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ASTOR, LENOX
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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STATISTICAL
-
RAT KESTELL
VIEW
T
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND,
MARLISLINE
COMPRISING ITS
GEOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY, CLIMATE, HEALTH AND DURATION
OF LIFE, DIVISIONS OF THE ISLAND, NUMBER OF THE
HOUSES, EXPENCES OF THE PEOPLE, MANUFACTURES,
HABITS, LITERATURE, AMUSEMENTS, ROADS, AND PUBLIC
WORKS, UNAPPROPRIATE LAND, COMMERCIAL PROPERTY,
NATURE OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS, PRICE OF LABOUR, AND
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION, UP TO THE YEAR 1831,
FORMING A
COMPLETE
EMIGRANT'S GUIDE.,
7
)
1832.


AKTOR LEOX AND


106
INTRODUCTION.
brought to England with me a series of newspapers, pub-
lished in Hobart Town for four years previous to my
return.*
It will be seen from my previous Narrative, that I had
an opportunity of mixing with persons of every grade ;
at least, so far as to enable me to learn their different
pursuits—the nature of their business--the probable pro-
fits of their concerns, and their modes of conducting them;
I trust therefore it will not be disputed that I am at least
able to decide on the truth or fallacy of the statements I
have given and selected; and all I can promise my
readers is, that the strictest regard to the accuracy of
those statements shall be my guide in their preference ;
and with this prelude I shall commence this portion of
my task.
* These Papers are bound up, and left in the hands of Mr. W. C.
Featherstone, of Exeter, the Printer of this work, and they will be
open for the inspection of any purchaser who may feel inclined to
examine them.


ON EMIGRATION.
To Emigrants, Van Diemen's Land offers many
advantages, at least to those who have a small capital.
To mechanics generally, even without capital, it affords,
with sobriety and industry, a comfortable and certain
livelihood, and the means of speedily becoming land-
owners. Carpenters, builders, smiths, masons, boat-
builders, tailors, shoe-makers, curriers, stone-cutters, and
indeed all useful trades, are in much request ; but a great
quantity of labour being provided by the convicts, who
are hired out by the authorities at a very low rate,
labourers are much less wanted, though still there is a
certainty of employment; but the wages are low, com-
paratively with others, the remuneration to a labourer
being about ten shillings per week and his board.
Boys of ten years of age can earn about three shillings a
week and their meat, and older ones in proportion.
Indeed there is no want of employment for those of either
sex, willing to work; and by milliners, dress-makers,
straw-hat makers, &c. very large profits are realised. It
is not however such a “Land of Goshen,” that idlers
may live without labour. The sober and the industrious
are sure to be respected and employed, and may by
perseverance live in affluence, as wages are good, and
provisions comparatively low. The following market


108
ON EMIGRATION.
reports, during a period of twelve months, will be a
tolerable ground on which to form a judgment on this
subject, as far as they go. The prices of other commo-
dities, I shall enlarge on hereafter.
Sheep and cattle appear to be on the rise. Tolerable (we.
thers are generally sold at about 10s per head, prime fat mut-
ton fetches from 3}d to 4d per lb. best beef is as high as
7d, and pork 7d to 8d per lb. Hay. is £10 per ton, and straw
258 and 30s per load.—Hobart Town Courier, March 20, 1830.
A small lot of cattle, that was brought last week from the
excellent pastures on the Port Dalrymple side, was sold the
other day by Mr. Collicott, at improving prices. Steers
fetched from 12 to 16 pounds pair, and milch cows were readily
bought at 51.
Wheat continues, at the former average of 78. 6d. to 8s. per
bushel ; but the latter is of the very best quality. Some
small parcels of that remaining of the former harvest, when the
sheaves on the ground and the unthatched stacks were par.
tially injured by the sudden rain, have been lately ground and
disposed of among the bakers; and in these instances the
bread does not maintain its usual sound and milk-white quality.
We believe, however, these samples are now consum ed, and
no wheats are on hand but the best. Indeed the grain of the
late harvest, owing to its ripening so rapidly with the early
heat and drought, produces flour singularly rich and white.
Barley and Oats are dear, and cannot be , bought under 58.
6d. or 6s. a bushel.-Hobart Town Courier, April 10, 1830.
Wheat has undergone a small depression in price since our
last. It may now be quoted at from 68. 9d. to 78. 6d. per
bushel. Cape barley from 4s. 6d. to 5s. 6d., but very scarce,
English from 58. to 6s. per ditto.
Eggs are still scarce at 2s. to 25. 6d. a dozen, fresh butter
2s. 3d. to 2s.6d, a lb.—Hobart Town Courier, May 22, 1830.
Colonial produce has rather risen in value since our last.


110
ON EMIGRATION.
ton we regret to say it has fallen so low at 38. 6d. - Hobart
Town Courier, September 11, 1830.,
Wheat and other colonial produce continue to maintain the
same prices as last week (wheat 68. a bushel) although some
small decrease is anticipated on the arrival of the brig
Elizabeth, Captain Swan, and the schooner Prince Regent,
Captain Hassal, from Launceston, with cargoes of wheat, oats,
and barley.
Butcher's meat continues both scarce and dear, which we
must say is in some degree a reproach to many settlers, whose
neglect of the flocks and herds has been a great cause of the
long continued inadequate supply in Hobart town, while those
few who have paid them due attention, and have provided green
and other winter food, now reap the benefit of their industry.
No good mutton can at present be bought in town under 5d.
a pound, and beef, (some of it hard enough) from 7d. to 9d.-
Hobart Toron Courier, October 16, 1830.
Wheat 78. 3d a bushel, Maize 5s. Butter is scarce at 2s.
and 2s. 6d. Mutton 4d. Beef 8d per lb.—Hobart Town
Courier, November 20, 1830.
On Saturday one of the greatest blots of our climate, the hot
wind, prevailed till a late hour in the day, and we lament to
state, accompanied with much and serious injury to the stand.
ing corn. In the open plains, and more exposed situations,
as at the Macquarie Plains, the Upper Clyde round Bothwell,
Pitwater, and other places, the ruin occasioned is truly la.
mentable, cutting off or rather scorching whole fields of the
finest grain. In addition to the smut, which shews itself in
several places, this we fear must considerably shorten the
prospects of the farmer at the ensuing harvest, and those who
have contracted with the Commissariat at a low price, will suf-
fer severely. Wheat continues in consequence to maintain its
price, from 7s. to 7s. 6d. a bushel, and other crops in propor.
tion. Mutton 31d. to 5d, a lb. Beef, not stall fed, people
reserving that till the Christmas festival, 7d and 9d. and Pork
the same.--Hobart Town Courier, December 18, 1830.


ON EMIGRATION.
111
It will be recollected that last year, owing to the dry wea.
ther previous to harvest time, in several of the districts,
especially about Pittwater, some of the wheat land was so dried
up as to render the crop not worth reaping. One farm, in par-
ticular a field of no less than 70 acres, was thus abandoned,
and instead of reaping, the cattle and pigs were turned into it
to eat up what they could find, after which it was ploughed
over and left until now, when an excellent crop has been
reaped, yielding from 15 to 20 bushels an acre.
Mutton is now plentiful at 3d. to 3 d. per Ib., beef 7d. to
8d, hay of English grasses 41. per ton, of native produce 31.,
potatoes 6s, per cwt.-Hobart Town Courier, Jan. 22, 1831.
An additional remark is added : “ It is a curious anomaly,
notwithstanding the high price and the ready market which is
always open, that Poultry should continue so scarce. Most
people seem to think that the rearing of fowls is an object
beneath their notice, and while they bend all their attention to
sheep and corn, lose sight of the other smaller objects,
which, taken together, might perhaps equal both in profit.”
But very little new wheat has as yet been brought to town,
the settlers generally being busily engaged with the harvest, for
which the weather has been particularly favourable, the
few cloudy or moist days which we have had, serving to retard
the too rapid ripening of the grain, and thereby to allow the
reapers more time to cut down the crop, before it is shaken.
The average price continues at 6s. and 6s. 6d. per bushel,
fine flour at £18 per ton.— Hobart Town Courier, Feb. 12, 1831.
The previous extracts I consider, spreading as they
do over the period of an entire year, will give a fair
view of the subject; and as the prices of cattle are in some
places stated, the profits realised by the intermediate
vendors, may be easily calculated, and as this appear
to be very considerable, it will be necessary to observe,
that money makes an interest of twelve per cent. and
к


ON EMIGRATION.
113
both tan and curry their own leather, and as bark may
be procured at Hobart Town for £2 a ton, and oil at
£15. a tun, less than one half the cost it is in England,
such a price must afford the manufacturer a very
good profit. Linens and Cottons are about 100 per
cent. dearer than they can be procured for in the Lon-
don market; and indeed all manufactured goods, that
require numerous hands, and the employment of large
capital in their production, and are, as a matter of course,
imported from England, must be proportionably high.
But the real necessaries of life, in the articles of food,
and also many of its luxuries, are cheap. A chest of
tea, weighing 98 lbs., chest included, Hyson skin, cost
me 6 guineas, and is 2s. per lb. retail. Sugar is 24d to 3d.
per lb. by the bag, but retail 4d or 4fd. Cape wine is 4s.
per gallon from the publicans cheaper by far in large
quantities. Coffee is about ls te 18. 6d. per lb. Can-
dles are generally made by the settlers themselves; my
own plan was to buy a sheep of the cattle dealers who
came to the Ferry, by which means my mutton cost me
about 2d a lb. and the fat melted down supplied me with
“ There is no article in any branch of the Colonial trade, which is
so pregnant with extortionate charges, as the Boot and Shoe
making business. A pair of Colonial manufactured Boots will
cost you at least 40 shillings, and a pair of Shoes twelve. The
Journeymen's wages alone are said to be 18 shillings for the work.
manship of a pair of Boots, and a good workman can knock off a
pair in a day and a half at furthest. Twelve shillings a day wa.
ges ! [u London the same article can be bought at 25 shillings.
What surprises us is, that leather should fetch the price it does,
when the raw hide can be bought so cheap.-Sydney Gazette, June
19, 1830.


STATISTICAL VIEW
OF
VAN DIEMEN’S L A N D.
GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
This interesting island lies between the parallels of
41 degrees 20 minutes and 43 degrees 40 minutes south,
and between the meridians of 144 degrees 40 minutes,
and 148 degrees 20 minutes of east longitude. Its most
northern points stretching out 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 150 miles, and its most southerly projections are
the South-west and South Capes, and Tasman's head, at
the south end of Bruné Island, stretching out like three im-
mense rocky buttresses into the great southern ocean, to
defend as it were the island against the incursions of that
stormy sea. Its greatest extent from north to south may
thus be estimated at about 210 miles, and from east to
west 150 miles, calculating the degrees of longitude in
that parallel at the average of about 50 miles each, and
covering an extent of surface of about 24 thousand square
miles, or 15 millions of acres.
The general character of this surface is hilly and
mountainous, the hills being mostly covered with trees to
the height of between 3 and 4 thousand feet, where the
difference of climate in that lofty and exposed region
K 2


116
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
checks vegetation, and exposes to the eye, as the moun-
tains rise upon the horizon, a comparatively naked and
weather worn, barren aspect, being for 5 or 6 months of
the year, from April till October, more or less, covered
with snow. A range of lofty mountains runs across the
island from north to south, attracting towards it a cor-
responding elevation of surrounding land, the highest
points of which are Quamby's Bluff, overhanging Norfolk
plains, the Peak of Teneriffe, Mount Field, Mount Wel-
lington, and the great southern mountains near Port
Davy. The other most lofty points of land in this range
are the extreme western, and platform bluffs, and the
Table Mountain, Jerico, and in more insulated positions,
stretching along the eastern side, the beautiful and
picturesque eminences of Benlomond, and St. Paul's
Dome, on the northern quarter of the Island, and the three
Thumb Mountains near Prosser’s bay, and the correspond-
ing singular rocky heights on Maria Island, called the
Bishop and Clerk. Besides these, a minor range of
lofty mountains extends from the western coast, at mounts
Heemskirk and Zeehan, along a high rugged chain to-
wards the Western bluff, where it joins the north and
south range.
This hilly character of the country, especially on the
southern side of the island, admits but of little interrup-
tion. 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 Traveller no sooner arriving
at the bottom of one hill, than he has to ascend another,
often three or four times in the space of a mile, while at
others the land swells up into greater heights, reaching


GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
117
along several miles of ascent. The level parts, marshes
or plains, as they are called in the colony, that give relief
to this fatiguing surface, are comparatively few. Among
the first of these, beginning at the south, and on the
opposite side of the Derwent to the east of Hobart Town,
may he mentioned the rich and highly cultivated country
round Pittwater, the as yet little cultivated tracts of Brushy
and Prosser's Plains, towards Oyster Bay, the level tract,
around the spot where the town of Brighton is now building
originally called Stony Plains, and extending with little
interruption to the bottom of Constitution Hill, a distance
of about 6 miles in length, and from 2 to 3 in width ;
the very fertile and valuable farms at the Green Ponds
and Cross Marsh ; and further to the west, on the banks
of the Derwent and River Ouse, the beautiful tract of
country called Sorrel Plains; and higher up, the exten-
sive 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 Macquarie and Elizabeth Rivers; and, lastly, the
noble tract of rich land on the banks of the South Esk,
the Lake River, Norfolk 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 Mountains, and extending to the
north, as far as Launceston, forming a tract of near 40
miles in width, already in a great measure overspread
with valuable and extensive farms, many of them in a
high state of cultivation.


118
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
The reader, however, must not conclude from this des-
cription, either that the hills of the island are all sterile,
or the plains all fertile. On the contrary, 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
with herhage, presenting to the view an agreeable suc-
cession of moderately wooded downs, and affording excel-
lent pasture to sheep and cattle. Many of the most
thickly wooded and steep hills, nevertheless, possess a
rich soil, which, though difficult of access, and too ex-
pensive and laborious in the present state of the colony
to be cleared, will, at some future period, when popula-
tion becomes more dense, no doubt be brought under
cultivation. Indeed this has already in part been done in
several of the hills round Hobart Town, where, though the
surface is too steep to admit of the operation of the plough,
yet it amply repays the labour of the spade and hoe, by
the luxuriance of its vegetable productions. On the other
hand, many of the more extended plains are either so
bleak, and have been so washed and swept along by the
prevailing westerly winds to which their unbroken surface
exposes them, that much of the soil found upon them is
cold, thin, and comparatively valueless. Altogether, and
on the most liberal computation, the productive surface
of the island cannot fairly be estimated at more than one
third. He, therefore, who has a grant of 1000 acres of
land, is fortunate if he have 100 acres that will admit of
the plough, and three or four hundred more affording good
pasturage for his flocks.


GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
119
To one accustomed to the moist climate and plentifully
watered countries of England, Scotland, or Ireland, Van
Diemen's Land at first sight may present a dry and unpro-
ductive appearance; but upon a nearer acquaintance it will
put on a more inviting aspect. Although, however, the
rivers and streams may not be so large nor so frequent as in
England, they are sufficiently so to answer every purpose
of agriculture ; and water, that essential of life, is more or
less to be met with 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 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.'
Few, if any, attempts have yet been made to classify or
analyse the mineral productions composing the superficial
strata or sub-soil of the island. Lime-stone is almost the
only one that has yet been brought into general use.
This requisite of civilized life has been found in abun-
dance in most parts of the island, with the exception of
• the neighbourhood of Launceston, to which place it is
usually imported from Sydney, as a return cargo, in the
vessels that carry up, wheat to that port. A very fine
species of lime, used in the better sort of plastering and
stuccoing, is made in considerable quantities by burning
the oyster shells that are found in beds along various parts


122
VAN DIAMEN'S LAND.
All along the coast it presents itself in rocky precipitous
heights, standing on its beautiful columnar pedestals. Of
these, Fluted Cape, at Adventure Bay, is perhaps the
most remarkable, so called from the circular columns
standing up close together in the form of the barrels of an
organ. Circular Head, which gives the name to the
Van Diemen’s Land Company's Establishment, is another
remarkable instance of the singular appearance which
this species of roek puts on, resembling different artificial
productions of man. That curious rock stands out into
the sea, exactly like a huge round tower or fortress, built
hy human hands. Mount Wellington, the great western
Table mountain, and the rocky banks of many of our moun-
tain rivers, as the Shannon, are composed of this rock.
In some parts, both on the coast and in the interior,
the columns stand up in insulated positions, springing up
from the grass or the ocean, like obelisks or huge needles,
and presenting a singular appearance to the eye. On
the south end of Bruné Island, which is composed of this
rock, there are several of this description, and those upon
the land stand erect upon their several blocks, gradually
diminishing as they rise, till the cast of a well aimed
stone from the hand, is sufficient to drive the uppermost
rom its seat. As this rock has the power of acting on
the magnetic needle, and occurs in such large masses in
the island, it in some measure accounts for the variations
which travellers depending on the guidance of the pocket-
compass in the bush, sometimes experience. Argil also
appears in the form of excellent roof slate, at a certain
spot between Launceston and George Town, but the
facility with which houses can be covered with shin-


GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
123
gles split from the different species of the gum tree, or
Eucalyptus, has hitherto superseded its use.
In the form of mica it appears in large masses on the
rocks round Port Davey, on the southern corner of the
island, where being much exposed to the winds and waves
of the Southern Ocean, they have become so much worn
by the weather, as to put on the appearance of snow.
Excellent sandstone for building is found in almost every
part of the island; and most of the houses in Hobart
Town are now built with it, brought from different parts
within half a mile or mile of the town, instead of badly
made bricks as formerly. A quarry of that kind, used as
filtering stones, has recently been found at the New Pe-
nal Settlement of Port Arthur, the manufacture of which,
it is probable, will be found a profitable employment to
a portion of the prisoners there. Flints in great plenty
are scattered upon the hills, especially in the neighbour-
hood where basalt abounds. They generally occur in
the globular form, covered with a' white indurated crust
of chalk. Other rare species of the silicious genus have
been found in different parts of the island, especially in
those which appear to have been washed in former times
by the ocean, and which have been deposited in certain
ranges, or linear positions, by the lashing of the waves,
and the subsiding of the waters. Of these may be men-
tioned, though found generally in small pieces, horn-
stone, schistus, wood opal, bloodstone, jasper, and that
singular species called the cat's eye, reflecting different
rays of light from the change of position.
Of the metallic ores, besides iron, which is most abun-
dant, specimens of red and green copper ore, lead, zinc,


124
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
manganese, and as some say, of silver and gold have occa-
sionally been found; but the latter we think is not to be
relied on.
Petrified remains of wood, and other vegetable pro-
ductions, entirely converted into silicious matter, and
capable of the finest polish, are occasionally met with in
different parts of the island, especially in the Macquarie
district, at Allenvale, and Mr. Barker's estate, where
whole trunks and branches of trees have been found,
some in a horizontal, and some in a vertical position,
exhibiting the fibres and structure of the leaves and
wood, the distribution of the vessels, and the annual
growth, as distinctly, and in as perfect a state of preser-
vation as in the living plant..
CLIMATE.
According to the latitude of Van Diemen’s land 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 be-
sides that of latitude, and geographers have generally agreed
that the great extent of uninterrupted ocean round the
South Pole, compared to that in the northern hemisphere,
where land so much more abounds, makes a difference in
the climate equal to several degrees of latitude. It would
however appear, that this difference is scarcely sensible,
under the 40th degree of latitude, for while the summer
heats at Buenos Ayres, the Cape of Good Hope and
Sydney, are as great as at Gibraltar, Tunis, or Charleston,
or Bermuda in America ; Patagonia, New Zealand and


CLIMATE.
125
Van Diemen's land have a temperature almost as cold in
the summer season as that of London, Brussels, or at
least as Paris and Vienna. While, therefore, Van
Diemen’s Land 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 winter;
its summer heats are so moderated as to be not only con-
genial but delightful to a person who 'has lived to matu-
rity 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 equally dissipated by the
equality of temperature diffused from the extent of ocean
surrounding its insular position.
Except on the days when rain actually falls, which on
an average do not exceed 50 or 60 out of the 365, 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 temperature that so frequently
occur, especially at Hobart Town, under the influence of
Mount Wellington, and which otherwise must prove in-
jurious 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 hours in the middle of the
day, to 90, and even 100 and 110 degrees. It is how


