England. 
 
 "Cases of fever in New Zealand are rare. From the 
 same Retiu-ns, it appears there are six cases of fever in 
 Great Britain for one in New Zealand ; and out of forty- 
 seven cases in New Zealand there was but one death. Of 
 diseases of the lungs, thi-ee cases were admitted into hospital 
 in Great Britaia to one in New Zealand ; and out of an 
 equal number treated, seven terminated fataUy in Great 
 Britain, and but four in New Zealand. Diseases of the 
 stomach and bowels are more prevalent by haK in Great 
 Britain than in New Zealand. Diseases of the liver and 
 brain are nearly the same in the two countries. The only 
 class of cases in which the comparison is unfavorable to New 
 Zealand are complaints of the eye, which are more than 
 twice as numerous here as they are in Great Britain. 
 Small-pox and measles are as yet unknown in New Zealand.
 
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 AUCKLAND. 
 
 271 
 
 " Comparing New Zealand with the healthiest Foreign 
 stations of the British army, it will appear from the fol- 
 loAving Table, compiled by the same authority, taking into 
 account all classes of disease receiving hospital treatment, 
 that the comparison is greatly in favor of this country. 
 And with reference to pulmonary disease, there are in ilalta 
 two casea for one in New Zealand, In the Ionian Islands 
 there are three cases to two in this country. At the Cape 
 of Good Hope there stre ten cases for six in New Zealand. 
 In the JIauritius there ai-e the fewest number of cases 
 treated after New Zealand — the proportion being about 
 eight in the Mauritius to six in New Zealand ; but the 
 mortality from pulmonary disease is twice as great in the 
 Mam-itius as it is in New Zealand. While in Australia 
 there are tmce as many cases of pectoral disease as in New 
 Zealand, and the disease being, at the same time, tvn.ce as 
 fatal : — 
 
 STATIONS. 
 
 Annual ratio 
 
 of Mortality 
 
 per 1000 
 
 among the 
 Troops from 
 
 all diseases 
 
 Number of 
 men attacked 
 annually 
 out of lOUO 
 by Pectoral 
 Complaints. 
 
 Average 
 number of 
 deaths out of 
 
 1000 men 
 clurinir a year 
 Irom Pectoral 
 
 Diseases. 
 
 Malta 
 
 Ionian Islands 
 
 Bermuda 
 
 18 
 28 
 30 
 20 
 22 
 15 
 30 
 U 
 11 
 
 120 
 
 90 
 
 126 
 
 148 
 
 141 
 
 98 
 
 84 
 
 148 
 
 133 
 
 60 
 
 60 
 4-8 
 87 
 67 
 5-3 
 30 
 5-6 
 80 
 0-8 
 27 
 
 Canada 
 
 Gibraltar 
 
 Cape of Good Hope 
 
 Mauritius ... 
 
 Cuited Kinp;dom 
 
 Australian Continent. . 
 New Zealand 
 
 
 " In cases of Fever, there are at least five in Malta, the 
 Cape, and in Austi-alia, to one in New Zealand. 
 
 " Of Complaints of the Liver, there are two cases in the 
 above-mentioned places to one in New Zealand. 
 
 " And of diseases of the Stomach and Bowels, there are 
 more than two cases at each of the above-mentioned places 
 for one in this country.
 
 272 
 
 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 Table sliowing the Annual Ratio of Admissions and Deaths 
 
 among 1000 Troops at the following Stations from 
 
 the undermentioned Classes of Disease : — 
 
 DISEASES. 
 
 Cape of 
 Good Hope. 
 
 Malta. 
 
 Australian 
 Continent." 
 
 New 
 Zealand. 
 
 '6 
 
 1 
 
 Deaths. 
 Attacked. 
 
 .a 
 
 1 
 ft 
 
 13 
 M 
 
 < 
 
 
 -3 
 
 Q 
 
 Fevers 
 
 88 
 22 
 
 126 
 
 j 
 19 173 
 
 29 
 11 
 
 36 
 
 65 
 15 
 
 153 
 
 1-2 
 •1 
 
 1-5 
 
 13 
 
 7 
 
 60 
 
 0-3 
 0-4 
 
 •9 
 
 Liver Complaints 
 
 Disease of Stomach \ 
 and Bowels / 
 
 1-1 
 31 
 
 21 
 155 
 
 • From seven years observation, ending March 1850, kindly furnished by 
 Staff-Surgeon Shanks, Principal Medical Officer, New South Wales. 
 
 " But assuming the above Returns to show correctly the 
 comparative healthiness of our troops in Great Britain, and 
 at the various Foreign Stations, it doos not necessarily fol- 
 low that they correctly exhibit the comparative salubrity of 
 the climates of the countries to which they relate, so far 
 at least as regards the community at large — and for this 
 reason, that our troops are for the most part lodged in bar- 
 racks ; and that the health of the men is influenced by the 
 manner in which they are lodged, as well as by the climate 
 of the country in wMch they may be stationed ; and that 
 barracks vary considerably in the several important parti- 
 culars of size, ventilation, construction, and position. This 
 result, therefore, might easily follow — that men stationed 
 in a bad climate but lodged in barracks erected on a well 
 chosen site, spacious, diy, well ventilated, well drained, and 
 supplied with good water, may have fewer hospital cases 
 and less mortality, than men stationed in a good climate,
 
 AUCKLAND. 273 
 
 but lodged in barracks in a bad situation, close confined, ill 
 drained, and badly constructed. But, making allo-wance 
 for all such, disturbing causes, there can be no doubt that 
 the foregoing Tables afford satisfactory proof of the general 
 salubrity of the country. 
 
 ' ' Compared with an English summer, that of Auckland 
 is but little warmer, though much longer. But the nights 
 in New Zealand are always cool and refreshing, and rest is 
 never lost fi-om the warmth and closeness of the night. It 
 is also much, warmer h.ere both, in the spring and autumn ; 
 and the winter weather of England, from the middle of 
 November to the middle of March, with its parching easterly 
 winds, cold, fog, and snow, altogether unknown. Snow, 
 indeed, is never seen here ; ice, very thin and very rarely ; 
 and hail is neither common nor destructive. The winter, 
 however, is very wet, but not colder than an EngHsh April 
 or October. There is a greater prevalence of high winds, 
 too, than is personally agreeable : but with less wind the 
 climate would not be more healthy. There is most wind in 
 the spring and autumn ; rather less in the summer ; and 
 least of all in winter." 
 
 The European Population in the province of 
 Auckland in 1853 was 11,033, and, so far as can 
 be gathered from the imperfect returns recently 
 made, the popidation of the entire province is at 
 present about 13,000, or probably rather over than 
 imder that number. In 1851 the Revenue of the 
 entire colony of New Zealand was only £78,495 
 8s. 8d. In 1854 the Revenue was £226,901 
 16s. 6d., and has since been, and still continues, 
 rapidly on the increase, although the Government, 
 owing to the difficidty (they say) of getting the 
 
 T
 
 274 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 returns from the distant provinces cannot supply 
 us with, the figures for 1855. While it is our 
 intention as we proceed to furnish the number of 
 inhabitants residing in each province, as nearly as 
 that number can be ascertained, at a rough calcu- 
 lation, we believe the European Population of the 
 entire colony to be about 50,000. The number of 
 the Aboriginal Tribes, we have heard variously 
 computed, but we imagine it does not now exceed 
 40,000, and the number is rapidly decreasing. 
 
 The native flax of New Zealand is an article 
 which ere long will be extensively cultivated, and 
 exported from the colony in large quantities. 
 Mr. Whytlaw, a most enterprising and intelligent 
 gentleman, who favored us with the following 
 explanatory letter, has devoted his time, talent, 
 and capital to the subject for several years ; and 
 he is now, we believe, on the eve of being amply 
 rewarded for his labor, by the complete success of 
 his experiments. We personally inspected his 
 numerous buildings and extensive domain, distant 
 about thirty miles from Auckland, in the Matakana 
 district. The beautiful machinery for the prepa- 
 ration of the flax prior to its exportation, which 
 was completed after Mr. Whytlaw' s design, is 
 declared to be an excellent invention, and one 
 in every way adapted for the completion of the 
 designer's prirpose on an extended scale. Other 
 gentlemen are waiting the result of the experi- 
 ment, in order (if successful) to take advantage of
 
 AUCKLAND. 275 
 
 the originator's plans, and embark in a similar 
 undertaking. No less for the futm-e interests of 
 the colony than as a just return for the talented 
 exertions of one of her spirited and upright citi- 
 zens, we wish every success to Mr. "VYliytlaw and 
 his noble enterprise : — 
 
 *' Tlie native flax of New Zealand (Phormium Tenax) of 
 wHcIl there are several varieties, lias always attracted mucli 
 attention from those who have visited the country, as an 
 article which ought to form a vahiable colonial export. The 
 beautiful samples which have frequently been prepared by 
 the manipulation of the natives, show the great degree of 
 fineness to which the fibre can be reduced, and its strength 
 has been long considered as much greater than that of 
 European flax. 
 
 " The chief, if not the only reason why it has not been 
 more extensively used ia British manufactui-es is, that the 
 supplies of the raw material, as prepared by the natives, 
 have been extremely limited and uncertaia ; aftbrding no 
 encouragement to the parties at home disposed to use it, to 
 alter and adapt their machinery to the peculiar character of 
 the article. 
 
 " The mode of preparing the flax by the natives, which 
 has been often described, is very tedious, an expert hand not 
 being able to produce, on an average, more than lOlbs. 
 weight per day. The work is chiefly done by the women, 
 A simple and efficient method of dressing the flax by 
 machinery has, therefore, been long felt a desideratum, and 
 numerous have been the eftbrts to supply this. Hitherto, 
 none of these attempts have been productive of more 
 than mere samples. With the stronger inducements of mer- 
 cantile and agricultiu-al pursuits to realize speedier returns 
 for capital, few have had the courage to persevere in their
 
 276 
 
 ]S'EW ZE-AXAXD. 
 
 attempts to accomplish, the important object. Of late, how- 
 ever, as the war in Europe has raised the value of flax so 
 much, there is now the greatest encouragement to establish 
 a trade in this article ; and I am glad to say that one gen- 
 tleman who has for many years past, devoted his attention 
 to the subject, has recently brought out from England the 
 materiel of a large factory, which, is in process of erection 
 at a short distance from this ; and that his method of pre- 
 paring the flax by machiaery of his own invention, on an 
 entirely novel principle, appears to be of the simplest and 
 most efficient description. He expects to have his produce 
 in the market in about a year from this date ; a short 
 time therefore, will prove whether his anticipations will 
 be realized. If this establishment succeeds, doubtless 
 many will follow the same course ; and I do not despair 
 of seeing this interesting and delightful country posses- 
 sing in a short time, an export that may ultimately rival 
 some of the most valuable of those of the neighbouring 
 
 colonies. 
 
 "M. "Whttlaw. 
 "Auckland, 14th Nov., 1855." 
 
 CENSUS RETURN FOR THE PROVINCE 
 OF AUCKLAND, 
 
 MARCH 31. 1855. 
 
 Males. 
 
 Females. 
 
 Total. 
 
 Children 
 between 
 5 and 15. 
 
 In Day 
 Schools. 
 
 In 
 
 Sunday 
 Schools. 
 
 In Day 
 
 and 
 Sunday 
 Schools. 
 
 6701 
 
 5218 11,919 
 
 1776 
 
 979 
 
 216 
 
 459 
 
 Two-thirds, or probably more, of the native or 
 Maori race of the entire colony of New Zealand 
 are to be found in this and the adjoining province
 
 AUCKLAND. 277 
 
 of Taraiiald. In tlie province of Wellington there 
 is a moderate number ; in Nelson less ; in Canter- 
 bur}'- still less ; and in Otago only about 500. 
 
 For tbe information of intending emigrants we 
 will, as nearly as we can, give the relative dis- 
 tances (by water) between the respective provinces, 
 commencing in the north, at Auckland, and pro- 
 ceeding southward in the order in which the 
 settlements are described. But emigrants should 
 endeavour, if possible, to secure their passage in a 
 ship bound direct to a province in which they 
 intend to settle ; otherwise they will find the 
 delay great, the opportunities few, and the expense 
 considerable, in getting from one settlement to 
 another. 
 
 Distance from Auckland to Taranaki, about 
 130 miles ; Taranaki to Nelson, 160 miles ; Nelson 
 to Wellington, 120 miles ; Wellington to Canter- 
 bury, 160 miles ; Canterbury to Otago, 170 miles ; 
 Otago to the Bluff, or the newly-opened southern 
 port of Invercargill, 120 miles. 
 
 With regard to vegetation in New Zealand, the 
 remarks of those whose evidence is founded on 
 considerable personal experience require from us 
 but little in the way of confirmation. We will 
 merely observe that whatever is grown in England 
 may be grown in an equal, if not in a greater 
 degree of perfection in the colony — where may be 
 seen in full bloom flowers and plants which in any 
 part of the United Kingdom would require from
 
 278 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 the florist or botanist the most sedulous care, 
 together with the artificial warmth of a hot-house. 
 Good fish is something that neither of the 
 Australian settlements can boast of. True, the 
 harbors and rivers both of Australia and New 
 Zealand abound with fish of various sorts ; but, 
 with one or two exceptions, these sorts are either 
 dry, insipid, or tasteless. There is nothing to 
 compensate for the want of salmon, turbot, sole, 
 cod, &c. Indeed, the best fish on the Australian 
 or New Zealand coast is not equal, either in 
 flavor or quality to the most inferior description 
 peculiar to the British Isles. Of sharks there 
 may be found an extraordinary quantity ; and 
 so daring and so plentiful are these monsters, 
 that sea bathing is not unattended with con- 
 siderable danger. On two occasions we have been 
 near a bathing spot at a period when human life 
 was sacrificed by the sea vipers.
 
 TAEANAEI, 
 
 OK, 
 
 :N'EW PLYMOUTH. 
 
 New Plymouth or Taranaki, tlie native name 
 by wliicli it is more generally known, is distant 
 from Auckland — or rather from Manakan harbor, 
 six miles from Auckland — about 130 miles, or 
 from fifteen to twenty hours' sail. The journey 
 may be taken overland, but as there is no public 
 road, and as the task involves a considerable 
 amount of labor and time, it is but seldom under- 
 taken, except by the excursionist or those anxious 
 to see the interior of the country. 
 
 During our short stay in the province we were 
 much pleased with its appearance. The land is 
 equal, if not superior, to that in any other part of 
 New Zealand ; but it is at the same time more 
 circumscribed, New Pljonouth being the smallest 
 settlement in the colony. Here, as in Aucldand, 
 the price obtained for land near the township 
 appears extravagantly high. That it has reached 
 its maximiim, and something more, many persons 
 are disposed to believe. So long, however, as the
 
 280 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 colony continues in its present flourishing condi- 
 tion, and districts become more thickly populated, 
 money will continue to be made by speculation 
 and investments in land in all parts of the coun- 
 try ; and, strange as it may appear, there is not a 
 province in New Zealand in which land may not 
 be foimd near the townships — ^purchased a few 
 years since for one, two, or three pounds an acre — 
 which at this moment would find a ready sale at 
 one hundred, two hundred, or three hundred pounds 
 an acre. In some cases much larger amoimts 
 have been or might be realized. "We may instance 
 a case within oui' own knowledge in which a gen- 
 tleman with whom we are acquainted (an absentee) 
 came over from Melbourne, only two years since, 
 and invested £600 in the purchase of twelve hun- 
 dred acres of land in a district which gave promise 
 of a future important township. The lucky pur- 
 chaser has just now, for the first time since the 
 purchase, visited his property, and finds that by 
 dividing it into small sections, for building and 
 other pui'poses, he can realize a sum 'of at least 
 £3,000 over and above the original outlay. In 
 two or three years hence, as the district becomes 
 more thickly populated, the collective purchasers 
 of these allotments will in all probability have to 
 divide a much larger profit than that realized or 
 about to be realized by the original owner. The 
 property here referred to is in the neighbourhood 
 of Whanganui, about 110 miles from Wellington.
 
 NEW PLYMOUTH. 281 
 
 The case itself is not an exceptional one ; for, 
 extravagant and artificial as the prices appear 
 which are sometimes paid by the sub-purchasers 
 of property, up to the present time we have not 
 known nor heard of an instance of any one losing 
 money by the purchase of land in New Zealand. 
 
 AYith reference to the facilities and opportu- 
 nities for the purchase of land by strangers, a few 
 words ma}^ not be out of place. Newly arrived 
 immigrants are frequently most unreasonable in 
 their wants and expectations on this subject. 
 Landed at one of the ports in the colony, they 
 expect to obtain any spot in any district at their 
 own, or at merely a nominal price. On being told 
 that all the land within a circuit of ten or fifteen 
 miles of the spot on which they stand has been 
 purchased, but that plenty of xmpurchased land 
 may be obtained in the interior, or in districts 
 where new townships are contemplated, or are in 
 course of formation, they declare themselves de- 
 ceived, and rail at the Government and their 
 imaginary deceivers accordingly. If they were 
 only to look around them (as they ultimately do) 
 and fix on some spot, of which there are scores in 
 the colony, that gives promise of a future town- 
 ship, and embark their means in a judicious 
 manner, a few years woidd enable them to exclaim 
 with an air of exultation to other new comers — 
 *' Bide yoiu' time, and your tm-n will come as ours 
 has done." It is totally unreasonable for new
 
 282 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 hands to hope, without time and labor, for the 
 benefits reaped by old ones. 
 
 In New Pl;yTnouth, as in all other parts of the 
 colony, plenty and prosperity are everywhere 
 visible. During the whole of our stay in New 
 Zealand, we never saw nor heard of such a beiag 
 as a beggar — a creature by no means a novelty in 
 the United Kingdom. 
 
 Contrary to the opinion of Mr. Earp, an old 
 colonist, from whose work we have extracted a 
 sketch of this proviace, we consider the want of a 
 harbor a serious barrier to the commercial progress 
 of Taranaki, The author's remarks with reference 
 to the assistance rendered by this to other parts of 
 the colony were no doubt correct at the time they 
 were penned, and when some of the southern 
 districts, with regard to population, were yet in 
 their iafancy ; but those provinces to which the 
 observations apply not only at present yield fruits 
 of the earth in greater abundance now than for- 
 merly, but considerably greater than is required 
 for their own consumption ; while large shipments 
 of the surplus are made to the AustraKan colonies. 
 
 Society in New Plymouth is much superior to 
 that in Auckland ; and although the natives are 
 rather numerous here, and are sometimes a little 
 troublesome, the province is altogether a very de- 
 light fid one, and woidd become a much more 
 important one if it had the advantage of a good 
 harbor.
 
 NEW PLYMOUTH. 283 
 
 The following is an extract from Mr. Earp's 
 description of Taranaki : — 
 
 " The district of Taranald, whicli comprises the coTintry 
 around Mount Egmont, has with justice been termed " the 
 garden of New Zealand," and whether we regard the 
 serenity of its climate, the fertility of its soil, or the extent 
 of land available for the agriculturist, it is surpassed by no 
 other locality iri either island, though in extent alone, the 
 New Plymouth district must yield to the huge plains which 
 reach from Banks' Peninsula to the southern extremity of 
 the Middle Island. 
 
 " The attention of the early settlers was first drawn to 
 the Taranaki district by the lamentations of the Port 
 Nicholson natives, who a few years only previous to the 
 colonization of New Zealand, had been driven from their 
 former homes by Te Whero "Whero, the chief of the powerful 
 Waikato tribes. By this chief, Taranaki was regarded as a 
 hunting groimd, whenever his propensities for cruelty and 
 cannibalism urged him to harass the -wretched inhabitants 
 —his game being men instead of animals. Harassed by 
 his constant incursions — for he never destroyed more than 
 would satiate his bloodthirstiness, carefully preserving 
 sufficient for the ensuing season's excursion — the natives 
 were persuaded, with much difficulty, to evacuate their 
 cherished locality and to fight their way southward, where 
 they might find a locality beyond the power of their tor- 
 mentor. Their adviser was Mr, Richard Barrett, who 
 subsequently afforded efficient aid to Colonel "Wakefield in 
 the acquisition of the territory now in the possession of the 
 New Zealand Company. Mr. Barrett having defeated Te 
 Whero AVhero in the last attack made by that chief, the 
 latter retii'ed for a short time to his own district, to recruit 
 his forces, and to devise such means as should utterly 
 annihilate the tribes from whom he had received a check so
 
 284 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 unexpected. This interval was taken advantage of by Mr. 
 Barrett to evacuate the place, and to make a rapid retreat 
 southward ; the retreating natives were, however, inter- 
 cepted at "Wanganui, another fight ensuing, in which Te 
 Whero Whero was again defeated, and, after various vicissi- 
 tudes, the fugitive tribes settled in Port Nicholson and its 
 vicinity, the feeble inhal'tants of which locality fled at the 
 approach of their invaders, compelling the master of a vessel 
 lying in their harbor to carry them to the Chatham Islands, 
 where they in their turn hold the aborigines in abject slavery 
 to this day. Such was the state of the native tribes previous 
 to the colonization of the islands. 
 
 " The attention of Colonel Wakefield was speedily drawn 
 by the Port Nicholson natives to the rich district from which 
 they had been di'iven, numerous requests being made of him 
 for a passage in his ship, that, to use their own expressions, 
 " they might once more look upon the land of their fathers." 
 This, of course, could not be complied with, but on visiting 
 Taranaki, he found that the glowing accounts of the natives 
 had not been exaggerated. The representations which he 
 made home respecting the district led to a company being 
 formed at Pljinouth for the purpose of occupying Taranaki, 
 and with such vigour were their measures carried out, that 
 a considerable colony, composed for the most part of gen- 
 tlemen fi'om the south of England, with a numerous body of 
 Devon and Cornish peasants, was speedily on its way to 
 Taranaki, where, amidst all the past troubles of the colony, 
 they have remained, prosperous and increasing, nor do we 
 ever remember one single instance of complaint from any, 
 whilst the commendations of both district and climate 
 abound, from those of the humblest settler to the merited 
 eulogiums of the Bishop of New Zealand. 
 
 " New Plymouth, though a small settlement in com- 
 parison with others, was the first in New Zealand, not only 
 to feed itself, but to export its own produce. While the
 
 NEW PLYMOUTH. 285 
 
 coinuiercial settlements of Wellington and Aiickland wei'e 
 importing corn from Sidney and the West coast of South 
 America, New Plymouth was exporting corn to both. Like 
 Nelson, New Plymouth owed nothing to the expenditure 
 caused by the troops, which have been so extensively em- 
 ployed in the other settlements ; it was isolated from the 
 distiu'bed districts, and not a single soldier was necessary 
 for its defence. The inhabitants having no resources of this 
 nature, and but few of a commercial kind beyond the export 
 of their sui-plus produce, steadily appHed themselves to 
 agriculture and sheep-farming, and with such success that a 
 poor or a disappointed man is scarcely to be found amongst 
 them, every man literally living " imder his own vine and 
 fig-tree." 
 
 " The New Plymouth people are well aware of the pro- 
 ductive powers of their own settlement. When the Canter- 
 bury Settlement was first projected, it was the recomendation 
 of the Bishop that it should be located at New Plymouth, 
 but the committee of the Canterbmy Association decided 
 otherwise. On this a New Plymouth settler shrewdly re- 
 marked — "It is no matter, wherever they may settle, we 
 shall have the ^>/e«si<re and the jyrojit of feeding them till 
 they can run alone, and thus find another market for our 
 rapidly increasing surplus produce." And it is a fact that 
 this, the least of the older settlements, has for many years 
 past fed the larger, there beiag no limit to its productive- 
 ness, but want of small capitalists to reclaim new lands. 
 
 " Testimonies to the capabilities of this favored district 
 are abimdant — one or two will suffice, as carrying an au- 
 thority not to be disputed. Sir George Grey, the present 
 Governor of New Zealand, thus spoke of it in a despatch to 
 the Government — " I have never, in any part of the world, 
 seen such extensive tracts of fertile and imoccupied land as 
 at New Plymouth." The Bishop, in his journal of 1848, 
 states — " No one can speak of the soil or scenery of New
 
 286 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 Zealand till lie has seen botli the natural beauties and the 
 ripening harvest of Taranald." DieiFenbach, in his travels, 
 states — "The whole district of Taranaki, as far as I have 
 seen, rivals any in the world in fertility, beauty, and fitness 
 for becoming the dwelling-place of civUized European com- 
 munities." And again — " In future times, this picturesque 
 valley (Waiwakaio), as well as Mount Egmont and the 
 smiling open land at its base, will become as celebrated for 
 their beauty as the Bay of Naples, and will attract travellers 
 from all parts of the globe." Mr. Fox, the successor of 
 Colonel "Wakefield, also thus writes to the New Zealand 
 Company — " Of the capabilities of the district, in an agri- 
 cultui-al point of view, it would be diffictdt to speak too 
 highly. I was much struck with the fertility of the soil. 
 Some idea of it may be formed from the fact that thirty- 
 five acres of grass and white clover, during last year, carried 
 nearly three hundred sheep for a twelvemonth in excellent 
 condition — a quantity, I believe, double to what the best 
 pastures in England will carry." 
 
 " The drawback to the settlement is the want of a harbor, 
 as usually understood by a land-locked bay. The roadstead 
 is, however, an excellent one, though for thi-ee months in 
 the year requiring a vessel to be ready for sea, in the event 
 of a sudden north-west gale. At all other periods of the 
 year the roadstead is as safe as are any of the harbors in the 
 colony; whilst in the dangerous season, the opposite side 
 of the Strait afi^ords harbors of the finest description in 
 abundance, a few hours sufficing to place a vessel in safety, 
 the very gale which compelled them to quit their anchor 
 becoming a fair wind for gaining a port of shelter ; the 
 southern shore of Cook's Strait forming a continuous chain 
 of such harbors, the most easily approached being Port 
 Hardy, and the far-famed series of havens forming Uueen 
 Charlotte's Sound. 
 
 " With this want of a land-locked harbor, it vnR be long
 
 NEW PLYMOUTH. 287 
 
 before New PljTnouth becomes a place of any considerable 
 commercial consequence, nor is it desirable tbat it should be 
 so. The land is the true wealth of the colonists, and to thia 
 they have wisely and solely directed their attention, reaping 
 their reward long before those settlements which have for 
 the most part depended on commerce. Not that the road- 
 stead of New Plymouth is unsuited to the purposes of 
 commerce ; on the contrary, there are many ports in the 
 British dominions, which are of great commercial conse- 
 quence, to which access is of tenfold more difficulty than 
 the port of Taranaki. No one, for instance, who knows 
 Madras, would for a moment take into account the difficulty 
 of landing at New Plymouth. Neither would the seaman 
 who has rode out a gale of wind at the Cape of Good Hope, 
 where safety depends altogether on the strength of the 
 ship's cables — escape, in the event of these failing, being 
 next to impossible — ^make any difficulty of the worst posi- 
 tion in which he could be placed at New Plymouth. When 
 the settlement has attained that commercial standing to 
 which its rapidly increasing exports will, at no distant date, 
 entitle it, we shall hear no more of the drawbacks to what 
 is, in reality, an excellent anchorage ; and when it shall 
 have become rich enough to improve the natural facilities 
 for forming an artificial harbor at comparatively a trifling 
 expense, there will be an end to the fancied difficulties of 
 the Taranaki roadstead. Still, in the present state of the 
 settlement, the settler will do well to bear in mind, that it 
 wotdd be unwise to form an establishment at New Plymouth 
 for other than agricultural or pastoral purposes ; and he 
 may also bear in mind, that in no part of the colony will 
 his reasonable expectations be more sui-ely fuifilled, or his 
 exertions more bountiftdly rewarded. 
 
