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was made in the year 1814, and will doubtless be hereafter productive of the most important results. It has indeed already given a new aspect to the colony, and will form, at some future day, a memorable era in its history. Nothing is now wanting to render this great western wilderness the seat of a powerful community but the discovery of a navigable river communicating with the western coast.

Several unsuccessful expeditions have been fitted out with this view from Sydney, both by sea and land. The last of which we have learned the result, was conducted by Mr. Oxley, the surveyor-general, and is most worthy of notice, as well from the extent of country which he traversed, as from the probability that the river which he discovered discharges itself into the ocean on some part of the western coast.

If the sanguine hopes, to which the discovery of this river has given birth, should be realized, and it should be found to empty itself into the ocean, on the north-west coast, which is the only part of this vast island that has not been accurately surveyed, in what mighty conceptions of the future greatness and power of this colony may we not reasonably indulge? The nearest distance from the point, at which Mr. Oxley left off, to any part of the western coast, is very little short of 2,000 miles. If this river, therefore, be already of the size of the Hawkesbury at Windsor, which is not less than 250 yards in breadth, and of sufficient depth to float a 74 gun-ship, it is not difficult to imagine what must be its magnitude at its confluence with the ocean; before it can arrive at which, it has to traverse a country nearly 2,000 miles in extent.

The result of Mr. Oxley's last journey into the interior, has clouded for the moment these flattering anticipations with respect to the probable course and magnitude of the Macquarie River. After tracing it for some hundred miles from the spot, where he had terminated his excursion in his previous expedition, during the whole of which distance his original expectations, that it would eventually empty itself into the sea on the north-west coast of the island, appear to have daily gained ground, he was checked in his progress by the river decreasing in depth from twenty to five feet, and suddenly forming a junction with interior waters

But if Mr. Oxley's last journey has left us nearly as much in the dark as

ever on this interesting subject, one signal benefit at least has resulted from his labours-the discovery of Port Macquarie, and the beautiful country on the banks, and in the vicinity of the river Hastings. This enchanting spot is about 30 to the northward of Port Jackson; and it is in contemplation to form a settlement there immediately.

To circle the flooded country to the north-east, yet remained to be tried; and when on the 7th of July I returned to the tents, which I found pitched on the high land before mentioned, and from whence we could see mountains at the distance of eighty miles to the eastward, the country between being a perfect level, Mr. Evans was sent forward to explore the country to the north-east, that being the point on which I purposed to set forward.

On the 18th of July Mr. Evans returned, having been prevented from continuing on a north-east course beyond two day's journey, by waters running north-easterly through high reeds, and which were most probably those of the Macquarie River, as during his absence it had swelled so considerably as entirely to surround us, coming within a few yards of the tent. Mr. Evans afterwards proceeded more easterly, and at a distance of fifty miles from the Macquarie River, crossed another much wider, but not so deep, running to the north; advancing still more easterly, he went nearly to the base of the mountains seen from the tent, and returning by a more southerly route, found the country somewhat drier, but not in the least more elevated.

We quitted this station on the 30th of July, being in latitude 31. 18. S. and longitude 147. 31. E. on our route for the coast, and on the 8th of August arrived at the lofty range of mountains to which our course had been directed. From the highest point of this range we had the most extended prospect. From South by the West to North it was one vast level, resembling the ocean in extent, but yet without water being discerned, the range of high land extending to the N.E. by N. elevated points of which were distinguished upwards of 120 miles.

From this point, in conformity to the resolution I had made on quitting the Macquarie River, I pursued a N.E. course; but after encountering numerous difficulties, from the country being an entire marsh, interspersed with quicksands, until the 20th August, when, finding myself surrounded by

bogs,

bogs, I was reluctantly compelled to take a more easterly course, having practically proved that the country could not be traversed on any point deviating from the main range of hills which bound the interior, although partial dry portions of level alluvial extend from their base westerly to a distance which I estimate to exceed 150 miles before it is gradually lost in the waters which I am clearly convinced cover the interior.