128
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
was so swoln that one of the bridges was entirely carried
away, and others, with many of the buildings on the
banks materially undermined. Several farms, too, along
the banks of the Jordan, the Macquarie, and other level
flowing streams, were much injured, great part of the
newly turned up soil being in some places entirely
washed away. These occurrences and a better know-
ledge of the seasons, already admonish the settlers
to build their houses in a more substantial and durable
manner than formerly, and to embank and sow such
plants only in the lower grounds as will hold the earth,
and enable it to withstand these occasional floods.
In so clear a sky, as might be supposed, the serenity of
the star-light and moon-light nights calls forth the notice
and admiration of every one susceptible of the charms of
nature. Few parts of the globe are more favourable for
obtaining a knowledge of the constellations, or for
alluring the young to the delightful science of
Astronomy. Singular meteors are not unfrequent darting
across the heavens, and at certain seasons of the year,
though in so low a latitude, the Aurora Australis is not
only conspicuous, but often brilliant.
A summer's morning, at all times beautiful in the
country, is peculiarly so in Van Diemen’s Land. Who
can rest on his couch, especially if his cottage window
fronts the east, when the vivifying influence of Aurora is
rousing him to activity ? The bracing coolness, accompa-
nied with dew and sometimes hoar frost, that usually pre-
cedes her approach, generally awakens the sleeper and
prepares him for the enjoyment of the opening scene.
Leaving the domestics to set the household in order, the


HEALTH AND DURATION OF LIFE.
129
settler quits his chamber at earliest dawn, accompanied
perhaps by one or two of his children, whom he thus in-
structs at the entering verge of life to look through nature
up to nature's God, and sallies forth at once to direct the
operations and to enjoy the pleasures of the morning.
The bleating of his flocks in the fold and the lowing of his
herds admonish him, that they like him wish to roam at
large, and to partake of the gifts of nature, while the
carols of the feathered race, the musical notes of the mag-
pie, and the joyous flights of the wattle and other birds, as
they chaunt their wild song from tree to tree, seem to gather
round his infant settlement, and to participate with him in
the cheering prospect which his verdant lawns and beautiful
corn fields already afford. The long withdrawing shadows
of the lofty gum trees, and the picturesque summits of the
crags or rocky projections of a neighbouring hill, as they
shorten themselves on the grass beneath his feet, at the
approach of the sun, remind him of the swift lapse of time,
and that the business of the day must be speedily encoun-
tered, while a natural feeling of independence, and a
sense that all around him is his own, and his daily im-
proving property, gives an additional charm to the
landscape, which none but the settler like himself, who
has undergone the same privations and vicissitudes, who
has overcome similar dangers and difficulties, and achieved
the same labours, can either have the right or the capa-
bility of enjoying.
HEALTH AND DURATION OF LIFE.
In such a climate and with the active life which settlers,
in a new colony must necessarily lead, the health of the in-


1.30
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
habitants, as might be supposed, is of the best kind. The
atmosphere, as we have said, is for the most part dry and
elastic, and, though it has not as yet, that we know of,
been correctly analysed, yet it certainly contains a larger
proportion of oxygen than most countries of the old world,
the effect of which is to fortify and promote both animal
and vegetable life. The stimulating effect of this gas
taken into the lungs, naturally communicates itself to the
stomach, and tends to keep in a healthy state, the diges-
tive action of that grand organ, on which the habit and
temperament of the body mainly depends. The aromatic
trees and shrubs also which every where cover the island,
and especially in the spring season impregnate the air
with their perfume, cannot fail in some degree to spread
a certain feeling of health and comfort over the human
frane.
An estimate has been formed, upon official returns, from
which it appears, that while the average number of deaths
from a certain amount of population in Van Diemen's
Land is 200 annually, the registered tables of the most
healthy parts of Europe, as Southampton, Norwich, or
Sweden, would allow of upwards of double that number,
or above 400. It is, however, to be remembered, that
deaths frequently occur in Van Diemen’s Land which do
not find their way into the Church Returns. Children
and adults often die in remote parts of the interior, and
are buried where no clergyman can be found to perform
the funeral service, or to record the event. Latterly, in-
deed, the chance of such omissions has become much less,
since the Government has appointed Clergymen or Cate-
chists in several of the districts, till then unsupplied. The


HEALTH AND DURATION OF LIFE.
131
melancholy causes, also, of sudden deaths from accident
or otherwise, or from the cruel outrages of the blacks,
which on many occasions could not be correctly taken
account of, since the appointment of Police Magistrates
and Coroners in the several districts, now seldom or never
occur without an inquest being held.
In the present infant state of the colony, it is to be
observed, that the proportion of aged persons in the popu-
lation is smaller than in old countries, the generality of the
emigrants coming out in the prime of life, few else being
willing to undertake so arduous and so long a voyage.
And although many of the prisoners that are sent out
come to us with emaciated and diseased frames, in conse-
quence of their former dissolute and irregular lives, yet
the restraint to which they are subjected after their
arrival in the colony, and the sufficiency of good and
wholesome food with which they are supplied, in a certain
degree repairs this premature waste, and places them as
regards the probability of life, on a par with others. The
diseases to which children are liable in Van Diemen's
Land, are neither so many, nor, generally speaking, so
severe as in England. Hooping cough was introduced
into the island from one of the female prison ships about
three years ago, but though it spread itself nearly through-
out the whole population, it invariably appeared in a mild
form, and we do not know that it was attended by a
single death. 'Adults, indeed, and aged persons, who
had not been affected with it in early life, felt it more
severely. Small pox and measles are fortunately as yet
unknown amongst us.
Against this favourable estimate of life, arising from the


732
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
climate and circumstances of the colony, we are com-
pelled reluctantly to set a dreadful make-weight in the
other scale. We mean the lamentable waste of life by
intoxication. The quantity of spirits, and other strong
drink consumed annually in the colony, may on a mo-
derate computation be taken at not less than 100,000
gallons, which, according to the population, allows the
enormous quantity of about five gallons to each indivi-
dual, young and old, male and female, in the island.
So astounding a fact, shews at a glance the horrid state
into which some of the community must be immersed.
Dreadful as it is, however, we are happy to bear testimony
to its decrease, compared with former periods. A very
large portion of those who first put their foot upon the
shores of the Derwent, even belonging to what should
be the more respectable and exemplary class of society,
were confirmed drunkards, and died in the prime of
life. To their ruinous example may fairly be attributed
much of the dissipated habits that have so long afflicted
the colony. For those in the humbler paths of life,
always ready to imitate their superiors, are never so
willing to do so, as in falling into relaxed habits, and in
following that which is bad. Drunkenness especially is
a vice of example, for nature recoils at the first intimacy
with the Syren, and it is only by long and repeated
attacks that she at last enchains her victim. This baneful
example has however ceased to be set by any of those in
the better walks of life, the old drunkards, almost without
exception, having hurried themselves to the grave, and
drunkenness is narrowing the sphere of its noxious influ-
ence. Most even of the humbler or labouring classes,


HEALTH AND DURATION OF LIFE.
133
would now be ashamed to be charged with drunkenness,
a vice which not many years ago, would have been their
boast. The waste of property from this cause is immense,
but we have here only to consider that of life. It shews:
itself in three ways, namely, first by gradually impairing
the health and system, so as to unfit the person for the
performance of the common affairs of life, and inducing
premature death, secondly by apoplexy, suffocation, and
other sudden and accidental deaths arising out of drunken-
ness, and thirdly by the crimes, murders and executions,
generally attending those whom death has not otherwise
overtaken. One half of those that die in the colony at.
the present time, perish either directly or indirectly through
drunkenness.
But excess in drinking is not the only cause that coun-
teracts the salubrious effects which the climate and his oc-
cupation have on the settler in Van Diemen's Land.-
Excess in eating, though not so ruinous in itself, operates
almost as powerfully in destroying health and shortening
the duration of life. The stimulating influence which the
pure and elastic atmosphere has upon the digestive pow-
ers of the stomach, has already been remarked, especially
on persons who are mostly occupied in the open air. It
naturally follows, in a country like this, where not only
the best wheaten bread, but excellent butchers' meat of
all kinds plentifully abounds, and provisions are supplied
to the labouring classes almost without limitation, that
men accustomed to "deprivations in their mother country,
and who in that comparatively cold climate were sensible
how much substantial food helped to warm and support
the system-it is natural that they should indulge their


DIVISIONS OF THE ISLAND.
135
ae use of any efficient medicine. Some slighter in-
stances of it have recently shewn themselves also in Ho-
bart Town and other places.
It is to be remarked, that persons 'who have resided
some years in the colony, especially if they be advanced
in life, seldom live long after their return to the moist
· and severe climate of their native country. On the
whole it may be fairly estimated, from all the experience
· that the present young state of the colony affords, that
the chances of life and longevity are twenty per cent.
better in Van Diemen's Land than in England.
DIVISIONS OF THE ISLAND.
! The whole of the settled part of the island was originally
divided into the two counties of Buckinghamshire on
the south, and Cornwall on the north, being distinguished
by a line drawn from the east coast along the source of
the St. Paul's river, the source of the Macquarie, till its
junction with the Blackman's river, across the Table
Mountain, past Sorell and Wood's Lake, and across St.
Patrick's Plains to the Shannon, and River Ouse. But
since the establishment of the Police Districts, the public
business of the colony has mostly been carried on through
the several Magistrates at the head of each. Until,
therefore, it is found practicable for the Survey Department
to carry the instructions from the Home Government
into full effect, of dividing the island into regular counties,
parishes, and hundreds, this division will probably
continue ; in the course of our description of the colony,
therefore, we shall strictly follow this division, and our
labours under this head will naturally subdivide themselves
into the following sections; viz:


136
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
3
1.-The district of Hobart Town, bounded on thina
south and west by the Huon river, and a line drawn :-
across Mount Wellington to the Black Snake, and on
the east by the River Derwent, including Brunè island.
2.—The district of New Norfolk, bounded from the
Blacksnake to the Huon river, by the Hobart Town dis-
trict, by the Huon, and by a line drawn from the sourceld
of that river, along the south side of Mount Field, till ist
joins the Derwent, at the bottom of the Peak of Teneriffe d.
It then follows the course of the Derwent till its junction d
with the Clyde, which divides it for a short distance from
that district, till it reaches the township of Hamilton,
when it is bounded by a line drawn due east till it meets,
the river Jordan at the Blackbrush, which river then
divides it from the Richmond district, till it joins the
Derwent opposite the Blacksnake.
3.—The district of Richmond, bounded on the south
and west by Storm bay, the river Derwent and the Jordan,
as far as the Blackbrush, when it is separated from the
Oatlands district, by a line drawn through Jerusalem,
across the Coal river at Mr. Walkinshaw's, throughi
Prosser's Plains, and along Prosser's River to the sea,
which then bounds it on the east, including Maria island.
That settlement, however, as well as that of Port Arthur,
on Tasman's peninsula, will be treated of under the head
of Penal settlements.
4.- The Clyde district, bounded on the south by New
Norfolk district, on the west by the river Dee, Lake Echo,
and a line running north to the river Ouse, on the north
and east by the Ouse, across to Mr. Sherwin's farm, when
it is separated from the Oatlands district on the north by


DIVISIONS OF THE ISLAND.
137
ON
CE
.
in
on
a line drawn east till it meets the Jordan at Mr. Gregson's,
the course of which river it then follows till it meets the
points of the other districts at the Blackbrush.
5.—The Oatlands district, bounded on the south and
west by the Richmond and Clyde districts, on the north
by a line drawn from the River Ouse to the Shannon, by
the Shannon, until its junction with a rivulet flowing from
the Lagoon of islands, by Lake Arthur and the river
which connects it with Wood's lake, and so on by the
; lake already described, separating Buckinghamshire from
Cornwall, till it meets a line drawn due north and south,
dividing it from the Oyster Bay district till it again meets
the Richmond district at Prosser's river.
6.—The Oyster Bay district, bounded on the south by
Spring bay and Prosser's river, on the west by Oatlands
and the continuation of the line as before described, divi-
ding it from the Campbell-town district by the boundary
of the counties of Buckinghamshire and Cornwall, and on
the east by the sea, including Freycinet's peninsula and
Schouten’s island.
7.—The district of Campbell-town, bounded on the
south by the Oyster Bay and Oatlands districts, on the
west by the Lake river from its source, at Wood's lake,
till its junction with the South Esk, up to the source of
the Break o’Day river, and thence by a line drawn due
east to the sea at Patrick's head.
8.—Norfolk Plains district, bounded on the east by
Campbell-town district, on the south by Oatlands, on the
west by the River Ouse, by the range of mountains ex-
tending from the Platform bluff to the source of the River
Forth at Emu plains, and thence by the Forth to the sea,


138
VAN DÍEMEN'S LAND.
on the north by the sea from the mouth of the Forth to
Port Sorell, on the east by the River Rubicon, and the
Western river, till it meets the Lake river, on to the
junction of that river with the South Esk, where it bounds
the Campbell-town district as before.
9.-Launceston district, bounded on the south by
Campbell-town district, on the west by Norfolk Plains,
and on the north and east by the sea, including Cape
Portland, and Waterhouse, Swan and other islands.
10.—The Van Diemen's Land Company's establish-
ment at Circular Head, the limits of which are as yet
undefined.
11.—The whole of the rest of the island extending all
along the west coast, and along the south by Port Davey,
round to the Huon, being wholly uninhabited and un-
located, with the exception of Macquarie Harbour.
12.—The islands in the straits being dependencies on
the territory, and
13.—The Penal settlements, namely, Macquarie Har-
bour, Maria Island, and Port Arthur.
1. THE HOBART TOWN DISTRICT.
This district, though nearly the smallest in extent, is by
far the most important in the colony. It comprises an
area, including Brunè island of about 400 square miles, or
25,000 acres, round more than three sides of which, in-
dependent of Brunè, it enjoys the advantage of water-
carriage, affording an extent of coast, with convenient
access and anchorage, for vessels of any burden for more
than 150 miles, follo wing the course of the Derwent
through all its windings, inlets, and beautiful bays, from


HOBART TOWN DISTRICT.
139
the Blacksnake to the mouth of the Huon, and thence a
considerable way up that river.
Throughout the whole extent, there is scarcely one
level part, the surface of the entire district being an un-
ceasing succession of hill and dale, and those farms which
have been formed, many of them, now in a high state
of cultivation, have been cleared, and brought under the
plough at a considerable expense. Even round the beau-
tiful village of New Town, with its neat villas, smiling
and fertile gardens, its regular and productive corn fields,
and rich tracts of pasture from English grasses, if the
original cost of bringing it into its present state were cal-
culated, it would more than double the amount which
even the best of the farms would now fetch at a sale. At
New Town however there are many beautiful little farms,
extending along the banks of the Derwent and on both
sides of the road, especially between Hobart Town and
the Blakesnake: and though much of the land, had it
been situated in the interior, at a greater distance from
the market, would have been probably allowed to
remain for many years in a state of nature, yet now that
the labour of clearing off the timber, and breaking up the
ground has been overcome, the farms prove both produc-
tive and profitable. Below Hobart Town, also, as far as
Brown's River, there are many fine, though moderately-
sized farms. But the influence of the vicinity to the me-
tropolis on the neighbouring country has shewn itself in
nothing more than in the rapid progress of gardening.
The Government Garden in the domain on the borders of
the Derwent has, within the last two or three years,
under the superintendance of Mr. Davison, undergone a
M
2


140
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
considerable improvement, and will well repay the visit
of a stranger. In addition to the striking luxuriance of
the kitchen garden, the botanist will be pleased to see a
collection, by no means contemptible, of exotic plants,
the seeds of which have been introduced by gentleman
arriving in the colony from India, South America, Africa,
and other parts of the World. To those who are fond
of viewing the effects of human industry in improving the
productions of nature, there are many other gardens
round Hobart Town well deserving attention, among
which we may mention Mr. Hone's and Mr. Gatehouse's
at New Town, Mr. Ross's at Sandy Bay, and Mr. Cart-
wright's at the Retreat, Cray Fish Point.
The principal farms in this district, on the north side
of Hobart Town commencing at Bridgwater, where the
new bridge across the Derwent is now constructing, are
those of Mr. Geiss, Mr. Govett, Mr. Marshall, Mr.
Austen, Mr. Bilton, Mr. Capon; on the further side of
Humphery's rivulet, and on this side Tolosa, the farm of
Mr. Hull, and those of Mr. Collicot, Mr. Bryant, Mr.
Gellibrand, Mr. Beamont, Mr. Gatehouse, Mr. Hone,
Captain Bell, Mr. Thomas, and the Government farm.
On the south side of the town are the farms of Mr. David
Lord, at Sandy bay, of Mr. Thomas Smith, Mr. Chaffey,
Mr. Garth, Mr. Hogan, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Ross, and Mr.
Flexmore; Mr. Cartwright at Cray fish point; and fur-
ther down, at Brown's river, Messrs. Lucas, Nickolls,
Morris, and Baynton, and at Blackman's bay, Messrs.
Sherbert, Foley and Gaughran. Near Mount Lewis are
the farms of Messrs. Mansfield and Furgusson, and imme-
diately opposite, on the north side of Brunè island is the
fine farm of Mr. Kelly.


HOBART TOWN DISTRICT.
141
The total number of acres in this district actually
under the plough and spade, and bearing crops, do not
much exceed at this time 1600 acres. The crops with
which they are cultivated are in the following pro-
portions :-
W beat ....
.......... 700 acres
Barley.......................
125 do.
........................ 120 do.
50 do.
Oats .....
Peas ......
Beans....
Potatoes....
Turnips
5 do.
300 do.
70 do.
English grasses ................... 200 do.
Gardens ............
............ 50 do.
During the year 1830, the average price of wheat in
Hobart Town, may be taken at 7s. 6d. per bushel, of
barley 5s., of oats 5s. 6d., of peas 10s., of potatoes 61. a
ton, of turnips and mangel wurzel 21. a ton ; and of
hay, estimating the quantity sold of natural and artificial
grasses together at 61., the former being often sold at 50s.
or 31. a ton, while the latter fetched often 101. and even
121. a ton.
The spring of 1830 proving unusually dry, it had the
effect throughout the generally hilly and thin soils of this
district, of reducing the return at harvest, rather below the
average crop of other years. In these, our statistical re-
marks, whenever absolute certainty cannot be arrived at,
we invariably prefer to fix our estimate rather below than
above par, considering nothing more injurious to the real
interests of the colony than exaggerated statements,
making either for or against its reputation. We therefore
take the average returns of the crops in this district during
the past year of wheat at 15 bushels an acre, of barley
at 20 bushels, of oats at 25, of peas and beans at 20


142
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
bushels each, of potatoes at 3 tons and a half, and of
turnips at 7 tons per acre. As a great part of the land
laid down in English grasses was not mowed, but eaten
down as pasture, it would be unfair to estimate the return
by the quantity of hay stacked or actually sold in Hobart
Town. We take the average value, therefore, of the
return of English grasses during the year at 101. per acre.
The returns of the garden ground, considering the quan-
tity of greens, vegetables and fruit retailed in Hobart
· Town, and to the shipping, may be estimated on the whole
at 25l. an acre.
It is here to be remarked, that the small comparative
quantity of hay and other winter food for cattle saved in
the colony, generally makes that article so scarce in
Hobart Town before the beginning of spring, that no sooner
is the grass fit to cut than large quantities are brought
into town, and sold as high as a shilling a bundle, and
thus a very considerable return is derived from a compa-
ratively small piece of ground. Cape barley, which
springs up very early in the season on good and well
pulverized ground, is often sown and cut down for this
purpose to great advantage. We may observe here also,
that the waste of grass round Hobart Town, on being
dried into hay is needlessly great. It is true, that in this
climate it is necessary to dry it well to prevent the possi-
bility of its heating and spoiling in the stack, but for that
very reason, especially near the chief point of consumption,
where the article is so valuable, some additional economy
will well repay the farmer. It is calculated, even in the
comparatively cold and moist climate of England, the grass
made into hay, loses by heat and evaporation five sixths


144
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
quantity of salt that was some years ago brought out as
ballast in some of the Van Diemen's Land company's
ships, and has mostly been lying useless ever since, could
not be applied to a better use.
From the above estimate, then, it will appear, that the
value of agricultural produce in the Hobart Town dis-
trict, during the year 1830, was as follows:
10500 Bushels wheat at 7s. 6d.
43937
2500 Do. barley at 5s.
625
2300 Do. oats at 58. 6d.
676
1000 Do. peas at 10s.
1050 Tons potatoes at 120s.
6300
490 Do. turnips at 40s.
980
200 Acres English grass at 200s.
2000
50 Do. Gardens at 251.
500
1250
Total produce
16,329
To this must be added the value of native grass con-
sumed by the stock on the hills round the various farms,
and the firewood brought in carts or boats to Hobart
Town, and sold to the inhabitants. Although the na-
tural pasture throughout the district is not very abundant,
nor of a very luxuriant kind, yet it is so sweet, especially
in spring, and so much relished by the stock, as to be pre-
ferred to any other; and cattle and horses may be seen
grazing on the comparatively thin and dry grass of the
hills, in preference to a fine field of clover and rye-
grass contiguous and open to their use. This natu-
ral produce, then, may fairly be estimated to be
worth collectively to the farmers in the district 2,0001.
annually. As to the firewood, if we take the population
of Hobart Town at 5,500, including the military, and
allow a cart-load a week, at the average value of 6s. to a
family of 10 persons, we shall have a weekly consumption
of 550 cart-loads, value 1651. or 8,5801. a year.