 " Like Nelson, the society of New Plymouth is of a supe- 
 rior order. The commercial ports of any colony partake 
 in no slight degree of too many of the characteristics of
 
 288 XEW ZEALAND. 
 
 Portsmoutli or "Wapping : these are inseparable from tliem, 
 andtheir evil influences extend, more or less, to no inconsi- 
 derable portion of the population. The party squabbles, too, 
 "which invariably characterise a mixed and heterogeneous 
 population, such as is usually found in great colonial sea- 
 ports, render them anything but desirable localities for the 
 quiet agricultiu'ist ; and the better prices "svhich he obtains, 
 in consequence of his vicinity to a seaport, scarcely compen- 
 sate for the interruptions to progress and the temptations to 
 non-progress which so frequently beset him. 
 
 " Though the population of the New Plymouth settlement 
 scarcely reaches 2,000, its social institutions are veiy excel- 
 lent. The means for I'eligious worship are ample and of 
 great efficiency, as regards the various denominations of 
 Christians, who here work together in a harmony not usually 
 found amidst sectarianism. The educational resoiu'ces of 
 the place are equally excellent, and no man, other than wil- 
 fully, can complaui that his children are out of the reach of 
 instruction. The only useless social institution is the jail, 
 which happily stands rather in terrorem than in usum ; nor, 
 judging from the character of the inhabitants, does it seem 
 likely to be applied to any other use at present. 
 
 " The settlement, though in point of climate and soU, 
 unquestionably the finest in Xew Zealand, has been much 
 neglected. It was originally founded by a body of Devon- 
 shire and Cornish gentlemen, and to them it has been chiefly 
 indebted for its present inhabitants. On the cessation of 
 the Plymouth Company, it was turned over to the New 
 Zealand Company, by whom it has been unaccountably 
 neglected. One of their first measures was to raise the 
 price of its waste lands, thus practically prohibiting emi- 
 gration to it. A restoration of the original price — now that 
 the power of this is in the hands of the Government — ^would 
 be a boon to the settlement which would speedily produce a 
 marked result."
 
 KEW PLYMOUTH. 
 
 289 
 
 For the compilation of the following Returns 
 we are indebted to one of the leading merchants 
 in New Pl}Tiiouth — Mr. Llewellyn Nash : — 
 
 niPOPvTS AXD EXPORTS. 
 
 
 Imports. 
 
 Exports. 1 
 
 1851 
 
 £ s. 
 
 9,088 15 
 20,362 10 
 30,010 9 
 35,333 18 
 34,967 15 
 
 7,559 9 
 
 d. 
 9 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 £ s. 
 
 8,713 3 
 14,170 9 
 20,982 1 
 
 2,756 18 
 
 d. 
 
 6 
 6 
 
 
 
 1852 
 
 1853 
 
 1854 
 
 1855 
 
 1856. Jan. to Mar. 
 
 Until July quarter of 1853, all our surplus produce -went coast-vpise, 
 and consequently swelled the returns of those ports, viz., Auckland and 
 Wellington, when the goods were shipped out of the colony. 
 
 CUSTOMS REVENUE FOR THE FOLLOWING PERIODS. 
 
 £ 
 
 1851 1,508 
 
 1852 2,491 
 
 1853 3,311 
 
 1854 4,284 
 
 1855 5,256 
 
 1856. January to March 1,201 
 
 s. 
 
 d 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 19 
 
 5 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 7 
 
 7 
 
 3 
 
 10 
 
 11 
 
 CONSUMPTION OF SPIRITS 
 
 During tlie period from 1st January, 1851, to 31st March, 
 
 1856 ; duty paid at the port of New Plymouth. 
 
 
 Gallons. 
 
 Duty. 
 
 1851. 
 1852. 
 1853. 
 1854. 
 1855. 
 
 1856. 
 
 
 1,750-13 
 
 2,538-8 
 
 3,222-11 
 
 4,132-15 
 
 7,755-9 
 
 1,945'24 
 
 £ S. 
 
 473 15 
 
 761 9 
 
 966 14 
 
 1239 15 
 
 2326 12 
 
 583 14 
 
 d. 
 10 
 2 
 3 
 1 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 '1st Jan. to) 
 [31st Mar. J
 
 290 
 
 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 QUANTITIES AND VALUES OF SPIRITS 
 
 Imported under Bond, during the period from tlie 
 
 1st January, 1851, to 31st Marcli, 1856, 
 
 
 Gallons. 
 
 Value. 
 
 1851 
 
 1,719 
 3,442 
 3,605 
 4,449 
 9,236 
 
 1,366 
 
 £ s. 
 626 16 
 1248 5 
 1765 6 
 1964 7 
 3639 19 
 
 674 15 
 
 d. 
 
 9 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 1852 
 
 1853 
 
 1854 
 
 1855 
 
 .„^„ fist Jan. to) 
 
 Revenue and Expenditm-e of the Provincial Government of 
 
 New Plymoutli, for tlie Tear ending the 
 
 31st December, 1855, 
 
 Total Eevenue £10,981 9 10 
 
 Total Expenditure 9, 107 8 10 
 
 POPULATION, 
 
 The Population Tables, now in course of com- 
 pilation in this district, have not reached us in 
 time for press ; but we believe the entire European 
 Popidation of this small and flourishing province 
 to be about 3,000, There is room enough for ten 
 times that number — with a fair prospect of an 
 early fortune for each.
 
 NELSON. 
 
 That wMcli Torquay is considered in the West 
 of England, Scarboro' in the north, Matlock in 
 Derbyshire, Timbridge Wells in Kent, Ventnor in 
 the Isle of Wight, Inverary in Scotland, the Lakes 
 of Killarney in Ireland, or Aberyswith in Wales, 
 ^Nelson may be considered in New Zealand — the 
 most charming spot in a charming country. 
 
 While we are familiar with nearly every part 
 of the United Kingdom, and, for beauty of scenery, 
 climate, and society, give the preference, as occa- 
 sional visitors at the respective seasons, to the 
 places enumerated above, if fortune decreed that 
 we should select some part of New Zealand for our 
 future residence, we woidd at once and without 
 hesitation fix on Nelson as our permanent abode. 
 
 With a climate even superior to that in any 
 other part of the colony, with respectable society, 
 with a people infinitely more hospitable than any 
 in the southern hemisphere, and with a smaller 
 amount of political animosity and social strife than
 
 292 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 may be found in any otlier province — apart from 
 her commercial advantages and mineral wealth, 
 and considered merely as a delightful retreat for 
 those who would wish to live happily, and who 
 can derive happiness themselves by seeing those 
 around endeavoiu^iLg to dispense it to others, 
 Nelson above all other places south of the line, is 
 a home where the honest heart will meet with 
 kinsmen, kindness, and friendship, and where 
 every good deed vdW. find a responsive A'irtue. 
 
 Jealous as the provinces are of each other on 
 most matters, the superiority of the climate of 
 Nelson is a fact but seldom if ever questioned. It 
 is so generally admitted, that the writer whom we 
 previously quoted merely observes : — 
 
 " It is almost unnecessary to say anything of the climate 
 of Nelson. The extreme salubrity and excellence of that of 
 the whole colony is universally known and admitted. The 
 test which King Charles applied to the English climate, 
 that there were more days in the year when people could 
 he in the open air than anywhere else, applies with con- 
 siderably more force here. "With a very great amount of 
 sunshine, the heat is never excessive, or ever disagreeable ; 
 while, with an abundance of raia, there is no continual 
 wet season. The only defect in any part of New Zealand 
 is, that there is too much wind to be agreeable ; not that it 
 blows harder than it blows on the English coast at times, 
 but it blows hard oftener. In this respect, however, 
 Nelson is, I believe, the most favored place in the country. 
 The wind, though for about three months in the spring and 
 summer blows fresh for days together, is seldom violent
 
 NELSON. 293 
 
 or tempestuous, and in the -vdnter it blows very little 
 indeed ; days and even weeks almost perfectly calm, witli 
 brilliant sunshine by day, and magnificent moonlight at 
 night, occm-ring at that season. In the other settlements 
 of New Zealand, it is not unusual, in extraordinarily fine 
 weather, to hear the observation — " This is Nelson weather," 
 though their own is much above the average of English 
 weather. Of the general mildness of the climate, an idea 
 may be gathered from the fact that the flocks of sheep 
 fi-equently lamb in mid- winter in the open country; and 
 imless there happens to be an unusually heavy rain or severe 
 frost at the very time of lambing, a very small per centage 
 of losses — perhaps not above five to ten per cent — will 
 occur. Geraniimis, fuschias, Oenotheras, picotees, and other 
 summer flowers of England, continue to bloom in Nelson 
 during the winter months. One peculiarity of the climate 
 may be noticed, which is, that there are in fact only two 
 seasons — the summer, and what we call winter. There are 
 no transition seasons of spring and autumn, or at all events, 
 hardly perceptible as such ; and their absence is the more 
 observed fi-om the fact, that nearly all the indigenous trees 
 are evergreen, so that there is no periodical fall or renewal 
 of the leaf — a circimistance to be regretted by the admirer 
 of the picturesque, were it not compensated by the fact 
 that the forests maintain their usual verdvu-e all the winter 
 long." 
 
 From our owti experience, we are enabled to 
 remark on one striking feature by wbicb the 
 leading men of Nelson are distinguisbed from 
 tbose in many other parts of the colony. The 
 leaders and self- created patriots in some of the 
 provinces — to whom we shall hereafter allude — 
 make their professed patriotism and love of country
 
 294 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 merely a veliicle for party or political purposes, 
 while their amount of real interest in the welfare 
 of the colony may be correctly ascertained by the 
 extent of land they possess in their own locality, 
 or by the political capital, in the shape of official 
 revenue, which they derive therefrom. A clap- 
 trap speech of some half a dozen foolscap folios 
 may secure for the sham professor a few of those 
 scattered sweets of hiunan " aye," which he places 
 in his political garner to serve his own particular 
 time and purpose. But ask such an one — as we 
 have had occasion to do — for statistical or other 
 information which might interest the British 
 public, and pron^e of idtimate benefit to the colony, 
 and the colonial gleaner politely declines a service 
 from which there is no prospect either of present 
 far»e or future reward. 
 
 The very opposite of the selfish motives des- 
 cribed inspire the principal residents of Nelson, 
 each of whom woidd appear anxious to excel the 
 other in a desire not only, by personal sacrifice, to 
 render any and every assistance which might tend 
 to benefit the province and its inhabitants, but in 
 the still more disinterested wdsh to lend a helping 
 hand, or to volunteer any aid that might be useful 
 to the position, or grateful to the mind of a 
 stranger. 
 
 We might instance a variety of remarkable acts 
 of sympathetic hospitality peculiar to the pro- 
 vince ; but there came under oui' own immediate
 
 NEI-SON. 295 
 
 notice one case which we consider worthy of record. 
 In the ports of New Zealand tliere are not at 
 present any wharves or piers at which the depth 
 of water is sniEcient to enable passengers to dis- 
 embark even from coasting vessels, without the 
 aid of boats. On arriving in Nelson, after a 
 tempestuous passage, from one of the southern 
 settlements, we were soon on our way to the shore 
 in a small boat, in company with a widow lady 
 and her two children (one an infant), of whom. 
 we had seen nothing during the voyage, as the 
 mother's strength had been completely prostrated 
 from the eflfects of sea sickness. They were on 
 their way to join their friends in the North Island, 
 but were comjDelled for a few days, to take up 
 their quarters on shore till the time appointed 
 for the steamer's departure for Taranaki. Pre- 
 suming we were familiar with the people and 
 locality, the disconsolate looking lady wished to 
 know whether we could direct her to respectable 
 apartments in the town. IIa^dng informed the 
 lady that in the want of knowledge she sought 
 might be found our ot\ti reason for not supplying 
 it, we accompanied her through the town, and 
 succeeded with the aid of the ship steward, who 
 carried one of the children, in obtaining for herself 
 and little ones apartments in the house of a hum- 
 ble but respectable family. Leaving our hotel on 
 the follo"«ang morning, we proceeded to inquire 
 after ^e sea-sick voyagers ; but we were not a
 
 296 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 little surprised to learn from the domestic of the 
 house in which they had passed the night, that 
 after discharging the cost of their lodging, they 
 accompanied a lady and gentleman by whom they 
 were driven away in a chaise ; but whither they 
 went, or the names of the persons with whom they 
 departed could neither be given nor ascertained ; 
 and we closed for ever, as we then imagined, our 
 knowledge, if not our interest, in the domestic 
 drama, with the word — mysterious. 
 
 A day or two after the period of the incident 
 related, we happened to dine with a gentleman of 
 note in the province. On taking our seat at the 
 
 simaptuously supplied table of Mr. and Mrs. 
 
 our surprise on the occasion was exceeded by grati- 
 fication, on recognising as our vis-a-vis, the former 
 disconsolate, but now cheerful looking widow, 
 whose sudden disappearance from her lodgings, 
 had, tni now, been unaccoim.ted for. We sub- 
 sequently discovered that the worthy host and 
 hostess had accidentally heard of the widow's 
 arrival and friendless position, and having in 
 early life had some slight knowledge of her 
 deceased husband, they at once, and without 
 ceremony waited on the lady, and insisted not 
 only on conveying her to their house, but also 
 on making that house a home for herself and chil- 
 dren during their stay in Nelson. 
 
 This simple but truthful story requires no com- 
 ment from us, beyond a hope that the spontaneous
 
 NELSOX. 297 
 
 act of liospitality it reveals, may open a way to 
 the hearts of those of the human kind who need 
 a lesson from a page of life, copied in its pure 
 yet potent simplicity from nature's noble work 
 of charity. 
 
 Excej)t that her inhabitants are in a position 
 rather to bestow than to receive alms, Nelson may 
 be compared to an extensive circle of comfortable 
 alms houses, in which, though strangers by birth, 
 the inmates are all members of one family — the in- 
 troduction to whom of any respectable new comer, 
 will at once enable the stranger to participate in 
 the ordinary fare and family festivities of those 
 whose only kindred tie is that of faith with good 
 fellowship. 
 
 For the following description and statistics of 
 the province Ave are indebted to a local pub- 
 lication. 
 
 *' The province of Nelson comprises all that part of the 
 Middle Island which lies between Cook's Straits on the 
 north, and the Mawera or Grey, in S. latitude, 42o 32', 
 and Hnrimui rivers on the south; and contains about 
 18,000,000 of acres of very diversified character. On the 
 west a range of lofty mountains of bold and rugged outline 
 extends along the coast, here and there pierced by valleys 
 of various width, through which several rivers and streams 
 find an outlet to the sea. Of these the Wakapori, Haihai, 
 Karamea, Buller, Ngawaipakiro, and Grey, are the pria- 
 cipal. None of these rivers are navigable for vessels of any 
 size, and the Buller and Grey are the only ones which 
 have yet been entered by boats ; nor is any harbor known 
 to exist between Cape Farewell and the Grey, except at
 
 298 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 "West "Wanganui, "where there is a safe harbor for moderate- 
 sized Tessels. From the generally precipitous character 
 of the coast range, the land available for tillage along the 
 west coast is of comparatively small extent, and is contained 
 "within the limits of the several valleys "which intersect the 
 mountain chain. The valleys of the Karamea, the Buller, 
 and the Grey, are the largest, and contain respectively 
 about 10,000, 30,000, and 50,000 acres of fertUe land, chiefly 
 ■wooded. To"wards the head of these and the parallel valleys 
 the country, though rough and broken, is adapted for pas- 
 turage. From the head of the Grey, according to native 
 report, there is a communication "with the Port Cooper 
 Plains. Along the "western portion of the northern boun- 
 dary of the province formed by Cook's Straits, is Massacre 
 Bay, containing about 60,000 acres of level, or slightly 
 "undulating land, much of it, especially in the Aorere, Ta- 
 kaka, and Motupipi districts, of most fertile character, the 
 soil on the banks of the rivers of the same name being allu- 
 "vial, in many places covered "with heavy timber of the most 
 valuable kinds. Good anchorage for vessels of all sizes is 
 found at the Tata Islands, and small vessels can lie at the 
 mouth of the Motupipi, and Paka"wau rivers. Coal has 
 been found in various places in these districts, and at Pa- 
 ka"wau and Motupipi it is regularly "worked for domestic 
 pui'poses and for the use of steamers. Limestone of very 
 superior quality aboiinda at the Tata Islands, "where it is 
 easily conveyed away, and in the mountaia range separa- 
 ting Massacre Bay from Blind Bay. At the southern 
 extremity of the latter bay the to"wn of Nelson is situated, 
 where, and in the adjoining districts of the "Waimea, Mou- 
 tere, Motueka, and the smaller vaUeys bordering the bay, 
 enjoying a delicious climate, the principal amount of the 
 population of the province is settled. Here flom'ishing 
 and productive farms, yearly increasing in number and ex- 
 tent, are fast taking the place of the natm-al "wilderness,
 
 NELSON. 299 
 
 and consideraljle quantities of sm-plus produce have for 
 some years been exported tlience to the neighboring colonies. 
 A few miles from the town of Nelson is the Dun Mountain, 
 where rich specimens of copper ore crop out on the surface, 
 to work which a company has been formed and a prelimi- 
 nary staff of miners introduced from England. Copper ore 
 also exists in the hills in the neighborhood of the bay. 
 
 " Inland, the valleys of the upper Motueka, Motupiko, and 
 Lake Arthur districts, have long been occupied as stock 
 runs. Eastward from Blind Bay, Port Hardy in D'Urville's 
 Island, the Pelorus at the south end of Admiralty Bay, 
 Port Gore, Queen Charlotte's Sound, and Port Underwood, 
 all opening from the Straits, present with their numerous 
 ramifications a continuous succession of noble harbors of 
 great size, unrivalled for accessibility and safety. 
 
 "These harbors are surrounded by hills and mountain 
 ranges, which are the spurs, modified in height, of the 
 great central range, which, except where broken by various 
 valleys and gorges, extends the whole length of the middle 
 island from Cook's Straits to those of Foveaiix. In many 
 places, however, in the vicinity of the harbors, especially at 
 the head of the Pelorus, and at the south west extremity of 
 Q,ueen Chaxdotte's Sound, are blocks of fertile land, the 
 more valuable from the facility of access afforded by the 
 deep bays along which they lie. On the south east side of 
 Q,ueen Charlotte's Sound, is the harbor of Waitohi, or 
 !Newton Bay, where a to"«Tiship has been laid out as a 
 port for the Waii-au and Awatere, to which districts a road 
 through a nearly level wooded vaUey of about twelve 
 miles in length is now being formed by the local 
 government. 
 
 "The plains and tributary vaUej's of the Waii-au and 
 Awatere, contain about 200,000 acres of land, and are 
 bounded by the prolonged spurs of the KaOcora moimtains 
 and the central chain, which towards the coast sink into
 
 300 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 low rounded hills, gradually rising thence as they extend 
 southward. Both lower and higher hills are covered with 
 rich natural pasture, and may contain about 400,000 acres 
 occupied as stock runs, where already about 200,000 sheep, 
 and from 8,000 to 9,000 cattle are depastured. From the 
 "Wairau and Awatere respectively, two passes (discovered 
 by Mr, Weld,) througit the mountain ranges admit of a 
 communication with the Port Cooper Plains ; — one by the 
 head of the Awatere over 'Bearfell's Pass,' and crossing 
 the valleys of the Acheron and the Clarence rivers, leads 
 to the "Wai-au-ua plain ; the other along the Wairau by 
 ' Turndale,' and thence to the Clarence, where it joins the 
 former line. Both routes are easUy traversed by stock, and 
 when a track has been cut through about nine miles of 
 comparatively open wood, the joiu'uey between the towns of 
 Nelson and Christchurch may be made on horseback in four 
 or five days. 
 
 " From the southern base of the Kailcoras to the Hurunui, 
 which here forms the southern boundary of the province, 
 is a tract of about 350,000 acres, within the limits of which 
 are the "Wai-au-ua and Hurunui plains, divided and sur- 
 rounded by hills and mountains of more or less height. 
 Much of the level portion of this country is fitted for tillage, 
 while all of it, hills and plains alike, is covered natui-ally 
 with grass, and is fast being occupied by stock. 
 
 "By the Census Returns for 1854 the popidation of the 
 province amounted to 5,858 souls, of whom 3,186 were 
 males, and 2,672 females. By the Returns of Immigration 
 and Births, since the above were taken, upwards of 1000 
 souls have been added to the population, which thus 
 amounts to about 7000 souls, 
 
 "The Agricidtural Returns for 1854 showed 16,538 acres 
 fenced ; of which there were, besides other crops, in wheat, 
 2378 acres; oats, 1738 acres; barley, 809 acres; potatoes, 
 460 acres ; garden and orchards, 514 acres.
 
 JTELSON. 301 
 
 "The RetiUTis of Stock at the same period were as 
 follows: — horses, 1190; horned cattle, 10,oo9 ; sheep, 
 183,231 ; pigs, 4401 ; goats, 3005 ; mides, 10. 
 
 "Appropriation out of the revenue of the province 
 £32,933 6s. 7d. for the service of the year, viz — 
 £6,392 2s. 4d. for the charge of the ci-sdl government, 
 and £26,541 14s, 3d. for pubHc purposes." 
 
 From the perforin ances of the " Nelson Amateur 
 Musical Society" the public derive so much plea- 
 sure and intellectual enjoyment, that in sketching 
 the social habits and tastes of the settlers in a 
 colony where entertainment of a superior order is 
 but seldom found, it may not be out of place to 
 mention, that at present no other part of New 
 Zealand can boast of a body of gentlemen who 
 possess, or at least display a tithe of the musical 
 talent which the members of the class in question 
 are masters of. Mr. Bonnuigton, their able com- 
 poser and leader, is himself one of the most 
 talented musicians, while he is certainly one of 
 the most modest and unassuming men in the 
 colony ; and it is gratifying to know that the 
 musical concord of sweet sounds, dispensed by the 
 leader and his amateur friends for the delight of 
 others, is symbolical of the social harmony by 
 which the gentlemen of the society are themselves 
 imited. One or two of the most pleasant evenings 
 we passed in New Zealand were those which were 
 enlivened by dulcet strains from the agreeable and 
 talented performances of the "Nelson Amateur 
 Musical Society."
 
 302 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 In bringing our remarks on the province to a 
 close, we have only now to tender our warmest 
 thanks to those gentlemen who kindly aided the 
 prosecution of our work and rendered us other 
 valuable assistance. To Doctor and Mrs. Henwick 
 for affording us every facility for visiting as many 
 parts of the interior as our limited stay enabled 
 us to take advantage of, our grateful thanks are 
 due. But for other individual acts of kindness 
 and generosity, surpassing any within our ex- 
 perience as travellers, a private acknowledgment 
 woidd be more suitable than a public one. And 
 should we, at some future period, re-visit New 
 Zealand — an event by no means improbable — for 
 the purpose of recording the vast changes and 
 improvements which a few years cannot fail to 
 effect in her social, poKtical, and commercial posi- 
 tion, we should endeavour to prolong our stay in 
 the Torquay, or model town, of the Antipodes — 
 Nelson. 
 
 THE MINERAL RICHES OF 
 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 Gold, copper and other minerals have at pre- 
 sent been found in New Zealand only in small 
 quantities, and in particular localities. The search 
 has hitherto been partial, and may account for the 
 absence of more general and important informa- 
 tion on a subject which we have reason to believe
 
 NELSON. 303 
 
 will determine tlie future commercial position of 
 the colony. Mineral treasures have not yet been 
 secured here in large quantities — each discovery, 
 for reasons hereafter assigned, having been post- 
 poned or abandoned almost as soon as made. In 
 the like manner gold was previously found, and 
 the discovery for a time neglected, in another 
 region in the South Pacific. The fruitful working 
 of the Californian mines, however, changed Aus- 
 tralian apathy into action. In one of her Majesty's 
 (then) comparatively imknown dependencies, a 
 small but spirited band of adventurers was induced 
 to prosecute, wdthin the bowels of the earth, a search 
 for the material portions of that treasure which 
 had only been found in small quantities near the 
 surface. The success of the enterprise soon became 
 generally known. But the extraordinary com- 
 mercial results to which the knowledge of the first 
 and subsequent successes have given birth are 
 ah'eady matters of history. The heads may be 
 given in a few words. 
 
 In the brief space of six years about 300,000 
 human beings, chiefly from Great Britain, have 
 been attracted to the colony of Victoria, in Aus- 
 tralia. The magnet of attraction has been, as all 
 the world knows, — gold. The effect of this, the 
 greatest social event of modern times, has been 
 truly wonderful. At the antipodes of England 
 cities and towns have sprung up where none pre- 
 viously existed ; and these cities and towns have
 
 304 
 
 XEW ZEALAND. 
 
 been peojDled by European (cbiefly Britisb) sub- 
 jects. In exchange for each ton weight of gold, 
 received by the mother country, the colonial off- 
 spring has annually taken hundi'eds of tons of 
 merchandise. In this manner, and in the space of 
 time previously named — six years — England has 
 received of the precious metal nearly £50,000,000 
 sterling, in or for a corresponding return of mer- 
 chandise. So far as it goes, the following Table 
 (compiled by Mr. Westgarth) will show the com- 
 parative yield of gold, and the extent of mercantile 
 demand arising therefrom, of the two great gold 
 producing countries, California and Victoria : — 
 
 Comparative Table of tlie product of Gold, Shipping 
 Inwards, and Population of California and Victoria. 
 
 < 
 
 Gold Product. 
 
 Sliipping Inwards. 
 
 Population. 
 
 California. 
 
 Victoria. 
 
 California. 
 
 Victoria. 
 
 Califor. 
 
 Victoria 
 
 
 
 
 Tons. 
 
 .Tons. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Tons. 
 
 Number. 
 
 Number. 
 
 1848 
 
 £11,700 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1849 
 
 1,600,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1850 
 
 5,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1851 
 
 8,000,000 
 
 £1,208,011 
 
 
 
 669 
 
 126,411 
 
 
 
 1852 
 
 11,200,000 
 
 14,806,799 
 
 1003 
 
 445,014 
 
 1657 
 
 408,216 
 
 
 148,627 
 
 1853 
 
 12,600,000 
 
 11,588,782 
 
 1028 
 
 555,794 
 
 2594 
 
 721,473 
 
 329,500 
 
 198,496 
 
 1854 
 
 13,600,000 
 
 8,770,796 
 
 358* 
 
 226,674* 
 
 2596 
 
 794,604 
 
 
 273,865 
 
 1855 
 
 
 11,856,292 
 
 731* 
 
 206,160* 
 
 1897 
 
 549,376 
 
 
 319,245 
 
 • For the first six months only. 
 