SYSTEM OF AGRICULTURE.

The system of agriculture pursued in this colony does not materially differ from that which prevails in the parent country. During the earlier stages of these settlements, the hoe-husbandry was a necessary evil; but the great increase in the stock of horses and cattle has at last almost completely superseded it; and the plough-husbandry is now, and has been for many years past, in general practice. In new lands, indeed, the hoe is still unavoidably used during the first year of their cultivation, on account of the numerous roots and other impediments to the plough, with which lands in a state of nature invariably abound; but excepting these occasions, and the instances of settlers, who are unable to purchase horses or oxen, and consequently adhere to the original mode of cultivation from necessity, the hoe-husbandry is completely exploded.

Wheat, maize, barley, oats, and rye, are all grown in this colony; but the two former are most cultivated. The climate appears to be rather too warm for the common species of barley and oats; but the poorer soils produce them of a tolerably good quality. The skinless barley, or as it is termed by some, the Siberian wheat, arrives at very great perfection, and is in every respect much superior to the common species of barley; but the culture of this grain is limited to the demand which is created for it by the colonial breweries; the Indian corn, or maize, being much better adapted for the food of horses, oxen, pigs, and poultry.

The wheat harvest commences partially about the middle of November, and is generally over by Christmas. The maize, however, is not ripe until the end of March, and the gathering is not complete throughout the colony before the middle of May.

HORTICULTURE, &c. Potatoes, cabbages, carrots, parsnips, turnips, pease, beans, cauliflowers, broMONTHLY MAG. No, 363.

coli, asparagus, lettuces, onions, and in fact all the species of vegetables known in England, are produced in this colony; many of them attain a much superior degree of perfection, but a few also degenerate. To the former class belong the cauliflower and brocoli, and the different varieties of the pea; to the latter the bean and potatoe. For the bean, in particular, the climate appears too hot, and it is only to be obtained in the stiffest clays and the dampest situations. The potatoe, however, is produced on all soils in the greatest abundance, but the quality is not near so good as in this country.

The colony is justly famed for the goodness and variety of its fruits: peaches, apricots, nectarines, oranges, lemons, citrons, loquets, guavas, cherries, Cape, China, and English mul berries, walnuts, Spanish chesnuts, almonds, medlars, quinces, grapes, pears, plums, figs, pomegranates, raspberries, strawberries, and melons of all sorts, attain the highest degree of maturity in the open air; and even the pine-apple may be produced merely by the aid of the common forcing-glass. The climate, however, of Port Jackson, is not altogether congenial to the growth of the apple, currant, and gooseberry; although the whole of these fruits are produced there, and the apple, in particular, in very great abundance; but it is decidedly inferior in quality to the apple of this country.

PRICE OF CATTLE, &c.

The price of all manner of stock is almost incredibly moderate, considering the short period which has elapsed since the foundation of the colony. A very good horse for the cart or plough may be had from £10 to £15, and a better saddle or gig horse from £20 to £30, than could be obtained in this country for double the money. Very good milch cows may be bought from £8 to £10; working oxen for about the same price; and fine young breeding ewes from £1 to £3, according to the quality of their fleeces.

PRICE OF LABOUR.

The price of labour is at present very low, and is still further declining, in consequence of the demand for it not equalling the supply. Upon the establishment of the Colonial Bank, and the consequent suppression of that vile medium of circulation, termed the colonial currency, between which and British sterling there used to be a difference of value of from £50 to £100 4 N

per

per cent. the price of labour was fixed at the rates contained in a general order, dated the 7th of December, 1816. PRICE OF LAND, PROVISIONS, &c. The price of land is entirely regulated by its situation and quality. So long as five years back 150 acres of very indifferent ground, about three quarters of a mile from Sydney, were sold by virtue of an execution, in lots of twelve acres each, and averaged £14 per acre. This, however, is the highest price that has yet been given for land not situated in a town. The general value of unimproved forest land, when it is not heightened by some advantageous locality, as proximity to a town or navigable river, cannot be estimated at more than 10s. per acre. Flooded land will fetch double that sum. on the banks of the Hawkesbury, as far as that river is navigable, the value of land is considerably greater; that, which is in a state of nature, being worth from £3 to £5 per acre, and that, which is in a state of cultivation, from £8 to £10. The latter description rents from 30s. to 60s. per acre.