146
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
Town, that, generally speaking, they are now productive
and fertile. The smallness of their size, with the farm
steadings necessarily erected upon each, makes the extent
of cultivated land taken collectively of more value than
those of large farms in the interior, and at the average
value at which several have been sold or let, within the
last two or three years, the value of the land in cultiva-
tion, including buildings, agricultural implements, gardens,
&o. may be reasonably taken at £25 an acre, giving for
the whole 1,600 acres a sum total of £40,000. The
rental derived from this, on the average, at the present
time, is £5,000; that is, allowing about eight years’
purchase of the property, or an interest for money in-
vested of twelve and a half per cent.
The total value of agricultural property within the
district is then as follows:-
Land ........... £40,000
Live Stock ..... 21,600
Annual Produce .. 26,909 -88,509
The total number of inhabitants resident upon this
extent, exclusive of Hobart Town, does not exceed, at
the present time, 300 souls, of whom 580 are free persons,
and the remaining 220 prisoners sent out from England,
in the following proportions:
Male adults, free ........ 300
Ditto, under age ..........
150
Female adults, free........
Ditto, under age, ditto .... 40
Male Prisoners .......... 180
Female ditto ............ 40--800
90
HOBART TOWN.
This town, which is also the capital of the island, and
the seat of Government, is situated on the west side of



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HOBART TOWN.
147
the Derwent, near the northern extremity of the district
to which it gives the name. A fine stream of water,
taking its rise from the foot of Mount Wellington, about
4 miles distant, runs through the town. The banks on
each side rise all round in gentle eminences, on which
the town is built. The houses being placed originally on
small separate allotments of ground, consisting of a quarter
or half an acre each, the view as the stranger walks along
the streets is left unobstructed, and generally commands
a delightful prospect over the town and buildings. When
the several streets are properly levelled and made, at all
times, freely accessible, Hobart Town altogether will
form one of the most pleasantly situated towns that can
well be conceived. An amphitheatre of gently rising
hills, beautifully clothed with trees, and having Mount
Wellington, 4,000 feet high, as the highest, defends it
from the westerly winds, and bounds the horison on that
quarter, while the magnificent estuary of the Derwent,
with its boats and shipping and picturesque points of land
winding along the banks, and forming beautiful bays and
lakes, skirts it on the east.
MACQUARIE-STRERT, in which most of the public buil-
dings and offices are placed, runs along a sort of ridge or
terrace, by a gentle ascent of upwards of a mile from the
wharf, commanding on one side a beautiful prospect of
the town, backed with picturesque hills and distant moun-
tains, and on the other a full view of the harbour and
shipping. As we wish to make our little work as prac-
tically useful to the stranger as possible, we will suppose
him to be just landed from the vessel on bis arrival from
England, and will endeavour to conduct him through
N


HOBART TOWN.
149
taining about 25 thousand bushels of wheat and flour,
with vaults underneath for bonded spirits and tobacco,
and wharfs behind, devoted solely for the purposes of
Government.
3.—The' residence of the Private Secretary, Mr.
Parramore.
4.-Government House, the residence of the Lieu-
tenant Governor and family, the Executive and Legis-
lative council chambers, the offices of the Private
Secretary, and the offices of the Town adjutant, and
Barrack master, all situated nearly under one roof, at a
convenient distance from the street, and surrounded by
pleasure grounds and shrubbery. There are two en-
trances leading from each wing, at the highest of which
a sentry is generally posted.
5.—The Supreme Court-house, where all civil and
criminal cases are tried, containing also a hall where
the Court of Requests is held monthly, for the trial of
civil cases not exceeding 101. in amount, and where also
the bench of Magistrates and Court of Quarter Sessions
hold their sittings. Here also are the offices of the
Master of the Court, the Clerk of the Supreme Court, and
above stairs, on the eastern outer corner, the office of the
Registrar.
6.- The Bonded Stores, at the corner of Murray-street,
which here crosses at right angles, formerly the Female
House of Correction, where spirits, tobacco, and other
excisable goods, are placed by the owners, until it is
convenient to withdraw them, and pay the duties.
7.–Adjoining this, and surrounded by the same brick
wall, partly situated in Murray-street, is the Goal, in


150
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
which debtors and criminals are confined, and where
also resides Mr. Bisdee, the keeper. This building having
béen erected in the early periods of the Colony, when
workmen and materials were few and bad, is already old
and insufficient; and a military guard, with three sentries,
is constantly on duty. Rising above the wall, the spec-
tator will see the humiliating black painted beams,
forming the gallows and scaffold, on which the victims
of crime, condemned to death, take their last ignominious
exit to the other world.
8.— The residence of Mrs. Lakeland. 9.—The private
residence of Mr. Burnett, the Colonjal Secretary. 10.-
Mr. Woolley, cabinet maker. 11.–Mr. Walters, of the
Derwent Bank, and Mrs. Walters, milliner. 12.—Mr.
Rush. 13.—The residence of the Rev. Mr. Norman.
14.–Mr. Belbin, inspector of stock. 15-Lieut. Groves,
63rd regiment. 16.—Mr. Lyons, Clerk of the Peace.
17.—Mr. Paterson, carpenter. 18.—Mrs. Nightingale.
19.—Mr. Dutton, carpenter. 20.—Mr. Nichols, baker.
21.—Mr. Harris's stores, and brass foundry. 22.—Mrs.
Howe, milliner. 23.—Mr. Wilkinson, of the Bank of
Van Diemen's Land. 24.—The residence of Mr. Sorell,
Registrar of the Supreme Court. 25.—The offices of the
Survey Department, of the Land Board, of the Collector
of Internal Revenue, and of the Registrar of Deeds. 26.
-The residence of Mr. Geo. M. Stephen, Clerk of the
Supreme Court, Mr. Gallot, of the Survey Department,
and Mr. Evans, of the Land Board. 27.—The private
residence of Mr. Stephen, the Solicitor-General. 28.-
The private residence of Mr. Frankland, the Surveyor-
General. 29.-Mr. Bateman. 30.--Mr. Kinsman, Se-


HOBART TOWN.
151
Jicitor. 31.—Mr. Frampton. 32.—Mr. Bayley's storer.
33.-Mr. Morrow, builder. 34.—The private residence
of Captain Neilley, Ordnance storekeeper. 35.—Mr:
Pernell. On the right hand, or north side, are-
1.—Mr. Stokell's warehouse and stores, at the corner
of the new market place. 2.-Mr. Gordon, the Hope
and Anchor inn. 3.–Mr. Stokell's old stores and timber
yard. 4.-Mr. Underwood's Royal Exchange Auction
Mart. 5.—The Bank of Van Diemen's Land, with the
residence of Mr. Lowes, the Cashier. 6.—The Colonial
Secretary's office, the Colonial Audit office, and the Port
Officer's office, with yard for building and repairing
boats, sail making, &c. 7.—Mr. Lewis's auction rooms
and stores. 8.—Mr. Kerr's stores, and residence. 9.-
Mr. Mulgrave, Chief Police Magistrate, Capt. Boyd,
Deputy Surveyor-General, Mrs. Edward Lord. 10.-
The residence of Mr. David Lord. 11.-The Guard-
house, at the corner of Elizabeth-street. 12.—The Com-
mercial Bank, and residence of Mr. Dunn. 13.—The
Counting-house, and extensive stores of Messrs. Kemp
and Co. 14.–St. David's Church, in which Divine
Service is performed three times every Sunday. The
first begins at nine in the morning, when such of the
prisoner class as are in private service with families in the
town, ticket of leave men, and others, chiefly attend; the
second at eleven, for the inhabitants of the town gene-
rally, when the military in garrison march to church from
the barracks, and return with the band playing; and the
third at four in the afternoon. All these services are for
the most part crowded, and from 1,800 to 2,000 different
individuals are estimated to join in holy worship at the
N 2


182
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
several services every Sunday. The two first are per-
"formed by the Senior Chaplain, the Rev. Mr. Bedford,
and that in the afternoon by the Rev. Mr. Norman. A
handsome large clock, with two dials, one fronting the
"east and the other the west, has recently been erected,
adding a new liveliness to the town, and a greater pre-
cision and regularity to the occupations of the inhabitants.
15.–The residence of Mr. Cartwright, Solicitor. 16.-
'residence and chambers of Mr Rowlands, Solicitor. 17.
-Mr. Hodgson. 18.—Mr. Cox, Macquarie Hotel. 19.
--The private residence of His Honour the Chief Justice.
20.-The 'residence of Mr. John Briggs. 21.-The
Residence of Mr. Hamilton, Managing Director of the
Derwent Bank. 22.—Mrs. Hames. 23.—Mr. Fawkner.
24.-Higher up on this side are Mr. Hackett's distillery,
and ship yard, Mr. Rayner's upper flour mill, Dynnyrne,
the romantic residence of Mr. R. L. Murray, the Female
House of Correction, and the Saw Mill, and Tannery.
DAVEY-STREET.-Passing from Macquarie-street, past
the Court House, towards the New Wharf, the stranger
enters Davey-street, on the left or east side of which is ::
1.-The present Custom-house and Offices, beyond
which is the Church-yard. 2.—The private residence of
Mr. Moodie, Assistant Commissary General, at the top
of a beautiful lawn, surrounded by a shrubbery of native
plants. 3.-A little above this is the entrance to the
Military barracks. 4.-The old Lumber Yard, and
Carter's barracks. And at the top—15.—The - Female
Orphan School. On the west, or right hand side.
1.-The Waterloo hotel, Mr. Petchey. 2.-The cham-
bers of Mr. Stephen, Solicitor General, and Mr. Pit-


HOBART TOWN.
153
cairn, solicitor. 3.—The Derwent bank and residence
of Mr. Adey, Cashier. 4.—The residence and chambers
of Mr. Ross, solicitor. 5. The private residence of Mr.
Pitcairn, solicitor. 6.—Miss Bamber's boarding school
for young Ladies. 7.—The residence of Major Fairt-
lough, 63d regt. 8.—Mr. Shacklock. 9.–Mr. Coles,
boat-builder. 10.–The residence and chambers of Mr.
Montagu, Attorney General. 11.-Lieut. Poole, 63rd.
12.—Lieut. Ball. 13.-Capt. Neilley. 14.—Lieut.
Dexter, and several houses beyond, inhabited by soldiers,
among which is Corporal MÄGory's boarding and lodg-
ing house, besides several houses in progress.
On the peninsula towards Mulgrave battery are situ-
ated the residence of Mr. O'Conner, inspector of roads at
Cottage-green, the villa of Mr. Read, Managing Director
of the bank of Van Diemen's land, and that of Mr.
Grant.
ELIZABETH-STREET—This is the chiefstreet for business,
containing many large and well furnished shops and
stores. On the left of west side are 1, immediately be-
hind the Guard house, the Counting house and residence
of Mr. Hewitt, in front of which is 2, Mrs. Philpot, milli-
ner. 3.-Mr. Clark, baker. 4.-Mr. Stanfield. 5.-
Messrs. Wise and Day, Ship Inn. 6.-Mr. Eddington.
7. Mr. Jones, and Messrs. Browne and Co. general
agents. 8.—Mr. John Lord. 9. Mr. Langford's stores.
10.—Mr. Smithson, gun smith, &c. 11. Mr. F. Mur-
ray, Albion hotel. 12.-Mr. Wylde confectioner. 13.
-Mr. Caldwell's stores. 14.–Mr. Guy's stores, at the
corner of Liverpool street. 15.-Mr. Jones, confectioner,
16.-Mr. Swan's stores. 17,-Messrs. Jackson & Addi-


154
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
son, builders. 18.-Messrs. J. & W. Robertson's stores.
19.—Mrs. Blakesly's millinery and haberdashery stores.
20.-Mr. Cook's auction room and stores. 21.—The
Police Office, and the office of the Principal Superinten-
dent of Convicts. 22.—Mr. Hopkin's store. 23.—
Mr. Mark Solomon's stores. 24.—Mr. Morgan's stores,
25.—Mr. Lear, baker. 26.-Mr. Murray's stores. 27.
-Mr. B. Henry's stores. 28.—Mr. Williams. 29.-
Mr. Puckeridge, watchmaker. 30.—Mr. Burns, car-
penter. 31.—Mr. Wintle, shoemaker and tanner.' 32.
Roxborough House, Mrs. Midwood's Boarding School
for Young Ladies. 33.–Mr. Holland's stores. 34.-
Mr. H. Chapman, builder and store. 35.—Capt. Smith.
36.—Mr. Makepeace, Somerset Arms Inn. 37.-Mr.
J. Earl. 38.—Mr. Hines. 39.—Mr. Ludgater, White
Hart Inn. 40.-Mr. Wilson. 41.—Mr. G. A. Robinson.
42.—Mr. Darling, D. A. Com. General. 43.—Mr.
Ware. 44.—Mr. Condel. 45.-a little way from the
road, are the Government lime kilns, and the residence of
Mr. O'Ferrall, Collector of Customs, and Shoobridge's hop-
garden. 46–Mrs. M'Tavish, Accoucheuse. 47 – we then
arrive at the beautiful cottage of Beauly Lodge, the resi-
dence of Mr. Emmett, Chief Clerk of the Colonial Se-
cretary's Department. On the right, or east side,
1-Mr. Stocker, Derwent hotel. 2.-Large butcher's
shop. 3.—Mr. Presnell, shoemaker. 4.—Mr. John
Dean, baker and store. 5.—Messrs. Wood and Co. tin
ware manufactory. 6.—Mr. Stodart. 7.-Belvidere
wine vaults. 8.—Mr. Pattison, baker. 9.-White, watch
maker. 10.-Campbell, confectioner. 11.–Maddox,
druggist and stores. 12.– The Tasmanian and Austra-


HOBART TOWN.
155
Iasiatic Review printing office, and residence of Mr.
Macdougal. 13.—Mr. Pinker's stores. 14.—Mr. Make-
peace, ironmongery and stores. 15.-Mr. Deane, cir-
culating library, stationery, stores, &c. in the large
room above the library, is held the reading-room and
library of the Hobart Town Book Society, and on Sunday,
the Chapel, for the present, of the Independent persua-
sion, under the Rev. Mr. Miller. 16.—Mr. Eldridge,
druggist and store. 17.-Mr. Mather's stores. 18.-
Mrs. Morrisey, Bricklayers' arms. 19.–Curtis, black-
smith. 20.—Mr. Morgan's stores. 21.-Messrs. Cowles
and Aitchison, tailors. 22.-Mr. Roberts' stores. 23.-
Mr. Farrell. 24.–Butcher's shop. 25.—Mr. Mason,
veranda and wine vaults. 26.—Messrs. Gow, hosier and
glover. 27.-Wright, butcher. 28.-R. Williamson,
shoemaker. 29.-S. Williamson, Edinburgh wine
vaults. 30.-Lightfoot, tailor. 31.–Foster, watch
maker, Mrs. Corbett, milliner. 32.—Mr. Fisher, Coach
and Horses. 33.-The Colonial Times printing office.
34.—Mr. Bent. 35.—Mr. Thomas Hopkin's store. 36.
--Mr. Morison, watch maker. 37.—Messrs. Lindsay,
Stowell Arms. 38.—Case, shoemaker. 39.—Simco,
wheelwright. 40.-Barret's stores. 41.—Mr. Rand.
42.-Dr. Bryant. 43.—Mr. Boyes, the Colonial Audi-
tor. 44.—Mr. Fletcher, acting chief constable. 45,-
Mr, Stracey's new house. 46.—Mr. Forcett, fishmonger,
47.—Mr. Holdship, plough manufactory. 48.-- Mr.
Frost, Rose Inn. 49. Mr. Morris, Dallas Arms Inn.
50.--Mr. J. L. Roberts's garden.
LIVERPOOL-STREET, running parallel to the north of
Macquarie-street, if we begin at the east end next the


HOBART TOWN.
157
13.- Ambridge, carter. 14--Fraser, tailor, 15.-Mr.
Sprent's academy, on the Hamiltonian system, 16-
Messrs. Hopwood, watch-maker, 17,--J. Solomon's
stores. 18.-crossing Elizabeth-street, past Mr. Guy's,
Mr. Tuckwell, coach-maker. 19.-Smallwood, tinware
manufactory. 20.-F. Browne, druggist. 21.-Mr.
Fenton, gunsmith. 22.-B. Hyrons, bootmaker. 23.-
Mason, cooper. 24.-P. Smith, shoe-maker and glazier.
25.-Mr. James Wood, stationer, stores. 26.—Mr.
Laing, butcher. 27.- Mr. Cleburne, stores. 28.-
The Reverend Mr. Bedford, Parsonage House. 29.-
Messrs. T. Leary, butcher. 30.--R. Smith, blacksmith.
31.—Mrs. Williamson. 32.—Messrs. Rae, baker. 33.
Gray, fruiterer. 34.--Messrs. Turvey and Wilson, pork
shop. 35.-Jones, stores, and fishmonger. 36.-Cas-
tles, fishmonger. 37.–Babtie, stores. 38.-Household,
derk of St. David's church, upholsterer. 39.—Collins,
Sheriff's principal bailiff. 40.--Walker, Britannia Inn.
41.-Eveleigh, shoemaker. 42. -Stallard and Coomb's
brewery. 43.—Berry, shoemaker. 44.—Mrs. Under-
wood, Red Lion.—45. J. Lindsay, butcher. 46.—Mr.
M’Urdy, mason and stores. 47.---Hyam's store. 48.-
Hudson, blacksmith. 49.- Mrs. Bennett, board and
lodging house. 50.—Mr. Giles, Ordnance Arms Inn.
51.-Watchorn, stores, and candle manufactory. 52.---
Messrs. Cowles, Scotch Thistle. 53.-Seyers, boatman.
54.-C. Sefton, baker. 55.- Miller, stores. 56. –
Mrs. Ferrall. 57.-Messrs. W. Clark, store. 58.-
Harrison, farrier. 59.-A. Pusnell, shoe-maker. 62.-
T. Hedge, constable. 63.—Chapman, store. 64.-
Wood, sawyer. 65.-S. Cash. 66. --Mr. Morgan, of


HOBART TOWN.
159
Daniels. 19.-R. H. Woods. 20.-T. Myers, boatman.
21.–Anderson, carpenter. 22.—Rice. 23.-Mr.
Bisdee's new villa and garden. 24.-Yates, plasterer.
25.—Boavista, the elegant new architectural villa of Dr.
Scott.
ARGYLE-STREET.-Turning from Macquarie-street, at
the Colonial Secretary's office, on the left or west side,
after passing Mr. Lewis's, are, 1.-Kerr, blacksmith. 2.
-J. Clark, cooper. 3.-Crossing the Bridge, M‘Kavitt's
eating house, and behind it Mr. Squire's School. 4.-
Mezger's, Bird in Hand. 5.—Knowles. 6.-Brody's
store, corner of Liverpool-street. 7.—Roberts, baker.
8.—Howman, saddler. 9.–Goulston and Scott, corn
factors. 10.—Mrs. Johnson, Kentish Lodging-house. 11.
-M. Ellis, carpenter. 12.—Passing round the quarry,
Messrs. Bye. 13.-Willard, bricklayer. 14.—Pudney.
15.-Overall, carpenter. 16.-Wright, butcher. 17.-
Thompson, hair-dresser. 18.–Wirret, carpenter. On
the right, or east side. Passing the Colonial Secretary's
office, 1.-Askin & Morrison's stores. 2.-Briggs, saddler.
3.-Tidd. 4.-Bush, Spread Eagle. 5.—Roberts, brew-
ery. 6.-Smith, baker. 7.—Nicholls, upholsterer. 8.
Roberts' stores, and chaises to hire. 9.-I. and J.
Solomon's stores. 10.–Robinson, carpenter. 11.-
Robinson, sausage maker. 12.-Woodward, of the
Commissariat of Accounts department. 13.-Passing
the quarry, Carmichael, Builder. 14.-Grant, ditto. 15.
-T. Smith, baker. 16.—Howard's stores. 17.--Orgill,
tailor. 18.-Mr. Lempriere, of the Commissariat de-
partment. 19.-Wheat Sheaf Inn, Mr. Pain. 20.-
Dixon, quarryman. 21. - Watts.