 Of the important benefits derived and still 
 likely to be derived by England and America 
 through the commercial expanse indicated by the 
 above figvu-es we will not speak, as the figures 
 speak for themselves. A chapter either on Aus- 
 tralia or California would at present be out of
 
 NELSON. 306 
 
 place. A simple reference to the rapid growth of 
 these national dependencies, rather than to the 
 value of the fruit arising therefrom, will be suffi- 
 cient to illustrate our subject. And what other 
 event of modern times vfould enable Us to deal 
 with realities whose vast proportions invest them 
 with so fabulous an appearance. Jointly', Victoria 
 and California may at the present time boast of a 
 popidation of about one million. In that vast 
 number there could not probably be found ten 
 thousand persons who, ten years since, were fami- 
 liar, even by report, with the respective regions 
 they now inhabit. In the ordinary course of 
 things, and without the aid of that great magnet 
 of attraction which is decried by many yet wor- 
 shipped by most, centuries would be requii^ed by 
 new coimtries and colonies to accomplish, commer- 
 cially, what has been achieved by California and 
 Victoria in the brief space of a few years. By 
 these comparatively new but mighty settlements 
 the usual work of an age has been performed in a 
 shorter space of time than is sometimes devoted to 
 a youth's apprenticeship. Still, in this, as in all 
 great or more gradual undertakings, one particular 
 appliance has been found indispensable ; and the 
 rapid attainment of Californian and Victorian 
 greatness may be traced to the additional appK- 
 cation of that great vital power — labor. Without 
 a supply of labor the golden countries would at 
 this moment have been in ^ comparative state of 
 
 X
 
 306 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 insignificance ; and, without the gold discoveries, 
 that labor would have still been wanting. This 
 touches at once on the leading question with 
 regard to the colony more immediately under 
 consideration. 
 
 In New Zealand gold and other minerals have 
 occasionally been, and still are found ; but the 
 want of labor has hitherto prevented anything 
 like a systematic, or, indeed, more than a tem- 
 porary prosecution of such discoveries. Until the 
 supply of labor be sufficient to determine the pro- 
 bable value of her mineral resources, the simple 
 question whether the colony will or will not 
 become a great gold producing country must 
 necessarily remain a matter for specidation. Pre- 
 suming, however, the extravagant prophecies or 
 gloomy forebodings of strangers to be somewhat 
 more speculative than an opinion foimded on the 
 personal experience of those who have just re- 
 turned from the colony, we may venture a few 
 words, rather from our own knowledge of the past 
 and present, than from vain predictions, either with 
 regard to golden harvests or blighted hopes of the 
 future. Foimded on ocidar demonstration in the 
 country, and confirmed by advices just received, 
 our humble opinion prompts us to declare that 
 gold and other minerals are to be found not only 
 in one but in many parts of New Zealand — 
 although the province of Nelson is the only one 
 in which professional mining operations have at
 
 NELSON. 307 
 
 present commenced. The copper on the Dun 
 Mountain, within nine miles of Nelson, is declared 
 to be of the very best description, and promises a 
 remunerative, return for the investment of the for- 
 tunate individuals to whom the property belongs, 
 as also to any future body of shareholders who 
 may turn such valuable property to the best 
 accoimt. However great may be the temporary 
 successes or failures of a few individuals, or of a 
 few hundreds, who dig to the extent of two or 
 three feet and then abandon the search for other 
 employment, we shall still indidge the beKef that 
 the mineral riches of New Zealand will ultimately 
 prove of immeasurable value. Until the country 
 has been scientifically and systematically explored, 
 and the value of the mineral discoveries properly 
 tested, there will continue to be, as there now 
 exists, a A^ariety of conflicting opinions on the 
 subject. Untd. the test has been applied, which 
 can alone dispel speculation, our own opinion will 
 remain unchanged. But when, or in what manner, 
 will the problem be solved ? The manner of ap- 
 plying the test is well known ; but the only power 
 by which the application can be made is wanting. 
 What is that power ? Not capital ; yet at the 
 same time the great and only capital required for 
 the imdertaking — labor. At present, the entire 
 population of the colony will not number more 
 than about one-half the inhabitants located on a 
 single gold field in Victoria, while the laboring
 
 308 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 portion is not a tithe of what is required for agri- 
 cultural or domestic purposes. Male servants, who 
 can readily obtain 10s. or 12s. a day for a few 
 hours easy employment, find a more agreeable way 
 of making gold than by digging for it ; and the 
 settlers themselves, who at present make plenty of 
 money by sending their vegetable productions to 
 other golden regions, appear somewhat indifferent 
 about obtaining a market and a return for their 
 produce nearer home. "With a little reflection, 
 this indifference would surely disappear ; for, as 
 the time is already passed when some of the New 
 Zealand provinces required assistance from others, 
 the time will soon come when Australia will yield, 
 in abundance, vegetable food for her population — 
 be the increase of that population what it may. 
 Socially, the presence of large numbers of gold 
 diggers, with their attendant vices, may not add 
 to the respectability of the (now) respectable inha- 
 bitants of ^ew Zealand ; but rich gold fields, with 
 the appliance necessary to their immediate deve- 
 lopment, would (commercially) make the colony, 
 in a few years, what, with or without other than 
 her agricultural and pastoral gold fields, she ulti- 
 mately will be — " the Great Britain of the southern 
 hemisphere." But either in the rapid or gradual 
 progress to that end, a large or moderate supply 
 of labor is needed. Without the appKcation of an 
 extensive supply of labor, mineral treasures wiU 
 remain concealed, even though their hiding places
 
 NELSON. 309 
 
 be discoA^ered ; and without a moderate supply of 
 labor, the more homely fruits of agriculture will 
 be neglected, or will at least fail to extend and 
 multiply. Whether, therefore, the mineral trea- 
 sures of New Zealand be great or little — confined 
 to particular localities, or extending to all — labor 
 is still wanted, and is, indeed, the great and almost 
 only want of the colony. Beyond this fact, there 
 remains but one question — how is that labor to be 
 supplied? We direct attention to the want, but 
 cannot ourselves furnish it. The English press, 
 however — capable of great things because worthy 
 of great things — by calling public attention to the 
 subject, may accomplish on an extended scale what 
 we can only perform on a limited one. By the 
 aid of the press the golden region of Victoria was 
 first peopled ; and by the same aid the still more 
 golden region, because more favored climate of 
 New Zealand may be populated. It requires 
 some such power to direct the tide of emigration 
 towards this comparatively luiknown but incom- 
 parable colony. But any human power that may 
 idtimately turn the tide in this direction will, if 
 we mistake not, subsequently find itself powerless 
 in stopping it. Labor is the only capital reqviired 
 by New Zealand. Assist her to this, and the boon 
 will not remain unrequited, although your assist- 
 ance will no longer be needed.
 
 310 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 BLACK BALL LINE OF PACKETS FEOM 
 LIVERPOOL TO NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 Liverpool mercliants appear to be Kving types 
 of a progressive age. They are owners not only 
 of a fine fleet of ships, but also of a most enter- 
 prising spirit; and if not actually in advance of 
 the requirements of the time, they will assuredly 
 not be found much in the rear. Certain lethargic 
 old members of a fleeting class, who regard every 
 innovation on ancient forms or exploded principles 
 as a retrogade movement, may possibly view with 
 amazement and horror these modern spirits of 
 "express," and may condemn them as daring 
 shoots of the fast, or Manchester school. "Well; 
 be the school in which they were tutored what it 
 may, the graduates, by assisting to develop the 
 resources of other comitries, have tended in no 
 small degree to the commercial advancement of 
 their own. As pioneers, these gentlemen, with 
 their floating palaces, have played an important 
 part in convepng to the rich valleys and creeks 
 of Victoria the innumerable actors who now figure 
 on that golden region ; and the aimouncement 
 embodied at the head of these remarks is a visible 
 sign that these same Liverpool merchants wiU not
 
 NELSON. 311 
 
 direct the spirit of tlieir enterprise exclusively to 
 tlie supply of labor for one colony, when another 
 cries aloud for aid. Let us, at least, hope that 
 their own success has been, and may continue 
 to be, equal to their desert. In leading countless 
 debutants across their boards, as a preHniinary 
 step to fortune, the conductors or promoters of 
 the movement deserve to be, if they have not 
 been, suitably rewarded. 
 
 Acting for one of the Provincial Governments 
 of New Zealand, the respectable firm of Gladstone, 
 Morrison and Co., of London, have m.ade arrange- 
 ments with James Baines and Co. for the convey- 
 ance of one thousand emigrants. But we can state, 
 on the best authority, that James Baines and Co., 
 ^oU continue to start (monthly) first class ships 
 to all or nearly all the J^^ew Zealand settlements. 
 Such a movement has been long wanted, and 
 the want severely felt by the colony. Hitherto 
 there has been no regular line, or rather no 
 regular time of starting ships from England. 
 Such or such a vessel is advertised to leave about 
 such or such a date — which is no date at all. 
 If the announcement has any definite meaning, 
 it means when the vessel is full, or when the 
 time of her departure may suit the convenience 
 of the owners. To expatiate on the delay and 
 uncertainty arising from this viciovis system, will 
 be unnecessary, as the inconvenience thus caused 
 both to shippers and passengers must be obvious.
 
 312 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 James Baines and Co. are about to remedy tlie 
 evil, as the regularity of their line will insure 
 either punctuaKty or commercial extinction else- 
 where. 
 
 Note. — For the benefit of intending emigrants, we intended to 
 have given a statistical and detailed account of the rise and pro- 
 gress of the interesting province of Nelson ; but in this, as in 
 other provinces of New Zealand, we unfortunately trusted for 
 local information to the volunteered services of others, instead of 
 gleaning from various sources any scattered fragments of evidence 
 for ourselves. The postal arrangements, however, between England 
 and New Zealand are neither so expeditious nor so safe as to in- 
 duce us to conclude, by the non-an-ival of the expected papers, that 
 such papers have not been sent. As there is room for doubt on the 
 subject, our respected volunteers, rather than our readers, shall 
 have the benefit of it.
 
 WELLINGTON. 
 
 The province of Wellington has been so ably 
 described, and the statistics of the settlement so 
 recently compiled — although with a little of that 
 partiality peculiar to this part of the colony — by 
 a local government official, that, with the publica- 
 tion in this work of the leading features of the 
 account, our own remarks will be few and brief : 
 for while it would be impossible for us to furnish 
 a more favorable picture of the province than the 
 one in question, it will merely be necessary, for 
 the inf6rmation of our readers, to supply that 
 sketch with one or two rather important omissions. 
 
 In a court of justice, an impartial judge may 
 sometimes be heard informing a timid or reluc- 
 tant witness that he is not bound to commit or 
 criminate himself. In this respect, nations and 
 provinces are no doubt entitled to a privilege 
 possessed by the humblest of their citizens. It is 
 therefere only right to suppose that the "Wellington 
 historian, whose account we shall publish, fairly
 
 314 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 recorded the feelings and wishes of the community, 
 by remaining silent on a subject the proclamation 
 of which would have been regarded by the inha- 
 bitants of the town as a serious crime. And by 
 such an error the public commissioner would have 
 abused his trust and misrepresented his consti- 
 tuents, by saying too much, and by truly repre- 
 senting the city instead of the citizens. 
 
 On the subject under consideration, the employe 
 performed his part with more discretion, if not 
 with greater fairness than the employer. While 
 the former remained silent on a disaster, the 
 discussion of which might have proved injurious 
 to the interests of the province, the latter gave 
 publicity to the matter in a way which, if not 
 intended, was certainly calculated not only to 
 deceive strangers, but also to benefit Wellington 
 at the expense of her neighbours, by leading 
 foreigners to suppose the entire colony of New 
 Zealand to be the victim of a periodical local 
 disease, which, in reality, only seriously affects the 
 province of Wellington. 
 
 Wellington is, and has been subject to severe 
 shocks of earthquake, which occur with more or 
 less severity at intervals of six or seven years. 
 Slight shocks are frequently felt ; and during our 
 stay of six weeks in the province we experienced 
 several of these gentle vibrations which, beyond a 
 feeble or tremulous motion of the earth, in some 
 instances scarcely perceptible, produce neither per-
 
 WELLINGTON. 315 
 
 sonal inconvenience nor alarm. AYe believe that 
 life and even personal property would have been 
 secure from the effects of the severest of these 
 convulsions, if proper precaution had been adopted 
 in erecting wooden instead of brick houses ; for 
 although the majority are built of the lighter 
 material, it is only in the latter where the loss has 
 been severely felt. The last severe shock, which 
 took place on the 23rd of January, 1855, destroyed 
 property in the tovni to the amount of £20,000. 
 The original proprietor and landlord of the hotel 
 at which we were located during our stay in Wel- 
 lington was we believe the only life lost on this 
 occasion, although one or two persons of delicate 
 health subsequently died of fright arising from 
 the effects of the shock. Between this and the 
 preceding earthquake of any serious importance 
 there was an interval of about seven years, the 
 previous one having taken place in 1848. 
 
 Patent as the foregoing facts are to every person 
 in New Zealand, it being well known that the pro- 
 vince of Wellington is the only one in the colony 
 seriously affected by these convulsions of the 
 earth, the leading men of the place, in their pub- 
 lished manifestos, modestly admit that " New 
 Zealand is subject to periodical or occasional 
 shocks of eartliquake" — thereby leading foreigners 
 to suppose the colony and all parts thereof to be 
 equally liable to the visitation, although, in reality, 
 the other five settlements are as free from the
 
 316 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 danger as Greenwicli or Gravesend. It is for the 
 purpose of correcting a false impression in the 
 minds of some of our English friends that our 
 duty enforces a prominent notice of the subject. 
 
 Unfortunately, it is not on this subject only, but 
 on nearly every other, that the great men of Wel- 
 lington, either by attempting to disguise a bad 
 position or by assuming a false one, provoke the 
 merited censure of their neighbours ; while, by 
 ill-feeling and want of unity amongst themselves, 
 they do more than their worst enemies could eflPect 
 to retard the advancement and prosperity of their 
 own province. 
 
 In little, as in great things, the Wellingtonians 
 find it impossible to conceal their proverbial desire 
 to benefit themselves at the expense of their bro- 
 ther colonists. As one case out of many, we may 
 instance the production of a local work from which 
 that able description of the province, which will 
 herein appear, was extracted. The work is named 
 or rather misnamed *' The New Zealand Alma- 
 nack ; " and any one unacquainted with the 
 country would, on looking over the book, reason- 
 ably pronounce Wellington the metropolis of the 
 colonj^ While, as may be seen by the extract, 
 no point is left untouched which could place more 
 prominently before the public the leading features 
 of this province ; and while the work gives a brief 
 review of three other settlements — Auckland, the 
 seat of government, and the capital of the colonj",
 
 WELLINGTON. 317 
 
 and Taranaki, are thrown overboard altogether. 
 Beyond giving the names of the officials, not a 
 word is said about either of those provinces. Our 
 readers can only imagine a parallel case, by sup- 
 posing a work issued at St. Alban's, or some other 
 third-rate town, entitled " The English Almanack 
 and Gazetteer," giving a lengthy description of 
 the town in which it is published, and a few 
 others, but leaving London and Greenwich en- 
 tirely out of the question. 
 
 The elements of respectable society are not 
 wanting in this province, but those elements are 
 divided and subdivided by so many under currents 
 of "envy, hatred, and malice," that it would be 
 next to impossible to find in any given number of 
 the inhabitants that gentle concord and unity of 
 action of which the atmosphere of good society 
 and the key to social harmony are composed. The 
 local press, which comprises a couple of news- 
 papers, may be pronounced the worst conducted 
 in the colony. Indeed the press and the acrimony 
 of the people are typical of each other, while both 
 are as bad as anything in a civilised country can 
 be. The military, their friends, and a select few, 
 are the only exceptions to the cross-grained group. 
 
 Apart from the terrestrial and social drawbacks 
 we have enumerated, the province of Wellington 
 shares in an equal degree the advantages of the 
 other settlements. She possesses more and finer 
 land than can be found in the province of Auck-
 
 318 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 land ; and although not to be compared with the 
 last-named settlement in a commercial point of 
 view, her imports and exports are considerable ; 
 and her laborers, mechanics, merchants, and land- 
 owners, make as much money as that made by the 
 inhabitants of any other part of the colony. 
 
 The following account will enable our readers 
 to form a tolerably correct idea of the extent and 
 resources of the province : — 
 
 " Wellington was founded in January, 1840, the first 
 emigrant ship, the Aurora, having arrived on the 22nd 
 of that month. It Avas the fii'st settlement in New 
 Zealand. 
 
 " Port Mcholson, as fine a harbor as any in the world, 
 and the most central in New Zealand, was most judiciously 
 chosen as the site of the settlement; judiciously not so 
 much with a view to immediate progress, as to its ultimate 
 importance among the settlements of the colony. The 
 neighborhood of the harbor is rugged, and heavily tim- 
 bered, affording, except in detached valleys (of which the 
 Hutt is the largest and best) little land suitable for either 
 agricidture or pasture. But at the distance of about forty 
 mUes on the N. E., and sixty miles on the N. W., com- 
 mence some of the finest districts for both purposes in the 
 whole colony; the Wairarapa valley extending from the 
 head of PaUiser Bay for sixty miles inland, and thence by a 
 series of fertile plains to Hawke's Bay and the boundaries 
 of the Taupo country, some one hundred and fifty miles 
 further in the first direction ; the Manawatu, Ranghitikei, 
 and Wauganui districts in the other, ofter as fine fields for 
 settlement as any that human industry has ever reclaimed. 
 Port Nicholson is the commercial depot for these vast dis- 
 tricts of many million acres of fertUe land, with a coast
 
 WELLINGTON. 319 
 
 line of full four hundred miles. Its advantageous position 
 in reference to the other settlements of the colony is appa- 
 rent on a glance at the map. Its rapidly increasing 
 revenue, imports, and exports, prove the impression which 
 is being made on its back country, and foreshadow a future 
 greatness for its commercial enterprise which will pro- 
 bably not be surpassed by that of any other port in the 
 colony. 
 
 " The subsidiary settlement of "Wanganui, within the 
 province of "Wellington, is fast growing into importance. 
 
 " Its fine river, navigable for good sized brigs and 
 schooners, flowing through a tract of unbounded fertility, 
 and now being connected with other districts of equal 
 goodness, such as the Eanghitikei and Manawatu, by a 
 government road, has already di-awn a considerable popula- 
 tion to it. The "Wairarapa vaUey is fully occupied with 
 sheep and cattle stations, and two small farm settlements 
 have been established in this district, pioneers of the agri- 
 cultural future of the valley. At Hawke's Bay, sheep 
 stations are being rapidly formed, and the port town of 
 Napier cannot fail before long to become a place of con- 
 siderable importance 
 
 "As regards the Provincial Government of Wellington, 
 everything has worked smoothly and well under the new 
 Constitution. I. E. Featherston, Esq., M.D., who had 
 earned the confidence of the public by a long and consistent 
 political career, was elected Superintendent in July, 1853, 
 without opposition. The elections for the Provincial 
 Councils were held in August. On meeting the Council 
 (which assembled on the 28th October), his Honor the 
 Superintendent avowed his intention of adopting the prin- 
 ciple of Responsible Government, and the gentlemen whom 
 he appointed to his Executive Council were forthwith 
 sent back to their constituents for re-election. The success 
 of the experiment is admitted by all (even by those who
 
 320 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 originally opposed it) to liave been complete, and to have 
 established beyond a doubt the feasibility of worldng the 
 machinery of Government on the responsible principle in 
 any community however small. 
 
 " The legislation of the Council was generally of a useful 
 and practical character, and only one measure (the Super- 
 intendent's Absence Act) was vetoed by the officer ad- 
 ministering the Government. To "Wellington and to its 
 first Superintendent will belong the credit ia the history 
 of the colony of having been the first ip establish the 
 principle of Ministerial Responsibility. The Council was 
 prorogued on the 17th of February to meet again on the 
 21st of November, 1854. 
 
 " No better test of the efficiency of the free institutions 
 bestowed on the colony can be appealed to than the expen- 
 diture of the revenue. To take 1849 and about the middle 
 of Governor Grey's administration, as a fair average year, 
 it appears that in the northern province, with an estimated 
 revenue of £30,000, no less than £28,000 was appropriated 
 to official departments ; only the contemptible balance of 
 £2,000 being expended on public works or undertakings, 
 and nothing whatever on immigration. Under the new 
 Constitution the provincial revenue of Auckland for 1854, 
 was estimated at £28,000, of which no less than £13,000 
 was appropriated to public works. In the Southern Pro- 
 vince in 1849, the revenue was estimated at £28,000, 
 of which all but £4,019 was expended on official depart- 
 ments. The provincial revenue of Wellkigton for 1854, 
 under the new Constitution, was estimated at £18,000, 
 and of this £8,950 was appropriated to public works and 
 undertakings ; and the revenue having greatly exceeded 
 the estimates, nearly two-thirds of its amount have actually 
 been expended on public works, or reserved to pay for the 
 passages of assisted emigrants, of whom 280 have been sent 
 for. During the latter years of absolute government all 
 
 J
 
 WELLINGTON. 321 
 
 public works had ceased, or all but ceased in the colony. 
 In the Wellington province alone, during last year, upwards 
 of eleven miles of road, chiefly metalled, and for carriages 
 were constructed; so forcible is the contrast between the 
 results of self-government and colonial office rule. " 
 
 STATISTICS. 
 
 " The following statistical information relative to the 
 province of Wellington has been collected in part from the 
 Census Returns of the province for the year 1855, as pub- 
 lished, by direction of his honor the Superintendent, in 
 the " Provincial Gazette " of the 26th September, 1855 ; 
 and in part from other official dociiments to which tho 
 writer has been enabled to obtain access. 
 
 POPULATIO^T. 
 
 " The total European population of the province of 
 Wellington, exclusive of the military and their families, 
 amoimted, at the commencement of the present year, to 
 8,124 souls; of whom 4,504 were males, and 3,620 females. 
 In 1845, five years after the foundation of the settlement, 
 the total popiilation was 4,383; in the next five years it 
 increased to 5,911 ; so that the population is now nearly 
 double what it was in 1845, and nearly fifty per cent, 
 higher than it was in 1850 ; the last five years having 
 made an addition to the population of 2,213 souls. 
 
 AGRICULTURE. 
 
 "In 1845 there were under crop in the several districts 
 in the settlement 1,244 acres ; in 1850 the number had 
 
 Y
 
 322 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 increased to 4,504^ acres; and in 1855 to 10,530| acres. 
 We gather from tMs, that the amount of cultivated land in 
 the province is more than double what it was in 1850 ; and 
 as the price of agricultural produce has, in that period, 
 doubled also, the market value of the agricultural produce 
 of the province has been midtiplied fourfold. The two 
 small farm settlements, situate in the Valley of the Waira- 
 rapa, and distant about sixty miles from Wellington, are 
 progressing favorably ; and when the high road is completed 
 to them, which it is fully expected will be the case in the 
 course of the present summer, the agricultural wealth of 
 those districts, and, in consequence, of the province, will be 
 rapidly augmented. Under the amended land regulations, 
 which are now in force, ample and siiitable reserves for the 
 sites of agricultural and small farm settlements are to be 
 made in every district, before the lands in such districts are 
 thrown open to general purchase ; and whenever any reserve 
 has been made for the site of a small farm settlement, a 
 block of the adjacent land, to the extent of one third of the 
 reserve will be annexed to it as common land, upon which, 
 as well as upon all unsold lands within the reserve, every 
 resident occupier will have a right of pasturage for a limited 
 period. The lands of the province will continue to be 
 disposed of at the price of 10s. per acre ; but no land in 
 these reserved blocks is to be sold until it has been accu- 
 rately surveyed, allotted, and mapped. Any individual is 
 competent to purchase as small a qiiantity as forty acres ; 
 and no allotment is to exceed 320 acres, or half a square 
 mile in extent. The great drawback to the agricultiu'al 
 progress of the province, is the want of roads to convey the 
 produce to market ; but as these are now in rapid process of 
 formation, and as Wellington fiu-nishcs a good market for 
 all the productions of the soil, there can be no doubt but 
 that the agriculture of the province will be ere long greatly 
 extended.
 
 "VN'ELLINGTON. 323 
 
 STOCK. 
 
 " In 1845 the total number of sheep in the settlement of 
 "Wellington was 12,002; in 1850 this number had increased 
 to 42,652; and in 1855, the Returns give a total of 193,701 ; 
 though there is reason to believe that this number has been 
 considerably under-estimated. The Retui'ns of Nelson, pre- 
 vious to those of the present year, always shewed that that 
 province, in comparison with all others, possessed the largest 
 number of sheep ; but a reference to the Returns for the 
 year 1855, of the niimber of sheep in the provinces of Nel- 
 son and Wellington respectively, will shew that there are 
 in the latter province 10,380 more sheep than in that of 
 the former. In 1845, the number of horned cattle in this 
 province was 2,298; in 1850 they had increased to 8,068 ; 
 and in 1855 to 18,400. The Nelson Returns give 10,599 
 cattle for the year 1855 ; but it will be seen that there are 
 in this province nearly 8,000 more cattle than there are in 
 that of Nelson. In 1845 Wellington possessed 260 horses ; 
 in 1850 they had increased to 909 ; and in 1855 the Eui'o- 
 peans owned 1,608, exclusive of a very large number be- 
 longing to Maories. In 1845 the total live stock in the 
 Wellington settlement amounted to 15,125; in 1850 to 
 52,828 ; in 1855 the total live stock belonging to Europeans 
 alone amounted to 220,134, or exclusive of pigs, to 215,987. 
 By far the largest number of sheep are in the Hawke's Bay 
 and Waii'arapa districts; there being in the former 80,869, 
 and in the latter 74,373. The Wairarapa and Wanganui- 
 Ranghitikei districts possess the largest number of horned 
 cattle. The Hutt and Wanganui the largest number of 
 horses.
 
 324 
 
 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 ELECTORAL DISTRICTS. 
 
 " The following table shows the total population, the resi- 
 dent qualified voters, the amount of live stock, and the 
 quantity of land under crop in the five electoral districts of 
 the province. 
 
 Electoral District. 
 
 Total 
 popula- 
 tion. 
 
 Residents 
 
 entitled 
 
 to the 
 
 franchise. 
 
 Live 
 stock. 
 
 Land 
 under 
 crop. 
 
 Wellington City 
 
 Wellington Country dis- 
 trict 
 
 3208 
 
 121G 
 
 1057 
 1625 
 
 1008 
 
 580 
 
 238 
 
 183 
 347 
 
 230 
 
 1,799 
 
 20,390 
 
 25,582 
 8,858 
 
 165,305 
 
 245| 
 
 4308i 
 
 2039^ 
 3555| 
 
 401f 
 
 Wanganui-Ranghitikei 
 do 
 
 Hutt 
 
 Wairarapa and Hawke's 
 Bay 
 
 
 Total 
 
 8124 
 
 1578 
 
 221,934 
 
 10,550i 
 
 " The total number of voters on the Electoral Roll of the 
 province amounts to 1 858 ; the total number which appears 
 on the printed roll for the year 1855-6 is 1896; but a num- 
 ber of persons whose names appear on the printed roU are 
 either dead or have left the province. The difference be- 
 tween the number of persons resident in the several districts 
 who are entitled to the franchise, and the nimiber on the 
 Electoral Roll, is owing in a great measui-e to one person 
 in many cases being registered for several districts. The 
 number of persons, however, who really possess the re- 
 quisite qualification is much larger than is shewn by the 
 above returns.
 