MANUFACTURES.

But

The progress which this colony has made in manufactures has, perhaps, never been equalled by any community of such recent origin. It already contains extensive manufactories of coarse woollen cloths, hats, earthenware and pipes, salt, candles, and soap. There are also extensive breweries and tanneries, wheel and plough-wrights, gigmakers, black-smiths, nail-makers, tinmen, rope-makers, saddle and harnessmakers, cabinet-makers, and, indeed, all sorts of mechanics and artificers that could be required in an infant society, where objects of utility are naturally in greater demand than articles of luxury. Many of these have considerable capitals embarked in their several departments, and manufacture to a great extent. Of the precise amount, however, of capital invested in the whole of the colonial manufactories I can give no authentic account; but I should imagine it cannot be far short of £50,000.

VAN DIEMEN'S LAND. Van Diemen's Land is situated between 40° 42', and 430 43 of south latitude, and between 145° 31' and 148° 22' of east longitude. The honour of the discovery of this island also belongs to the Dutch; but the survey of it has been effected principally by the English.

The aborigines of this country are, if possible, still more barbarous and uncivilized than those of New Holland. They subsist entirely by hunting, and have no knowledge whatever of the art of fishing. Even the rude bark canoe, which their neighbours possess, is quite unknown to them; and whenever they want to pass any sheet of water, they are compelled to construct a wretched raft for the occasion.

This island is upon the whole mountainous, and consequently abounds in streams. On the summits of many of the mountains there are large lakes, some of which are the sources of consi

derable rivers. Of these the Derwent, Huon, and Tamar, rank in the first class.

There is, perhaps, no island in the world of the same size which can boast of so many fine harbours. The best are the Derwent, Port Davy, Macquarie Harbour, Port Dalrymple, and Oyster Bay: the first is on its southern side, the second and third on its western, the fourth on its northern, and the fifth on its eastern; so that it has excellent harbours in every direction.

The principal mineralogical productions of this island are, iron, copper, alum, coals, slate, limestone, asbestus, and basaltes; all of which, with the exception of copper, are to be had in the greatest abundance.

HOBART TOWN.

Hobart Town, which is the seat of the Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen's Land, stands nine miles up the river Derwent. It was founded only fifteen years since; and indeed the rudeness of its appearance sufficiently indicates the recency of its origin. The houses are in general of the meanest description, seldom exceeding one story in height, and being for the most part weather-boarded without, and lathed and plastered within. Even the government house is of very bad construction. The residences, indeed, of many individuals far surpass it. The population may be estimated at about 1000 souls. CLIMATE, &c.

The climate of this island is equally healthy, and much more congenial to the European constitution, than that of Port Jackson. The north-west winds, which are there productive of such violent variations of temperature, are here unknown; and neither the summers nor winters are subject to any great extremes of heat or cold. The frosts, indeed, are much more severe, and of

much

1

much longer duration; and the moun tains, with which this island abounds, are covered with snow during the greater part of the year; but in the valleys it never lingers on the ground more than a few hours. Upon an average the mean difference of temperature between these settlements and those on New Holland, (I speak of such as are to the eastward of the Blue Mountains, for the country to the westward of them, it has been already stated, is equally cold with any part of Van Diemen's Land,) may be estimated at ten degrees of Fahrenheit at all seasons of the year.

SOIL, &c.