162
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
5-Mrs. Lawrence, laundress. 6.-Isaacs. 7-Gabit,
gunsmith. 8—Gormley, tailor. 9—Mrs. Smith. 10
-Mr. Swift, district constable.
MOLLE-STREET-running parallel with Barrack-street,
and commencing at Davey-street, behind the Military
Barracks, on the left. 1-Dowson. 2-Bethune, the
old mill. 3—Wallis, baker. 4-Mrs. Lush, washer-
woman. 5.—Trottman, labourer. 6-Mrs. Morgan,
dress-maker. 7–Mrs. Field. And on the right, or east
side. 1-Simon Staples, sawyer. 2-Henry Stam-
ford. 3–Millard, butcher. 4/Mr. Topliss, district
constable. 5.—Eden, sawyer.
ANTILL-STREET.-1.–Balls, labourer. 2.-Smith,
carter.
COLLINS-STREET, commencing below the market-
place, opposite the Government slaughter-house, on the
left is 1-Facey, woolstapler. 2–Scringer, whaler.
3—Mrs. Campbell, Highlander inn 4-French, boat-
man. 5-Lloyd, butcher. 6–Farther behind, Mr.
Kelly, ship owner, &c. 7-Dowdell, butcher. 8–
Anson, carpenter. 9—Mrs Foley. 10–Mr. Par-
ker, livery stables. 11–Mr. John Walker, formerly
Mrs. Kearney's. 12–James, blacksmith. 13_Mott,
butcher. 14–Olding's stores. 15—Count. 16—
Crossing Elizabeth street, Stracey's stores. 17— Todd.
18~Lake, gunsmith. 19_Clark, tinman. 20–
Butler, bricklayer. 21–Raines, tanner and leather
cutter. 22--Bateman, commander of the Government
brig Prince Leopold. 23—Willison, baker. 24–Dr.
Westbrook. 25--Lester. 26–Dudgeon, brewery.
And on the right or north side. 1-Mrs. Williams.


HOBART TOWN.
163
laundress. 2-Bowden, whaler. 3_T. Dean, carter.
4—Fraser, shoemaker. 5- Camp, butcher. 6- The
private residence of Mr. Kemp. 7-Mrs. Gee, bonnet
maker. 8-Passing the Ship inn, Paisley's store. 9-
Risbey, boat builder. 10—Mrs. Hopwood. 11-
O'Sullivan, Green Gate inn. 12–Thompson, carter.
13_Weavill. 14—0. Smith. 15—Presnell, junior,
tanner and shoemaker. 16—Luckman, new Waterloo
flour mill. 17-The residence of Mr. Horne, Solicitor.
18–Job Neale, gardener. 19_Walton, sawyer. 20-
Mr. Ballantyne, of the Customs department. 21-D.
Cowles, carter. 22–Gardener, Carpenter. 23–
Hames, gardener. 24_Goadby, constable. 25_Hall,
sawyer.
GOULBOURN STREET,—Leading from Harrington
street, between Liverpool-street, and Bathurst-street on
the left. 1–Mason, butcher. 2_Tapsell, Gibraltar Rock
inn. 3—Maples, bricklayer. 4—Luckman, Bull's Head
inn. 5–Lamph, stone mason. 6—Provence, carpenter.
7-Beard, hatter. 8–Ogleman, yeast maker. 9–
Mathison. 10–Rowlands, broommaker. 11-Crawn.
12_Bernard Hill, violin player. 13_Martin, cowherd.
And on the right or north side. 1—The tripe-seller.
2_Lupton, sawyer. 3—Sollett, baker. 4_Bryant,
plasterer. 5—Mrs. Townley. 6—Gordon, shoemaker.
7–Mortimer, butcher. 8—Beck, constable. 9_Hart-
ley, do. 10MKoy. 11–M-Villey. 12_Wright's
store. 13-Ferguson, baker. 14–Hancock, Black
Swan inn. 15_Walker, shoemaker. 16–Mundy.
17—Hurst. 18_Trott, labourer. 19_Lewis, Gun-
smith. 20-Mrs. Heath's store, dress-maker. 21


164
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
Samuel, tailor. 22—Martin, whaler. 23_Gilbert, painter
24_Parish, labourer. 25–Allwood, labourer.
BATHURST-STREET.—Commencing in Campbell-street,
at the corner of the Penitentiary on the left. 1-Miller,
butcher. 2- Mrs. Palmer, baker. 3 - Jeffries, cabinet
maker. 4-M-Kenna, shoemaker and tanner. 5-Pegg,
sawyer. 6—Gulley, whaler. 7-Butler, oyster-shop.
8-Tilley, timber seller. 9 Behind the Police Office,
Lewis, Rising Sun inn. 10–Groom, coachman. 11 –
Thomson, shoemaker. 12- Clayton, baker. 13 --White-
head, sawyer, Richardson, labourer. 14-Hamesworth.
15—Watts, butcher. 16-Wilson, shoemaker. 17
(1831) uninhabited. 18—Gunyon, constable. 19%
Mason, whaler. 20—Murphy, the well known Sheriff's
officer. 21—Mrs. Gormanley. 22—Morris, hair-dresser.
23—Penington, constable. On the right, or north
side. 1-Copperwright, wheelwright. 2–Mrs. Hume,
board and lodging house. 3 --The residence and chambers
of Mr. Fereday, Sheriff. 4-Hollock, labourer. 5-
Madame D’Hatman. 6– Howell, cutler. 7-Gillway,
tailor. 8–Smith, glazier. 9-Shribs, painter. 10–
Jones, cooper. 11 -Garretty, stone mason. 12 White,
shoemaker. 13 - Mrs. Davis, laundress. 14—Fletcher,
messenger, Derwent Bank. 15-Osbourn store and
oilman. 16–Mrs. Shribs. 17-Watson, tailor. 18--
Mr. Capon, chief constable. 19-Smith, tinman. 20–
The Watch-house, generally full from Saturday night to
Monday morning. 21–Scott and Thomson. 22—-Mrs.
Dean, laundress. 23–Messrs. Cunningham and Nichols.
24–Gardiner, shoemaker. 25—Kelly, hair-dresser. 26
--Amott. 27 – Saunders. 28-Thorn, carpenter. 29


HOBART TOWN.
165
--M-Canna. · 30— Arnold and Hewitt, broom-makers.
31--Meanders, shoemaker. 32-Sadgrove, carpenter.
33—Costellow, tinman. 34--Pratt. 35–Mrs. Doyle,
laundress. 36- Foster, carpenter. 37 – Page. 38–
Price, labourer. 39--Denny, shoemaker. 40--Ham-
stead, constable.
MELVILLE-STREET, commencing in Campbell-street,
the corner of the Penitentiary. 'On the left, or south
side. 1-The Preshyterian Church. The Rev. Mr.
Macarthur is the Minister of this Chapel, in which service
is usually performed three times every Sunday, besides an
evening service on Thursdays. The different services
begin at 11, 3, and 6, or half-past six respectively. The
number of persons who generally attend are at each ser-
vice about 200, and the congregation is gradually in-
creasing. Besides this, there is a Sabbath School held in
the church, at which from 40 to 50 children are instructed.
2--The Presbyterian Minister's Manse. 3- James Howe,
boatman. 4-Cooper, javelin-man. 5—Mrs. Cook's
school. 6— Withy, plasterer. 7-Macdougal, sen. 8–
Hanger, blacksmith-crossing Elizabeth-street, 9-Clarke,
shoemaker. 10–Mrs. Templeman's lodging-house. 11
- The Wesleyan Chapel. The Rev. Mr. Hutchinson is
the present pastor of this chapel. This gentleman lately
succeeded the Rev. Mr. Corvoso, who after, according to
the rules of the persuasion, having fulfilled the period
allotted to him at this station, returned in March last to
England. Previous to him, the duty was performed by
the Rev. Mr. Mansfield, who, shortly after his return to
Sydney, became the able editor of that very respectable
and voluminous work, the Sydney Gazette, which he still


166
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
continues to conduct. The number of persons generally
attending divine worship at this chapel, amount to about
300. There are three services every Sunday, besides an
evening service on Wednesday, as in the Presbyterian
Church; there is also a numerous Sunday School attached
to this Chapel. There is besides a congregation of about
40 persons at the new little chapel of this persuasion,
lately commenced at O'Brien's Bridge, which, considering
the thinness of the population in that vicinity, says much
for the moral and religious habits of the people. 12–
Bewteeli, chapel-keeper. 13_Mrs. Grattery, dress-maker.
14—Mrs. Jones, mantua-maker. 15—Caroline Campbell.
16_Mrs. Kevill, needlewoman. 17—Curry, shingler.
18—Moon, plasterer. 19—Mrs. Moore, laundress. 20
-Alcock, shoemaker. 21—Mrs. Hutchinson, laundress.
22--Mrs. Mitchell. 23—Doyle. 24–P. Rogan. 25
-Mrs. Rocher’s young ladies' school. On the right, or
north side. 1–Kerry, overseer of masons. 2 – Mason,
carpenter. 3—The old Penitentiary, where part of the
chain gang is shut up at night. 4-Thompson's Academy.
5-Jackson, carter. 6—Collins, plasterer. 7--Champion,
hat manufactory. 8–Lane, boatman. 9--Byron, con-
stable, and Priest, carpenter. 10—Mrs. Easton, laundress.
11--Mrs. Flexmore, ditto. 12–Bent, bricklayer. 13
--Mrs. Harris, laundress. 14—Edgar, constable. 15-
M“Vie, carpenter. 16– Flight, boatman. 17--Walker,
labourer, Tailor, baker. 18—Reynolds, Shamrock inn.
19-Montgomery, carter. 20—M-Shane. 21_Owen,
stonemason. 22–M‘Bride, labourer. 23—Reeves,
labourer, 24–Fitzpatrick, shoemaker. 25–Leonard,
carpenter. 26– Beresford, shoemaker. 27_Douglas,


HOBART TOWN.
167
tanner. 28–Moore, labourer. 29--David Ramsay,
sail and tent maker, also board and lodging-house. 30
-Horne, carpenter, on the hill.
BRISBANE-STREET, beginning in Campbell street.
On the left, are. 1-Mrs. Crump, laundress. 2-R.
Gavin. 3–Bent, shoemaker. 4-Pullen, urner. 5-
Mrs. Abbott's boarding-school for young ladies. 6–
Capt. Pratt, of the schooner Eagle trading to Swan
River. 7-Davis, tailor. 8-Long, blacksmith. 9
Mason, bricklayer. 10--Williams, shoemaker. 11
-E. Nash. 12–Mason, carpenter. 13--Bowden, the
Lamb Inn. 14—Mrs. Collins, laundress. 15—Robinson,
16Cheatam, baker. 17—Brinn, mariner. 18—Scott,
gardener, and collector and exporter of seeds of indige-
nous plants. 19—John Thomas. 20—Coppin. 21-
Ready, labourer. 22—Wade's school. On the right,
or north side. l-Derby, coppersmith. 2--Fluerty,
mariner. 3–J. Chapman. 4_Hiddlestone, accountant
of the Commercial Bank. 5–Schultze. 6-the resi-
dence of the Rev. Mr. Hutchinson, the Wesleyan pastor.
7_Mr. Thornloe and Mr. Scrivener of the Private Secre-
tary's Office. 8—Mrs. Harper, milliner and dress maker.
9—-standing on the rising ground, a little removed from
the street, the residence of the Rev. Mr. Macarthur. 10
On the other side of Elizabeth street. 11-Smerdon,
butcher and store. 12–Mrs. Pester, laundress. 13-
The Roman Catholic Chapel, standing in the midst of a
beautiful lawn, on a sloping eminence, behind which is
the Roman Catholic burial ground. The Rev. P. Conolly
is the clergyman, who resides at the same place. The
services are well attended.
ST, PATRICK'S-STREET---Commencing at the east end


168
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
near Campbell-Street. On the left or south side, 1-Mr.
Burns, cabinet maker. It is to be observed, that the part
all round this neighbourhood is usually known by the
name of the Brick-fields, from the circumstance of bricks
being originally made in that quarter. 2- Mr. Fisher,
stone mason. 3—Mr. Mawle, bricklayer. 4—Mr. Hobbs.
5-Skinner, carpenter. 6—Mr. Underwood, of the
Royal Exchange Auction Mart. 7-Mr. Thompson, and
Mr. Petrie, of the Commissariat. 8_The residence of
Mr. Spode. 9—After crossing Elizabeth-Street a con-
siderable way, Mr. Boyd, chief clerk of the police office.
10-Rogers, nail maker. On the right or north side.
1-Mr. Walker. 2-Jarvis, carpenter. 3—Reed, car-
penter. 4-Head, charcoal maker. 5–Harris, nail
maker. 6_Norris, waterman. 7-Blackham, nail ma-
ker. 8-Broughton,
WARWICK-STREET.—Commencing at Campbell-street.
On the left hand is, 1–Cobb, labourer, 2_James Wild
ing, wheelwright. 3—Palmer, tanner and currier. And
on the right, l-Bellinger, carpenter. 2-Henley, la-
bourer.
KING-STREET.-Commencing also at Campbell-street,
1-Saunders, lime burner. 24Mr. Nowell, of the
Commissariat department. Beyond this is Arthur-street.
VETERAN Row.-On the left, leaving Murray-street,
are the neat little brick cottages. 1–Kirkwood, labourer.
2-Hill, ditto. 3—Hepburn, ditto. 4 Skirrow, ditto.
5_Cleary, ditto. 6–Jarvis, ditto. 7-Shires, ditto,
and on the right, 1-Howard, shoemaker. 2-Fullerton
labourer. 3--Burns, ditto. 4 Compton, ditto. 5
Kirsons, tailor. 6-Panton, tailor.
On Macquarie Point, on the opposite side of the


HOBART TOWN.
171
Macquarie-stree:
.....
Harrington-st
on-street
12
It will be as well, however, first to endeavour to
arrive at some estimate of the wealth, resources, and occu-
pation of the inhabitants, before we attempt to classify
their moral or literary character. From the foregoing
survey or walk through the town, we have the following
result as to the number of houses, viz :-
Hunter's-street
........ 13
Collins-street ..........
Goulburn-street ......,
Davey-street, &c. ...
Bathurst.street
Èlizabeth.street ....
Melville-street......
Liverpool-street ....
Brisbane street
Campbell-street ...,
St. Patrick's-street
Argyle-street
Warwick-street
Murray-street.......
King-street ...
Veteran-row ........
Barrack-street
20 Macquarie-point .......,
Molle-street .........
Antill-street .......... 2 Total number of houses..785
These houses afford a rental of from 12 to £100, and
some few of large dimensions, and in favourable
situations, as high as 150 or £200. a year. Most of
the lower rented houses, are hired and paid for by the
week, and the others quarterly, though a much larger
proportion of the houses in Hobart Town is inhabited by
the owners than in most towns in England, and with the
exception of 7 or 8 individuals, there are few people who
possess more than one house, in which they live. The
average rental of the whole, may, on a moderate esti-
mate, be taken at £50. each, or £40,000. a year..
From the continual influx of respectable emigrants, the
increase in the military, and the difficulty of procuring
lodgings, the rent of houses has generally been great,
compared to the intrinsic value. Thus a house that
might be bought for 60 or £80. has frequently been let
for 15 or 20 shillings a week, affording an annual rental
P 2


172
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
of half its whole value. Latterly, however, many res-
pectable commodious houses have been built, several of
them two stories high, of stone or brick, and many of
the old wooden buildings, consisting of two rooms in
front, and two sheds or skillings as they are called at-
tached behind, have either fallen into decay, or have
been pulled down, to give place to neat substantial
buildings, after a style that would be an ornament to any
small town in England. These causes have had the
effect, though the cost of building and the price of labour
is nearly as great as ever, of bringing the annual rental,
and the cost or value of house property in Hobart Town,
more on an equality, and making an allowance for the
chance of occasional vacancies, of repairs, and other inci-
dental expences, the landlord, whether he purchases or
builds, may fairly reckon on ten per cent for his money.
We have then at the present time 400 thousand pounds
as the value of houses in Hobart Town.
There is probably a larger proportion of intelligent
well-informed persons in Hobart Town than in most
communities of the same size in any part of the world.
This arises in part from its being the seat of government,
and from the number of respectable persons whom it ne-
cessarily employs and draws round it, from its being the
capital of the island, and the grand focus, as it were, of
consumption on the one side, and of supply on the other,
with all parts of the interior, thereby affording profitable,
employment for a considerable body of commercial men
and people in business, and from the circumstance that
few but men of intelligence and ability, of strong minds,
and bold, spirited enterprize, would venture in the first


HOBART TOWN.
173
instance to undertake the long and arduous voyage to
so remote a country, and to struggle with the numerous
and unavoidable difficulties, the hardships, and privations
incidental to a new colony.
We have besides frequently heard it remarked, that
part of this advanced character of society in Hobart
Town is to be attributed to the convict population, of
which many individuals are unquestionably possessed of
superior skill in their several occupations and of very con-
siderable talents, and that the very fact of their having
brought themselves into their present condition is a proof
that they are possessed of peculiar qualifications, or at
least of certain eccentric properties of disposition, bursting
as they have done from the every day circle of ordinary
life, in order to arrive at pleasure or profit by a shorter
course and more summary method than the rest of
mankind. But we never will allow that either the wealth
or property, much less the respectability of a community
can be increased by such men. If the colony has been
advanced in its agricultural and commercial resources, as
it doubtless has been, by the introduction of the convict
population, it has mainly been effected by that part of it,
who have quietly and resignedly submitted to the opera-
tions of the law, and the discipline of the government,
which their own original misconduct had entailed upon
them, and have worked out and purged away the penalty
of their offences, by the sober, steady, and industrious ob-
servance of the duties and regulations imposed upon them
in the colony, either as servants upon the establishments of
private settlers, or in the government.
But that men whom Providence has endued with a


174
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
greater ingenuity of mind, who have attained an especial
degree of expertness and facility in handicraft or manual
operations, or are what is commonly called clever, but
who want steadiness and principle, that such can be a
benefit to the society in which they are placed we ever
will deny. On the contrary, they are among the heaviest
burdens and drags that can be entailed upon a people.
They may indeed, by their superior talents, accomplish
a particular duty in a much less time than other men, or
put from their hands some specimen of workmanship so
well executed as to attract general admiration, but this
very superiority, when unaccompanied with the consis-
tency of conduct that common sense, to say nothing of
morals or principle, would enjoin, converts them by the
force of their prominent example, into the most ruinous
and infectious pests that can be thrown into a community.
The common apology for these men, that they can do
more in three days than other men can do in six, and
therefore they may be fairly allowed to spend the re-
mainder in idleness and dissipation, is the very worst
that can be urged. To whom much is given, much will
he required, and no man is at liberty wantonly to waste
a single talent with which Providence may have blessed
him. As to the idea that their irregular life in England
is an indication of a bold and inventive spirit, nothing
could be more unfounded. It is on the contrary, a proof
of the grossest weakness, indolence, and cowardice. He
that yields himself to vice, dissipation, and crime, must
be contented to be branded as the disgrace of society.
The supposition that his superior abilities set him aboven
the usual restraints of other people, his boast of freedom,