 WELLINGTON. 
 
 IMMIGRATION. 
 
 325 
 
 " The Harbor Master's Returns for the year 1854 give 
 an excess of Immigration over Emigration of 523 souls. 
 Nearly 500 persons were introduced into the province in. 
 the beginning of the year 1855, by the Provincial Grov- 
 ernment, partly under the loan, and partly under the 
 bounty system. In the year 1854, 319 souls arrived at the 
 port of "Wellington from Great Britain, and 697 from Aus- 
 tralia. The total number of Immigrants in 1854 was 1055; 
 but owing to the arrangements made by the Provincial Gov- 
 ernment, there is reason to believe that the number this 
 year will be much greater. 
 
 EDUCATION. 
 
 " The Retiu-ns give 2153 of the population as unable to 
 read; 1176 who can read only; and 4705 who can read 
 and write ; but there can be no doubt that the number of 
 this latter class has been considerably over-estimated. The 
 total number unable to write is 3329, from which, if we 
 deduct the population under seven years of age — 1998 — 
 the total number above seven who are unable to wi'ite will 
 be 1331 ; but this will be below the real amoimt by tlig 
 number under seven who are able both to read and write. 
 There is too much reason to fear, iinless the Government 
 vigorously takes up the matter, and meets in its efforts with 
 the co-operation of the settlers, that while the returns will 
 annually exhibit an enormous increase in the resources and 
 material wealth of the province, the education of the people, 
 and the educational establishments of the province, will be 
 left miserably in the rear.
 
 326 NEW ZEALAND, 
 
 EXPORTS. 
 
 " The province of "Wellington can now boast of three ports 
 of entry, viz. — Wellington, Wanganui, and Napier. The 
 following returns of exports of New Zealand produce are 
 from the port of WeUington only, the approximate value of 
 which last year was £78,494 2s. 6d, The wool exported 
 from Wellington in the year 1854, was 622,384lbs., valued 
 at £38,447 2s. lOd ; potatoes, 1242 tons, valued at 
 £13,645 19s. ; sawn timber, 734,249 feet, valued at 
 £4,734 5s.; flour. 111 tons, 9 c^vt., valued at £3,617; 
 butter, 70,262lbs., valued at £4,992 Os. 2d. ; oil, 461 
 tuns, valued at £2,496 ; oats, 6454 bushels, valued at 
 £2,652 16s. ; rope and cordage, 47 tons, 16 ewt, valued 
 at £2,664 15s. ; and cheese, valued at £694 2s. 8d. 
 The total estimated value of the exports from the pro- 
 vince of Wellington in the year 1854, amounted to 
 £83,547 2s. 5d. The total shipping entered outwards 
 at the port of Wellington last year, amounted to sixty- 
 three, of 15,021 tons, and 757 men. The far greater 
 portion of the exports of Wellington are sent either to 
 Sydney or Melbom-ne. Even in the article of wool little 
 more than one third is sent from that port direct to London. 
 The value of the exports of Wellington is now four times 
 greater than it was in 1848. 
 
 THE LAND. 
 
 " The amount of the available land of the province, over 
 which the native title has been already extinguished, may 
 be estimated, in round numbers, at 3,000,000 acres; of 
 which, in round numbers, 300,000 acres have been aliena- 
 ted; leaving 2,700,000 acres now available for pasturage
 
 WELLINGTON. 327 
 
 or agriciilture. Under tlie original scheme of the Com- 
 pany, 120,900 acres of land were sold at Wellington and 
 "Wanganui, of Avhich 92,900 acres were bought by absentees, 
 and only 28,000 acres by residents. Scrip, in 1853, had 
 been issued to absentees to the amount of 47,000 acres, 
 and to residents to the amount of 46,000 acres. From June 
 1847, to the 4th March, 1853, there was scarcely any land 
 disposed of in the province cither by the company or the 
 Crown. Since the new land regulations came into opera- 
 tion, which reduced the price to 10s. an acre, viz. — from 
 the 4th March, 1853, to the 31st December, 1854, the total 
 quantity of Crown lands sold amoimted to 119, 726 j acres. 
 That is, in the Wellington district 13,277f acres were sold. 
 At Wanganui, 19,009|. At Eanghitikei and Tm-akina 
 34,355. In the Wairarapa and East Coast 32,234, exclu- 
 sive of that sold by the Land Commissioner in the Hawke's 
 Bay district. In these sales nearly £50,000 worth of scrip, 
 representing 50,000 acres, were absorbed; and £38,793 
 received in cash by the Crown Land Commissioner. 
 
 REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE. 
 
 " The revenues of the province consist of Customs' 
 Receipts, of the proceeds of the Land Sales, and of the in- 
 cidental receipts, such as Licenses, Fees, &c., &c. Of the 
 revenue derived from the two fii'st mentioned sources 
 the General and Provincial Governments each, under ex- 
 isting arrangements, receives half; the receipts from all 
 other sources of revenue are paid into the provincial cliest. 
 The gross customs' receipts of the year 1855 may be esti- 
 mated, in round numbers, at £30,000. The net customs' 
 receipts were estimated by the Provincial Government at 
 that amount ; but the high prices which have been obtained 
 for bread, meat, and fuel, and the other chief necessaries of
 
 328 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 life, haye diminished the funds which would have been 
 otherwise expended in the purchase of duty paying articles. 
 The total ordinary revenue of the province for the year 
 1855 will most probably amount to £30,000, and the ter- 
 ritorial revenue to £8,000 ; the total income of the pro- 
 vince for the year 1855 wiU thus be £38,000. The civil 
 expenditure of the province for the current year wiU amount 
 to about £12,000; leaving £26,000, or more than two- 
 thirds of the whole revenue of the province, to be expended 
 on immigration, roads, bridges, and other works of public 
 utiHty." 
 
 There is stationed in Wellington a considerable de- 
 tachment of H.M. 65th Eegiment. The presence of this 
 fine body of men (with an excellent band) occasionally en- 
 liven an other-wise exceedingly dull and iminteresting 
 town. 
 
 Note. — To Mr. James Gray, of Melbourne, ■who has made him- 
 self acquainted with most parts of Xew Zealand, and -who is the 
 owner of no inconsiderable portion of land in the colony, we were 
 indebted for a graphic and highly interesting sketch of Wanganui, 
 the finest and most flourishing district in the Wellington province. 
 But, by the unaccountable loss or absence of that paper, (with 
 others) we are prevented for the present from placing the details 
 before our I'eaders.
 
 CANTERBURY. 
 
 Had we to name one of tlie divisions of jN^ew 
 Zealand in which to fix on some spot for our 
 future home — next to Nelson, and as a settlement 
 whose rapid and fruitful growth gives promise of 
 early greatness, we should select the province of 
 Canterbury. 
 
 The progress made here since the foundation of 
 the settlement (about six years since) is truly sur- 
 prising. In the infant stage of a settlement, and 
 in the early development of rising importance, as 
 an agricultural and pastoral district, no other part 
 of the colony has displayed greater foresight, 
 intelligence, and vigour, than Canterbury. Pro- 
 bably neither of the other settlements, on their 
 formation, could boast of similar advantages with 
 regard to capital, &c. At the same time, Canter- 
 bury has turned every point in her favor to the 
 best account ; and, like her well-educated and 
 intelligent sons, she promises at no distant period 
 to obtain and dispense some of those substantial
 
 330 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 prizes peculiar to the colony, whicli will enable 
 her children to cultivate elsewhere, if not here, 
 that flower of the mind that may lead to fruitful 
 prizes of a still higher order. 
 
 Lyttleton, which takes its name from its excel- 
 lent harbor, is the seaport or commercial town of 
 Canterbury, while Christchurch, the capital of the 
 province, which is separated by a lofty range of 
 hills, and at a distance of about seven miles from 
 the port, is at present the chief or onl}' toAvn in 
 an agricultural district, which altogether contains 
 about 4,000,000 of acres, two-thirds of which are 
 immediately'' available for agricultural and pastoral 
 purposes. 
 
 Canterbury plains, in extent, differ from any 
 other part of New Zealand. They comprise about 
 3,000,000 acres of level or nearly level land, 
 nearly the whole of which is of the very best 
 description. The plain is about 130 miles in 
 length, and in some parts 40 miles in width. In 
 1853 the population of the province numbered 
 about 4,000, and, judging by the increase of 704 
 immigrants for the year just ended, the population 
 at present may be roughly estimated at six, or 
 between six and seven thousand. But the diffi- 
 culty we experienced in obtaining statistical in- 
 formation from the local authorities, proves a 
 barrier to that exactness at which we have inva- 
 riably endeavoured to arrive. 
 
 Had we been furnished with information re-
 
 CANTERBURY. 331 
 
 specting this province equal to our desire to obtain 
 it, or to the facilities possessed by others for 
 affording it ; or had the promised assistance of 
 volunteers reached us before our departure, it 
 would have given us much pleasure in supplying 
 our English friends with a more interesting and 
 minute account of a settlement which, ere long, 
 will rank with any in New Zealand. But on 
 applying to the all-important superintendent of 
 the province for. statistical information, his honor 
 majestically observed, — " I have not time to give 
 the required information, nor am I in favor of any 
 book on the colony by a stranger ; but if a work 
 were needed on the province of which / am the 
 head, the superintendent himself is the only person 
 qualified for its production." Such observations 
 were not then considered, nor do we now deem 
 them, worthy a reply — beyond wishing the settlers 
 well of one whose persuasive eloquence and refined 
 blarney induced a majority of voters to repose, for 
 a season, an important trust to a no less important 
 individual. 
 
 Every word in the following interesting account 
 — taken from " Chambers's Papers for the People " 
 — with reference to the capabilities of the land, 
 &c., in New Zealand, we, from our own personal 
 observations, readily indorse. But without such 
 attestation, the respectable source from whence 
 the account originates is a sufficient guarantee for 
 the truth thereof : —
 
 332 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 "The fecundity of the earth is ■wonderful: it springs 
 easily into cultivation. Some small ti-acts have only a 
 slight layer of mould lying on a rocky, untractable sub- 
 stratum, but even here the verdure thrives thick and rank. 
 Sandy flats, which in regions less profusely irrigated woTild 
 be naked and valueless, are here speedily overgrown, while 
 the salt spray of the sta showering upon the green mantle 
 that in some parts overlays the islands to the water's edge, 
 does it no injury. 
 
 " In this mild and agreeable climate man attains old age 
 without pain, nor is he compelled ever to be on his guard 
 against the influences of the weather. During thi-ee-fourths 
 of the year the settler in the neighbourhood of Cook's Strait 
 may sleep with his bedroom window open ; but when vio- 
 lent winds and showers prevail, a small fire is by no means 
 a superfluous luxiuy, especially as the colonists' residences 
 are very often no more than partially wind- and- water- 
 tight. With the exception of these intervals, occupation 
 under the open sky is before all others the most healthy 
 and pleasant. The luxuiiant vegetation, the everlasting 
 green of the trees and pastures, the atmosphere so trans- 
 parent that objects can be discerned at an amazing distance, 
 the varying tints of the sky, "with the picturesque land- 
 scapes afibrded by the harmonious mingling of hills, plains, 
 lakes, and woods — all these delight the eye, and kindle the 
 animal spirits. Herds and flocks may wander unhoused at 
 all seasons of the year without excess of wet or bitter fi'osts 
 to injure them. 
 
 ' ' Every climate of course has its incidental diseases ; and 
 in New Zealand the humidity causes sometimes ulcers, boils, 
 abscesses, and eruptive afieetions, which, however, never 
 assume-a malignant character, and disappear without me- 
 dical aid. Among the natives, from various causes foreign 
 to the climate, carbuncles occur. The Europeans, when 
 acclimatised, may be all but sure of health. Inflammatory
 
 CANTERBURY. 333 
 
 complaints, strictly so called, are unkno"WTi ; they almost 
 always assume, when their symptoms do appear, the form 
 of catarrh. No endemic disease exists. Influenza and 
 croup occasionally appear as epidemics, and vnth careless 
 people rheumatism is not uncommon. But, on the whole, 
 no country on the earth is more salubrious. We do not 
 find in it, as a traveller has observed, the bilious planter of 
 the East or West Indies, or the aguish settler in the forests 
 and on the river banlcs of South America. There are no 
 epidemic or endemic fevers, as in the East and West Indies, 
 and parts of the United States ; no ague, no dreary winters, 
 as in Canada ; no hot winds, long di-oughts, conflagrations, 
 snakes, and vermin, as in Australia, The pure air, conti- 
 nually in motion, invigorates the frame and buoys up the 
 ■mind. Invalids rapidly recover. The thermal springs in 
 the North Island indeed, with the attractive scenery and 
 delightful atmosphere, present it as a healthy and pictu- 
 resque place of sojourn for those who have worn down their 
 constitution in the dangerous climates of the East. 
 
 ' ' The value of New Zealand consists rather in its soil, 
 its climate, its position, and its commercial capabilities, 
 than in its natural productions. The indigenous fruits of 
 the earth are few, and not important ; while those that have 
 been introduced render it one of the richest countries in 
 the world. It does not yield, indeed, spices or camphor, or 
 all the luscious delicacies of the Oriental orchard ; but it 
 affords the growths of Europe, and that which will piirchase 
 from the neighbouring East every rarity its inhabitants 
 could desire to enjoy. Besides the mineral treasures we 
 have noticed, it contains others most valuable to the Eng- 
 lish settler — abundance of water, timber, coal, lime, and 
 stone of various kinds, the chief materials of industry. 
 The soil is variously distributed over the surface of the 
 country, supporting, as we have already remarked, various 
 classes of indigenous vegetation. On the banks of streams
 
 334 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 among the hilly tracts, a deep, rich, alluvial mould prevails, 
 and in some of the valleys — that of the Hutt in "Wellington 
 District in particular — a pure black or brown sandy loam 
 lies in a stratum so thick as to appear inexhaustible. 
 Wherever dense forests exist, the same soil abounds. When 
 the woods are cleared from parts covered only by a thin 
 layer, this is often washed away by the rains, leaving 
 nothing but a cold, clayey earth fit only for pasturage. To 
 illustrate the eiFect, however, of climate or weather upon 
 the soil, it may be mentioned that this, which is spread over 
 the drier, hUly, and undulating districts, when well turned 
 over, and subjected to the influence of the atmosphere, 
 becomes extremely fertile. In other respects the same in- 
 fluence is remarkable. Sandy strips of land, which from 
 their nature would in many other countries remain sterile* 
 and naked, are here by the natives planted with potatoes 
 very successfully; stony hiUs, most impracticable in ap- 
 pearance, flourish with abundant crops of that nutritious 
 vegetable. 
 
 " One great drawback, nevertheless, to the agricultural 
 capabilities of New Zealand is the fact, that even in the 
 richest valleys or plateaus, where the forests have been 
 cleared, the waters wash away the upper soil, laying bare 
 the less liberal clay ; but an improved system of husbandry, 
 with the judicious rotation of crops, the use of proper fer- 
 tilising appliances, and, above aU, the careful regulation of 
 the water-flow by drainage, all such inconvenience can be 
 remedied : such at least is the opinion of weU- informed 
 residents in. the group. Industry can afibrd, however, to 
 be vigorous in its exertions when the soil is so ready to 
 reward it. 
 
 "We may now approach the subject of the natural and 
 ac(]^uired wealth of the province, and here its peculiar cha- 
 racter shoidd be remembered. We shall find it possessing 
 many of the characteristics which Adam Smith poiated out
 
 CANTERBURY. 335 
 
 with respect to England, and Sir Stamford Eafflos, •witli 
 modifications, in reference to Java. It is an agricultural, 
 pastoral, and mineral country. First among the productions 
 of the soil Tve may reckon timber, which in regions destined, 
 as Lord John Russell once said, to give laws to a great part 
 of the soiithern hemisphere, deserves to be considered as 
 of great importance. The indigenous trees tower, many 
 of them, to a prodigious height, producing timber in 
 unequalled perfection — some close-grained, heavy, and 
 durable, for domestic and public architecture ; some fit for 
 ship-building ; others hard, light, of fine texture, and 
 elegantly veined for cabinet-work, and others indeed for 
 every variety of purpose : the white, yellow, and red pine — 
 the last with leaves like ostrich plumes ; the totara, a red- 
 dish wood, with roots that take a beautiful polish ; and 
 many others, not known in Europe, which it woidd be use- 
 less minutely to describe. Some of the timber-trees bear 
 fruit ; others rich clusters of flowers, like the pui'ple honey- 
 suckle ; others leaves like the myrtle, and blossoms with 
 crimson petals and golden stamina. One produces leaves, 
 affording a fragrant beverage resembling tea. All are in 
 immense variety and abundance, yielding materials for 
 every kind of work. Beautiful fm-niture has been made in 
 Edinburgh and London from some of these finely-grained, 
 hard-textxu-ed, brilliantly-polished woods, several of which 
 yield rich dyes, while others emit a grateful perfume. 
 Among the trees which have been introduced are the oak, 
 the ash, the horse-chestnut, the Spanish chestnut, the wal- 
 nut, and several species of the mimosa. They appear to 
 thrive well ; but the experiment is not yet sufficiently 
 mature to decide on the quality of the timber in its full 
 development. 
 
 " Equally important with the timber is the native flax of 
 New Zealand, a peculiar plant, of which ten or twelve 
 varieties have been found — some in the low marshes, others
 
 336 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 on tlie surface of rich, alluvial plaias, others on hill-sides 
 barren of everything else. The largest kind has leaves ten 
 or twelve feet in height, and tapering from three or five 
 inches to a point. These never lie open, but are folded in a 
 graceful curve, like huge eccentric sea-shells. Bunches of 
 flowers grow from the stem with purple chalices fidl to the 
 brim of a delicious sjrup. Though it grows wild every- 
 where, it must be planted and cultivated with care, to be 
 made available for manufacturing purposes. Fifty or sixty 
 fern-plants exist in New Zealand. Their roots once formed 
 an important article of food with the natives ; but since the 
 settlement of Europeans, so many materials of subsistence 
 superior to them have been introduced, that the lordly 
 Maories have abandoned to the wild hogs this humble pro- 
 \T.sion, together wdth the root of the bulrush. From an 
 edible pxilp contained in the stem of one variety the early 
 colonists used to make a very respectable imitation of 
 apple-tart. The friut of one shi'ub, called tutu, affords the 
 natives an insipid but harmless wine ; the seeds, however, 
 are poisonous, and at particular seasons the leaves highly 
 injurious to cattle. A few indigenous grasses occur, all of 
 them perennial ; but the scrub-flax and fern occupy the 
 wide plains and slopes, where myriads of sheep and cattle 
 might find pasture. An indigenous anise-seed grows in 
 many parts, greatly improving the flesh of the animals 
 feeding on it. European grasses, however, spread rapidly, 
 and the native species promise soon to be altogether 
 extinguished. 
 
 " Like Australia, therefore, New Zealand is on the whole 
 poor in natural vegetable growths. Only one indigenous 
 fruit of any importance is known — the kiekie, a parasitical 
 plant, bearing a cucumber- shaped fruit, said to come to 
 perfection only once in three years. Poor as it is, however 
 in this respect, the country now possesses almost every 
 vegetable produced in Great Britain, with many others
 
 CANTERBURY. 337 
 
 transplanted from the exhaiistless soil of the East. Captain 
 Cook, it is believed introduced potatoes more than seventy 
 years ago: new varieties have been added from time to 
 time to improve the quality. The root aow thrives in great 
 perfection, and the natives subsist principally upon it. In 
 the poorer soils two crops are annually obtained. During 
 the prevalanee of the California gold-fever, speculators in 
 WeUington "bought large quantities of this vegetable for 
 £5 a ton, shipped them, and sold them at San Francisco 
 with a profit of 700 per cent. ! A small sweet potato is also 
 grown, and a small but delicious yam, which some suppose 
 was brought by the Maories when they came to Xew Zealand 
 from their original country, undetermined by ethnographers, 
 in Polynesia. Maize was introduced before the islands were 
 systematically colonised, and flourishes in great abundance 
 except near "WeUington, and in some of the more southern 
 districts, where there is scarcely sufficient hot weather to 
 ripen it. Melons, pumpkins, gourds, and others of the 
 same class, wild oats, yeUow trefoil, and other grasses, now 
 prevail plentifully, affording abundant subsistence to man 
 and the creatures which minister to his necessities. Every 
 sort of grain known in Europe, with its numerous varieties, 
 has been introduced. Wheat from an Egyptian mummy has 
 been so^vn with great increase, and the black-bearded wheat 
 with solid straw, so plentifid in the south of Spain. The 
 com grown in the Valley of the Hutt is of a quality so fine 
 that it might be exported with advantage even to England. 
 Its straw is nearly six feet high, and it yields an average 
 of from forty-five to fifty bushels per acre. The ordinary 
 qualities thrive to rich perfection in the alluvial valleys 
 and along the borders of streams where a fine soU prevails. 
 " Oats are cidtivated as much for the straw as the grain. 
 Two crops of oaten straw are frequently cut in the course of 
 a single year — the first yielding four tons and a half per 
 acre. Hops and barley grow in great profusion, and if 
 
 z
 
 338 NEW ZEALAXD. 
 
 industriously cultivated would prove of immense importance 
 to the colony. Free as the climate is from injurious elec" 
 trical phenomena, and ahounding as the islands do Tvith 
 pure wholesome water, they might supply Australia, India, 
 and South America with malt liquor, of which it is calcu- 
 lated more than 100,000 harrels are annually exported from 
 England. The moderately rich soil on the hill slopes is hest 
 adapted to this description of hushandry. As we have 
 already said, almost every grass in the pastures of Great 
 Britain has heen introduced into New Zealand. Twenty- 
 five species mingle on the Hawkshead Plains in "Wellington 
 District, carpeting them with a soft, beautiful coveiing, 
 where herds of sleek cattle and thickly-fleeced sheep fatten 
 all the year. When the curing of flesh for exportation to 
 the neighbouring regions is imdertaken on a large scale, 
 this branch of husbandry will prove of eminent importance, 
 and every emigrant carrying out good seed will be a bene- 
 factor to the colony. 
 
 " Clover, saiatfoiu, trefoils of various kinds, vetches' 
 tares, lupiues, lucerns, beans, peas, buckwheat, lintseed, 
 mustard, rapeseed, and mangel-wvu'zel thrive extremely 
 well ; and though coriander, caraway, and cress — which 
 grow so abundantly on the fertile hundreds of Essex — have 
 hitherto been neglected in New Zealand, they woiild no 
 doubt afford an ample profit to the proprietors of land in 
 the alluvial districts. 
 
 " In the vegetable garden we find peas, broad beans, 
 French beans, cauliflowers, carrots, turnips, broccoli, pota- 
 toes, celery, cucumbers, strawberries, tomatos, radishes, 
 lettuces, parsnips, beet-root, spinach, onions, asparagus, 
 sea-kale, artichokes, cardoons, rhubarb, capsicums ; indeed 
 everything of the kind grown in Great Britain. 
 
 ' ' Picottees, carnations, geraniums, polyanthuses, prim- 
 roses, cowslips, crocuses, tulips, hyaciaths, roses, pinks, 
 pansies, dahlias, balsam, China asters, peonies, honeysuckle,
 
 CANTERBURY. 339 
 
 violets, and almost all other European flowers flourish. 
 richly ; and in December no sight can be more beautiful 
 than the bloom of a New Zealand garden. 
 
 " The orchard contains plums, apples, pears, figs, peaches, 
 nectarines, grapes, currants, the common gooseberry, quinces, 
 filberts, raspberries, apricots, cherries, and the Cape goose- 
 berry — a wholesome, pleasant fruit, whether raw, cooked, 
 or preserved, which thrives like a weed wherever it is 
 introduced. The banana, and a few others of an Oriental 
 character, form immense orchards. Many fruits which are 
 annual in England are biennial, or even perennial, in iN'ew 
 Zealand ; while others which we delicately rear in the hot- 
 house, grow there vigorously in the open air. If the flower- 
 gardpn be managed weU it will shew a fine bloom all the 
 year round. Greraniums, as in Portugal, take the shape of 
 shrubs ; hedges even are formed of them ; and if the varie- 
 ties are judiciously mixed, this beautiful fence of verdure 
 will thi'oughout all the season be spangled with bright 
 flowers. Considerable plantations of tobacco have been, 
 raised by the natives ; but the manufacture of it, even for 
 consumption among themselves, has not yet been attempted 
 by the colonists. 
 
 ** If Australia be poor in the animal creation. New Zealand 
 is still more so. No beasts or reptUes native to its soU, 
 except bats and lizards, are found upon it. In the neigh- 
 bouring seas, however, abound those mammalia which crowd 
 all parts of the Pacific Ocean — the sperm, the humpback, 
 the fiji-back, the pike-headed, the large-tipped, and the 
 black whale, frequent its coasts, and their captui-e for the 
 valuable oil and bone, afforded to the early colonists their 
 most adventurous and profitable occupations. Seals of nu- 
 merous kinds formerly abounded in Cook's Strait and oif 
 the shores of Middle Island, but the sealers since 1827 have 
 nearly exterminated them : this has doubtless been tkrough 
 an inconsiderate plan of fishery ; for by judicious arrange-
 
 340 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 ments, leaying the seals in breeding seasons unmolested, 
 tMs source of profit might have been perpetuated. The 
 conger-eel, sole, plaice, and flounder, inhabit the waters, 
 "with an iniinite variety of others unlcnovra to Europe — a 
 kind of shark or dog-fish, some like the cod, others the 
 doree, others the mullet. Immense fisheries might be esta- 
 blished, especially as salt is easily procured by evaporation ; 
 and a large and lucrative market is offered among the 
 Roman Catholics of the west coast of America, of Manilla, 
 and of Australia. 
 
 ' ' Several kinds of birds are indigenous to the woods 
 and neighbouring waters of New Zealand — among them a 
 gigantic albatross, the oyster-catcher, the bittern, the king- 
 fisher, cormorant, quail, wUd-duck, mocking or parson bird, 
 parrots, paroquets, woodhen, pigeon, and others ; some of 
 them with superb plumage. There have been inti-oduced 
 peafowl, pheasants, tiu'keys, geese, ducks, common fowl, 
 Guinea-fowl, canaries, and bullfinches. The varieties kept 
 in cages for their song are continually increased by the 
 favorites which emigrant families carry out with them. 
 