In this island, as in New Holland, there is every diversity of soil, but certainly in proportion to the surface of the two countries, this contains, comparatively, much less of an indifferent quality. Large tracts of land perfectly free from timber or underwood, and covered with the most luxuriant herbage, are to be found in all directions; but more particularly in the environs of Port Dalrymple. Result of a Muster taken in New South Wales and its Dependencies in November, 1818. Number of souls Acres of wheat

25,050

20,100 8,435 1,140

292

432

730

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995 49,600

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FORM OF GOVERNMENT. It must be almost superfluous to state, that, when this colony was formed, it was composed, with the exception of its civil and military establishments, entirely of convicts. It was consequently impossible that a body of men, who were all under the sentence of the law, and had been condemned for their crimes to suffer either a temporary suspension, or total deprivation of the civil rights of citizens, could be admitted to exercise one of the most important among the whole of them-the elective franchise; and to have vested this privilege in the civil and military

authorities, both of whom then, as at present, were subject to martial law, and were besides at that time without landed property, the only standard I conceive, by which the right either of electing, or being elected, can in any country be properly regulated, would have been equally improper and absurd.

Until, therefore, the free inhabitants of the colony had increased to a sufficient number to exercise the elective franchise, and until its productive powers had outstripped its consump tive, and it became necessary either to create new markets for its produce within, or to direct a portion of its strength to the raising of articles for exportation to other countries, the establishment of a free representative government would not have been expedient had it even been practicable.

On the expediency of appointing a council, His Majesty's ministers are, I believe, themselves agreed; and I will not, therefore, enter at great length on the subject. The arbitrary and revolting acts which the want of a controlling body of this nature has already occasioned, furnish the most convincing proof of its necessity. No power, in fact, could be established, which would, at one, and the same time, prove so firm a defence to the subject, and so stable a support to the executive. A council in the colonies bears many points of resemblance to the House of Lords in this country. It forms that just equipoise between the democratic and supreme powers of the state, which has been found necessary not less to repress the licentiousness of the one, than to curb the tyranny of the other. Besides, it at all times provides a remedy for the inexperience or ignorance of governors; and is a sort of nucleus, round which all new bodies may easily agglomerate.

The last measure, which I consider necessary to the prosperity of this co lony, is a radical reform in the courts of justice. It has long since been noticed, that at the principal settlement and its dependencies there are five courts, one of criminal-and the other four of civil judicature, viz. the criminal court, the governor's court, the supreme court, the court of vice admiralty, the high court of appeals, all of which are held in Sydney, and the lieutenant governor's court, which is held in Hobart Town.

It

It is disgusting to an Englishman to see a culprit, however heinous may be his offence, arraigned before a court -clad in full military costume ;-nor can it indeed be readily conceived that a body of men, whose principles and

habits must have been materially influenced,-if not entirely formed, by a code altogether foreign to the laws of this country, should be able, on such occasions, to divest themselves of the soldier, and to judge as the citizen.

METEOROLOGICAL REPORTS..

Results from Observations made at SANDWICH, and in its vicinity, in Kent,

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Jan. 54 29 30-50 E. 29-60 W. 9, 16 0-50 10 14 5 2 9 W. Fine winter month.

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The year 1821, were somewhat HE winter and spring months of Notwithstanding many showery days in the early part of September, great quantities of grain were secured in good condition. January proved by far the driest month-December experienced the greatest rains; among the phenomena of the latter month, is the unusual sinking of the mercury in the barometrical tube, attended by tremendous storms. I find accounts from various quarters yield similar reports. The solar orb has exhibited very few maculæ or feculæ this year; nothing of the kind worth recording has passed under my observation; indeed the atmosphere has rarely been favourable to astronomical observations.

drier than the average of these seasons in this climate; but little snow fell in this division of the kingdom. The temperature, though not severe in the early months, continued lower than usual until the month of August, when the greatest degree of heat was 83° Fahrenheit. February proved the coldest month, when the thermometer sunk to 6o below freezing point. May and June were ungenial, and frequently gloomy, fostering unfavourable opinions of the approaching harvest and fruit seasons. These proved moderate in their produce, but later in their maturity than has occurred here for several seasons.

W. H. WEEKES.
METEOROLOGICAL

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