HOBART TOWN.
175
and independence, is equally groundless. No man who
lives in a community can place himself above the laws
by which it is regulated. The highest and best submit
to them with the greatest pleasure, because they do not
feel them. Running no risk of their severity themselves,
they hail them as a protection, not a restraint, while on
the contrary, the bonds of society which the unprincipled
class of men to which we are here alluding burst asunder,
instead of setting them at liberty, merely draw closer
upon them the shackles of punishment and ignominy.
We have to apologise to our readers for occupying so
much of their time with this subject, but it is one of so
much importance, as affecting the state of the colony, and
in which the welfare of Van Diemen’s Land is so much
concerned, that we consider it our duty, not to overlook it
in our general view, and to endeavour, though briefly,
to set it in its true light, as well to the reader as to the
particular class to which we allude. Let these and all
other men amongst us, employ the talents with which
they are blessed, to ameliorate, not to debase their condi-
tion. Let them recollect that this is the place of trial, that
the race is progressive ; that in fact there is no bounds to
the height to which human enjoyment even here below
may be raised, when founded on the basis of virtue, and
religion. What benefit is it to men, unadorned by such
principles, to amass wealth, to collect houses and land, so
long as they have not the sense which Providence has
made essential to their enjoyment ? Though such men
may acquire temporal property, its returns will be but
barren, compared to those the honourable and upright
would reap. The mercenary and unprincipled may pur-


176
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
chase a farm, may amass wealth, but he never will be able
to reap half the advantage that the good, the humane, the
philanthropic would derive from it. Worldly property
to him, like female beauty bereft of modesty, is deprived
of the charms that Providence intends should accompany
the gifts of nature.
The inhabitants of Hobart Town, generally speaking,
both male and female, are better and more expensively
clothed than we ever remember to have seen in any town
in England. Independent of the comfort and satisfac-
tory feeling that good dress naturally gives, there seems to
be an additional sort of pleasure in this remote cor-
ner, in wearing the manufacture of our native
country, especially if that has been made of the raw
materials exported from the colony; and several
houses have already commenced sending home wool to
receive back an equivalent in cloth manufactured from it.
Many of the best behaved of the prisoner class also con-
trive, from the gains of their industry, to clothe them-
selves both decently and respectably. But although we
are willing to allow that a decent exterior may in some
measure conduce, for the sake of consistency, to a
corresponding propriety of conduct from within, there is
often a risk that persons who have endured the pinchings
of poverty in their native home, after, from the high rate
of wages, or other circumstances, falling into plenty here,
should go into extremes, and apeing the example set them
by those in the higher walks of life, should dress and as-
sume pretensions beyond their station Such persons can
only blame themselves if they become the objects of re-
mark and ridicule. On the whole, indeed, in all classes


HOBART TOWN.
:
177
of society, both in Hobart Town and throughout the
colony, we should say there is almost a culpable dispo-
sition to waste and extravagance. He that all his life has
been thankful to be clad in linsey Woolsey, or grey drug-
get, suddenly emerges in a garment of the best superfine,
must of course have all the concomitants necessary to har-
monise the change. A better and larger house, finer .
furniture, more expensive viands, wine, liqueurs, a horse
and chaise, gradually follow in the train. Now we would
not be understood to have the slightest objection to this
happy metamorphosis ; on the contrary, we rejoice in the
advancement of human enjoyment. But these are only
the dry, the unmeaning animal marks of its improvement.
There are other accompaniments, without which we
cannot acknowledge them legitimate or proper, we mean
the intellectual part.
Such external marks as we have mentioned are but
the empty shell, if unaccompanied by a corresponding
desire to improve the mental faculties. The mind must be
administered to as well as the body; its natural appetites
must in like manner be fed, and some taste for reading
and application must be encouraged; and if there are
children, a wide door, a delightful field is open for large
draughts of intellectual pleasure. In teaching his offspring,
the parent, if before ignorant, will at the same time teach
and exalt himself. It is always delightful to witness the
expansion of the human mind; but when it is seen in the
progeny that must perpetuate, must honor or disgrace
our name with posterity, the gratification is immense.
Above all, we would remind him, who would improve
bis condition, who would draw upon himself the respect


178
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
of his associates, either by dress or other means, that he
will attain little of his purpose, that he can never effectu.
ally secure it, without some of the forms, and much of the
spirit of religion. This is the grand source, without which
every scene of his life will be robbed of its charms, and
lose all its enlivening colours, without which nature is a
hlank, and he cannot be happy.
Taking in the whole population of Hobart-Town, and
making every allowance for the smaller expences of
children and the poorer classes, we think the average per-
sonal expence of each individual, exclusive of house rent,
may fairly be estimated at £50 a year, which in a popu-
lation of 6000 persons, gives the annual sum of £300,000,
Not more than two-thirds of this sum are expended on pro-
visions and other articles the produce of the colony, leaving
the astonishing sum of £100,000 devoted to the pay-
ment of imported goods, chiefly from England. In return
there is scarcely one article exported worthy of mention;
and it follows, that the whole must be paid for, either
directly or indirectly, in hard cash. In this respect,
Hobart Town, considered separately, must always be a
drawback to the independence of the colony; and it
shows how much the inhabitants are called upon to per-
form their part, how economical they should be, if they
would wish to thrive with the colony at large in which
they have involved their interests. For, although wool,
corn, and oil, are exported in considerable quantities, they
are not to be set, strictly speaking, to the credit of the
agriculture of the interior and the fisheries. With the
exception of the grinding of a little flour for export, we
do not recollect a single item of a really tangible produc-


180
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
stoppages, ten bushels an hour throughout the week, or
about fifteen hundred bushels a week. Mr. Walker, how-
ever, we understand, proposes adding, as well another
pair of stones, as the proper ones for the grinding of oat-
meal and maize, of both which species of grain conside-
rable quantities are now raising in the colony.
The quantity of fire-wood required for producing the
steam to set the machinery in motion is about 3 tons a
day; but the great saving and convenience arising from
bringing the boats immediately under the mill, and load-
ing or discharging them without delay, nearly counter-
balances the expense. Mr. Walker is entitled to great
praise, for being the first successfully to introduce and put
in profitable operation this specimen of the grandest dis-
covery of modern times. .
Besides this, there are in Hobart town five other
Corn mills; namely, Mr. Luckman's new Waterloo
mill in Collins-street, Mr. Mannington's in Liverpool-
street, the Government mill in Barrack-street, the old mill
at the top of Collins-street, or rather in Molle-street, and
Mr. Rayner's at the top of Macquarie-street, all driven by
the Hobart town rivulet. There are also two considerable
saw-mills higher up, on the same stream, driven by
water, which supply the builders with a large part of the
timber used in the several structures now going on; but
the timber contiguous to their present situation having
been thinned now for several years, will probably be the
cause of shortly inducing the proprietors to remove them
to a new position.
There are four breweries in this district, namely, those
of Mr. Dudgeon, Messrs Stallard.and Coombs, Mr. J. L.


182 . VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
bullocks to the wharf, where they are launched. Lime
and brick making, stone cutting, and the various other
mechanical arts, are of course in activity, but it is evi-
dent all these are carried on for the local use and benefit
of the inhabitants themselves.
In taking our walk through the town we have already
noticed the five religious establishments, whose express
business it is to improve the moral and religious habits
of the people. Their congregations altogether seldom or
never, we are sorry to say, amount to above twelve or
fifteen hundred persons, not one fourth of the inhabitants.
This truth will be painfully impressed upon the mind of
any one who views the streets of Hobart Town during
the time of divine service. Idle men and women may
be seen loitering here and there, and some actually em-
ployed in every-day occupations, some standing impati-
ently round the doors of the public houses, waiting
until the hours of public worship are over, when the
houses may be opened and they may go in to continue
their carousing. A most proper regulation of the govern-
ment however forbids altogether the admission of con-
victs into public houses during the Sunday, under a heavy
penalty, and the probability of the loss of their licence —
Public houses are however by no means the worst places
to which dissipated men resort. Under the restrictions
of the act of council, they are for the most part con-
ducted with exemplary propriety.
The duty of a clergyman in Hobart Town, is indeed
most arduous. He is placed as it were in the very gorge
of sin, in the midst of the general receptacle for the worst
characters in the world, and of necessity compelled to


184
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
the possessor of it can scarcely move or act without contri-
buting to the improvement and advantage of those around
him. Sensible as we must be therefore of the effect which
our personal conduct will have on the success of our minis-
terial labours, and probably on the eternal destiny of multi-
tudes who are influenced by our example, and always
prepared to allege any inconsistency in our conduct, in
justification of their own, we cannot exercise too scru-
pulous a jealousy over our lives and actions, nor call our-
selves too frequently or too severely to account for the
manner in which we are fulfilling our ministry. It is our
bounden duty, a duty, to which we have pledged our-
selves in the sight of God and under the most solemn ob-
ligations, not only to labour in working out our own
salvation, but to watch for the souls of others.”
In a penal colony like this—the conglomeration of all
kinds of wickedness, we must unavoidably have more
than our share of the burden; and the present condition
of the country, the industry, the already comparative
decrease of crime, plainly shews that much has been
done, though more than the cleansing of an Augean
stable still remains to be accomplished. This reflection
must be a great encouragement, not only to clergymen,
but to every friend of humanity in the colony, and a spur
to future exertion; and we have much satisfaction in
here bearing our humble testimony to the zeal with which
one and all of our pastors discharge their duty. It is evi-
dent, it is with them as it ought to be the one only
great subject next their heart.
Their benevolent labours are, however, well supported
by the other classes of the community. Among the most


HOBART TOWN.
185
respectable associations, which contribute their aid to the
cause of ameliorating the condition of society, are very
numerous lists of subscribers to the Auxiliary. Branch Bi-
ble Society, to the Society for Promoting Christian
Knowledge, to the Presbyterian and Wesleyan Missionary
Societies, and to the Presbyterian Tract Society. This
· last indeed, though perhaps the least assuming in its pre-
tensions, is probably one of the most effective among them,
from the powerful nature of example in the very nature of
its construction. It is the custom of a certain portion of
the members to go through the whole of the streets of Ho-
bart Town every Sunday morning, delivering at each
door the little tracts, and collecting the old ones, which
had been read the previous week, occasionally entering
into conversation with such of the inhabitants as may be
so inclined, on the subject of what they have been reading;
and it cannot but have a most beneficial effect upon them,
and society at large, to see men thus voluntarily exerting
themselves, sacrificing their own ease and avocations at
home, to come forth at all seasons of the year, purely from
philanthropic motives, and a wish to benefit their fellow
-men.
In the earlier stages of a new country, where the busi-
ness of settling occupies every hour, there is of course
little room left for any other thought, and literary pursuits
and even religious duties are very apt to be thrown in the
shade. As men however gather the necessaries and com-
forts of life around them, they naturally flee to these re-
sources of mental satisfaction and enjoyment. If in the
field of religion, where, from the multitude of weeds, th
labour must be proportionably great, there has yet been


186
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
but little comparative success, it must still give pleasure
to every friend of the colony to see the progress that her
handmaid, the press, has already made, and nothing can
indicate more strongly the improving character of the
people, than the great encouragement it has met with.
In this respect these colonies are indeed triumphant, not
even the overflowings of the great American press being
able at all to compete with the extent of our literary taste.
In Van Diemen's Land we have at this day no less than
four printing establishments ; namely, three in Hobart
Town, and one in Launceston, from each of which is
produced a regular weekly periodical journal, neither of
which in point of size would have disgraced a London
newspaper office twenty years ago.
Of the Hobart Town Courier, published by the writer
of those observations, he modestly remarks—“ It shall
suffice us to say that it nearly equals in size the
London Courier, and has been favourably spoken of by
many of the most respectable periodicals of the day.” The
Tasmanian, is published on a double sheet; and from the
length, political and literary character of its lucubrations,
justly entitles itself to its second name, that of the Aus-
tral-Asiatic Review. Many of its articles are considered
of such merit by the conductors of the London press, that
their extracts from it are not confined, as is mostly the case
with those from the Courier, to matters of information,
and records of facts and occurrences only, but long pas-
sages of the comments and opinions of the editor are also
abundantly selected. The third journal of Hobart Town
is arduously striving in the race with its competitors, and
under the direction of Mr. Melville, continues to maintain


HOBART TOWN.
187
its superiority for that typographic neatness and display,
which it could always boast of under the management of
its late proprietor, Mr. Bent. In addition to these is the
Launceston Advertiser, which although younger than its
Hobart Town contemporaries, has already made very ra-
pid advances upon them.
In the literary race we have also some pride in men-
tioning the Hobart Town and Tasmanian Almanacks.
Of his own productions, of course, a man must be deli-,
cate in giving his opinion, though perhaps it might be
quite as valuable to his readers as many of the criticisms
of the present day, which are often compiled by writers to
fill up, without understanding or devoting much time to
the subject they pretend to discuss. Although the Tasma-
nian Almanack, a very useful and respectable work, has
existed for some years before, the number for 1829, of
the Hobart Town Almanack, was the first of the kind pro-
duced in the colony. In addition to the usual tabular
lists, and other matter of calendars, it contained a tole-
rably full and correct topographical view of the whole
settled part of the colony, and was embellished with seve-
ral copper plates. It was so well approved by the public,
that the whole of the impressions was speedily disposed
of, and it has also been very favourably received, not
only by the gentlemen of the press at home, but by the
most influential friends of the colony, both here and in
England.
Since Mr. Melville became proprietor of the Colonial
Times Printing Office, he has in some measure imitated
the example, and has converted the original Tasmanian
Almanack, into a handsome, large, beautifully printed


188
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
volume, called the Van Diemen's Land Almanack, con-
taining much useful and descriptive matter, as regards
the colony, which will no doubt meet with the success it
deserves. A novel also, of three volumes, is on the eve
of publication under the same direction. Besides these,
there are many productions, which emanate from the
press during the year, the regulations and reports of the
proceedings of the several public and benevolent societies
in the island, and a large quantity of printing, incidental
to the business of the town, to say nothing of the Hobart
Town official Gazette, published by Goverument, with
acts of Council and official documents.
Under the same direction, also, has been published a
map of the island, which, considering the infant state of
the colony, and the scantiness of the proper means to
form correct surveys, does much credit to all who contri-
buted to the information it contains, to say nothing of the
mechanical part, the first of the kind in this quarter of the
globe.
The literary taste of the people also shows itself in a
very respectable Book Society, consisting of about sixty o
seventy members. The annual subscription is two guit
neas, and the money is regularly forwarded to a book-
seller in London, who sends in return all the most ap-
proved and popular works of the day, reviews, magazines
and newspapers. As a sort of appendage to it, there ha
recently been added a reading-room on a small scale
held for the present in the large room ahove Mr. Deane’l
library, and stationery store, in Elizabeth-street. It is
however in contemplation among the public officers, mer-
chants, and other influential men in the town, to insti-


HOBART TOWN.
189
tute a public reading-room on a permanent and respec-
table footing, which may be not only a desirable object
to the immediate subscribers themselves, but, serving as a
place of public resort and exchange, may be a general
rendezvous for gentlemen from the interior, and strangers
from abroad, when they visit town. A plan of a building
for the purpose has already been made.
Besides this, there is a very valuable little library of
useful and instructive books, belonging to the members of
pa the Wesleyan persuasion, as also Mrs. Deane's circula-
ting library ; and though a great part of the latter con-
sists of novels and other works of a light amusing descrip-
di tion, yet in conjunction with the others, its establishment
O in Hobart town has done much good. A reading people
to can never be a very vicious people ; for the very employ-
ing of the mind in the quiet, rational exercise of perusing
thi a book has, to say the least, a negative good effect, in pre-
venting a sacrifice of time or money in the pursuit of plea-
! sures of a less innocent or more expensive kind.
il. As handmaids in the cause of literature, there has been
yo established now for some years, a Mechanics’ Institution,
qui at which courses of lectures have been delivered on me-
ook-chanics, on agriculture, and chemistry, on astronomy and
ap-hydostratics, and pneumatics, including the steam engine.
nes During the last year also, a literary and scientific society,
hal called the Van Diemen's Land Society, has been esta-
blished, for the purpose of collecting useful information, as
me to the natural resources of the colony, establishing a bota-
nical garden, and forming a museum of the productions of
the island. The members meet occasionally in the even-
tibing, when such gentlemen as have any thing interesting
the
verir?
De
the isha
der-


190
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
to communicate, generally do so by reading a written
paper, which often leads to useful and improving conver-
sation. It is the intention, we helieve, to collect these
essays, and other transactions of the society, and to pub-
lish them periodically in the colony. Among the institu-
tions leading to improve and advance the Society of Ho-
bart Town, we must not omit to mention a very respectable
Masonic Lodge, at which the customary meetings are re
gularly held, with strict observance of the rules of the
order.
Besides the public schools which we have mentioned,
there are many respectable private establishments for the
important duty of education in Hobart town. At the long
established academy conducted hy Mr. Thompson in Mel-
ville-street, young gentlemen are taught from the first
elements up to the Greek and Latin classics, and the higher
branches of mathematics. The boys generally are well
grounded in the different points of instruction, and soundly
taught. During the year Mr. Sprent has arrived from
Edinburgh, and has commenced a respectable school in
Liverpool-street, on the plan of the late Mr. Hamilton,
and the attendance at his school is already numerous.
Mr. Wade, attached to the Catholic chapel, conducts a
very respectable school of the children of that persuasion.
Besides these, there are several smaller establishments
throughout the town, of which we may mention those of
Mr. Squires, in Argyle-street, and Mr. Rogers.
Of the female schools, Mrs. Midwoods’s very respecta-
ble establishment at Roxborough House, is now the old-
est, since the removal of Mrs. Clark’s, to Ellenthorpe-
Hall, and the cessation of Miss Thompson's. Mrs. Ab-


192
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
fashion, but looked upon as a lasting disgrace on any one
claiming a place in respectable society, may gradually
become as uncommon also among the lower orders.
Little or nothing has been done yet in the light of pub-
lic amusements, if we except some attempts at musical
concerts, chiefly under the management, and by the exer-
tions of Mr. Deane ; and at which, it is but just to say,
the several performers, though wholly amateurs, acquitted
themselves far beyond what could have been expected.
Music, however, as a science, is, it must be acknowledged,
as yet but at a very low ebb amongst us. The small at-
tempts at horse-racing which, during the last four years,
have been made at Sandy Bay, on the 1st of January
in each year, are scarcely worth mentioning under this
head. Measures have been lately taken, hy the patrons
of the turf, to establish a course, on an eligible spot at
Newtown, to which the races, which have hitherto been
held at Ross, are intended to be removed.
Although, however, these races are conducted with
much propriety, and no drinking, low gambling, or riot
is permitted at them, it is a question whether the benefit
they may confer on the colony, as a spur to the improve-
ment of the horse, especially of that breed which it is
expected will ultimately become a profitable export to
India, and the innocent, and we allow the elegant recrea-
tion it affords, are not more than counterbalanced by the
injury and encroachment it occasions to the habits of the
labouring classes, in a community so peculiarly con-
stituted as ours. The former inveterate habits, and the
almost invincible inclination to drinking and dissipation
in the convict population, necessary to be kept down at all


HOBART TOWN.
193
times by a certain restraint, break out at such times like ·
a species of wildfire, which it often requires many days
after to quench. Even the commonest holiday, the least
cause for rejoicing that occurs throughout the year, is in-
variably attended with the most humiliating scenes of
drunkenness, disgusting indeed to the spectator, but of
which the employer only, who is brought into immediate
contact with them, and whose business is neglected and
thrown into confusion in consequence, can be said fully to
feel their horror. If the recreation were confined to the
single day, we should not object to it for a moment, but
the temptation once permitted, goes on from day to day,
until it eats and corrodes into the very vitals of industry
and propriety, and considered in an economical point of
view, interrupting the labour and occupations of such
numbers, in these early periods of the colony, they are, we
fear, also more expensive than we can afford.
We would not, however, here be understood to dis-
parage in any measure the extreme value we set upon the
borse, as an auxiliary to man, more especially to English-
men. We consider that the horse-racing so peculiar to
England, has been the great cause of ennobling the race
of that inestimable animal, and in a great measure of giving
to our country the celebrity and success it has obtained
with other nations. The English horse surpasses by this
means that of all other nations, and degenerates when
exported in all other countries, except Van Diemen's
Land alone. The grand and decisive battle of Waterloo
was gained as much through the excellence and spirit of
the English cavalry, as by any other means. For these
reasons, we would encourage any plan in the colony, that