 " A degenerate mongrel-breed of dogs exists in the 
 islands. It was probably inti'oduced by the early voyagers, 
 and is used by the natives in the chase of the ■wild-hog. 
 The skins of those with silky white hair are made into 
 garments by some of the wilder Maorie ti'ibes, and tufts 
 from them adorn their spears. Bulldogs, kangaroo-dogs — 
 a mixture of greyhound and mastiff — Scotch deer-hoimds, 
 German boar-hounds, Scotch coUy sheep-dogs, Newfound- 
 lands, terriers, and spaniels, thrive well, and are rapidly 
 multiplying. It is remarkable that distemper and hydro- 
 phobia have been hitherto imknown among the dogs of New 
 Zealand. Horses are already supplied in considerable num- 
 bers to New South Wales, and a swift, strong, hardy breed 
 s furnished to the cavahy regiments in India. Cattle have 
 been introduced from Australia and Van Diemen's Land, as
 
 CANTERBURY. 341 
 
 well as some Devon bulls and cows. Beef and pork miglit 
 be ciu'ed in great quantities, to supply the wbaling and 
 trading ships. Goats are still few. Sheep will probably 
 furnish at no distant time one of the most important articles 
 of export. The country is peculiarly well adapted to them, 
 even more so than the neighbouring pastures of New Hol- 
 land. In New South Wales the average weight of a fleece 
 is two pounds and a half ; in New Zealand it is from three 
 to four pounds. Few burrs exist, and the wool is silky, 
 long, and fijie. The annual increase is from 90 to 100 per 
 cent. Cats, rats, mice, pigs, asses, mules, locusts, cater- 
 pillars, ants, centipedes, spiders, flies, mosquitos, and 
 maggots, enter into the animal kingdom of New Zealand. 
 In the native villages or pahs, where the people are dirty, 
 vermin abound, as they do in all comm-unities distinguished 
 by habits of uncleanliness. Colonisation has introduced 
 also besides some insects not j)articularly valuable, others 
 extremely useful to the settlers ; among the most important 
 are bees. In New Zealand the months make little difference 
 to this valuable insect. The bee-keeper is often overwhelmed 
 by the multitude of swarms. The land may indeed be one 
 day overstocked, but such is not yet the case, and the quan- 
 tity of honey yielded is amazing. A single swarm was, in 
 the summer of 1843-44, placed in a good situation, near an 
 extensive flowery tract of woodland. In September 1844, 
 it yielded 30 lbs. of honey ; in 1845, 205 lbs. ; in 1846, 
 721 lbs. ; and in 1847, 1211 lbs. ; or altogether, 2167 lbs. 
 in four years. Hollow trees are very numeroixs in the 
 woods : these are quickly occupied by the industrious little 
 colonists whose industry is so beneficial to the country. 
 With all these natural advantages, without extending our 
 speculations to others still to be discovered, we may without 
 hesitation assert that New Zealand possesses every quali- 
 fication which it can reqiiire to become one of the most 
 prosperous and noble provinces of the British empire."
 
 342 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 In our description of Nelson, most of our re- 
 marks in reference to society in tliat charming 
 province, maj^ be applied with equal force to this 
 settlement. The majority of the inhabitants here 
 are exceedingly kind and hospitable, while in 
 point of education and intelligence they are supe- 
 rior to those in every other part of New Zealand, 
 the province of Nelson not excepted. 
 
 In civilised communities, nothing perhaps marks 
 more strongly a distinction in the grade or scale 
 of society, or denotes more immediately the amount 
 of refinement of any particular class, than a taste 
 for music, and the character of miisic for which 
 that taste is displayed and cherished. 
 
 In Canterbury, as in Nelson, a refined taste for 
 music is at once discernible. Although this young 
 settleanent cannot at present boast of a large num- 
 ber of instrumentalists — excepting, of course, the 
 fair sex — the " Lyttelton Choral Society " is an 
 honor to the pretty tovni whose name it bears, 
 while the talented performances of the society 
 confer equal honor on the able and indefatigable 
 leader, to whose training, patience, and perse- 
 verance, the efficiency of the members may be 
 attributed. AYe had the honor of being present, 
 with the Governor and suite, at a performance 
 given by the "Lyttelton Choral Society." At 
 the conclusion of that performance, and as a just 
 return for the pleasure it afibrded those present, 
 his Excellency personally and publicly compli-
 
 CANTERBURY. 343 
 
 mented Mr. McArthur on the proficiency and 
 talent displayed by his fair pupils, the majority of 
 whom, as our readers may suppose, were ladies. 
 
 Here also, as in Nelson, may be found another 
 sure indication of a respectable community. " The 
 press is a mirror by which the prominent features 
 of a people are represented," says a modern writer. 
 "We have certainly obtained by our observations in 
 New Zealand, a striking confirmation of this doc- 
 trine. " The Lyttelton Times," and " The Nelson 
 Examiner," are the only respectably conducted 
 newspapers in the entire colony ; and the inhabi- 
 tants of the provinces represented by those journals 
 are unquestionably superior in every respect to 
 those in the other settlements. There is, however, 
 a newspaper published in Christchurch which must 
 not be included in our general verdict, as our stay 
 in that part of the Canterbury settlement did not 
 enable us to form an opinion on the subject. But 
 we may fairly presume, from the respectability 
 of the inhabitants by which that journal is sur- 
 rounded, that the honorable exceptions to which 
 we have referred may be increased by the addition 
 of otre. 
 
 To Mr. Shrimpton, the talented editor and pro- 
 prietor of " The Lyttelton Times," we are indebted 
 for the following summary of events, published in 
 his paper of December 29, 1855 : — 
 
 " The fiftli anniversary of the foundation of this settle- 
 ment slipped away in the midst of the excitement of a 
 general election, without affording lis an opportunity of
 
 344 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 noticing, as is oiu' custom on such, occasions, the degree of 
 progress made by the settlement during the preceeding 
 year. All the principal occurrences are so fresh in the 
 reccollection of our readers that we need not allude to them 
 at length ; we will merely notice the prominent changes 
 which have taken place. 
 
 " The important alteration in the constitution of the 
 provincial legislature has been very successful. The en- 
 larged Council of twenty-four members has met twice 
 during the year, and has enacted several useful and neces- 
 sary laws. It is not, of course, possible that twenty-four 
 men could assemble anywhere, for any purpose, without 
 wasting a considerable amount of time in useless talk. 
 The Provincial Council has its share of talkers ; but the 
 general good sense of the House tends to discourage 
 would-be-orators. The most important business tran- 
 sacted during the past year by the Council, has been the 
 settlement of the affairs with the Canterbury Association, 
 and the framing of a set of land regulations. "We have 
 so often enlarged upon the iii'st of these questions when it 
 was under discussion, that we need not do more than allude 
 to it now. The manner in which accounts were closed 
 between the Canterbuiy Association and the province must 
 be gratifying to that body after the unscrupulous and un- 
 discriminating attacks which have been made upon them. 
 As to the latter question, there are few, we suppose, who 
 do not look upon the land regulations as a make shift, in 
 default of larger powers of dealing independently wdth the 
 Crown lands for the benefit of the province. The first 
 draft was disallowed by his Excellency ; of the fate of 
 the second, the province is now anxiously expecting to 
 hear. 
 
 " With respect to the revenue, we are not able now to 
 enter into particulars, as the financial year does not end 
 until the 31st of March. Notwithstanding all the un- 
 toward circumstances which have tended to decrease the
 
 CANTERBURY. 3 45 
 
 balance availaLle for the use of the proAiuce, -we have 
 nevertheless been very prosperous. Immigi-ation and pub- 
 lic works, the two great drains upon the treasury, have 
 not been checked diu-ing the year. The prospect for the 
 futiu'e is more doubtful ; but we do not despair of seeing 
 a satisfactory arrangement of the financial questions of 
 the colony come to diu'ing the next session of the General 
 Assembly. At the end of last year there was a balance 
 of about £22,000 (in round numbers) in the provincial 
 treasury ; at the close of this month there will not be 
 above £2,000 or £3,000. The difference has been spent 
 for the most part on immigration and public works ; the 
 ordinary revenue having covered (in or about) the ordinary 
 expenditm-e. We do not take the late payments from 
 the Land Department into account, as they do not do much 
 more than cover the advances which have been necessary to 
 meet the first year's interest on the Canterbury Association's 
 debentures. 
 
 " The total exports for eleven months of the year, being 
 hona fide the produce of this province, amount to a value 
 of £40,000. We give below a detailed account compiled 
 from Custom House records. 
 
 "The Sumner road will soon be open from the Ferry to 
 the Shag Eock ; a banking has been cut the whole way 
 into Lyttclton, such that a horseman need not dismount 
 between Christchui-ch and Lyttelton on the ti'ack of the 
 new road. Even the partial completion of the Sumner 
 road will tend to improve the state of communication 
 between the port and the plains. 
 
 "The arrival of a coasting steamer has done more towards 
 inter-communication than anything else. We are glad to 
 be able to state at the close of the year that the experience 
 we have already had of the " Alma " leads us to look for- 
 ward to the speedy establishment of a successful line of 
 trading steamers between the port and the plains. 
 
 " The visit of the Bishop of Kew Zealand has gone far to
 
 346 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 put Cliurch affairs on a more satisfactory footing. His 
 lordship expressed his confidence in the sufficient endow- 
 ment of the bishopric of Christchurch, and we may hope 
 that the petition of the churchmen in the province that the 
 Rev. H, Harper may be at once appointed, will meet with 
 immediate attention, backed as it is by the recommendation 
 of Bishop Selwyn. 
 
 "Want of space compels us to conclude. We would wil- 
 lingly have enlarged upon several topics of interest — such 
 as the change in the composition of the Executive Council ; 
 the local contiibutions to the Patriotic Fund ; the sui'vey 
 of the bar by Captain Drury, of H.M.S. Pandora ; the 
 establishment of a Savings' Bank at Lyttelton ; the large 
 and steady increase in the cultivation on the plains and in 
 the bays ; and many other subjects immediately connected 
 with the province. We may, however, congratulate our 
 readers upon the fact, that every thing around us denotes 
 prosperity, and that there is not an individual in the pro- 
 vince, who has exerted himseK in agricultui-e, sheep-farm- 
 ing, or in business, who is not far better oif now than 
 he was tn'elve months ago. 
 
 IMMIGRATION. 
 
 " The Returns give a total of 704 persons who have immi- 
 grated to this province during the past year, from the 
 following places : — 
 
 From Great Britain . . . . 543 
 
 New South Wales 126 
 
 Van Dieman's Land . . . . 35 
 
 Total 704 
 
 " This number was classified as follows : — adult males, 
 
 358 ; adult females, 191 ; children, 155. 
 
 "Three vessels arrived in this pro^vdnce during the past 
 
 year dii-ect from England, viz., the Grasmere, with 107 
 
 immigrants; Caroline At/ncs, ydth 186; andthe CasJunere, 
 
 with 146."
 
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 348 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 Between the province of Canterbury and Otago, 
 at a distance (by water) of about sixty miles from 
 Lyttelton, and in the Canterbury settlement, is the 
 beautiful harbor of Akaroa, at the inner part of 
 which, and at the base of a lofty range of hills, 
 the small town stands. 
 
 The inhabitants of Akaroa comprise only a few 
 English and French families, some natives, and a 
 solitary Russian. At, or before, the period when 
 New Zealand was declared a British dependency, 
 a French band of explorers landed here with the 
 intention of taking possession of the island. But 
 a duly commissioned English officer arrived just 
 in time to proclaim his authority and defeat the 
 intention of our (now) worthy allies. 
 
 In a commercial point of view, the place is of 
 little importance, being completely cut off from 
 the Canterbury plains by a continuous range of 
 lofty mountains. The Governor of New Zealand, 
 on his first trip (by steamer) round the colony, 
 being anxious to see this place, we availed our- 
 selves of an opportunity which but seldom occurs 
 — of visiting a spot with which the communication 
 from other parts is not of frequent occurrence. 
 
 The visitors, however, on this occasion, were 
 amply rewarded for their trip. "WTiile the harbor 
 is one of the finest and most romantic in the 
 colony, the scenery around is beautiful in the 
 extreme ; and the luxuriant foliage of the various 
 trees by which the surrounding gardens are
 
 CANTERBI3RY. 849 
 
 studded, together with tlie variegated flowers, and 
 the great abundance and perfection of every kind 
 of fruit, render the place one of the most charming 
 retreats that could well be imagined. Were it 
 possible to make a road hence to Christchurch, 
 Akaroa would be to Canterbury what Brighton is 
 to London — a delightful watering place. 
 
 35' 
 
 52" S. 
 
 48' 
 
 20" E. 
 
 36' 
 
 42" S. 
 
 45' 
 
 47" E. 
 
 LYTTELTON COAST DIHECTOEY. 
 "PORT VICTORIA, OR PORT COOPER. 
 
 Latitude of Godley Head 43° 
 
 Longitude 172o 
 
 Lat. of Well on Norwich Quay 43o 
 Longitude 172o 
 
 High water F. and c, 4 hours 30 minutes. Springs rise 
 6 feet and a-half. 
 
 "This excellent harbor is situated in the north-west 
 angle of Banks' Peninsula, having a common entrance with 
 Port Levy or Albert. 
 
 " The entrance is about two miles wide, between Godley 
 Head on the north-west and the south-east head. 
 
 " Adderley Head, between the two harbors, Ues back 
 from the other two. 
 
 " The coui-se up Port Victoria is about south-west by 
 west half-west by compass ; the width between Adderley 
 and Godfrey Heads is about a mile, with deep water close 
 to on either hand, tiU within view of the town on the north 
 shore, when vessels should anchor in three to three and 
 a-half fathoms. There is good anchorage outside, in case
 
 350 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 of calms or southerly weather, soundings from seven to 
 ten fathoms, extending four or five miles from the shore. 
 
 " In approaching the harbor from the north, Mount 
 Herbert, the highest peak of the peninsula, is a leading 
 mark ; Port Cooper lying to the westward or landward side 
 of it. On a nearer approach. Mount Cavendish, the highest 
 peak on the north side of the harbor is easily distinguished, 
 being bluff towards the port, and sloping off gradually to 
 the low land of the plain. It has a small signal staff on its 
 summit, and a house in front of a patch of wood a little 
 way do^Y^l the north-east face. Under the peak, Godley 
 Head is distinguished as a bluff cliff about 100 feet high. 
 Cooper's Knobs, at the head of the harbor, are two or three 
 remarkable round, wooded, over-hanging peaks, and form 
 a good mark for steering up the harbor, with Ward's farm- 
 house on QuaU Island under them. 
 
 " Vessels coming from the southward, after rounding the 
 peninsula, shovdd keep close along the land until they open 
 out the two harbors. Port Cooper trending nearly due west, 
 and Port Levy nearly due south. There are no dangers, 
 except the reefs close to the different points. 
 
 " Immediately after entering, between Adderley and 
 Godley Heads, the first bay to the south is Simeon Bay, 
 or Little Port Cooper, a safe berth in case of too strong a 
 south-west wind for beating up. The fii'st houses seen on 
 the north shore are in Gollan's Bay, one of the usual land- 
 ing places for stock. Nearly opposite is Camp Bay, another 
 place also used for landing stock, but with no houses. The 
 other bays higher up are too shoal for any but small craft."
 
 0TA60, 
 
 Otago is the most soutlierly settlement in Kew 
 Zealand ; and, including the BlnfF, or port of 
 Invercargill, (to wliicli we shall presently allude) 
 contains a larger quantity of land than any other 
 province in the colony. The rain here being more 
 frequent, and the cold greater, the climate in oxir 
 opinion, is inferior to that of any of the other 
 settlements. Such, however, may not be con- 
 sidered objections by those who have been accus- 
 tomed to the bleak winds and drizzling rains of 
 Scotland, from which country the majority of the 
 Otago settlers have been drafted. 
 
 Within a large but inconvenient harbor, close 
 to the small but unimportant village of Port 
 Chalmers, all vessels of any importance are 
 compelled to anchor, there not being a sufficient 
 depth of water for them to approach nearer the 
 town of Dunedin, the capital of the province. 
 This town is nine miles from the port, and all 
 goods have to be conveyed thither in small boats 
 or lighters.
 
 352 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 The social condition of Dvmedin, the capital of 
 Otago — to what shall we compare it ? In the 
 present civilized state of society, the inhabitants 
 of that town puzzle us to find any class in any 
 country with whom to institute a comparison. Of 
 the human kind, we know of no body of a similar 
 character; and, for want of a better simile, we 
 will compare the town to a fenced inclosure or 
 large ring, within which a number of unhappy 
 and spiteful creatures are like so man^ strange 
 cats, that constantly endeavour to tear out each 
 other's eyes. To avoid the daily encoimter of the 
 antagonists, the few respectable wanderers and 
 peaceably disposed of the group, who might have 
 been unconsciously drawn into the social turmoil, 
 have only one way of escape, viz. — to leap the 
 barrier, and fly the province for another, or to go 
 into the interior of theii* own till something ap- 
 proaching to harmony shall reign in the discon- 
 tented city. 
 
 Seriously, the poKtical, theological, and social 
 animosities displayed by the inhabitants of Dune- 
 din towards each other baffles description. Some 
 years since when the unhappy differences arose in 
 the Scotch Kirk, a tour through Scotland made us 
 unwilling spectators of the agitated state of that 
 part of the United Kingdom. But bad as it was, 
 the vindence of the north was of a mild cha- 
 racter compared with that by which the majority 
 of the Otago settlers are at present incited — a
 
 OTAGO. 353 
 
 virulence that turns tlie sanctity of their professed 
 Christianity into ridicule, and makes religion a 
 subject of discussion for arousing the worst pas- 
 sions of man, instead of a consecrated medium for 
 conveying evidence of a placid submission to the 
 mil of a superior Being. 
 
 By a few Scotchmen of contracted minds, pos- 
 sessing little beyond a local loiowledge of one part 
 of their own country, and less of mankind gene- 
 rally, the province of Otago was selected as a 
 class settlement, i. e. — a settlement in which only 
 those of the same country, and holding the same 
 reKgious faith as the original settlers are admitted, 
 or entitled to admittance on equal terms. But at 
 the outset, and at the foimdation of Otago, there 
 was an attempt, as we are informed, to make the 
 exclusive law still more stringent and exclusive ; 
 and the natives and immigrants from one part of 
 Scotland only were to be deemed eligible for par- 
 ticipation in the imaginary benefits which, in a 
 free country, subject to British rule, a small band 
 of sectarians supposed they had power to confer. 
 
 On the failure of an undertaldng the projectors 
 frequently attribute the want of success to other 
 than the real cause. In a paper recently published 
 in Otago, with a few statistics, &c., of the province 
 (which we will copy without abridgment) the 
 authorities state that " the object of the original 
 association was not to confine colonization to any 
 particular religious denomination." Unable to 
 
 2a
 
 354 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 effect their desired end, tliey deny having had 
 any such end to effect, although their friends and 
 others do not attempt to disguise the matter. 
 Here is the first sentence descriptive of the pro- 
 vince by Mr. Earp, whose work was published 
 soon after the foundation of the settlement : — 
 
 " The Otago settlement, the most southerly of those at 
 present established in New Zealand, is the first of what 
 have been termed "class settlements;" i. e., such as are 
 composed, at the commencement at least, of men of the 
 same country, holding the same religious faith, and ob- 
 serving similar social customs." 
 
 The failure of the undertaking has only tended 
 to kindle that bitter and unconquerable spirit of ill 
 vsdll which the old hands invariably display both 
 towards EngKshmen and a few liberal minded 
 Scotch settlers, who, on the principle of religious 
 and commercial freedom, opposed from the first 
 the proceedings of their narrow minded country- 
 men. We need not travel far for evidence of the 
 party spirit alluded to, or the length to which it is 
 sometimes carried. On our arrival in Dunedin, a 
 letter, of which the following is a copy, was 
 addressed and forwarded to the Superintendent of 
 the jDrovince : — 
 
 "Royal Hotel, 14th January, 1856. 
 " SiK, 
 
 " I am at present compiling a work on the rise and 
 progress of New Zealand ; for confirmation of this fact, I 
 beg to refer you to his excellency the Governor, to whom I
 
 OTAGO. 355 
 
 have been introduced by a letter from the English Gov- 
 ernment. 
 
 *' If you will favour me with the name of some gentleman 
 (for your own time will, no doubt, be fully occupied pre- 
 vious to the departure of the steamer), who can furnish me 
 with any information that would be likely to interest the 
 English public, and benefit the province of which you are 
 the head, you will much oblige 
 
 " Your obedient servant. 
 
 (The writer's name in full.) 
 " His Honor the Superintendent. " 
 
 Although, this epistle was considered sufficiently 
 deferential to merit some sort of notice, it failed 
 to command a reply. The reason is obvious. 
 The writer was an Englishman, and belonged 
 to a coimtry from which an importation of live 
 stock was not deemed desirable, as it woiJd not, 
 as a matter of course, be foimd to amalgamate 
 with, or add to the strength of the dominant 
 party. Had the writer applied for information 
 for a certain class of the Scotch instead of the 
 English public, all the Mc'Neddies by whom a 
 crotchetty superintendent and master — now in his 
 dotage — is surrounded, would have responded to 
 the call. 
 
 We should indeed be sorry to confound the 
 party spirit of those Sectarians who retard the 
 advancement of their province, with the more en- 
 lightened and liberal policy of other settlers, who 
 are evidently striving for the party liberation and
 
 356 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 commercial expansion of an extensive and pro- 
 mising settlement. We have no prejudice either 
 for country or creed. Some of our best and 
 dearest friends are Scotchmen ; and we consider 
 the Scotch, as a people, equal in every respect 
 to any other community. But there are certain 
 hypocritical clanish bigots — the settlers in Otago 
 to wit — who merit and receive from the liberal 
 minded of their own country a more severe and 
 unqualified condemnation than we have, through 
 a sense of duty, been compelled to pronounce. 
 Even Otago may boast of its public censors. On 
 hearing a gentleman in that province condemn 
 the proceedings of his own countrymen, we 
 politely reminded him that he was himself a 
 Scotchman. "Yes," returned our respondent, 
 *' but, thank God, not an Otago Scotchman ! " 
 Enough. In pity, not mimixed with contempt, 
 we dismiss the Otago Scotchmen — but not their 
 province. 
 
 Otago, as we pre^^ously stated, contains a larger 
 quantity of land than any other settlement in New 
 Zealand ; and although the climate is not so mild 
 and agreeable as the more northern parts of the 
 colony, the province, as an agricultural and pas- 
 toral district, cannot eventually fail to become 
 an important one. The following statistics and 
 land regulations, from a paj)er recently published 
 by the authorities, will furnish the present position 
 of the province, while the succeeding review from
 
 OTAGO. 
 
 357 
 
 the local newspaper will show the progress made 
 by the settlement since its foundation. 
 
 " The Scotch colony of Otago was founded in 1848 by the 
 New Zealand Company, in conjunction with an Association 
 of Lay Members of the Free Church of Scotland. Under 
 the auspices of this association, the foundation has been laid 
 of an orderly and industrious community. The object of 
 the Association was not to confine its colonization to any 
 one particular religious denomination, but to secure a careful 
 selection of emigrants, and to provide for theii" religious and 
 educational wants at the outset. The success of their efforts 
 will be best understood on reference to the statistics an- 
 nexed. The colony having now been fairly set a-going, the 
 functions of the Association have ceased, as being no longer 
 necessary, 
 
 " The province has a surface of above 16,000,000 acres 
 — the whole of it acquii-ed from the natives, whose number 
 is only 633 souls (viz., 348 males, and 285 females,) and 
 who, in small and widely separate parties, are in a state of 
 peaceful progression upon lands that were reserved by them- 
 selves when they sold to the Crown, and which reserves 
 amount in the whole province to about 16,000 acres. 
 
 "Land sales are fixed at the lowest price of 10s. per 
 acre, but with conditions, for the purpose of excluding 
 monopoly. 
 
 " AU purchasers, from least to greatest, are on the same 
 footing of right and freedom of choice. 
 
 "The low price of 10s. per acre leaving nothing for 
 public improvements, roads will have to be made by means 
 of an adequate land tax. 
 
 "Lands not otherwise required are appropriaied for 
 cattle runs upon leases of foiu'teen years. 
 
 "The whole administration of land is at the hands of a 
 Waste Land Board, whose proceedings are open to the 
 public .
 
 358 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 "The province is governed, according to the New Zea- 
 land Constitution Act, by a Superintendent and Provincial 
 Council — all of them elected by the people. 
 
 " The climate is temperate and remarkably healthy ; free 
 from di'aughts or anything like excessive summer heats. 
 
 " Ihe following statistics of the Province of Otago, 
 New Zealand, are taken from the Heport of P. 
 Pkoudfoot, Esq., Commissioner of Crown Lands ,- 
 
 " Area of province from 16,000,000 to 20,000,000 acres. 
 
 " Land sold, about 38,222 acres. 
 
 " Runs for depasturing purposes, one hundred and 
 twenty-four applications. Licenses granted for depas- 
 turage purposes, seventy-three applications. 
 
 "Estimated extent of country granted under above 
 licenses, 1,190,360 acres."
 
 
 
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 360 
 
 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 RETUEN OF CULTIVATIONS AND LIVE STOCK IN THE 
 PROVINCE OF OTAGO, NEW ZEALAND, 
 
 December, 1854. 
 
 Number of Acres under different kinds of Crop, &c. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 1077 
 
 728 
 
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 3168 
 
 Amount of Stock. 
 
 Nature and Average Quantity 
 of Produce per Acre. 
 
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 58,902 251 
 
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 130 
 
 September 25th, 1855. — 10,269 Acre.s have been taken up since 
 April last under the new Regulations, by 257 several parties, all on 
 the spot. Much of this land is now under the plough, and preli- 
 minary operations for the whole nf it are in full activity. Resident 
 Colonists being thus supplied for the extension of their cultivations, 
 the increase upon the above Return for 1854 is already large. But 
 new Colonists (from Australia in the first place) are also beginning 
 arrive and supply themselves on the same terms.
 
 OTAGO. 361 
 
 FROM THE "OTAGO WITNESS." 
 
 Dunedtn, Saturday, March 29th, 1856. 
 
 " The eightii year of our existence as a colony has just 
 closed, and many are the changes we have witnessed. In 
 truth it does appear that the world progresses at a railroad 
 pace, and even in this, the most remote portion of the 
 British Empire, somewhat of the onward progress begins to 
 be felt. "We say begins, for during the first five years of 
 our existence we seemed scarcely to advance at all. At 
 a great distance from the home country, unsupported by 
 Government aid, unassisted by powerful private patronage 
 like our neighbours, almost unknown, neglected, if not 
 despised — om" earlier days were days of struggle. For the 
 first two or three years Dunedin made rapid progress, 
 and it was not unusual to hear exclamations of surprise 
 from those who returned to the settlement after a brief 
 absence. Since that period the town has been almost 
 stationary, and the onward progress has been visible in the 
 rural and pastoral districts. But notwithstanding the fact 
 that the extent of the town has not greatly progressed, the 
 amount of business done, and being done, in the town has 
 augmented, and is augmenting, at a rapid pace, giving an 
 xmmistakeable evidence of the prosperity and extent of 
 productive efibrts in the real work of colonization — the sub- 
 duing of the wilderness. 
 
 Absteact op the Valtje of the Imports, Exports, and 
 
 Customs Revenue for the Quarter ending 
 
 31st March, 1856. 
 