196
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
Stanfield, and numerous productive small farms in the
Black-brush, up to Mr. Murdoch’s farm, at the Broad-
marsh. Above New Norfolk, on the southern bank of
the Derwent, are those of Messrs. Oakes, Jamieson,
Thornloe, Lamb, and Bell, Mrs. Humphrey, Mr. Salter,
Mrs. Robertson, Captain Fenton, Mr. Bethune, Mr. Ray-
nor, and Mr. Macpherson ; on the western bank, imme-
diately above the town, are the small farms of the origi-
nal settlers from Norfolk island, and those of Messrs.
Ballantyne, Brooks, Spode, Abel, Dixon, Cawthorne,
Barker, Wilson, Heywood, Wells, and the extensive
sheep walk of Colonel Sorell, and the farm of Mr. Ha-
milton, near the village of that name.
On the whole extent of nine hundred and sixty thou-
sand acres in this district, not above ninety thousand
have yet been granted to settlers, of which number about
three thousand acres have been cleared, brought under
the plough, and laid down in crops, in the following pro-
portions, the remainder, wherever the nature of the
country will admit, being used as pasturage in the uncul-
tivated state.
Wheat
... 1600 Acres
270 ditto
Oats
· 100 ditto
Peas
Beans
Potatoes
Turnips ................
English grain ......... 400 ditto— Total 3000 Acres
Owing to the advantage which the lower part of the
district enjoys from its vicinity to Hobart Town, and the
facility of water carriage, a greater quantity of agricul-
tural produce for that market is raised, than in the more
interior parts of the island, such as corn, potatoes, and
Barley .......
.................
.................
...............
105 ditto
5 ditto
220 ditto
300 ditto


NEW NORFOLK DISTRICT.
197
hay. The greater fertility of the land compared to that
round Hobart Town, is conspicuous in the returns which
the farmer obtains. For while we could not take the
average return of wheat in the latter at more than fifteen
bushels an acrę, that given by the official returns in this
district would allow of three or four more than twenty,
and so in proportion with other crops. Wishing how-
ever to take the estimate on the most liberal scale, we
shall form our calculation of the value of the produce
at only twenty bushels. It is to be observed also, that
notwithstanding the superior fertility of the soil in this
district, the return from potatoes is one seventh less than
in the Hobart Town district, arising from the great culti-
vation and manure which the soil in the latter neighbour-
hood receives. We therefore take the average returns of
the crops in this district during the past year, estimated
on authentic official returns, communicated through the
Police Magistrate :-Of Wheat at 20 bushels per acre,
barley 28 ditto, oats 30 ditto, peas 20 ditto, beans 15
ditto, potatoes 3 tons per acre, and turnips 7 tons per
ditto. The total value of agricultural produce in the
whole district during the year 1830, may therefore be
computed as follows:-
32,000 Bushels of Wheat at 7s. £11,200
7,560 do barley, at 53. ...... 1,890
3,000 Oats, at 5s. ..........
2,100 Peas, at 8s. .......... 840
70 Beans, at 10s.......... 35
660 Tons of Potatoes at 80s. 2,540
2,100 do Turnips, at 30s. .... 3,150
400 Acres English grass, at 101. 4,000—Total £24,405
The present number of Live stock in the district—is of
horses 250, homed cattle 6,400, sheep 60,000. The
horses being young and of approved breeds are fully equal
750


198
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
in value to those in Hobart Town, but the cattle and sheep
being neither of so mature age nor so fat, cannot be
safely estimated at above one half the value of those of the
town. We have then the following value of the whole,
viz-
250 Horses at 401. each ... £10,000
6,400 Cattle at 25s. each .... 8,000
60,000 Sheep at 5s. each ...... 15,000—Total £33,000
The farms in this district are much larger in com-
parison, than those round Hobart Town, amounting often
to 2,000, and in two or three instances to 5 or 6 thousand
acres. The usual method of estimating their value, is by
dividing the sum which any particular farm fetch es at a
public or private sale by the number of acres which it
contains. On this calculation, according to several sales
which have lately taken place, we have an average on the
farms of the whole district of about 15s. an acre, which
on the land granted of 90,000 acres, gives a total value of
landed property of £67,500. From these data we then
arrive at the total value of agricultural property in the
district as follows, viz.-
Land, a ............ £67,500
Live Stock, ................
Annual Produce ............ 24,405-Total £124,905
The only establishments of a manufacturing nature that
are yet worthy of mention in this district, are the three
flour mills driven by water, namely, those of Mr. Terry
on the small river Thames at new Norfolk, of Mrs.
Humphrey at Russell's falls, and of Mr. Roadknight near
Hamilton township.
The total population resident upon this extent, does
not exceed 1200 souls, of whom 750 are free, and
33,000


200
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
3.—THE RICHMOND DISTRICT.
This district contains about 1,050 square miles, or
672,000 acres. The country along the eastern side con-
sists of a broad ridge of lofty, unproductive, but heavily
timbered hills, extending from Prosser's river on the
north, to Tasman's 'peninsula on the south. The side
next the Derwent, though also hilly, is interspersed with
numerous fertile vales, of which the principal are the fine
agricultural, and comparatively level tract of Pittwater,
and the vales of the Coal river, Bagdad and Clarence
plains.
The principal estates on the lower settlement of Pitt-
water, are those of Mr. Gordon, and Mrs. Lakeland,
surrounded by a great number of small but well cultivated
farms. On the Iron creek are the farms of Mr. Crut-
tenden, Capt. Glover, Messrs. Marshall, Gatehouse, and
Walker and Counsel, and others. Near Sorrell are those
of Messrs. Wade and Garrett, Mr. Birchall, Mr. Nickolls,
at Orielton, and a great many other beautiful little farms,
extending all round the settlement. Sorrell town already
consists of several streets, with very good houses. Besides
the Clergyman, the Rev. Mr. Garrard, a military officer,
commanding the detachment at this station, resides in the
town, also Mr. Thomas the Surgeon, Mr. Laing, Mr.
Downward, and other respectable individuals.
On the Carlton river also, the most southern cultivated
parts of this district, are the farms of Lieut. Steele, Messrs.
Quentin, Maguinneiss and others. On Spectacle island,
which is situated near the coast of Frederick Hendrick
bay, (so named by Tasman in memory of a Dutch prince
of that name) below the Carlton and Pittwater is a stratum


RICHMOND DISTRICT.
201
of beautiful red granite. This island is so named from its
shape, resembling that of a pair of spectacles, with an
archway through the centre.
The village at Kangaroo point, at the ferry opposite
Hobart Town, is also included in this district, where Mr.
Roper, the assistant Police Magistrate resides. There are
several inns in the village, and a little above, on the
banks of the river, is the farm of Mr. Gregson, and higher
up Risdon. To the south is Clarence plains ; among the
chief farms of which are those of Mr. R. L. Murray, Mr.
Roberts, commissary, Messrs. Cox, Desailley, Nichols,
Hobson, and Stanfield. Below this is Muddy plains,
where Messrs. Mather, Mortimer, and Barnes, and on
South arm, Mr. Gellibrand have each valuable farms. To
the east of Kangaroo point, in the direction of Pittwater,
are the farms of Mr. Ed. Lord, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Petchey,
Dr. Murdoch, Messrs. Hector, Strahan, Runney, and
Waterson.
· Along the vale of the Coal river, among others are,
the farms of Mr. Butcher, Major De Gillern, Messrs.
David Lord, Lascelles, Gunning, Peevor, Cartwright,
Aldridge, Kearney, Stynes and Troy, F. Smith, Captain
Damas, Messrs. Burn, R. Gavin, Nairne, Reis, Blinkworth,
and Wray.
The country on the west of this district includes the
vale of Bagdad, the Tea tree, and the plains and township
of Brighton. At the latter place are several Government
buildings, and in the neighbourhood to the south, the
farms of Messrs. Whithead, and Lackey, Mrs. Margetts,
Messrs. Ibbott, Gage, Cassidy, and Ross. On the east of
Brighton is the Tea-tree Brush, containing the farms of


202
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
Barley.........
340
Oats ..................
Peas........ .........
Potatoes .............
Messrs. Elliott, Evans, and Griffith, Mrs. Smith, Capt.
Tennant, Messrs. Wilkinson, Hill, and Bignell. On the
north of the valley of Bagdad, are the farms of Messrs.
Butler, Kimberley, J. Espię, Reynolds, Peters, Elliston,
Butcher, and others.
The total number of acres in cultivation in this district
is 12,000. The crops which they bear are in the follow-
ing proportions, viz.
Wheat ..
8500 Acres
.. 1100 ditto
340 ditto
300 ditto
Beans.
5 ditto
600 ditto
Turnips .....
480 ditto
English Grasses ....... .. 675 ditto —Total 12,000 Acres
Land to the amount of 140 thousand acres has been
granted to settlers throughout the district, the difference
of 128 thousand being occupied either in pasture, or
rough, thickly wooded, uncultivated land. The relative
value of the produce, according to the last official returns,
cannot be taken for wheat, during the last year, at more
than 12 bushels an acre, of barley at 14 bushels, of oats
20 ditto, of peas 10 ditto, of beans 10 ditto, potatoes 3}
tons, and turnips 8 tons per acre. From these data we
have therefore the following results :-
102,000 bushels wheat at 7s. .... £35,700
13,400 do. barley, at 5s, ...... 3,350
7,800 do. oats, at 5s.....
1,950
3,000 do. peas, at 89. ........ 1,200
1,950 tons potatoes a: 80s. ..... 7,800
5,410 do. turnips, at 30s. ...... 8,160
675 acres English Grasses, at 101, 6,750--Total £64,910.
The total number of horses in the district of Richmond
is 420, of horned cattle 14,200, and of sheep 95,000.
According to our former estimate, they will amount to
the following value, viz:-


· 204
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
.......
200
and on the left bank of the Coal river, and that singular
substance called plumbago has been dug up in quantities
on the south-east coast, near the Sands-pit river.
The present population of the district of Richmond,
exclusive of Maria Island and Port Arthur, amounts to
2,800 souls, of whom 1,700 are free, and 1,100 convicts,
in the following proportions, viz,
Male adults, free ........ 900
Female do. do. .......... 400
Males, under age, do. .... 200
Female do, do. ....pri..
Male convicts .......... 980
Female do. ............ 120-~Total, 2,800
There are two clergymen in Richmond district; the
Rev. Mr. Garrard, at Sorell, who alternately officiates at
Richmond, and the Rev. Mr. Knopwood at Clarence
Plains. The church at Sorell is a handsome building,
conferring a pleasing feature on the beautiful, richly-
cultivated country, in the midst of which it stands. It is
capable of containing a congregation of 600 persons,
though as yet, from the thinness of the neighbouring
population, seldom more than one-tenth of that number
attend divine service, while at the Coal river, the usual
average of the congregation present is not much above
half that number. At Clarence Plains the service is per-
formed in a temporary building, where from 25 to 30
persons generally join in divine worship:
At Sorell a free school has been established, taught by
Mr. Henry Batten, on the late Dr. Bell's system, at which
3040 40 pupils usually attend. The expense is defrayed
by Government, with the exception of a few pounds, paid
by the parents of such of the children as can afford it, at


CLYDE DISTRICT.
205
the rate of one shilling per week. At Clarence Plains,
there is also a respectable school of a similar kind, taught
by Mr. Holmes.
· The town of Richmond is situated on the river, near
the point where the salt water ceases to flow. The Court
House (connected with which is the residence of Mr.
Gordon, the Police Magistrate of the district) is a hand-
some building, and with the goal, two large and commo-
dious inns, a neat stone bridge of several arches, and the
lofty stone tower of the windmill, situated conspicuously
in the centre, already give it the appearance of a thriving
English village.
The total number of burials during the year 1829 at
Sorell was 12 males and 9 females; and at Clarence
Plains, 1 male—in all 22 burials: of baptisms at Sorell,
19 males, and 17 females; and at Clarence Plains, 7
males, and 8 females—in all 51 baptisms : and of mar-
riages, at Sorell 20, and at Clarence Plains 10; total in
the district of Richmond, 30 marriages.
4.—THE CLYDE DISTRICT.
This is a very large and extensive district, containing
about 1,700 square miles, or one million and eighty-eight
thousand acres. Like the other districts of the colony, it
consists of a continued succession of hill and dale, but
being situated in a more central part of the island, stands
on proportionally higher ground. It is well watered by
the rivers Dee, Ouse, Shannon, Clyde, and Jordan.
Round the township of Bothwell is a large tract of level
ground, extending several miles each way, but lower
down on the Clyde, the country again becomes hilly,


CLYDE DISTRICT.
209
left, before them or behind them, because they are too
indolent to think and act for themselves. The natural
course of events might have told the people of England
beforehand, the dreadful bankruptcies of 1826, and the
grinding distress of 1829 and 1830. But no, they went
on blind-folded, unwilling to bestir themselves from the
lap of luxury. So in Sydney, the usual vicissitudes of
the seasons in that latitude, (to say nothing of the admir-
able advice and disquisitions of Sir John Jamison, annu-
ally laid before them,) might have told them to provide
more diligently for the late dry and ruinous seasons, as
well as the present sudden fall in the value of all kinds
of colonial produce. If the farmer, then, in the interior
of Van Diemen’s land, the really true and legitimate
settler, he on whose success the rise or fall of the colony
at large must mainly and ultimately be decided, if he do
not look before him and provide for the coming events,
he in like manner must suffer reverses, must be thrown
into distress. Precaution and economy are at all times
safe measures to adopt; if prosperity comes they will
enhance its welcome, and if adverse circumstances over-
take us they will prevent or dissipate their power.
The average return from wheat sown during the last
year in this district was 16 bushels per acre, of barley
and oats 17 bushels, of peas 20 bushels, of potatoes 2
tons and half, of turnips 8 tons per acre.
21,440 bushels wheat at 6s. 6d... £6,968
5,440 ditto barley at. 4s. ........ 1,088
1,530 ditto oals, at 4s. ..........
2,200 ditto peas, at 8s. ......
225 tons potatoes, at 60s. ....... 675
1,700 ditto turnips, at 30s. ...... 2,550
400 acres English Grass, at £8. 3,200-Total, £15,667.
300
880


210
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
It is to be observed that owing to the summer frosts,
which occasionally hover in the mornings at day-break,
like an impending vapour in certain situations, and cut
off the leaves of the potatoe plants, and until the proper
localities, and favourable situations on the banks and
other parts, where the injury is not so much felt, are as-
certained, the crop is in some measure uncertain, and is
the chief cause of the smallness of the return from it in
this district, while that of turnips being a hardier vege-
table, is even greater than in milder situations. Generally
speaking a light soil, on a sloping bank towards the
south or west, not suddenly exposed to the early rays of
the sun, acting on the congealed water on the leaves, and
burning up the plants through them, is the most favoura-
ble situation for cultivating the potatoe.
The number of live stock at present in this district is of
horses 230, horned cattle 11,000, sheep 83,000, goats
600. As, however, some of the horses are allowed to run
at large on the open plains and woods, and cannot be got
into a yard, without considerable trouble and expense, we
do not think it would be fair to average their value
above £30 a head; and, if this position be correct, as to
horses in this district, it is still more so as regards cattle,
this being the grand original neighbourhood, in which
the first stock were turned a-drift, belonging to Mr. Ingle,
and subsequently to Mr. Edward Lord and Sir John
Owen, the last mentioned gentleman never having visited
the colony, nor any one of the three ever taking much
personal trouble to look after the cattle, much less to pro-
vide against their encroaching on their neighbours. They
used to be collected by about a dozen convicts mounted


212
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
..
65
50
.. 60
Mr. Axford and Mr. Nicholas. About five tons of excel-
lent fresh water eels are annually caught in the Clyde and
sold to advantago in Hobart-town.
From the circumstance that we have mentioned, of a
large part of this extensive district being occupied in
grazing farms, it naturally follows that its population is
proportionably small. At the commencement of the year
1831, the total number of inhabitants which it con-
tained, amounted to 760, of whom 360 were free persons
and the remaining 400 convicts, in the following propor-
tions, viz:-
Male adults, free .......... 195
Female ditto, ditto ........
Males under age, ditto ....
Female ditio, ditio .....
Male convicts .............. 350
Female ditto
50--Total, 760
The township of Bothwell is situated in the centre of
the level country mentioned above, on the east bank of
the Clyde. Here is the Court House of the Police Ma-
gistrate, who is also the military officer of the detachment
at the station. It is a thriving little township, possessing
already a clergyman, (the Rev. Mr. Garrett,) an excellent
inn, and many cottages and workshops of mechanics and
others, and a very neat and commodious church has
just been finished under the direction of Mr. Ford.
The town of Bothwell has the advantage of a resident
clergyman of the Church of Scotland, of which persua-
sion a large proportion of the inhabitants consists, namely,
the Reverend Mr. Garrett, who regularly performs di-
vine service in the new church which has lately been
completed, and is well attended. Mr. Garrett also
teaches a select number of pupils, the sons of the neigh-


216
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
more difficult and expensive to be procured, it is not im-
probable that at no distant period, unless a coal mine be
opened in the vicinity of the town, that a rail road may
be constructed from this very easily worked and accessible
mine to Richmond, where it would be taken up in boats
to Hobart Town. At all events this would be a much
more feasible and economical project than the plan of
bringing it from Newcastle at Sydney.
Salt is collected on the Salt-pan Plains from three of
the salt lakes or natural pans, situated in the division of
Methven in this district. It is sold to the settlers round
at 10 shillings a hundred weight, though not equal
to English salt. A very good kiln for burning lime
has been constructed in Gibbs' parish, which is retailed
to the neighbours at one shilling per bushel.
The Total population of the Oatlands' district at the
present time amounts to 930, of whom 450 are free
persons, and the remaining 480 convicts, in the fol-
lowing proportions, viz :-
Male Adults, free .........
Female do. do. ....
Males under age, do..
Female do. do. ...
Male convicts ..........
460
Female do. ................ 20—Total, 930
A commodious little church has lately been erected at
Green Ponds, in this district, where there is already
a thriving and populous village. The service is per-
formed alternately in the church there and at Oatlands,
by the Reverend Mr. Drought, the clergyman lately
appointed for the district, who resides at Jericho, in
the house formerly occupied by Mr. Gregson.
230
80
70


OYSTER BAY DISTRICT.
219
the number in the others, over which we have as yet
conveyed the reader. This arises in a great measure from
the chief farms in the district being situated on the coast,
and the usual conveyance, both for produce and passen-
gers to and from Hobart Town, being hy boats and small
vessels, superseding the frequent use of horses. The
horses now in the district are only 25 in number, the
cattle 2,500, and the sheep 17,000, which gives as
before:
25 horses, at £30 .......... £750
2,500 cattle, at 20s., ........... 2,500
17,000 sheep, at 5s. ............ 4,250-Total, £7,500.
Although there are several valuable farms in this dis-
trict, yet owing to the large proportion of the granted
land being occupied as grazing farms, and several gen-
tlemen having lately taken the farms in it, but who have
not yet had time to bring much land under the plough,
we do not average the value of the whole at more than
10s. an acre, which gives on the whole 36,000 acres, the
total value of £18,000. The total value of agricultural
property in this district then appears to be as follows, viz.
Land ................ £18,000
Live stock ............ 7,500
Annual produce ........ 9,306-Total, £34,806.
The inhabitants of this fine district are as yet but few,
compared with the population of the other divisions of
the island. The number of free persons at the beginning
of the year 1831, did not exceed 150, and of convicts
170, in all 320 souls, in the following proportions, viz:--
Male adults, free ............ 80
Female ditto, ditto ............ 30
Males under age .............. 20
Female ditto ditto ............
20
Male convicts ................
155
Female ditto ..............
5-Total, 320.
T 2


222
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
Hill, Harrison, and that of Mr. Willis, at Wanstead
Park, in which is situated, on a beautiful rise on the left of
the road, that gentlemen's spacious and elegant mansion.
On the southern bank of the South Esk in this district,
among others, are the farms of Messrs. Walker, Bonney,
Gibson, Youl, Wood, Bostock, Diprose, Aitken, Rey-
nolds, Kearney, Gray, Grant, and Stanfield, and on the
Break o' Day river are those of Messrs. Talbot and Legge ;
on the river St. Paul's, are the farms of Major Grey,
Messrs. Cowie, and Hepburn.
At Campbell-town, on Elizabeth river, is the court
house and residence of the Police Magistrate of the
district, also two commodious inns, and at Ross is the
station of a Commissariat officer, and a party of military.
An inn continues to be much wanted about the Snake
banks, half way between Campbell town and Perth.
Nearly one third of this valuable district has already
been occupied by settlers, 260 thousand acres being
already granted and allotted off. Of this extent 6800
acres have been cleared and brought under the plough,
laid down in crops according to the last official returns in
the following proportions, viz:
Wheat ................... 3100 Acres.
Barley ...........
450
Oats ......................
300
Peas and Beans ....
30
Potatoes.......
120
Turnips.......
320
English Grasses ............ 1480—Total, 5800.
The vicinity of the northern part of this district to the
port of Launceston accounts for the large proportion of
wheat land, compared to that in the inland districts we
have just passed through. Considerable quantities of


CAMPBELL TOWN DISTRICT.
223
wheat, during the last two or three years, were driven to
Launceston and shipped for the market at Sydney, where
it met a ready sale owing to the scarcity which prevailed
there during those years, from the failure of the crops
through the dry weather. The extent of land brought
into a high state of cultivation, and laid down into
English grasses is also a striking feature in this district,
one gentleman alone already possesses 600 acres of rich
pasturage from English grasses.
The returns for the wheat sown, averaged by last ac-
counts 20 bushels. The land in this quarter appears to
be singularly favourable to the growth of barley, the ave-
rage returns being 40 bushels per acre, of oats 28 bush-
els, peas and beans 11 bushels, potatoes 24 tons, turnips
6 tons per acre. The value of English grasses may be
fairly estimated at £7 per acre. These data furnish us
with the means of ascertaining the total value of agri-
cultural produce throughout this valuable district, viz :
62,000 bushels wheat at 6s. per bushel £18600
18,000 do. barley at 4s. per do.
3600
8,400 do. Oats at 4s. per do. ...........
1600
340 ditto peas at 8s. per ditto ........ 136
300 tons potatoes at 60s. per ton ...... 900
1,920 ditto turnips at 303. per ditto .... 2890
1,480 do English Grasses, at £7 per acre 10360—Total 3815.
The number of live stock in Campbell Town district
maintains its relative proportion to the great value of
annual produce. The horses at present amount to 450,
and the highly improved studs of the Messrs. Archer, and
others being in the number, justly entitle them to keep
up the average value with those in the other inland dis-
tricts of £30 a head. Many of the sheep besides,
amounting in number to 180,000, being of very im-


224
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
proved breeds, and fine woolled, will raise the average on
the flocks of the whole district at least one shilling per
head. The cattle (13,500) also on this side of the island,
being of a large and kindly disposition for taking on
fat, may be averaged at 25 instead of 20s. each. The
total live stock is then as follows:
450 horses, at 301. .......... £13,500
13,600 catile, at 255. .......... 16,875
180,000 sheep, at 6s. .......... 54,000—Total £84,575
Although many of the farms in this district are in a
high state of cultivation, possessing fine buildings, and
extensive lines of substantial fencing, yet from the extent
we do not consider it would be correct in the present
state of the colony, to average them on the whole at more
than ten shillings per acre, which gives on the 260
thousand acres a value in landed property of £130,000,
we thus arrive at the total value of agricultural property
in this district, viz:-
Land ...................... £130,000
............... 84,375
Annual produce .............. 38,156—Total £252,531
Campbell Town is as yet purely, and undividedly, an
agricultural district, the only establishment of a manu-
facturing character being those essential to the existence
of the inhabitants themselves, namely, the three flour
mills, Mr. John Macleods' Meadow Ban mill, on the
Elizabeth river, Mr. Michael Lackey's Arthur mill, on
the Blackman's river, and Mr. Andrew Gatenby's on
the river Isis. Of the whole population however of 1200
souls, 120 are employed as shoemakers, blacksmiths,
sawyers and carpenters.
The thinness of the population, compared to the extent
and importance of this district, points out the compara-
Live
Live stockoduce
stock


226
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
creek) which flow into the South Esk, and by Brumby's
creek) which into the Lake rivela Norfolk Plain
In the part especially called Norfolk Plains are the
farms of Mr. Brumby, of Cressy the large and valuable
property of the Van Diemen's Land establishment now
under the management of Mr. Dutton, of Mr. Hardwick,
of Mr. William Archer, the Rev. Mr. Claiborne, Captain
Smith, the Police Magistrate of the district, Dr. Paton,
Mr. T. Parker, Mr. Clayton, Mr. Reibey, Mr. Bryan,
Mr. W. Gwillim Walker, Mr. Minnett, Mr. Bonilly.
On the Western river are the farms of Mr. Ashburner,
Mr. Dry, Mr. Lyttleton, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Leith, Mr.
H. Bonney, Mr. Ball, Mr. Gibson, Mr. Stocker, and of
Captain Ritchie. At the Dairy Plains is the farm of
Captain Moriarty, that of Captain Smith on the Rubicon,
and of Captain Thomas at Port Sorell.
Some very fine fish, of the species called black fish, are
found in plenty in the river Mersey, weighing from 5 to
15 pounds. They have no scales. All the rivers indeed
in this part, also abound with excellent fresh water lob-
sters. On the banks of the rivers and at the Dairy
Plains, are found many fine strata of beautiful blue mar-
ble or lime stone, which however have not as yet been
worked. On the upper part of the western tier there is a
remarkable fall of water upwards of 300 feet high, and as
the Western river is large and in winter brings down a
large body of water, its effect is magnificent, and the
noise may be heard from 2 to 3 miles off. Port Sorell
at the mouth of the Rubicon, and Port Frederick at the
mouth of the Mersey, are each large and commodious
harbours affording a safe resort for shipping. The former


NORFOLK PLAINS DISTRICT.
227
.
was named after Colonel Sorell our late Lieutenant
Governor, and the latter after Mr. Arthur, the eldest son
of Colonel Arthur, it having remained destitute of a name
and nearly unknown until the expedition of His Excel-
lency to the Van Diemen's land Company's establishment
in 1829, when Mr. Arthur accompanied him.
Land to the extent of 125,000 acres, have been allotted
to settlers in this distriet, of which 5,500 have been re-
duced to cultivation, and occupied with crops in the fol-
lowing proportions, viz: :.
Wheat....................
. .........4100 acres
Barley .......
280 do.
Oats ....................... 300 do.
Peas ........................
35 do.
Potatoes ................... 80 do.
Turnips...........
... 120 do.
English grasses ....... ...... 585 do.—Total 5500
According to the last official returns, the wheat yielded
an average of 18 bushels per acre, barley 32 bushels, oats
33 bushels, peas 30 bushels, potatoes 6 tons, and turnips
6 tons per acre. The annual produce of this district then
appears to be as follows:
73,800 bushels wheat, at 6s. 6d. per bushel £23,985
9,160 ditto barley, at 4s. ditto .......... 1,792
9,900 ditto oats, at 4s, ditto .......
1,980
1,050 ditto peas, at 8s. ditto ......
420
480 tons potatoes, at 60s. per ton ...... 1,440
720 ditto turnips, at 30s. ditto ...
1,080
585 acres of English grasses, at £10 .. 5,850—Total 36,547
· The live stock in this district consists at the present
time of 400 horses, 23,000 cattle, and 75,000 sheep,
amounting in value as follows:-
400 horses, at £30. ...... £12,000
23,000 cattle, at 255. ........ 28,750
75,000 sheep, at 6s. ....... 22,500—Total, £63,250.
The average of the land in this district cannot be
reckoned worth more than ten shillings an acre, or


LAUNCESTON DISTRICT.
229
female house of correction. The latter, however, is in-
tended shortly to be removed to Launceston, as soon as
the arrangements are complete. George Town is a very
healthy place, and is a favourite resort of the inhabitants
of Launceston in the season, who come down to enjoy
the advantages of sea bathing The coast abounds with
excellent fish, and Mr. Begent, a regular fisherman,
makes it his business to supply the market at Launceston
at intervals. The Tamar is navigable for vessels of 300
tons burden all the way up to Launceston. :
On the western side of the river, opposite to George
Town, is the farm of Capt. Townson, formerly of the
102nd regiment. At the head of an inlet of the sea,
called the western arm, is York Town, where there is a
fruit garden belonging to government; and on point
Rapid is the farm of Mr. Basson, and near it that of Mr.
James Reid, late of the Macquarie river. On the opposite
side of the Tamar are the farms and cottages of six or
eight of the late New South Wales Veteran company.
On the bank of the Supply river, flowing from the west,
is a large flour mill belonging to Mr. Beveridge. Higher
up is the farm belonging to the late Mr. Gildas, who was
so barbarously murdered by the blacks in September 1830,
opposite to which, on the eastein side, is the farm of Mr.
Kneale-above which are the farms of Mr. Coulson, of
Mr. Barnard, now let to the Van Diemen’s Land com-
pany, Mr. Allen, Capt. Stewart, Messrs. Stephenson and
Lawrence and on the west side, the farms of Messrs.
Young, Birrell, Bickford, Griffiths, Archibald Thomson,
Field, and Barnes.
To the east of Launceston, on the North Esk, among


232
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
800
270
............
There are four corn mills in this district'; namely, the
extensive supply mills, belonging to Mr. Beveridge, al-
ready mentioned, and that of Mrs. Yates, on the North
Esk, the Government Mill, driven by wind at Launceston,
and Mr. Robert Waddingham's wind-mill at the same
place. Mr. Barnes has a very extensive long-established
brewery, at Launceston, and also Mr. John M.Diarmid,
and Mr. Whitchurch, and Mr. Robert Towers have each
established breweries at the North Esk.
The total population of the district of Launceston at
the present time (January, 1831,) as derived from the
most authentic sources, amounts to 2,500 souls, of whom
1,670 are free persons, and 830 convicts, in the following
proportions. viz:-
Male adults, free .......
Female ditto, ditto ..
Males under age ...
Female ditto ditto ...
Male convicts ....
.. 680
Female ditto ................ 150—Total, 2,500.
Launceston is a very respectable town, and next to
Hobart Town in importance in the island. From its
convenient situation at the head of the Tamar, nearly in
the centre of a very fertile corn country, and its vicinity
to Sydney, it maintains a frequent and prosperous trade
with that port, as well as coastwise with Hobart Town,
especially during the last two or three years that there
has been a deficiency in the wheat crops at Sydney.
During the last last year also, an intercourse direct with
London has been established for the exchange of mer-
chandize, which must be highly beneficial to the Gentle-
men in the district, as enabling them to obtain the
various commodities direct from England, and to ship
300
............
300


236
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
ings are erected by human hands alone, the labour is
often of the 'most excessive kind. In commencing a new
place for the procuring of timber, they begin by cutting
down the trees, and clearing a road-way perhaps a
quarter of a mile in length. The large trunks of the trees
being then divested of their branches, are rolled or car-
ried and placed longitudinally together until a road-way
of about 5 yards in breadth is formed all along, for the
purpose of sliding down the heavy logs of timber as they
are cut in the forest, to the water's edge. The timber
is then arranged into rafts of about one hundred logs:
in each, while the myrtle trees and other heavy wood,
which will not float, is lashed to the sides of a large
boat, and the whole is brought to the wharfs, where
it is landed and put on board the vessels, or handed
over to the shipwrights. During the greater part of this
duty the men have of course to work up to the middle in
water, and even in the woods, from the moist and swampy
nature of the country where the timber trees grow, their
employment is generally of a very disagreeable and har-
rassing kind.
The manner in which the men are fed during this
labour may also be considered some addition to the
severity of the discipline. As soon as they are called
from rest in the morning, they are served with a dish of
porridge, composed of flour and water, and a little salt;
after which they embark in the boats and row to their
several woodcutting stations, where they continue to work
without any other provision until they return at night,
when they are supplied with a substantial meal, the main
repast of the day. If the weather should happen to be


PENAL SETTLEMENTS.
237
Tough, or the wind adverse, so as to impede the progress
of the boats, this meal is sometimes delayed till late, when
of course the cravings of appetite after the exercise of the
day must be great.
- Notwithstanding this rigid discipline, however, and
the inclemency of the climate, the prisoners generally
enjoy good health. The little island itself on which they
sleep is composed of a dry gravel, and the regularity of
their life and temperate fare, though compulsory, no
doubt contribute materially to the absence of disease
amongst them.
Of the timber procured at the settlement, the most
common is the Huon pine, the trunk or barrel of which
is generally obtained of tolerable straightness to the height
of 60 feet, and on the average about 5 feet in diameter.
Another species of fir called the Celery top pine is also
common about the harbour, and grows nearly to the same
height, but its stem seldom exceeds 2 or 3 feet in dia-
meter, which adapts it well for spars and masts for ships.
Of the hard kinds of wood there are many valuable species.
The myrtle tree, with a leaf resembling that of the rose,
and reddish coloured wood resemhling that of beech in
texture, grows to the height often of upwards of 100 feet.
The trees also called pinkwood and light wood grow to a
very large size in this moist climate, affording planks for
the fitting up of houses and furniture of the most durable
kind, from 4 to 5 feet wide. When the root of the latter
tree is used for furniture, it affords the most beautiful veins
that can well be imagined. The natural curves of the
branches being used for the knees and circular timbers of
the ships, not only save a great deal of cutting out and


238
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
joining, but serve to make the vessels more strong and
durable.
We must not omit here to mention, among the various
interesting vegetable productions peculiar to this part of
the islands, that valuable plant called the Macquarie
Harbour grape. It was so named by Mr. Lempriere, late
of the Commissariat at the station, who first brought it
into notice as a desirable acquisition in our gardens. It
is a climbing plant, with a large digited leaf like the vine,
grows with remarkable rapidity, and produces its fruit in
large bunches, resembling grapes. The grape or pulp
affords a most delicious acid, and has been used by Dr.
Garret, the surgeon of the settlement, on occasions where
lime-juice or other substitutes were deficient, with great
effect as an antiscorbutic among the prisoners. It has not
yet been propagated from the seed; but some beautiful
specimens may be seen in the pleasure grounds of Mr.
Moodie's villa at Hobart town, from plants obtained from
the settlement.
From the nature of the country, the Forest or Boomah
Kangaroo, which delights in rich and open pastures, is
unknown; but the smaller, or brush species, (macropus
elegans,) and the Wallaby, are common. That delicious
animal, the Wombat, (commonly known at that place by
the name of badger,) is found here, also the native
hystrix, (ornithoryncus), or Porcupine, having, like the
amphibious species, the bill of a bird, but armed with the
quills of a hedge-hog, which, like the Wombat, affords
an excellent dish when roasted, and are not unfrequent
in the woods. Of the winged race, usually met with in
other parts of the island, the numbers are but few. There


240
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
drinking 10 or 12 miles below. The water generally
used for culinary purposes at the settlement is brought
from a rivulet on the main about a mile distant.
After crossing the bar at the mouth, the Gordon river
continues navigable for about 30 or 40 miles up, and is
in most parts very deep, and never less than 100 yards in
width. The banks are in general steep and richly clothed
with trees and elegant shrubs, affording scenery of the
most romantic kind. The various woodcutters stations,
and that of the limeburners 25 miles up, as the boat passes
along, serve to diversify the desert scene with some
specks of civilization.
On Philips' island, on the opposite or north side of the
harbour, a small farm or garden has been commenced,
where about eight acres of potatoes are cultivated, and
on another part about 15 acres have been broken up with
the hoe and cropped with turnips, for the use of about 60
pigs which are fed for the purpose of obtaining fresh
pork as a change to the salt meat. At Coal Head, near
Philips' island, excellent coal has been found, but it
has not yet been dug up for use. About 60 or 70
deaths have occurred among the prisoners since the first
formation of the settlement in 1822. They are in-
terred on a small island called Halliday island, from
the name of the first person buried in it. A post or plank,
with the initials of the dead, is generally stuck in the
ground to distinguish the spot where the body lies. If
murdered, of which there are several instances, the full
particulars of the atrocity are inscribed. That of the up-
fortunate Rex is among the last, in which no less than ten
conspirators were connected, who suffered on the scaffold


PENAL SETTLEMENTS.
241
at Hobart Town, in the year 1829. Free people are
buried on Sarah island.
If we reckon the timber annually sent up to Hobart
Town from Macquarie Harbour, as worth on an average
three pence per foot, and calculate the logs as containing
100 superficial feet of an inch thick each, we shall have a
value of 25s. for each log, which on the number usually
sent up, together with treenails and oars, will return an
annual produce of timber to the amount of 2400 pounds.
To this is to be added the value of boats and shipping
built at the settlement, which on a moderate computation
cannot be worth less than 3000 pounds; from which must
he deducted one third as the cost of materials, sails, iron
&c. forwarded from town. To this is to be added about
250 pounds' worth of shoes sent to Hobart Town, over and
above those made for the use of the prisoners, which, after
deducting 50 pounds as the value of the raw and tanned
hides sent down, leaves 200 pounds. These several items
taken together give the total annual production of the
settlement at 4600 pounds. The value of the buildings
round the settlement would on a low calculation be worth
10,000 pounds, if in Hobart Town, independant of the
ground on which they stand.
Against this is to be placed the annual expence of the
whole establishment, and if we take the average popula-
tion at four hundred, including officers and all, and esti-
mate the consumption and expences of the whole, inclu-
ding tools, &c. at 201. each, we shall have an annual
expence of eight thousand pounds, which shews a balance
of three thousand one hundred pounds, as the annual ex-
pence of keeping up the establishment.


PENAL SETTLEMENTS.
243
sparkling granite. About twenty of the convicts are super-
annuated, or invalids unfit for any labour. The chief
produce of the settlement consists of cloth manufactured
from the raw wool obtained in the colony. About one
hundred yards are woven weckly, which at a moderate
estimate may be taken to be worth 8s. a yard, indepen-
dent of the cost of the raw material, which gives an an-
nual produce of £2000. In addition to this are about
4000 pair of shoes made on the same system as those of
Macquarie Harbour, which at 58. a pair give £1000.
The buildings, which are respectable and substantial, may
be valued at £6000. A spacious brick-built barracks for
the prisoners has been erected, containing six rooms of
thirty by thirty-two feet each, one of which is used as a
place of worship.
The expences of the establishment estimated on the
same data as those at Macquarie Harbour of £20 for each
individual of the whole population, amount to £3000 an-
nually, so that the establishment just defrays its own
charges, and no more.
3.–PORT ARTHUR.
This new settlement on Tasman's Peninsula, named
after his Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, promises to
be of considerable advantage to the colony. The forma-
tion of the establishment commenced in September 1830,
under the direction of Mr. Russell, Assistant Surgeon of
the 63d regiment, and is now in active progress.
It is intended for the reception of convicts from Ma-
quarie Harbour, who have conducted themselves well du-
ring a portion of their sentence at that Penal Settlement,


244
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
or in some instances from the chain gangs, as a progressive
step towards the greater indulgence of re-admitting them
amongst the community at large. They are to be princi-
pally employed in felling and drawing the fine timber
with which that part of the country abounds.
But another most important object of the settlement,
and probably that which is likely to prove of the greatest
ultimate benefit to the colony, is the instruction of boys
in trades, chiefly that of sawyers. They are to be sent
down to the settlement immediately after their arrival in
Hobart Town, and placed under the charge of persons
competent to teach them. Already a number of boys
from amongst the late arrivals have been sent there, and
are now receiving instruction.
Thus, instead as heretofore, of being spread through
the country, where they only learnt vices and irregula-
rities, and formed connexions which eventually led in
many instances to their ruin, they are taught habits of
industry, and it is to be hoped will become capable of
rendering essential service to the public, and of afterwards
earning for themselves a reputable livelihood.
Port Arthur, one of the finest harbours in Van Die-
men’s Land, is about 55 miles from Hobart Town. Its
entrance (lat. 43 degrees 13 minutes S. long. 148 degrees
E.) is just half way between Cape Pillar and Cape Raoul,
on the southern coast of Tasman's Peninsula.
These two remarkable Capes have a grand appearance,
on approaching the harbour. The former consists of ba-
saltic columns, built up as it were to an enormous height,
and from the regularity with which they are raised or