 Imports. Exports. Revenue. 
 
 £22,648 £8907 £1278 
 
 " The amount of shipping entered inwards and outwards 
 has materially increased.
 
 362 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 The subjoined table of the imports and exports for tbe last 
 eight years, shews the gradual and satisfactory increase of 
 trade : — 
 
 " Abstract of the Value of Imports and Exports, and of the' 
 
 Customs Revenue, for the province of Otago 
 
 , in each year, from 
 
 the establishment of Customs in May, 1848, 
 
 to 31st December, 
 
 1855. 
 
 
 
 Year. 
 
 Imports. 
 
 Exports. 
 
 Ke venue. 
 
 1848 
 
 £11,869 11 6 
 
 £0 
 
 £824 19 4 
 
 1849 
 
 8,932 17 
 
 444 
 
 1,835 5 9 
 
 1850 
 
 13.819 18 
 
 803 10 
 
 1,802 7 3 
 
 1851 
 
 14,148 1 
 
 546 2 
 
 2,197 3 10 
 
 1852 
 
 15,579 8 
 
 131 10 
 
 2,386 17 10 
 
 1853 
 
 11,074 5 
 
 770 
 
 2,276 15 
 
 1854 
 
 43,692 7 
 
 6,481 19 
 
 5,781 14 10 
 
 1855 
 
 44,545 11 
 
 24,182 15 
 
 4,375 11 
 
 " The returns of immigration and emigration for the last 
 year shew a balance of immigration of 223 souls, and for 
 the first quarter of the present year, 275 souls, making an 
 increase of the population from this source of 498 souls. 
 Unfortunately we have no statistics of the extent of land 
 under cultivation, or of the increase of stock since last 
 year ; but from the quantity of land sold during the last 
 twelve months (since the reduction in price), amounting to 
 about 16,000 acres, and which has been wholly purchased 
 by bona fide colonists, we have every reason to believe that 
 a very considerable breadth of land has been brought under 
 cultivation. 
 
 "The amount of stock at the average rate of increase 
 upon the ascertained quantity last year is about the num- 
 bers stated in the following table : — 
 
 Cattle. Sheep, Horses. 
 
 8,133 78,536 545 
 
 Imported.... 721 4,660 309 
 
 8,854 83,196 854 
 
 " From the foregoing statement it will appear that the 
 progress of the province of Otago has been gradually acce-
 
 OTAGO. 363 
 
 lerating. The imports have greatly increased, and the 
 exports have made strides dm-ing the last year exceeding 
 the exports of the whole of the previous seven years ; and 
 when we take into consideration the amount of land sold, 
 and the great extent of country we have yet for sale, we 
 cannot but feel that there is a glorious futui'e before us." 
 
 THE BLUFF 
 
 Is a large district in a southerly direction, in 
 tlie province of Otago. There is an excellent 
 harbor here, and the port, which was publicty 
 proclaimed during our stay in Otago, and named 
 by the Governor " Invercargill," is about 120 
 miles south of Port Chalmers, or the town of 
 Dunedin, the capital of Otago. We had not an 
 opportimity of visiting this district, but we have 
 good authority for stating that it contains a large 
 tract of excellent land, available both for agri- 
 cultural and pastoral purposes. When a toAvnship 
 shall be formed near the port, and so soon as sheep 
 owners and farmers become located here, and 
 gather from the soil the periodical riches that 
 await manual labor and commercial enterprise, 
 this will no doubt become an important place in 
 the southern part of New Zealand. It matters 
 but little what part of the colony is selected by 
 that immigrant who is determined to keep himself 
 aloof from the political and social broils that agitate 
 certain settlements ; and we quite agree with the 
 following closing sentence on the subject from 
 " Chambers's Papers for the Peoi^le ": —
 
 364 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 "Whetlier, therefore, lie choose "Wellington, Nelson, Otago, 
 Auckland, or Canterbury as the field of his enterprise, the 
 emigrant will find in New Zealand all the materials which 
 industry can desire to work upon. He will enjoy a fine 
 climate, a ready soil ; a land where coal, iron, copper, stone, 
 and wood are in abundance ; where sweet, pure, wholesome 
 water is plentiful ; where corn, and all other kinds of grain, 
 may easily be raised in splendid crops ; where his labor may 
 be well rewarded ; where he will have few taxes to pay, and 
 few of the tmnatural restraints imposed by oiir old society 
 to observe. Shortly, doubtless, he will be admitted to a 
 share in those free institutions which are the peculiar pride 
 of the British people ; and thus, with every natural aid to 
 his energies, he may enjoy independence in a region which 
 of all others on the face of the earth, most nearly resembles 
 his parent country." 
 
 THE BISHOP OF NEW ZEALAND 
 
 As a noble, imselfisli, and highly gifted member 
 of the human race, is one of the most remarkable 
 men not only in this, but in any other colony, 
 country, or community. The versatility of his 
 talent is only exceeded by the excessive toil, daily 
 application, and personal endurance by which that 
 talent is applied and regulated for the present and 
 future welfare of his scattered flock. The zeal 
 thus disj)layed in the constant exercise of his love 
 for the benefit of others, makes him forgetfid of 
 his duty to himself; for by taxing his physical 
 powers beyond their means of endurance, the
 
 OTAGO. 365 
 
 robust forai, if not the health, of a fine constitution 
 occasionally betrays symptoms of distress. 
 
 A biography of Bishop Selwyn, however, is 
 alike out of our province and our power. But 
 how can we refer to any himian source from 
 whence the colony has been benefitted, or to deeds 
 by which good has been accomplished, without 
 reference to the author ? And never was more 
 done to extinguish the savage customs, allay the 
 bad passions, and improve the social, moral, and 
 mental condition of a native race, than what has 
 been accomplished among the Maori tribes of 
 New Zealand by the individual exertions of the 
 right reverend and learned divine in question. 
 A man who refused the lucrative see of Sydney 
 with no other hope or expectation than that his 
 gratuitous and unreioarded labors might efiect 
 more good in a country where much had already 
 been effected by him ; — a prelate who travels on 
 foot and unattended from one end of the colony 
 to the other, penetrating uninhabited forests, 
 swimming rivers, and preaching the Gospel to 
 the local tribes in their own native tongue ; — a 
 man who not only advocates self denial in others, 
 but who sets a noble example of it in himself; — 
 such a man is surely worthy of note — note by 
 a higher authority and by a more able pen than 
 ours. 
 
 Should we not exceed our duty in referring 
 to so grave a subject, we woidd suggest that a
 
 366 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 page from the life of Bisliop Selwyn might be 
 copied, or perhaps studied, with profit, by a few 
 right reverend prelates residing in a part of the 
 world the opposite to that of New Zealand. 
 
 Conjointly vnth Bishop Selwyn, and as a worthy 
 co-patriot in the pubKc weal of New Zealand, 
 may be named Chief Justice Martin, a gentleman 
 whose varied knowledge and strict impartiality 
 in his public character, and whose benevolence, 
 gentle demeanor, and affability in private life, 
 fully entitle him to the high rank he has obtained 
 in the covmtry, and to the highest honor man can 
 obtain from his fellow men, viz. — ^pubKc respect 
 won by equity, and private love secured without 
 favor. In a colony like New Zealand, where even 
 families and friends are divided and subdivided by 
 political elements, it is gratifying to learn that 
 the Bishop and Chief Justice merit and possess 
 the respect of all. 
 
 That his honor the Judge, with renewed 
 strength and vigour, and accomj)anied by his 
 amiable lady, may soon return to New Zealand, 
 cannot fail to be the wish of all who have the 
 well-being of the colony at heart.
 
 NEW ZEALAND. 367 
 
 THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 A celebrated writer once observed — "a mo- 
 mentary glance will enable me to take stock of 
 an individual." Without arrogating to ourselves 
 the knowledge or keen perception of the learned 
 author in question, it will only be necessary to 
 remark that we are favorably impressed with the 
 appearance and manner of Colonel Gore Browne, 
 K.C.B., the newly appointed Governor of New 
 Zealand. As a gentleman, we can aver from our 
 own personal knowledge, he is all that could be 
 desired by the most critical observer. As a 
 Governor, the eminent statesmen of the respective 
 provinces will in due course pass judgment on 
 him. Should he obtain a favorable verdict from 
 so many contrary elements, he will add to the 
 character of a gentleman that of a marvellous 
 ruler — in having obtained imder his administra- 
 tion a concord of sweet voices that never yet 
 graced the most praiseworthy ejfforts of any pre- 
 decessor. His task is not an easy one. We wish 
 him well in the impartial exercise of a somewhat 
 onerous duty ; and with a hope that favorable 
 appearances may lead to the enlightened policy 
 which we imagine will be persued by his Ex- 
 cellency, we will merely say — esto quod esse 
 videris.
 
 CONCLUDING EEMAEKS. 
 
 In closing the complex task imposed by our 
 antipodal mission, a brief review of the feeble, 
 but — to the extent of the writer's ability — faithful 
 sketches in the preceding pages, affords confirma- 
 tory evidence of the difficulty, if not of the 
 impossibility, of suppljnng in so limited a space, 
 more than a mere outline of the subject treated 
 therein. A retrospective and momentary glance 
 at the vastness of the Australian continent, and 
 the strange compound of mind and matter revealed 
 in its early history, would appear again, as at first, 
 almost to paralyze the pen and bewilder the ima- 
 gination ; while reflection on such mingled matter 
 tends only to a confusion of ideas, symbolical of 
 the varied difficulties encountered in our endeavour 
 to render a vivid and condensed illustration — on a 
 few sheets of paper — of a country and a commu- 
 nity composed of so many elements, and pregnant 
 with so much wealth and wickedness. 
 
 As a work of reference, however, in which a 
 rough draft, rather than a highly-finished picture
 
 CONCLUDING REMARKS. 369 
 
 of tlie places and people described, may afford 
 useful information to the intending emigrant, this 
 volume will represent, though somewhat crudely, 
 the author's original design. It remains for the 
 historian — a resident native, not a foreigner — to 
 record the late extraordinary fleet of Australian 
 events, and to present the public with a faithful 
 and minute exposition both of the cause and effects 
 of the sudden rise and population of a country, for 
 which the historical annals of British dependen- 
 cies may be searched in vain for a parallel. 
 
 To a reflective mind what infinite matter for 
 opposite emotions — for pain and pleasure, hope 
 and despair — does this Australian drama of five 
 years disclose ! The scene, the action, and the 
 actors, would have puzzled the learned philoso- 
 pher, as they astonished the humble spectator. In 
 knowledge of mankind we confess ourselves to 
 have been merely in infancy previous to witnessing 
 the representation of this great commercial yet, in 
 other respects, fearful spectacle of the nineteenth 
 century. Conscious of the vice and virtue to 
 be found in settled and civilised communities — 
 acquainted with the conventional forms of polite 
 society, and aware of the coarse exhibitions pecu- 
 liar to the opposite class, we were totally unpre- 
 pared for those painful realities in human nature 
 which the dawn of colonial wisdom presented to 
 our astonished vision. If, as the moral tells us, 
 *' from evil good may arise," we will indulge the 
 
 2b
 
 370 CONCLUDING REMARKS. 
 
 hope tliat others, with ourselves, may profit by the 
 light of colonial experience. 
 
 Without doubt, the primary cause of the con- 
 centration in one part of the Australian continent 
 of so many bad characters, and the great amount 
 of vice and immorality consequent thereon, may 
 be traced to the gold discovery, which, in the 
 words of a Reverend Divine, " has proved both a 
 benefit and a curse to the country." "We believe, 
 however, that this, as every other great event or 
 important change in the world, has been wisely 
 ordered for some purpose beyond the knowledge 
 or calculations of the human mind. The well- 
 disposed and more respectable members of the Aus- 
 tralian community will, no doubt, correct many of 
 the monster crimes of the baser half, so soon as 
 a more settled state of society, andy«.s^ laws for 
 the protection of commerce, shall aid the correction. 
 
 Some of the mercantile gamblers and commer- 
 cial swindlers who have given a bad name to 
 Australia have already found that their dishonest 
 practices only serve them for a season, and that 
 the actors, once known by their friends on the 
 opposise side, are not again trusted. 
 
 Haters of hypocrisy or any and every outward 
 show in which there is a want of sincerity, we at 
 the same time entertain a sincere conviction that 
 those persons who are utterly regardless of their 
 duty to God and man cannot finally prosper — even 
 in this world. The acquisition or retention of
 
 CONCLUDING REMARKS. 371 
 
 wealth by dishonest means does not necessarily 
 insure its enjojonent to the possessors. The frailt}'' 
 of human nature will occasionally give place to a 
 consciousness of guilt that must assuredly keep 
 from its bondmen that unalloyed enjoyment of 
 life which is the very height and essence of pros- 
 perity. Let it not be supposed that we are qualified 
 or wish to make a profession of honesty ourselves, 
 or to define its rules of action for the guidance of 
 others. Men may express a sincere regard for 
 good qualities although they do not possess them. 
 Shakspeare says, " assume a virtue if you have it 
 not." That, however, is a piece of advice on the 
 part of the great poet which we either misinter- 
 pret or disapprove. Sinful persons may inwardly 
 regret what they are, without adding to their 
 ofiences by outwardly assuming what they are not. 
 Though far, very far, from what we ought to be, 
 we nevertheless believe that true prosperity pro- 
 ceeds alone from the Great Giver of all good, and 
 we pity rather than condemn those who hope for 
 any real happiness without such faith. 
 
 In conclusion, however, we will venture a few 
 words of advice, — not to colonial adepts, but to 
 those of our young friends on our own side the 
 globe, who are at present unskilled in the dark 
 ways of the world — to those who in the spring of 
 life may have been deprived of a father's aid, or a 
 mother's care, and who contemplate leaving their 
 own for a distant country, in the hope of improving
 
 372 CONCLUDING KEMARKS. 
 
 or making either a position or a fortune. In 
 earnest and respectful sincerity, we advise such 
 young persons not to follow the example of the 
 majority of those who have preceded them, by 
 regarding dishonesty as a virtue rather than as a 
 vice. Be assured, young emigrants, before your 
 departure from friends and home, that upright 
 and fair dealing will finally prove triumphant, 
 even in countries or colonies where the opposites 
 prevail. In your commercial transactions, honesty 
 will be found your best and most profitable book- 
 keeper, and will insure for you a balance on the 
 right side of the ledger, even in your dealings 
 with rogues. This is not a mere poetical fiction, 
 but a palpable truth — a truth unafiected by the 
 change and flight of ages, and confirmed by the 
 history of nations as well as of men. Take this 
 truth for your motto, and follow it, and you will 
 prosper ; disregard it, and failure, either in purse 
 or peace of mind, will be the result. With faith 
 for your bulwark, and truth for your guide, your 
 bark will bear you with honor and in safety 
 through the storms and calms of life — 
 
 Though anchored firmly on your native strand, 
 
 You seek for fortune in your father-land, 
 
 Or, in the writer's track, with sails unfui'l'd, 
 
 You breast the waves and journey round the world ; — 
 
 Whate'er your course — whatever storms attend, — 
 
 In honesty you'll find a faithful friend. 
 
 And whether on sea or on land, you will derive 
 the great satisfaction of being able to reflect on
 
 CONCLUDING REMARKS. 373 
 
 your past career without producing the pain which 
 would arise from such reflection, by the adoption 
 of an opposite course. And the pleasure thus 
 derived from the past will stimulate you to in- 
 creased exertion and higher honors in the future, 
 in which you wiU enjoy, as the just reward of 
 your own labors, that blossom of prosperity here 
 that will ripen into the fruit of happiness here- 
 after. 
 
 Note. — The above remarks are only partially applicable to New 
 Zealand, as there is probably less crime in that colony, by two- 
 thirds, than either in Australia or Tasmania.
 
 NEW ZEALAND IMPOET DUTIES. 
 
 FIXED JULY 3, 1851. 
 
 DTTTT. 
 
 £ S. d. 
 
 Agricultural Implements, not otherwise described, 
 
 for every £100 value 10 
 
 Ale, Porter, and Beer of all sorts, in casks, per gallon. 4 
 
 In bottle, per dozen, of two gallons 1 
 
 Alkali- 
 Pot and Pearl Asb, per cwt 2 4 
 
 Soda, per cwt 2 4 
 
 Alum, for every £100 value 10 
 
 Animals, (living) Free. 
 
 Apothecary Wares, not otherwise described, for every 
 
 £100 value 10 
 
 Apparel, not otherwise described, for every £100 value. 10 
 
 Arms and Ammunition — 
 
 Ordnance of brass or iron. Muskets, Fowling Pieces, 
 Pistols, Gunpowder, and Percussion Caps, (im- 
 portation prohibited, except under license from 
 
 the Government,) lor every £100 value 10 
 
 Arrowroot, per cwt 3 6 
 
 Arsenic, for every £100 value 10 
 
 Artificial Flowers, for every £100 value 10 
 
 Bacon and Hams, per cwt 2 
 
 Baggage of Passengers , Free. 
 
 Bags (empty) 
 
 Gunny bags, ]ier dozen 6 
 
 Corn Sacks, per dozen 1 
 
 Bark, for every £100 value 10 
 
 Beef, salted — 
 
 , , , , per tierce 6 
 
 ,, , , per barrel 4
 
 IMPORT DUTIES. 375 
 
 DUTY. 
 
 £ 8. d. 
 
 Blankets (see Woollens) 
 
 Blacking, for every £100 value 10 
 
 Blocks, for ships' rigging, and Dead Ejes Free. 
 
 Boats Free. 
 
 Books, Printed, not being Account Books Free. 
 
 Account Books, for every £100 value 10 
 
 Boots and Shoes — 
 
 Boots (Wellington and other long), per dozen pair. . 8 
 
 Half Boots, per dozen pair 4 
 
 Shoes, and Women's Boots and Shoes, per doz. pair. 3 
 
 Children's Boots and Shoes, per dozen pair 2 
 
 Bran and Pollard, per bushel 1 
 
 Brass Manufactures, of all sorts, for every £100 value. 10 
 
 Bread and Biscuit Free. 
 
 Bricks, Bath and Flanders, per 100 2 
 
 „ Fire and other, per 1000 3 
 
 Bottles, Glass and Stone, (empty) per dozen 1 
 
 ,, full Free. 
 
 Butter, per lb I 
 
 Bullion Free. 
 
 Cabinet and Upholstery Wares, for every £100 value. 10 
 
 Cables Free. 
 
 Candles — 
 
 ,, Cocoa Nut, Palm, Spermaceti, Stearine, and 
 
 Wax, per cwt 14 
 
 ,, Tallow, per cwt 4 8 
 
 Canvas Duck, per bolt 3 
 
 Canes and Sticks, for every £100 value 10 
 
 Caps — 
 
 „ Cloth, per dozen 2 
 
 ,, Woollen, per dozen 8 
 
 Carpeting, (see Woollens) 
 
 Carraway Seeds, per lb 1 
 
 Carriages — 
 
 Carts and Waggons, for every £100 value 10 
 
 Carriage Wheels of all sorts, for every £100 value. . 10 
 Casks (see Wood) 
 
 Cement, Roman, per barrel 2 6 
 
 Chalk, per ton 2 
 
 Charcoal, Animal and Vegetable, for every £100 value. 10 
 
 Clieese, per cwt 4 8
 
 376 
 
 NEW ZEALAND 
 
 DUTY. 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 Chocolate and Cocoa, per lb 1 
 
 Cyder and Perry, in bottles, per dozen of two gallons. 13 
 
 Clocks and Watches, for every jglOO value 10 
 
 Coals Free. 
 
 Coal Pitch and Tar , Free. 
 
 Coin Free. 
 
 Confectionery, for every £100 value 10 
 
 Copper and Composition, Sheathing, Nails and Bolts. . Free. 
 
 ,, Wrought of other sorts, per lb 1 
 
 Cordage and Cables Free. 
 
 Coffee, per cwt 4 8 
 
 Corks, for bottling, per gross 3 
 
 Corn, Grain, Meal, Flour — 
 
 Barley, per bushel 4 
 
 ,, Hulled, (see Pearl and Scotch Barley) 
 
 Barley Meal Free. 
 
 ,, Malt, per bushel 8 
 
 Beans, per bushel 8 
 
 Oats, per bushel 4 
 
 Oats, Hulled (see Groats or Grits ) 
 
 Oatmeal Free. 
 
 Peas, per bushel 8 
 
 „ Split, per bushel 1 3 
 
 Rye Free. 
 
 Wheat Free. 
 
 ,, Flour Free. 
 
 Maize, per bushel 3 
 
 Cotton Manufactures — 
 
 Calicoes and Cottons, white or plain, over 36 inches 
 
 wide, per yard Of 
 
 ,, 36 inches and under, per yard Oj 
 
 ,, Printed, checked, stained, or dyed, wide, per 
 
 yard : 
 
 ,, Narrow, per yard Oi 
 
 Dimities, Ginghams, Nankeens, Damasks, Diapers, 
 
 Quilting, per yard 1 
 
 Cotton Shawls and Handkerchiefs, for every jglOO 
 
 value 10 
 
 Muslins, Cambrics, Lawns, Laces, Gauzes, Crapes, 
 Muslin Shawls and Handkerchiefs, for every iglOO 
 
 value 10 
 
 Velvets, Velverets, Velveteens, and Cords, per yard. 2
 
 IMPORT DUTIES. 
 
 377 
 
 DUTY. 
 
 £ S. d. 
 
 Fustians, Jeans, Jeanets, &c., per yard 1 
 
 Counterpanes, each 2 
 
 Bed Quilts, each 6 
 
 Lace and Patent Net, for every £100 value 10 
 
 Hosiery, — Stockings, per dozen pair 1 
 
 Of all sorts, for every £100 value 10 
 
 Tapes and Small Wares, for every £100 value 10 
 
 Cotton, for stitching or sewing, per lb I5 
 
 ,, On Reels, per gross 1 
 
 Cotton Twist and Yarn, for every £100 value 10 
 
 Earthen and China Ware, for every £100 value 10 
 
 Engravings, for every £100 value 10 
 
 Fish, dried .and pickled, per cwt 2 
 
 Fishing Tackle, includinaj Nets, Lines, and Twines, for 
 
 every £100 value 10 
 
 Fruit, Apples, Apricots, Peaches, Pears, &c., fresh 
 
 per bushel 1 3 
 
 „ Dried, per lb OJ 
 
 , , Almonds, per lb 0| 
 
 „ Shelled, per lb 1 ^ 
 
 ,, Currants, Raisins, Dates, Nuts, Walnuts, Fil- 
 berts, Figs, and Prunes, dried, per lb 1 
 
 ,, Oranges, Limes, and Lemons, fi-esh, per dozen. 2 
 
 Glass, Crown and Sheet, per 100 feet 
 
 Glasses, Looking and Mirrors, for every £100 value . . 10 
 
 Glue, per lb 0| 
 
 G-roats, or Grits, per cwt 2 4 
 
 Haberdashery & Millinery, not otherwise described, 
 
 for every £100 value 10 
 
 Hardware and Cutlery, not otherwise described, for 
 
 every £100 value 10 
 
 Harrows Free. 
 
 Hats- 
 Beaver, Castor, and Silk, per dozen 12 
 
 Chip or Willow, Felt, Leather and Straw 1 6 
 
 Hay, per ton 8 
 
 Honey, per lb 1 
 
 Hops, per lb 1
 
 378 NEW ZEALAND 
 
 DUTY. 
 
 £ 8. d. 
 
 Iron, Bar, Bolt, Eod, Sheet, and Hoop, per ton 1 
 
 Nails, per cwt 3 
 
 Anchors, Chains, and Chain Cables, for ships .... Free. 
 
 Chain, per ton 2 
 
 HoUoware, per ton 2 
 
 Not otherwise described, for every £100 value . . 10 
 
 Jewellert, not otherwise described, for every £100 
 
 value 10 o 
 
 Juice of Lemons and Limes, per gallon 9 
 
 Junk Free. 
 
 Lard, per lb 0^ 
 
 Lead, manufactured, per cwt 
 
 Lead, black, red, and white, per cwt 3 
 
 Leather, sole, per cwt 7 
 
 ,, Kip and calf, per lb IJ 
 
 „ Basils, per dozen 9 
 
 „ Kangaroo, ,, 3 
 
 ,, All other sorts, for every £100 value 10 
 
 Linen Manufactures, White or Plain, per yard 1 
 
 Checked, Striped, Printed, Stained, or Dyed, per yd. 1 
 
 Cambrics and Lawns, per yard 2 
 
 Damask and Diaper, per yard IJ 
 
 Sail Cloth and Sails Free. 
 
 < Linen Manufactures, Ticking, per yard Oj 
 
 ,, Hosiery, — Stockings, per dozen pairs 1 
 
 ,, All other sorts, for every £ 100 value 10 
 
 ,, Tape and small wares, for every £100 value 10 
 
 , , Thread, for stitching or sewing, per lb 2 
 
 , , Yarn, per lb 1 
 
 Litharge of Lead, per cwt 3 
 
 Macaroxi and Vermicelli, per lb. 2 
 
 Machines, Thrashing, Winnowing, and Draining Free. 
 
 Machinery for Mills Free. 
 
 Matches, Lucifer or Congreve, per gross 8 
 
 ,, Vestas, per gross 1 6 
 
 Molasses, per cwt 1 2 
 
 Musical Instruments, for every £100 value 10 
 
 Mustard, bulk, per lb 1 
 
 ,, in lib. bottles, per dozen 1 6 
 
 „ in |lb bottles, per dozen 9
 
 IMPORT DUTIES. 379 
 
 DUTY, 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 Mutton, salted, per cwt 2 
 
 Oakum Free. 
 
 Oil Cloth, per square 3'ard , 3 
 
 Oil, Cocoanut, Linseed, Eapeseed, Hempseed, Neats'- 
 
 foot, per gallon 4 
 
 ,, Olive, Castor, and unenumerated vegetable, per 
 
 gallon 2 
 
 „ Blubber, and Bone, the produce of Fish, or crea- 
 tures living in the sea Free. 
 
 Oil of Turpentine, per gallon 6 
 
 Paints, per cwt 3 
 
 Painters' and Dyers' Colors and Materials, not other- 
 wise described, for every jglOO value 10 
 
 Paper, Brown, Wrapping, or Blotting, per cwt 4 
 
 „ Printing and Cartridge, per cwt Y 
 
 , , Writing, per lb 1 
 
 Paper Hangings, per dozen yards , 1 
 
 Parchment and Vellum, per skin 2 
 
 Perfumery of all sorts, for every £] 00 value 10 
 
 Perry, (see Cyder.) 
 
 Pickles and Sauces, in quart bottles, per dozen 1 6 
 
 ,, „ in pint bottles, per dozen 9 
 
 ,, „ in half-pint and smaller bottles, 
 
 per dozen 6 
 
 Pitch Free. 
 
 Plants, Bulbs, Trees, and Seeds Free. 
 
 Ploughs Free. 
 
 Pork, salted, per barrel 5 
 
 EiCE, per cwt 2 
 
 Eosin, per barrel 2 
 
 Saddlery and Harness, for every £100 value 10 
 
 Sago, per cwt 3 6 
 
 Salt, Coarse, per ton 6 
 
 „ Fine, per ton 10 
 
 Saltpetre, per cwt 3 6 
 
 Silk Manufactures — 
 
 bilks and Satins, per yard 6 
 
 Hosiery — Stockings, per dozen pairs 5
 
 380 NEW ZEALAND 
 
 DUTY, 
 
 £ s. d. 
 Silk Manufactures — 
 
 Not otherwise described, for every £100 value ..10 
 Stuffs, Ribbons, Lace, Fringe, Trimmings, &c., 
 
 for every £100 value 10 
 
 Sewing Silk, per lb 1 
 
 Twist and Yarn, per lb 1 6 
 
 Stockings of Silk and Cotton, per dozen pairs 2 
 
 „ of Silk and Linen, per dozen pairs 2 
 
 ,, of Silk and Worsted, per dozen pairs 2 
 
 Silk Velvet, at per yard 1 6 
 
 Slates, (see Stones) in frame, per dozen 6 
 
 Slops — Trousers, Moleskin and Tweed, per pair 4 
 
 Shirts, blue and red serge, per dozen 4 
 
 ,, Eegatta and Cotton, striped, per dozen 1 6 
 
 ,, White, per dozen 2 
 
 Soap, common, per cwt 3 
 
 ,, fancy, per cwt 6 
 
 Spades and Shovels, per dozen 3 
 
 Specimens illustrative of Natural History Free. 
 
 Spices — Cassia, Cinnamon, Cloves, Mace, Pimento, 
 
 and Nutmegs, per lb 6 
 
 Ginger, per lb 1 
 
 Pepper, Eed or Cayenne, per lb 1 
 
 Black and White, per lb 1 
 
 Spirits of Tar, per gallon 6 
 
 ,, Turpentine, per gallon 6 
 
 „ Brandy, Gin, Euni, and Whiskey, not exceed- 
 ing hydrometer proof, and so in proportion 
 for Spirits of a greater strength. All Cor- 
 dials, sweetened Spirits, and Liqueurs, being 
 rated as proof Spirits, at the rate of for every 
 
 gallon, imperial measure 6 
 
 Scotch and Pearl Barley, per cwt 2 4 
 
 Starch, per cwt ^ 8 
 
 Stationery, not othewise described, for every £100 vaL 10 
 
 Steel, per cwt 4 8 
 
 Stones— Hearth, Flag, and Slab, per ton 5 
 
 ,, Grindstones, per foot 8 
 
 Slates— Ladies, per 1000 10 
 
 ,, Countess and Duchess, per 1000 15 
 
 Stone Blue, per lb 1
 
 IMPORT DUTIES. 381 
 
 DUTY. 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 Sugar — Refined, Loaf, Cruslied, and Candy, per cwt ..048 
 
 ,, Eaw, per cwt 2 4 
 
 Syrup, in bottles, per dozen I 6 
 
 Tapioca, per cwt 4 
 
 Tar Free. 
 
 Tea, per lb 2 
 
 Tin, in plates, per cwt 3 
 
 ,, Block, per lb 1 
 
 ,, Ware, for every £100 value 10 
 
 Tobacco, Cigars, and Snuffs, per lb 2 
 
 ,, ]\Ianufactured, per lb 10 
 
 ,, Unmanufactured, per lb 9 
 
 Stems 9 
 
 ,, Sheepwash Free. 
 
 Tobacco Pipes, common clay, per gross 4 
 
 ,, Other sorts, not described, for every £100 val. 10 
 
 Tongues, per barrel 5 
 
 Toys, for every £100 value 10 
 
 Treacle, (see Molasses.) 
 
 Turpentine, (see Oil or Spirits of) 
 
 Twine, (except Sewing Twine, per lb 1 
 
 Vaknish, for every £100 value .. 10 
 
 Vinegar, per gallon 2 
 
 Watches, (see Clocks and Watches.) 
 
 Wines, in cask, per gallon 1 6 
 
 „ bottled, per dozen of two gallons 5 
 
 Wood, Board, Plank, and Scantling, per 100 feet .... 1 
 
 ,, Cedar, per 100 feet 2 
 
 ,, Casks, empty Free. 
 
 ,, Handspikes, Masts, Yards, Bowsprits, Oars, 
 
 Trenails or Trunnels Free. 
 
 Shingles and Laths, per 1000 1 
 
 ,, Palings, per 1000 10 
 
 Wooden Ware, for every £100 value 10 
 
 Wool, unmanufactured Free. 
 
 Woollen Manufactures — 
 
 Cloths, Broad, per yard 1 3 
 
 Kerseymere, per yard 8 
 
 Baizes of all sorts, per yard 3
 
 382 NEW ZEALAND. 
 
 DtJTT. 
 
 £ s. d. 
 Woollen Manufactures — 
 
 Pilot and Flushing, per yard 4 
 
 Elannel, per yard 1 
 
 Tweeds, per yard 3 
 
 Blankets, per pair 2 
 
 Blanketing, per yard 9 
 
 Carpets and Carpeting, per yard 3 
 
 Rugs or Coverlets for Beds, each 4 
 
 Stuffs, Woollen or Worsted, for every £100 value . . 10 
 
 Hosiery — Stockings, per dozen pairs 1 
 
 „ All other sorts, for every £100 value 10 
 
 Tapes and Smallwares, for every £100 value 10 
 
 Woollen or Worsted Yarn, per lb J 
 
 Woolpacks, each 6 
 
 Zinc, per cwt 3 6 
 
 All Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, not otherwise 
 
 enumerated, for every £100 value 10 
 
 *jif* The repeal of some, and the modification of other, of these 
 Duties are subjects now under consideration with the New Zealand 
 Government.
 
 SHIPS, SHIP OWNERS 
 
 A.WD 
 
 SHIP AGENTS. 
 
 As a supplementary subject, we purpose making 
 a few brief remarks on the general management 
 of passenger ships — their comparative comforts 
 and inconveniences. We do this less on account 
 of any pleasure or annoyance we have ourselves 
 experienced on our numerous aquatic trips, than 
 for the information of the public and benefit of 
 those who may contemplate a long sea voyage. 
 
 A long voyage is either very delightful or the 
 very opposite — conducive to the health, vigor, and 
 enjoyment of the voyagers, or fraught with per- 
 sonal inconveniences and social discomforts that 
 are bearable only because incurable. In a good 
 ship, well provisioned, ably commanded, and peo- 
 pled, but not overcrowded, with agreeable passen- 
 gers, two or three months may be passed on the 
 ocean as a charming summer of relaxation and
 
 384 SHIPS, SHIP OWNERS, 
 
 repose — a season to be envied by tbe merchant as 
 by the mechanic, by a mind previously oppressed 
 with care, or by a body enfeebled with exertion. 
 By landsmen nature may at such a period be seen 
 and enjoyed as she was never seen or enjoyed 
 before. Withdrawn for a time from the excite- 
 ment of city life, or freed from the formalities 
 and vanities of the fashionable world, the mental 
 faculties, turning to higher objects, will expand 
 with the sublimity and grandeur of the surround- 
 ing scene, while the invigorated body strengthens 
 the mind for its exalted reflection. True ; the 
 votaries of pleasure, the nightly frequenters of 
 the opera or the ball-room, regard the poop or 
 quarter-deck of a ship as altogether too circum- 
 scribed for their notions of enjoyment ; and the 
 ethereal and ever-changing elements, with the 
 boundless space above and below, are scarcely 
 deemed worthy of a thought — except with regard 
 to personal inconveniences that occasionally arise 
 therefrom. But to men of the world, sensible, 
 thoughtful beings, the change from the busy mart 
 t,o the placid or foaming ocean affords time both 
 for pleasure and instruction. How can it be 
 otherwise. With fresh air, wholesome food, and 
 agreeable society by day, and refreshing repose at 
 night, what so delightful or half so healthful as 
 sailing for a couple of months on the expansive 
 ocean. Here we pause. In journeying through 
 life — in the commercial and social, as in the
 
 AND SHIP AGENTS. 385 
 
 natural world — there will be found fine pictures 
 and fair seasons ; but these fine pictures and fair 
 seasons are unfortunately — or rather wisely for 
 their just appreciation — alternated by others which 
 are neither so fine nor so fair. These truths have 
 not a partial but universal reference ; they apply 
 alike to all countries and all communities, and 
 may be confirmed in any land or on any sea. A 
 sea voyage, as we before observed, will be found 
 to be something either very bright or very gloomy 
 — a brilliant and fruitful summer, or a cheerless 
 and hungry winter. With fresh air — for fresh air, 
 except by day, is not obtainable in overcrowded 
 ships — wholesome food, and genial society, nothing 
 can be more delightful than an aquatic trip. 
 Wanting these or any of these things, than a sea 
 voyage nothing can be more objectionable. Ex- 
 perience both of the one and the other will enable 
 us to say a few words descriptive of either. But 
 every efiect may be traced to a cause ; and previous 
 to a further description of the efiects to which we 
 have alluded, let us for a moment turn to the 
 source from whence they spring. 
 
 Ships, ship-owners, and ship-agents, have in no 
 small degree tended to establish, as they still tend 
 to maintain England's pre-eminence as a mercan- 
 tile nation. The owners and agents form a part, 
 and no inconsiderable part, of Great Britain's 
 first-class merchants. As a body their position 
 and respectability are indisputable. It is, there- 
 
 2c
 
 386 SHIPS, SHIP OWNERS, 
 
 fore, unnecessary to dwell on this part of the 
 subject — a part composed of historical facts which 
 are patent to every EngKshman who knows any- 
 thing of his own country. But, m one respect, 
 ship-owners are like other great commercial 
 bodies. They are not immaculate. Mighty as a 
 whole, the body is not exempt from its connexion 
 with mean or unworthy parts — and to these our 
 observations are chiefly directed. Connected with 
 the shipping interest may be found individuals — 
 brokers, or agents, or whatever they may please to 
 call themselves, — who, under a systematic plan of 
 deception, would appear to ensnare and delude 
 intending emigrants without the slightest com- 
 pimction or fear. The snare they adopt is of the 
 most seductive and frequently of the most heart- 
 less description; for the fair promises by which 
 unsuspecting persons are seduced generally prove 
 false when they are defenceless. The person who 
 is induced by the plausible puff of a resident 
 tradesman to enter his wareroom with the hope of 
 obtaining a bargain, has a perceptible advantage 
 over one who, by similar representations, is enticed 
 and secured as passenger on board a ship. The 
 one has the privilege of taking or declining the 
 goods submitted to his notice, agreeably with his 
 own inclination or judgment. The other can only 
 inspect the apartment in which his fare is to be 
 provided ; and being at once compelled, by pre- 
 payment, to discharge his part of the contract, the
 
 AND SHIP AGENTS. 387 
 
 fulfilment of the other part, as also the quality of 
 the articles to which he is entitled, are matters 
 over which he has no control, and leave him 
 entirely at the mercy of others — not a very tender 
 mercy either we regret to say. Even in the case 
 of purchase from a tradesman, the purchaser on 
 discovering a fraud, and proving false representa- 
 tion, can obtain immediate redress. Not so the 
 deluded passenger who has entered on a long 
 voyage. He has first to bear in his own person 
 the infliction of an injury, and to discover on the 
 termination of the same that to attempt a remedy 
 for the benefit of others would prove a more serious 
 matter than that from which he has been released. 
 On arriving in a distant land one is more disposed 
 to look to future comfort than to review past 
 grievances ; besides which, one of the remarkable 
 features of human nature goes to prove that pri- 
 vations and sufiering, which provoke theii' victims 
 to bitter lamentation and sad complaint at the 
 time, are but seldom thought of when they are 
 over. With a serious determination we vow — at 
 the time — to bring to the bar of justice the poor 
 cabman who has defrauded us of a threepenny 
 piece ; but the early dissolution of our intention, 
 and the escape of the delinquent, are merely 
 typical of events of greater moment. Neverthe- 
 less, it becomes the duty, as also the pri^-ilege, of 
 one man to expose and endeavour to check all or 
 any evil that may come under his notice — if only
 
 388 
 
 SHIPS. SHIP OWNERS, 
 
 for tlie benefit of others. And with regard to 
 passenger's fare, &c., on board ship, we have 
 ample materials for illustrating cases of preme- 
 ditated and gross deception. Our object, however, 
 in this as in other matters, is not to particularize, 
 by supplying individual cases for illustration, but 
 simply to direct the attention of intending emi- 
 grants and others to existing evils, and to suggest 
 — if not a remedy — at least the mode by which 
 such evils may be avoided or mitigated. For 
 those who have the means to apply it, the remedy 
 for the evil in question will be foimd simple 
 enough, viz., in the selection of first-class ships, 
 or ships belonging to, and sailing under the flags 
 of fii"st-class owners. As a rule, avoid chartered 
 ships — ships chartered by cheap brokers and 
 agents — those who, by tempting baits, solicit 
 cabin passengers at half fares. The hook will be 
 fouud — to the sorrow of those who take it — the 
 only reality attached to the ofier. Of our own 
 knowledge we can aver that a second-class passen- 
 ger in a ship owned by a first-class firm is better 
 accommodated, better fed, and better attended to, 
 than a first-class passenger in a second-class ship. 
 The charges for accommodation, &c., in these 
 vessels — like those in first and second-class hotels 
 — will, of course, be fomid somewhat higher in 
 the one than in the other ; but the diflerence in 
 this respect is by no means in proportion to the 
 comfort and convenience obtainable in the one
 
 AND SHIP AGENTS. 389 
 
 over tlie filth, and miserj^ to be found in tlie other. 
 In the cabin and at the head of the table in the 
 one we have an agreeable and intelligent com- 
 mander. Each meal is served by competent 
 stewards, and in a manner that would not dis- 
 grace a first-class hotel. In the cabin and at the 
 head of the table in the other we have a coarse 
 iQ-bred skipper, with everjiihing else in keeping 
 with the same. The chief repast is served by 
 dirty cuddy boys, and the meal itself is composed 
 of dishes and messes which, both with regard to 
 the cooking and the matter, woidd disgrace a 
 shilling ordinary. Again — in the one there will 
 be order and attention during the week, and a 
 proper mark of respect to distinguish the seventh 
 from other days. In the other all will be con- 
 fusion and riot, while little or no regard will be 
 paid either to persons, days, or things. Indeed, 
 were the reader suddenly to shift his quarters 
 from a West-end club-house to an East-end pot- 
 house, the contrast produced by the change would 
 not be greater or more striking than that pre- 
 sented by these ships. And such is the contrast 
 suggested by first and second-class ships — ships 
 belonging to first and second-class merchants — 
 that sail from the port of London. We cannot, 
 from personal experience, speak of the numerous 
 ships that sail from Liverpool and other ports ; 
 but we presume the case described to be applicable 
 anywhere. The lowest in price is not always the
 
 390 SHIPS, SHIP OWNERS, 
 
 cheapest article, altliougli necessity may compel 
 its selection ; but where a purchaser has the power 
 or the privilege of choice, he will do well — either 
 with regard to ships or anything else — ^to consider 
 the value as well as the price of an article. 
 
 Those who have never made a long sea voyage 
 have little idea of the good things, besides fresh 
 air, that are to be found on board a liberally pro- 
 visioned, ably commanded, and well conducted 
 ship. The mere rec'tal of our usual dinner-fare 
 on board the Windsor (owned by Messrs. Green), 
 by which we made a delightful passage from 
 Sydney to London, may enlighten our readers 
 on the subject. First course — mock turtle, ox 
 tail, or other excellent soup, alternated by pre- 
 served salmon. Second course — fowls or ducks, 
 or both, turkeys, geese, or a sucking pig occa- 
 sionally, with sundry joints of roast and boiled 
 (fresh) meat. Third course — a variety of pud- 
 dings, tartlets, &c., which for quality could not 
 be surpassed anywhere. Lastly, cheese, followed 
 by an excellent dessert. In addition to bottled 
 ale and stout, and the usual dinner wines daily, 
 the table would be supplied with claret in warm 
 weather, and champagne twice a week in all 
 weathers. 
 
 Well, reader, would you, as a voyager, be dis- 
 posed to grumble or frown at a dinner-fare similar 
 to that comprised in the above list ? Until we 
 know you, or have made your acquaintance as a
 
 AND SHIP AGENTS. 391 
 
 fellow passenger, we beg leave to entertain con- 
 siderable doubt on the subject. " It's not the 
 world that's so strange, but the people that make 
 it so," said a celebrated writer. There are people 
 who have just cause for complaint ; those who 
 have been deceived by others, in the manner 
 desci'ibed at the commencement of this article. 
 There are others again, who will find fault with 
 perfection itself — men who 
 
 "Wherever they may be, 
 On land or on the sea, 
 
 are never satisfied, but who are ever disposed to 
 make themselves disagreeable to others, a plague 
 to themselves, and objects of annoyance on all 
 subjects and on all occasions. These persons are 
 to be met with on sea as on land; although in 
 the latter region they are sometimes compelled, 
 through the dread of approaching shame and con- 
 tempt, to restrain their natural foibles for a time, 
 and to fall in with the views of those who insure 
 their own comfort and enjoyment, by endeavouring 
 to contribute to the amusement and happiness of 
 others. Commanders of ships are frequently cen- 
 sured or condemned by over-exacting and trouble- 
 some passengers. True, commanders may not 
 always be blameless ; but the love of truth and 
 justice compels us to say that in our humble 
 opinion — an opinion founded on the experience 
 of some half dozen long voyages — the passengers
 
 392 SHIPS AND SHIP OWNERS. 
 
 in first-class ships have, in the majority of cases, 
 only themselves to blame for the evils they com- 
 plain of. To escape the unmerited censure of 
 every passenger, a commander must be something 
 more than mortal : he must be invested with the 
 power to satisfy those who have never yet been 
 satisfied with anything or anybody — but them- 
 selves. With kindness, combined with justice 
 and independence he will please the majority 
 — not all. In conclusion we will merely observe 
 that the three great things to insure comfort 
 on a sea voyage are as follow : — Firstly, good 
 ships, owned by first-class men ; secondly, able 
 commanders ; and thirdlj?-, agreeable passengers. 
 Good ships and good owners generally insure 
 able commanders ; but neither the one nor the 
 other, nor both, will always insure agreeable pas- 
 sengers. Nevertheless, intending voyagers may 
 deem our remarks worthy of some consideration; 
 and those who really are agreeable, and who are 
 anxious for everj'thing on the voyage to be in 
 unison with their own good qualities, have only 
 to seek the primary objects after the manner 
 and by the means suggested. Whether sailing 
 from London, Liverpool, Glasgow, Southampton, 
 Bristol, or elsewhere ; or as first, second, or 
 third-class passengers, our friends will find that 
 first-class ships are the best ; and, for a sea 
 voyage, the best ships will be found the safest 
 and quickest, consequently the cheapest.
 
 ENGLISH 
 INSUEANCE COMPANIES. 
 
 Probably, a few of our English, readers — dis- 
 posed, through interested motives, rather to quarrel 
 with us for the introduction of the subject than 
 to discuss it — will say, what have English In- 
 surance Companies to do with the " Ilise and 
 Progress of Australia ? " Our reply in such a 
 case would be definite and brief. While British 
 institutions which involve a large amount of 
 capital give rise to, influence, and regulate local 
 ones or branches in British dependencies, the 
 character and security of such institutions or 
 associations become a matter of some, if not 
 equal importance in the English colony as in 
 the English capital ; a great commercial crisis 
 or monetary panic in the one, not failing in a 
 greater or lesser degree to affect the other. 
 Should the answer be deemed insujficient, we 
 would claim an Englishman's privilege — that of 
 fearlessly expressing an opinion on any public
 
 394 ENGLISH 
 
 matter, or directing attention to a subject, the 
 neglect or calm consideration of which may 
 seriously or beneficially affect the future of 
 thousands. 
 
 Of late, there has been a growing disposition 
 on the part of the public to effect life insurances, 
 by which provision may be made for surviving 
 friends, aged relatives, or rising branches of the 
 present generation. Such a desire reveals a noble 
 trait in the English character, and is worthy of 
 encouragement ; for the object is a laudable one, 
 and the means of its accomplishment ample and 
 just. But, unfortunately, the greatest blessings 
 are open to the greatest abuses ; and so soon 
 as a ready disposition is evinced by the public 
 to invest money in some substantial institution, 
 or honorable undertaking, so soon will arise a 
 number of gingerbread establishments and wily 
 adventurers, each and all — so far as ouUvard ap- 
 pearances go — fully equipped and prepared for 
 legitimate action, although in reality, only ready 
 with delusive schemes, plausible devices, and 
 artificial baits to tempt the weak and mislead 
 the unwary. Has this been the case, and to 
 .what extent, with regard to the so-called public 
 institutions under review ? Although the mate- 
 rials on which our opinion is founded may not at 
 once determine the question, or dispose of a sub- 
 ject where secresy and mystified accounts are known 
 to prevail, they may nevertheless assist those of our
 
 INSURANCE COMPANIES. 395 
 
 readers who are personally but not officially in- 
 terested in arriving at a correct conclusion. 
 
 In 1848 the number of Insurance Companies in 
 London was 145 ; in 1851 the number had in- 
 creased to 165 ; and in the present year (1856), 
 there are 254 offices, which represent more than 
 double the number that existed ten years since. 
 Should the increase multiply at the same rate 
 during the next twenty years, London in the year 
 1876 will contain more than one thousand Insurance 
 Companies. The question suggested by such a 
 table is simply this — has the late extraordinary 
 increase in the number of companies to which the 
 figures refer been justified by the requirements of 
 the public ? If so, it will be well for those, or the 
 descendants of those whose faith on the subject 
 is at present intact ; if not, the ultimate fate of 
 many, if not the majority of the institutions them- 
 selves — in which innocent subscribers will be the 
 victims — must be obvious. If these flaming estab- 
 lishments are only kept open and supported at the 
 expense of the shareholders and a few luckless 
 captives, the crash, though distant, will be great 
 and certain. Of the action of public companies, 
 as of private individuals, where the expenditure 
 is greater than the income, the result may be 
 anticipated with certainty, although time can 
 alone determine the extent of the operations, or 
 the period of their final development. A man 
 whose sole capital is one hundred thousand
 
 396 
 
 ENGLISH 
 
 pounds in the funds, and who spends ten thou- 
 sand a year, must in the course of a few years, 
 or so soon as his capital and credit are exhausted, 
 come to a stand ; and the society, however rich, 
 that may continue to expend forty thousand a 
 year, while its income amounts to only one half 
 that sum, will, sooner or later, find itself in a 
 similar fix. It may be said, however, that these 
 are only presumptive cases in which certain spe- 
 cified operations would lead to certain results, 
 and that it is necessary to prove the existence 
 of a cause before supplying evidence of the 
 effect. Well. Without summoning to our aid 
 the apparitions of departed Insurance Companies, 
 in order to show the withering efiect of previous 
 baneful action on the part of deceased adven- 
 turers, we will deal only with objects that have 
 still some lingering sparks of vitality ; and 
 without attempting in our examination to say 
 or insinuate more than has been said by them- 
 selves, their own figures will, if we mistake not, 
 clearly prove our proposition, viz. — that there 
 are Insurance Companies at present in operation, 
 both Fire and Life, as will be seen hj the fol- 
 lowing statement from " The Times " of July 
 24th, which, bi/ continuing in their past course, 
 will eventually ensure their own ruin, if not the 
 immediate poverty or future destitution of the 
 subscribers or their descendants. It will, how- 
 ever, be gathered from their own plea, that the
 
 INSURANCE COMPANIES. 397 
 
 past is not to be their future course of action ; 
 and that although one office has exceeded its 
 income by the small sum of about £20,000 a year, 
 its income in the course of time may he in excess 
 of its expenditure. AVe will only say with " The 
 Times," " it will be for the public to judge how 
 far the argument is to be carried, and whether 
 it will justify such figures as are now presented," 
 
 " The Return recently published of the accounts of Assu- 
 rance Associations contains all the documents furnished to 
 the Registrar of Joint-Stock Companies by the offices es- 
 tablished since the Joint-Stock Companies Act of 1844, and 
 which alone are requii'ed to prepare annual statements for 
 public registration. Owing to the deficiencies of the Act, 
 which provides neither the form of balance-sheet to be sub- 
 mitted, nor any proper means of enforcing compliance with 
 its provisions, these accoimts are in many instances of the 
 most vague and unsatisfactory description. They give some 
 leading figm-es, however, which are sufficient to indicate 
 the general progress of each office, the extent to which its 
 funds have been drawn upon, and the plans it has pursued 
 in order to gain business. As regards fire insurance com- 
 panies, these particulars will be foimd condensed in the 
 following table. It shows the operation of nine offices for 
 the specific periods over which their latest returns extend. 
 In three cases — namely, the Royal, the Manchester, and the 
 Lincolnshire — the transactions appear to have been of a 
 perfectly satisfactory character, a siu-plus of profit being 
 exhibited after the payment of dividends. In the six re- 
 maining cases — namely, the Equitable, the Lancashire, the 
 Unity, the British Empire Mutual, the National Provincial, 
 and the Times — the expenditure has been largely in excess 
 of the receipts. This result is the most striking in the 
 instance of the Unity, because the accounts of that company
 
 398 
 
 ENGLISH 
 
 extend over a longer period tlian tliose of the National Pro- 
 vincial and the Times, \rhieh. would otherwise be still more 
 remarkable. In three years, during which the receipts of 
 the Unity have been £59,521, an expenditure has been in- 
 curred of £115,106, including £10,789 distributed in divi- 
 dends. The plea for this system is, that by a large outlay 
 for advertisements, agencies, &c., a connexion is formed 
 which in future years will more than repay the money at 
 first risked, and that the amount should consequently be 
 placed under " preUminary expenses," and be provided for 
 by appropriations out of future profits through a long period. 
 It will be for the public to judge how far the argument is to 
 be carried, and whether it will justify such figures as are 
 now presented. It is certain that if every other insurance 
 oflice, in order to meet this kind of competition, were to 
 piu'sue a similar course, they would all speedily be ruined. 
 
 AN ANALYSIS OF THE TRANSACTIONS OF SOME 
 
 OF THE EXISTING FIRE INSURANCE COMPANIES, 
 
 Registered under the Joint-Stock Companies' Act, 7 and 8 Vic. c. 100, 
 
 abstracted from the Parliamentary Return of Assurance 
 
 Companies just issued. 
 
 Yrs. 
 3 
 3 
 
 4J 
 3 
 
 i5 
 
 Royal 
 
 Manchester. 
 
 Equitable . 
 
 Lancashire . 
 
 Unity 
 
 British Em- 
 pire Mutual 
 
 National Pro- 
 vincial 
 
 Lincolnshire 
 
 Times 
 
 Law Fire 
 
 Anclior 
 
 North of 
 
 England .. 
 Defender 
 
 gg „ g 
 
 £ 
 
 371,957 
 148.615 
 114,075 
 98,135 
 59,521 
 
 15,567 
 
 7,705 
 4,774 
 4,575 
 
 824,924 
 
 Expenditure. 
 