PENAL SETTLEMENTS.
247
There are besides, three smaller bays from the main
sheet of water, which afford excellent anchorage.
The settlement is prettily situated on the sloping side of
a point, which is the southern boundary of the inlet, and
stand out into a large bay. The buildings front to the
north. There are already up a military barrack with a
neat cottage for the officers, a store and substantial huts
for the prisoners, and all the necessary buildings are in
progress, and a number of sawyers at work.
The country around presents one unvaried prospect of
thickly timbered hills, they are scrubby and stony. The
soil, though not bad, is so stony that it would never re-
pay the trouble of clearing for the purposes of cultivation.
There are a few patches of clear swampy ground. The
scrub in many places renders the country impassable, and
in all parts extremely difficult to travel over.
The timber, which is the matter of first consideration
as relates to the new settlement, is of fine quality, particu-
larly on that range of bills already mentioned, running
both north and south. It principally consists of stringy bark
and gum trees, growing to a very large size both on the
sides of the hills and in the valleys. But in addition to
these, the banks of the streams which run along the vales
are thickly planted with other trees of a most useful de-
scription.
There is no part of the colony which can afford a greater
variety or quantity of excellent fish than Port-Arthur. The
delicious trumpeter is in plenty, salmon, perch, skate and
sting-ray; the two last may be easily speared or harpooned
on the flats; rock-cod, flat-heads, and cray-fish are all in
abundance. Besides, the numerous streams which flow


UNAPPROPRIATED LAND.
251
woland.
from the ocean, there is little doubt but long ere this a
numerous colony of settlers would have located it, which
will certainly be the case before many years elapse, and
as soon as a safe and convenient harbour is discovered on
the west coast of the island, to communicate with it, a
road will then, as a matter of course, be opened between
it and the country on this side, passing near the junction
of the Ouse and the Shannon, where a comparatively
clear and serpentine valley among the mountains forms a
sort of connecting link between the two sides of the
island.
To the north of the Rugged Mountains the fine open
downs of what the Van Diemen’s land Company has
chosen to call the Surry and Hampshire Hills, extend over
a large tract of country watered by numerous streams,
but interrupted in many parts by lofty and thickly wooded
mountains towards Cape Grim. The surveyors of the
Company have at various times taken a great deal of
pains to explore the whole of this north west corner of the
island, and the result would seem to be that, though
affording many tracts of open pastoral country, the soil
taken in the whole is not of a fertile description, and a
great portion is occupied with that species of low scrub
which delights to grow on large expanses of open sandy
ground. It is to be observed, however, that even in this
part of the island which has been so narrowly and care-
fully explored, there may exist many inviting spots of no
small extent yet undiscovered. For a Traveller in a hilly
country like this, can make himself acquainted but with a
very narrow tract on each side as he goes along, and plains
and valleys of many thousand acres of great richness and


252
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
fertility may be passed unobserved within but a very short
distance of his course. His horizon is for the most part
bounded by a very small circle, and it is only by a long
course of research, or by dwelling for some time in the
immediate vicinity, that the country can be fully known
and its capabilities properly ascertained.
During the summer several parties of gentlemen have
made excursions to explore the north-eastern quarter of
the island, and some good tracts of land have been dis-
covered on the banks of George's river on the east coast,
and also round Ringarooma Bay on the north, but on the
whole of that immense peninsula, or north-east corner of the
island, comprehending a large portion of the Launceston
police district, is composed of valueless, barren, rocky, or
thickly wooded hills. The remaining country to the
south and east, comprising part of the Oyster Bay and
Richmond districts, has been more accurately explored,
and though many moderately sized farms of considerable
merit may yet be picked out, the remaining parts are of
so uninviting and infertile a kind, as to afford little in-
ducement to the wealthy settler.
Numerous herds of wild cattle which have broken away
in former periods of the colony, are found grazing and
multiplying in various parts of this unlocated country,
especially towards Port Davey, on the banks of the
South Port and Huon rivers, in the fine country to the west
of the Lakes, and some have been found at the back of the
great Benlomond Mountain. Though no doubt many of the
original stock of these cattle escaped in the first instance
from such herds as those of Mr. Edward Lord, Mr. Loane,
Mr. Dry, Mr. Kimberly, and other private settlers, it would


REGULATIONS FOR GRANTING LAND.
255
IX.-Land thus disposed of without purchase, is to be
granted in fee simple, and held in fee and common
socage, on payment of a quit rent of 51. per cent. per
annum, upon the value of the land, as estimated in the
survey, by the Land Commissioners, and approved by the
Lieutenant Governor.
X.-The quit rent is not to become payable until the
end of seven years after the grantee shall have been au-
thorized to settle on the land, and is to be redeemable at
the option of the grantee, at twenty years purchase ; the
power of such redemption commencing at the time when
such quit rent first becomes payable.
XI.—Although the ordinary period for issuing the
grant will be at the expiration of seven years, yet when-
ever satisfactory proof shall be brought forward, after one
year from the entry into possession and actual occupation,
that the grantee has expended in the improvement of the
land a sum equal to its value, as that value was estimated
by the Commissioners, at the period of his being put into
possession, the settler in such case shall have an immedi-
ate right to receive his title deeds to the grant, without
being obliged to await the expiration of the term of seven
years, but if he fail within that period to expend in im-
provements on the land, a sum equal to its estimated
value as aforesaid, possession of the land will be resumed
by the crown.'
XII.-Lands to be granted in square miles, in the
proportion of one square mile, or 640 acres for every £500
sterling of capital, which the applicant can immediately
command, to the extent of four square miles or 2560
acres, which is the largest grant that will be made to any
Y 2


REGULATIONS FOR GRANTING LAND.
259
apprize the Surveyor-General, by letter, of the situation
in which he would wish to locate the grant. If there is
no objection to the selection, the applicant shortly after-
wards receives from the Surveyor General a description
of the boundaries of the land, and an authority to occupy
it, the location having been appointed by the Lieutenant
Governor, and entered in the Register of the Survey
office.—Should this regulation be neglected, the order
for land would become void after the expiration of four
months.
Additional grants must be located adjoining the origi-
nal grants whenever the adjacent land is available.
In addition to the mode of obtaining land enumerated
in the regulations, individuals of respectability may rent
land of the Crown from year to year, and those who are
desirous of doing so will procure from the Surveyor
General's office, or from the Assistant Surveyors in the
country, printed forms in which the tenders must be made
and transmitted to the Surveydr General.
These are submitted on the first Tuesday of every
month for the Lieutenant Governor's consideration, and
upon his Excellency's pleasure being made known to
the Surveyor General, a list of the tenders accepted is
published in the Gazette. The lessee then enters into a
bond with the Collector of Internal Revenue, relative to
the payment of the rent, and appropriation of the land,
and afterwards procures a written authority from the
Surveyor General to occupy the land.
No tenders are accepted at a lower rate than twenty
shillings per annuni per hundred acres, and except in
peculiar cases no smaller tract than 500 acres is leased.


REGULATIONS FOR GRANTING LAND.
261
That he will commence the erection of a house of brick
or stone, of the proper dimensions, according to the class
of the allotment, within six months after the location order
is given, keeping the line of the front at a distance of not
less than 12 feet from the street.
That he will complete the erection of the house, as far
as regards the outward appearance, if of the first rate,
within two years; if of the second rate, within eighteen
months; and if of the third rate, within twelve months.
That he will, within the period, expend at least, ac-
cording to the extent of the allotment, in the erection of
buildings, if of the first rate one thousand pounds; if of
the second rate, five hundred pounds; and if of the third
rate two hundred pounds.
That he will not alienate his allotment, within the
period of twenty four, eighteen or twelve months, (as the
Case may be 'with reference to the rate), but will himself
make the improvements required.
Any individual having failed to comply with any of
the above conditions, his allotment shall be forfeited to
the Crown. If however, through misfortune, or any other
unavoidable cause, it shall be made to appear that he has
become unable to perform the conditions, he shall be
permitted, on application to the government, to sell to a
purchaser, who will become bound in like manner to
fulfil them. But on the expiration of twenty-four,
eighteen, or twelve months, (as the case may be), if he
shall have fully complied with the conditions, he shall be
entitled to a grant for the first and second class, subject
to the payment of the under mentioned quit rent:
In Hobart Town and Launceston, nine pence per rod
per annum.


REGULATIONS FOR GRANTING LAND. 263
five per cent, calculated upon the present value of the
land, according to the valuation of the Land Commis-
sioners, approved by the Lieutenant-Governor.
If the grantee is disposed to reverse this arrangement,
and commence with the erection of the house, it is op-
tional with him to do so, and a grant will be issued as
soon as the house is completed.
The largest allotment not exceeding ten acres, and to
be decreased according to its vicinity to the town.
As it is not to be expected that buildings in the town-
ships in the interior can, at present, be erected of the
extent and value which the regulations require, alike
with regard to those townships, and to Hobart Town and
Launceston, the Lieutenant-Governor has directed that it
shall be in the discretion of the several police magistrates,
but subject to his Excellency's approval, to modify the
conditions relating to the extent of frontage and value of
the buildings, in such manner as they may consider best
calculated to encourage the erection of buildings in the
townships, and they will accordingly communicate with
the Surveyor General upon each case, in which they shall
recommend a departure from the regulations.
The Lieutenant-Governor has directed this arrange-
ment, in order to prevent the delay which would be
occasioned if applications on this subject were made
direct to the Surveyor-General, by the necessity of refer-
ring for information respecting them; and it is to be
understood that the modified terms which shall be recom-
mended by the Police Magistrates are sanctioned by the
government, unless his Excellency's disapproval shall be
immediately signified.
ediate)," unlese Ice Me


PUBLIC WORKS:
265
By a Government order No 10, of 27th: February 1828,
no persons are allowed to trespass on Crown lands by
grazing cattle, or splitting timber, &c. without a written
permission obtained from the Police Magistrate of the dis-
trict, to be reported by him to the Surveyor General.
Grantees of land are required to reside on it them-
selves, or to employ overseers of good character, under
pain of having their assigned servants withdrawn, and
their land resumed.
PUBLIC WORKS RECENTLY COMPLETED, OR NOW IN
PROGRESS.
The improvements throughout the colony in 1830
were various, and of the most useful description.
An establishment was formed at Bridgewater for a
Chain Gang, who are employed in constructing that
great work, the causeway over the Derwent. A goal or
barracks for the reception and safe keeping of the pri-
soners after their hours of labour, was among the first
works completed. It is capable of containing 160 men.
A commodious barracks for the military has also been
constructed, as well as a store, solitary cells for such con-
victs as misconduct themselves, &c. &c. On a com
manding eminence stands a neat building for the Officers'
quarters. A very excellent quarry on the road side gives
employment to one part of the gang, while the others are
busily engaged in wheeling the stone out into the water.
The bed of the river over the flats at this place is com-
posed of soft mud, which the heavy mass of stone thus
thrown upon it soon displaces, and in this manner a good
foundation is obtained on which to raise the subsequent
,


272
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
case at Macquarie-harbour, or Maria island, seems låtely
to be pressed upon the attention of the Executive; for
the aggregate amount, which we have here given, of
what those already employed under the joint and zealous
direction of the Civil Engineer and Inspector of Roads
can do, is a fair earnest of what would be done, if the
operative means in their hands were increased.
In consequence of the projected improvements at the
Wharf, the land in the immediate vicinity has materially
risen in value, so that one hundred pounds per acre has
been paid for what a few months previous was sold for fifty
pounds. The small allotment belonging to the late Mr.
Hammond was sold for £350. When the Town Rivulet
is directed into its intended channel, along with the one
which flows down to the north of Campbell-street
between it and the Domain, which it is intended to arch
over, through the present unpleasant swamp near the
Slaughter-house, it will then be perfectly practicable to
extend the beautiful vista of Macquarie-street all along
till it reaches the bank of the Derwent, on the further
side of Macquarie Point. It will then form a street in one
continuous length of upwards of a mile ; and from the
varied scenery which it everywhere commands, and ter-
race-like situation, will form one of the most beautiful
and delightful streets in the world.
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND COMPANY.
By charter in the year 1825, Mr. Edward Curr was
appointed principal agent and manager in the colony,
and a court of directors was formed at the same time in
Eondon. A vessel was speedily sent out with the prim


274
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
plot 50 bushels) so that, besides what has been required
for the subsistence of the people, and for seed, there have
been upwards of 100 quarters sold at 80s. per quarter,
from that small establishment. Hay and potatoes have
heen sold for Sydney, and hutter and cheese for the
supply of the island. The situation of Circular head is
highly advantageous, possessing an excellent harbour,
and having ready communication with the farming dis-
tricts, so that produce can be shipped to different parts
of the island, as well as to Sydney, and the coasts of
New South Wales, where the best market can be found.
The expenses in the island during the last year amounted
to £8,857 6s. 6d. That the produce, wheat, potatoes,
meat, butter, and cheese, sold there for £2,305 19s. and
5d. making the actual cost to the company £6,551 7s. ld.
A considerable quantity of land has been ploughed
and sowed with wheat, oats, &c. and the more hardy
sheep and stock have been removed thither. It has,
however, been found requisite to make sheep sheds from
split wood, and the expense will not exceed 1 shilling
per head for the number they contain; they are not only
a necessary protection against the severity of the weather,
but a defence against the hyena and native dogs. The
other branches of farming, viz :—the breed of horses,
cattle, and the produce of the dairy, are carried on with
great attention and preseverance.
During the summer of 1831, Mr. Curr, besides the
other articles of agricultural produce mentioned in the
report, brought into the market in the colony several rams
of a very highly improved breed, which were declared by
the best judges to be equal, if not superior, as to the


276
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
An application has also been latterly made for a grant
of a longitudinal tract of about ten or twelve thousand
acres of pastoral ground, extending along the western
coast, which we believe has been referred to the Home
Government for decision.
It is evident, however, that the intermediate spots or
tracts of country, will never upon this understanding be
eligible for any other settlers, and that in the end the
whole extent of country, embracing, perhaps, more than
a million of acres, would devolve to the Company:
Speaking in the name of the colony, we should have no
objection to comply with tbis request, if the directors
evinced a liberal disposition, and a willingness to fulfil
the expectations which they themselves originally held
out. If they took an extended view of this infant colony,
and looking upon themselves as forming an integral part,
as having one interest with the rest of the settlers--if they
encouraged the struggling and needy with loans of money
-if they built bridges, constructed roads, contributed to
the capture and civilization of the blacks-bore their
share of the general burdens of the colony, in the ju-
dicial and police establishments, by the influence of
which the safety of their property was secured if they
subscribed to the building of churches, and the endow-
ment of schools—if they did these, and many more things
held out by themselves to be done, we should say, foster
them by all means, let them have whatever they want,
and whatever privileges they may ask, consistent with the
general good of the community. But until that is the
case, let them have the land upon the same terms as other
settlers in the island, that is, by paying rent or purchase


COMMERCE AND REVENUE.
281
""".............. 48.000
Oil ......"
Whalebo
Flour ...........
Rum
.. 14,000
Brandy .......
6,000
Geneva ....
3,000
Wine ...........
14,000
Tea .....................
14,000
Sugar •
14,000
Tobacco ......
7,000
Unenumerated goods ...... 137,000
- £300,000
The value of exports during the same period amounted
to £170,000 in the following proportions, viz.-
Wool .......
Wheat ......
40,000
17,000
6,000
3,000
Live-stock ................
5,000
Potatoes ...........
4,500
Barley and Oats ..
500
Hides ............
600
Seal skins ................
400
Oppossum & Kangaroo ditto 400
Mimosa bark ..............
2,000
Timber ...................
... 1,000
Uuenumerated goods ...... 41,600- 170,000
These several items of export are of course shipped off
by the first opportunity, as soon as they are ready, but
the imports are often so superabundant as to remain for a
year, and sometimes two, before they are sold off or con-
sumed. At this time, 1831 for instance, there cannot be less
rum in the colony than will suffice for the demand for the
next two or three years, and indeed every well wisher to
the colony would heartily pray that not another drop of
that destructive spirit should come into it. We take
therefore the value of commercial property in the island
at the rate of one year's imports, or £300,000,
2.-THE METALLIC CURRENCY.
Since the year 1825, the sum of £37,613 of British
coin has been sent out in different ships (the Katherine


284
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
• 1,200
Richmond district ........ 219,810
Clyde district ............ 114,597
Oatlands do. ............ 97,320
Oyster bay do. ............. 34,806
Campbell town do. ...... 252,531
Norfolk Plains, do. ...... 162,297
Launceston, do ..........
Houses, &c. in Launceston 50,000
Van Diemen's Land Comp. 185,000
Macquarie Harbour .......
ur .... 10,000
Maria Island ............
6,000
Port Arthur .............
1,000
Commercial property .... 300,000
Metallic currency ........ 40,000
Sbipping
23,000
Total value £2289,845.
And of the population, viz:-
Hobart town district ........
800
Hobart town ..............
. 6,000
New Norfolk district
Richmond ditto ...... 2,800
Clyde ditto ............
760
Oatlands, do. .......
930
Oyster bay, do. .....
320
Campbell town do......
• 1,200
Norfolk plains do.....
... 1,000
Lannceston .......
2,500
Van Diemen's Land Company
Macquarie harbour .
Maria Islaod ...
180
Port Arthur .....
House of Correction (males).. 761
Do (females) ..............
245
Do George town do. ........ 19
Duke of York hulk (males).. 79
Chain gangs at Bridgwater,
Oatlands, New Norfolk,
Launceston ...............
183
Military ..................
998
Aborigines .....:.
400
Total population 21,125
300
400
50
NATIVE PLANTS.
Solanum Laciniatum.—Jagged leaved nightshade or
Kangaroo apple, pentandria monogynia, natural order
Solanee. This is a spreading plant of some beauty,


NATIVE PLANTS.
289
Acácia Suaveolens.-Sweet scented acacia, &c.
This shrub grows to the height of six feet, and inhabits
with acacia vorticillata, but introduced into many gardens
in Hobart Town, for the delightful odour it diffuses when
in blossom, leaves long, narrow, and pointed, having two
strong nerves running up the centre, flowers yellow, in
globular spikes, scattered over the plant or footstalks.
Acácia Myrtifolia, myrtle leaved acacia.--A low
open growing plant about three feet high, common on
the New Town rivulet, above Roseway lodge, leaves
broad, pointed, and having a strong nerve up the centre
like the broad leaved myrtle, colour light green, with a
reddish brown edge, flowers yellow, spikes globular, and
in bunches.
Acácia Melanoxylon, blackwood, lightwood.--A
tree attaining the height of twenty feet and upwards,
grows mostly by the sides of rivers, leaves large, broad,
rounded at the ends, blossoms yellow; spikes globular,
dispersed among the leaves or footstalk, wood hard,
dark colour, and finely veined, in request for the cabinet
maker.
Acácia Decurrens, black wattle.—This picturesque
tree is universally diffused over the island, it delights
mostly in light soils, the leaves are very beautiful, being
of a dark green colour, and doubly pinnate, i. e. are
divided into numerous leaflets which are again subdi-
vided into numerous smaller ones, flowers yellow, spikes
globular, in large bunches, in blossom early in Septem-
ber. The wood is hard and useful to the cabinet
maker.
Acácia Mollis, silver wattle.—This tree nearly resem-


ANIMALS
291
VOCABULARY.
Fern root
Cherry tree
Cape gooseberry bush
Gigantic lily
Waratah or tulip tree
Huon river pine tree
Pteris esculenta
Exocarpus cupressiformis
Physalis edulis ? pubesens
Doryanthes excelsa
Talopea spaciocissima
Dacrydium
( Podocarpus asfleniifolia
(according to Labillardiere)
( Dacrydium ? (Brown)
Adventure bay pine tree
ANIMALS.
Forest kangaroo
Macropus major
Brush kangaroo
Macropus elegans
Water, or duck mole, or omiho
duck-billed platy-puss
* Orni horunchus paradoxus
Emu, or Cassowary Rhea Novæ Hollandiæ
Black swan
Cygnus atratus
White hawk
Astur Novæ Hollande
Laughing jackass
Dacels gigantea (Leach)
Bronze, or golden winged / Columba chalcoptera (Li-
pigeon
ý tham)
Rose-hill or nonpareil parrot Platycercus eximius
Macquarie island parrot
--- Pacificus
-- Pennantii
Ground parrot
Pezoporus formosus
Black cockatoo
Psittacus funereus Latham
White cockatoo
---galeritus (Zemminck
Devil
Dasyurus ursinus
Hyæna oppossum or tiger Thylacinus cynocephalus
Lory
VOCABULARY.
The following short specimen of the language of the
natives of Van Diemen’s Land, will doubtles prove in-
teresting to the learned; it was compiled by a gentleman
named Roberts, who brought two of the natives, a male
and female on a visit to Hobart Town, from Brune island.
Mr. Robarts has with unwearied industıy succeeded in