 £ 
 
 221,767 
 76,701 
 80,253 
 65,333 
 35,244 
 
 10,152 
 
 6,011 
 
 557 
 
 5,227 
 
 
 £ 
 
 74,253 
 32,982 
 48,487 
 37,289 
 69,073 
 
 11,518 
 
 9,031 
 2,610 
 
 8,827 
 
 501,245 294,070 
 
 £ 
 
 55,203 
 30,500 
 4,340 
 6,840 
 10,789 
 
 621 
 250 
 575 
 
 £ 
 
 351,223 
 140,183 
 133,080 
 109,462 
 115,106 
 
 21,670 
 
 15,663 
 3,41? 
 14,629 
 
 109,118 904,433 
 
 ^s.!- 
 
 g-Opi 
 
 94-42 
 
 94-32 
 
 116-66 
 
 111-54 
 
 193-39 
 
 139-20 
 
 203-28 
 
 71-57 
 
 319-76 
 
 The accounts of these companies are rendered in 
 such manner that no distinct details can be 
 given.
 
 INSURANCE COMPANIES. 
 
 399 
 
 From the above tabular statement it appears that the total losses 
 and expenses have averaged on the net premium receipts, &c., 
 96-41 per cent. ; including dividends, 109-64 per cent. 
 
 " Annexed are the paid-up capital and funds of the 
 above-named Fire Offices : — 
 
 Eoyal 
 
 Manchester 
 
 Equitable 
 
 Lancashire 
 
 Unity 
 
 British Empire Mutual 
 National Provincial . . 
 
 Lincolnshire 
 
 Times 
 
 Law 
 
 Anchor f 
 
 North of England r 
 Defender f 
 
 Capital 
 Paid Up. 
 
 £ 
 
 277,515 
 100,000 
 49,608 
 144,840 
 138,032 
 
 25,000 
 8,709 
 13,310 
 126,000 
 50,777 
 35,601 
 31,787 
 
 1,000,179 
 
 Funds 
 Invested, &c. 
 and in hand.' 
 
 £ 
 
 372,394 
 
 189,271 
 
 33,002 
 
 146,482 
 
 86,903 
 
 8,601 
 
 18,471 
 
 10,344 
 
 4,880 
 
 171,170 
 
 89,679 
 
 69,763 
 
 47,828 
 
 1,238,688 
 
 * These amounts include duty due to the Government, and 
 other items. 
 
 t Including Life Funds. 
 
 "The following Fire Companies have not registered any 
 accounts — viz. : — 
 
 " The Athenifium (winding up in Chancery), the Emperor, the 
 London Mercantile, and the Saxou." 
 
 " And tlie following have been dissolved — viz. : — 
 
 '< The British ; English and Cambrian ; Halifax, Bradford, and 
 Keighley ; Legal and Commercial ; National Guardian ; National 
 Mercantile ; Preston and North Lancashire ; Protestant ; Sceptre ; 
 Star ; and Times Fire and Property."
 
 400 ENGLISH 
 
 If the entire body of London Insurance Asso- 
 ciations are fairly represented by the thirteen 
 named in the foregoing statement, a similar classi- 
 fication would present the following results : — 
 
 Number of offices showing a profit over and above 
 expenses 59 
 
 Number of offices showing the expenses to be 
 greater than the profits 118 
 
 Number of offices showing accounts ia such manner 
 that no distinct details can be given to the public 77 
 
 Total 254 
 
 After the perusal of accounts furnished by B,feiD 
 connoanies only, those persons who, without inquiry, 
 may place faith in any and every newly established 
 Assurance Association, will not, we think, deserve 
 much sympathy on account of any future loss or 
 disappointment they may experience through their 
 own simplicity. The following brief account of 
 an expiring body furnishes rather a cheerless 
 prospect for those whose policies bear the stamp 
 of some insolvent institution. It is but poor con- 
 solation for the surviving friends or relatives of 
 one who insured his life, to find their single 
 claim greater than the entii-e assets of the com- 
 pany in which the assurance was effected. 
 
 VICE CHANCELLOR'S COURT, July 12. 
 
 [Before Vice- Chancellor Wood.) 
 
 IK THE MATTER OF THE ATHEN^TJH LIFE ASSTTRANCE 
 SOCIETY. 
 
 Mr. Roxburgh (with whom was Mr. Daniel) appeared in 
 support of a petition by the directors, praying that the
 
 INSURANCE COMPANIES. 401 
 
 company might be wound np in chambers under the pro- 
 visions of the Joint-Stock Companies' Winding-up Acts, 
 
 The company which had been formed in 1851 had in- 
 curred liabilities to the amount of. £28,000, arising from 
 policies and annuities granted by them, one of their 
 heaviest losses being upon a policy for £13,000 upon the 
 life of a gentleman, which was now due. The assets of the 
 company were stated to be £10,000. A meeting of the 
 shareholders had been held on the 27th of June last, 
 at which it was resolved that the directors should be 
 authorized to take such steps to wind up the company as 
 should be deemed expedient. A meeting of the directors 
 was held on the same day, at which it was agreed to wind 
 up the company under the provisions of the Winding-up 
 Acts. 
 
 Mr, Selw^m, on behalf of some of the shareholders, 
 though he looked with the greatest suspicion upon any pro- ' 
 position coming from the directors, admitted that there was 
 no possibility of the company being carried on "nith advan- 
 tage, and was content that an order for winding up in 
 chambers should be at once made. He asked that the costs 
 should be reserved. 
 
 Mr, Willcock and Mr, Freeman, upon a similar petition 
 by some of the shareholders, characterized in strong terms 
 the reckless manner in which the business of the company 
 had been conducted by the dii-ectors, 
 
 Mr, H, Stevens was instructed to oppose the petition on 
 behalf of other shareholders. 
 
 The Vice-Chancellor made the order for ■ndnding up the 
 company in chambers iipon the two petitions, reser\-ing the 
 costs. 
 
 When, after so brief a career, symptoms of 
 disorganisation, failure, and dissolution appear in 
 the camp of the newly formed forces, what will 
 
 2d
 
 402 ENGLISH 
 
 any disinterested person think of the remaining 
 body, the heads of which — like certain of the 
 Crimean heroes — have a special interest in de- 
 claring their own professional solvency and in- 
 vincibility to the last. Secret associations are 
 remarkable in this respect, and often succeed 
 for a time in inducing a belief in their efficiency 
 and power. But fortunately, as a general warn- 
 ing, occasionally internal commotions force some 
 scattered fragments of their doings to the surface ; 
 and the Press, being the mirror through which 
 these misgivings are reflected, conveys to the 
 public a tolerably fair estimate of the body be- 
 neath. But with regard to Assurance Companies, 
 our surprise is, not that so few of those recently 
 established have come to a stand, but that any 
 of them should so soon be compelled to declare 
 themselves in such a position. With men of the 
 world, even with those who have private property 
 at stake and may sacrifice it in the struggle, there 
 is generally a desire to prolong their commercial 
 existence, although all reasonable hope of recovery 
 may be extinct. But board-room gentlemen, or 
 self-constituted directors and managers of public 
 companies, who deal with public funds, are still 
 more tenacious of life, and seldom finally retire 
 from their well furnished official quarters — as a 
 host of defunct societies have fully proved — 
 while the balance at their bankers is considered 
 sufficient to pay for — " another champagne lunchP^
 
 INSURANCE COMPANIES. 403 
 
 Without consideration, it ^YOuld therefore seem 
 strange that any one of these recently formed 
 associations should have expired so soon after 
 birth. Such premature fatality might induce a 
 stranger to inquire whether the numerous dis- 
 eases incidental to babes and sucklings attack, 
 without distinction of class or complexion, all 
 newly formed bodies ? Or is it that the inno- 
 cent lives accepted by these large but lax bodies 
 have, in too many instances, represented the 
 feeble structures on which the promoters' hopes 
 were founded, while the dissolution of the one 
 has unexpectedly involved the other in a similar 
 fate? Anxious for business and its immediate 
 substantial reward, have they not accepted any 
 life, from the puny infant to the diseased and 
 drooping centenarian? Hence the sudden stop- 
 page of a few of the least Avealthy of the establish- 
 ments — see the case reported — in which the claim 
 on a single policy is sometimes larger than the 
 reputed assets of the company that granted it. 
 
 The public however feel more interest at pre- 
 sent in the stability of existing institutions than 
 in the defalcations of those which have ceased to 
 exist. The doings and doom of the latter are 
 no longer secrets, unless those who have paid or are 
 paying the penalty of misplaced confidence wish 
 to preserve them as such. But in the state of 
 the former, the future position of thousands and 
 tens of thousands of respectable families in this
 
 404 ENGLISH 
 
 country is staked ; and the success or failure of 
 the stake-holders will of course determine the 
 fate of the subscribers — whether prize or blank, 
 whether plenty or poverty is to be their future 
 lot. Having, then, briefly noticed a few past 
 events connected with this subject, let us for a 
 moment consider whether the minor misgivings 
 to which w^e have alluded are likely to be suc- 
 ceeded by a more healthy state of things, or 
 whether they merely denote similar events of 
 greater magnitude, or a crisis fraught with dan- 
 ger to the public at large. We have resided for 
 a time in a country of volcanic origin, in which 
 earthquakes are of periodical occurrence, and 
 where a great convulsion is invariably preceded 
 by minor indications of the coming calamity. 
 We trust this fact may not influence our opinion, 
 and induce us, unjustly, to institute a comparison 
 between those terrestrial commotions and the com- 
 mercial or monetary disasters which periodically 
 take place in this country. No. Although there 
 are certain precursory signs in these occurrences 
 which resemble each other, our forebodings in 
 the present instance are founded on something 
 stronger than a mere recognition of such a re- 
 semblance. They spring from facts and figures, 
 and from a reasonable presumption for the cause 
 wIiT/ facts and figures are so mystified as to be 
 unintelligible to the public. Our premises are 
 not shaped by private but public information ;
 
 IXSURAXCE COMPANIES. 405 
 
 and any of our readers have themselves equal 
 opportunities for making their own deductions 
 from official documents or occasional reports from 
 our law courts. But Englishmen, as a body, 
 seldom trouble themselves to inquire into the 
 real state either of private debtors or public 
 companies, in whom they may be personally in- 
 terested, until the inquiry', as a precautionary 
 measure, becomes unnecessary. When a great 
 crash does take place, or a bubble suddenlj^ ex- 
 plodes, then the dormant but sanguine creditor 
 may be heard to exclaim, " ah ! who'd a' thought 
 it ! " And have we not every reason to fear 
 that, sooner or later, such will be the general 
 exclamation with respect to a large number, if 
 not the majority, of newly formed Assurance 
 Societies ? Do not past events and present sta- 
 tistics justify such a presumption with regard to 
 the future ? If not, all human calculations and 
 predictions, as suggested by the commercial baro- 
 meter, are unworthy of consideration or trust ; and 
 people have no right whatever either to foretell, 
 guard against, or try to avoid a coming storm ; 
 but simply to dwell on mischiefs after they 
 have taken place, or endeavour to repair damages 
 that, with many, maj" be found to be irreparable. 
 According to this doctrine, an Insurance Com- 
 pan}'' or any other company whose expenditure 
 may be in excess of its income by twenty thou- 
 sand a year, cannot be questioned as to the
 
 406 ENGLISH 
 
 probable result of sucb a game so long as tbe 
 game is not ended. The players may make 
 fre^h moves, in favor of the shareholders or their 
 supporters ; and until the game be declared at 
 an end, those of the public without the ring 
 have no right to speculate as to the period or 
 nature of its termination. The author of the 
 following extract from an article on " New Specu- 
 lations," a list of which appeared in " The Times " 
 of July 4th, surely merited, if he has not received, 
 severe reprehension for expressing, without re- 
 serve, his opinion on a subject of vital importance 
 to the community. 
 
 "The fever of speculation now gradually commencing 
 will be watched with, anxiety by all who regard the per- 
 manent welfare of the country. Every one can see that 
 with the influx of bullion, the demand for new investments 
 will increase, that this demand will be met on all sides, and 
 that the majority of the schemes introduced will call not 
 merely for the surplus funds seeking employment at the 
 moment, but "will pledge the community to a continued out- 
 lay long after the tide may have turned. They can also 
 recognize that the final result will be a crash such as was 
 witnessed in 1825, 1836, and 1847, and which in this 
 country may be looked for with absolute precision once 
 every eleven years. The whole population will nevertheless 
 go on, each man believing that he will pause in time, and 
 that his neighbour is to be the person who must suffer. In 
 such a state of affairs all warnings are useless since there is 
 no difference of opinion as to the end. The only service 
 that can be rendered is to remind the public from time 
 to time of their actual position, so that if they increase
 
 INSURANCE COMPANIES. 407 
 
 theii' commitments to an extravagant extent, they may at 
 least do so ■vritli a full knowledge of wliat they are imder- 
 taking. Thus far no danger has been incurred, but a 
 retrospect of the enterprises of the past half-year, will show 
 that the amounts ali-eady engaged to be furnished are con- 
 siderable, and that when these shall have been doubled or 
 trebled — as will, perhaps, be the case dui-ing the next six 
 months — they will make an aggregate sufficient to absorb 
 the disposable means of England for thi'ee or four years 
 thereafter." 
 
 After furnisliing a list of the companies intro- 
 duced on ilie Stock Excliange since the 1st of 
 January, 1856, the writer goes on to state 
 the aggregate capital required by them to be 
 £23,490,000. But in a subsequent issue of the 
 same paper an additional list is given, which aug- 
 ments the previous amount by about ten millions, 
 making a total of £33,490,000. A tolerably fair 
 amount of English capital this — a large portion 
 of it for the continent — arranged for by a few 
 companies — independent of assurance associations 
 — which have been formed during a period of 
 little more than six months. These figures would 
 appear large enough without being doubled or 
 trebled, as predicted by " The Times " writer, to 
 precipitate a crisis, which the brief space of a few 
 years, or probably less, cannot fail to bring about. 
 
 "With regard to some of the recently formed 
 assurance associations, however unsound in con- 
 struction, artificial in design, or reckless in action 
 such institutions may be, the probability of an
 
 408 ENGLISH 
 
 immediate or general wreck is not so great as 
 with delusive schemes of a different character. 
 Yet, the more remote the period of a smash the 
 greater the amount of the disaster. A man who 
 subscribes for two or three years only to an under- 
 taking that will 5'ield him nothing in return, is 
 clearl}^ not so great a loser as he would be on 
 continuing his subscription for a longer period- 
 with a similar result. And if any existing in- 
 surance office — ^like some departed relative — should 
 keep open until its assets are not sufficient to 
 cover the claim on one policy, what, we would ask, 
 will be the share for others? Free at present — 
 as Heaven grant this country may continue to be 
 — from the cholera, or any such fatal malady, the 
 large numbers of persons who have recently in- 
 sured their lives are not, it is to be hoped, so near 
 their exit from this woiid as to test the solidity of 
 the institutions in question for the next few years. 
 And during the lives of its valuable subscribers 
 will any such office voluntarily close its doors 
 against its unselfish and noble-minded directors 
 and ingenious officials — and, above all, against the 
 material matter on which the nobility of the one 
 and the ingenuity of the other are found to thrive ? 
 Enough. Ten or fifteen years will disclose more 
 than we have either said or intend to say on this 
 subject. Of the manner in which some of the 
 companies are formed, and of the character and 
 doings of those by whom they are formed, our
 
 IXSURAXCE COMPANIES. 409 
 
 readers may themselves judge by the following 
 extracts from the examination of an ex-manager, 
 who recently (August 7, 1856,) brought an action 
 against the directors of a company at present in 
 existence : — 
 
 " Plaintiff, cross-examined by Mr. James. — Witness was 
 not formerly connected with the Equitable Life-office, but 
 with, a fire-office of that name, and he travelled about the 
 country as their agent. The du'ectors who were appointed 
 in March, 1856, to manage the offices of the Athena3um 
 Society were an entirely new set of gentlemen. Mr. Harris, 
 one of the old board, by whom witness was appointed, was a 
 solicitor. He had been insolvent. Did not know where 
 he was now, but believed he was in some lunatic asylum. 
 Mr. Howard, another of the old board was a surgeon. Did 
 not know what had become of him. Mr. Carrington Jones, 
 another director, he believed, was now engaged some way 
 in the army, and he believed was at Malta. He was for- 
 merly secretary to the Athenajum Life-office. Witness once 
 had a j)romissory note from him for £257 10s. It was a 
 security for money advanced to him bj' the society. The 
 Eev. Mr. Bartlett and a person named Sutton were also 
 directors of the society in 1853. Sutton, he believed, was 
 the promoter of the company. The Eev. Mr. Bartlett 
 lived at Fulham, biit he did not know of his having any 
 benefice. Witness was not to be paid his full salary until 
 2,000 preference shares were paid up. The society had no 
 money until he found them some. Their revenue in 1853 
 was not more than £70 or £80. Sutton was what was 
 called the " getter-up " of the company. He was formerly 
 a clerk in an insurance-office. Soon after he was appointed 
 the dii'ectors gave him shares to the amoimt of £1,000, and 
 they lent him £750 from the funds of the society, to pay a 
 deposit of 15s. upon each of the shares, and this was entered
 
 410 ENGLISH 
 
 in the books as a real transaction, and it was made to 
 appear that lie was the actual holder of that nximher of 
 shares, and that he had paid the deposit upon them. In 
 point of fact he did not pay a single farthing. 
 
 The Chief Baron (to the witness) — Why, in point of fact, 
 the "transaction " was all fudge, was it not ? 
 
 Witness. Well, my Lord, it was very much like it. (A 
 laugh.) 
 
 Cross-examination continued. — The object of the pro- 
 ceeding undoubtedly was to make the public believe that 
 the nominal capital of the company was larger than it 
 really was. Did not think that the proceeding was adopted 
 at his suggestion. There were only five directors at this 
 time, and each of them had £2,000 worth of shares given to 
 him in the same manner, and the deposits were taken from 
 the capital of the company, and none of them paid a far- 
 thing of their own money for the shares. These trans- 
 actions were all entered in the books as though they had 
 been genuine ones. 
 
 The witness was then further cross-examined by Mr. 
 James. — He said that at the time he was appointed there 
 were other shareholders than the five directors whose names 
 he had mentioned. The directors and the shareholders 
 were, in point of fact, one body. He was then questioned 
 upon several money transactions, and he admitted that a 
 sum of £250, which appeared on the books as having been 
 lent to the Athena3um Life-ofiice was, in point of fact, ad- 
 vanced to Mr. Carrington Jones, one of the dii'ectors, who 
 gave a promissory note as security, and he was to pay six 
 per cent, interest. The same gentlemen who were directors 
 of the fire-office, were also directors of the life department, 
 and the money was entered as having been lent to that 
 department. The entry was undoubtedly fictitious. He 
 objected to the proceeding at the time, but the directors 
 persisted on it, and he considered he was bound to obey 
 their instructions.
 
 INSURANCE COMPANIES. 411 
 
 Mr. James. — Was any portion of this £250 ever repaid to 
 the society ? 
 
 "Witness. — Xo. 
 
 The Chief Baron asked what had become of Jones. 
 
 The witness said he did not know. The last time he 
 heard of him he was serving in a foreign regiment at 
 
 :iraita. 
 
 A private ledger kept by the witness was here handed to 
 him, and he was asked to explain how it was that the 
 date appeared to have been altered in one of the entries, 
 and September, 1855, substituted for June, 1853, in rela- 
 tion to a sum of £250. The witness said he knew nothing 
 about it — the alteration had been made by the accountant 
 of the company. 
 
 The Chief Baron said it appeared to him that there had 
 been gross fraud, and that some of the persons concerned 
 ought to have stood on the other side of the com-t. 
 
 The plaintiff, on further cross-examination, said that 
 Jones was paid the dividends upon the shares that were 
 placed in his name. The two offices — the Athcnanxm Life, 
 and the Athenaeum Fire were carried on in the same 
 building. They were in the habit occasionally of bor- 
 rowing money of each other. In May, 1853, there was a 
 proposition for the fire-office to advance £400 to the life- 
 office upon a deposit note at six per cent. The money was 
 di-awn on two cheeks, one for £300, which was crossed to 
 the life company's bankers, and another for £100, The 
 latter was not crossed, and it never came into the pos- 
 session of the life company, and no one knew what had 
 become of it. Field, the detective officer, was employed to 
 investigate the matter, but no trace of the £100 check was 
 ever discovered. He could not say why he did not cross the 
 £100 check, but he supposed the board told him not to do 
 so. Mr. Sutton, one of the dii-ectors, told him not to put 
 the name of the Athenteum Life Company's bankers on the
 
 412 
 
 ENGLISH 
 
 check, and to put his o'\vn bankers, the London and TTest- 
 minster, instead. The loss of the £100 check was very 
 annoying, and he was told by Field that he had traced the 
 notes that were paid for it to within twenty yards of the 
 Athen08um-oiB.ee. He believed that Mr. Sutton was at 
 present in London, and that he was engaged in getting up 
 another company. (A laugh.) There was another entiy on 
 the books referring to a sum of £107 16s. 6d., which was 
 represented to have been lent to the Athenaeum Life Com- 
 pany, and which was fictitious. In point of fact, this money 
 was employed to pay a bill inciirred by another society, 
 called the Seeiu'ity Mutual, "«ith which witness was con- 
 nected. The money was employed to take up a bill, to 
 which witness and Mr. Coyne, who was a director of the 
 Athenceum, were parties ; but it was represented in the 
 books that the money had been advanced to the Athenseum 
 Life-oifi.ce. 
 
 The Chief Baron remarked that the operations of the 
 company appeared to be very extraordinary. The same set 
 of gentlemen appeared to be shuifluig the money backwards 
 and forwards to each other. 
 
 Mr. James. — The fact was, my Lord, that, whenever any 
 of the directors wanted to borrow any money, they took it 
 out of the funds of the company, and it was entered as a 
 loan to the life-of&ce. (A laugh.) 
 
 Cross-examination continued. — Witness was the projector 
 of the Security Mutual- office. It was now in process of 
 being wound-up. (A laugh.) 
 
 In a'.iswer to a q^uestion put by the jury, the witness said 
 that several of the directors of the Athenaeum Life and 
 Fire-office were also directors of the Security Mutual Com- 
 pany. 
 
 By Mr. James. — The Security Mutual gave him the same 
 number of shares that he received in the Athenajum, and it 
 was also made to appear that he had paid up £750 upon
 
 INSURANCE COMPANIES. 413 
 
 Ms shares. This was not at all an extraordinary pro- 
 ceeding, and the only thing that was remarkable about the 
 transaction was the smallness of the amovmt. (A laugh.) 
 
 Will any sane person, after reading the state- 
 ments in the preceding examination, be disposed, 
 without the strictest scrutiny, to invest money in 
 newly formed Insurance Companies ? For our own 
 part, we should be very loth, as a commercial 
 speculation, to give a shilling in the pound for 
 the sole right to supposed sums that may here- 
 after become due on policies granted by the ma- 
 jority of life-offices of recent formation. Why? 
 After the evidence, not ours, but of others, fur- 
 nished in this brief review, can an answer be 
 necessary ? Can any Avho attentively peruse that 
 evidence have the slightest faith in the majority 
 of recently formed life associations ? Impossible. 
 If, with us, our readers have no faith in the 
 majority of such institutions, they might perhaps 
 wish our information to extend a little further to 
 enable them to learn the number and names of 
 the minority. But however desirable such in- 
 formation might be for the future security of 
 others, it is alike beyond our power and province 
 to furnish. Having supplied what we deem a 
 necessary caution on an important subject, we 
 should exceed our duty by naming for public 
 support particular objects from a large number 
 recently established, without being able to dis- 
 tinguish from the general body those which
 
 414 ENGLISH 
 
 contribute to dangers that make this warning 
 necessary. "Where, however, there are no such 
 doubts, there need be no such scruples ; and for 
 the information of those who may require it, we 
 furnish the names of a few London and country 
 establishments which — to use an expressive term 
 of assurance where no doubt can possibly exist — 
 we believe to be "as good as the Bank of Eng- 
 land." Personally we are unacquainted with 
 any one connected mth such institutions. The 
 simple fact that they have ever been and are still 
 respectably conducted, while the majority if not 
 all of them have been in existence for more than 
 thirty years — some for more than a century — is 
 our only inducement to name, as worthy the con- 
 fidence of uninformed branches of the community, 
 those institutions which experienced members of 
 the public consider worthy of trust without our 
 recommendation. 
 
 Royal Exchange, Fire, Life, Marine. 
 
 London Assurance, Fire, Life, Marine. 
 
 County and Provident, Fire, Life. 
 
 Atlas, Fire, Life. 
 
 Guardian, Fire, Life. 
 
 Westminster, Fire. 
 
 Equitable, Life. 
 
 London Life Association. 
 
 Pelican, Life. 
 
 Economic, Life. 
 
 Liverpool and London, Fire, Life. 
 
 Sun, Fire, Life. 
 
 Plioenis, Fire.
 
 INSURANCE COMPANIES. 415 
 
 Imperial, Fire, Life. 
 
 Alliance, Fire, Life. 
 
 Globe, Fire, Life. 
 
 Union, Fire, Life, 
 
 Hand in Hand, Fire, Life. 
 
 Law, Life. 
 
 Law, Fire. 
 
 Rock, Life. 
 
 Amicable, Life. 
 
 Nortb British, Fii'e, Life. 
 
 Mancliester, Fire, 
 
 Norwich Union, Fire, Life. 
 
 Leeds and YorksMre, Fire, Life, 
 
 National Mercantile, Life, 
 
 Scottish Union, Fire, Life. 
 
 Scottish Equitable, Life, 
 
 Scottish Provident, Life, 
 
 City of Glasgow, Life, 
 
 Edinbiu'gh, Life, 
 
 Standard, Life. 
 
 Argus, Life. 
 
 Scottish Amicable, Life. 
 
 Scottish National, Life. 
 
 Alliance British and Foreign, Fii-e, Life. 
 
 There may be, as no doubt tbere are, offices 
 of recent origin, the solidity and respectability 
 of which entitle them to a place by side of the 
 above. But how or by whom can such offices 
 be named or identified, when only three out of 
 thirteen — as represented by their own accounts — 
 have shown their revenue to be in excess of 
 their expenditure ? It may be said that all must
 
 416 ENGLISH INSURANCE COMPANIES. 
 
 necessarily have a beginning, and that small be- 
 ginnings often lead to great results. Very true. 
 But such beginnings have generally a forward 
 tendency. Had the above named institutions, 
 like those of recent formation, commenced by a 
 retrograde movement, such institutions would 
 long since have ceased to exist. 
 
 But even as thoughtless children will, on the 
 morrow, forget the timely advice or gentle ad- 
 monition of to-day, the adult or more experienced 
 part of the population would appear to be equally 
 forgetful of, or to profit little by, the severe mone- 
 tary lessons of the past. Were it otherwise, the 
 recent failure of the Royal British Bank would 
 furnish a lasting sign of the danger of placing 
 much, if any, faith either in institutions or direc- 
 tors which are not ivell known to the public at 
 large — such as occasionally become known to be 
 found wanting in the only essentials necessary to 
 their respective positions.
 
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