WALES (NEW SOUTH). In the Encyclopaedia, under the head HOLLAND, NEW, is given an account of this colony, including a history of its first settlement by a party of convicts conducted there by Governor Philip; a description of the country, and of the natives, and such few slight notices on its internal geography, and animal and vegetable productions, as the narrow limits which then bounded the excursions of the settlers had enabled them to make. In this Supplement, under the Article AUSTRALASIA, the accounts of the settlement are brought down to the year 1814, and copious details given of the results of several expeditions undertaken for the purpose of internal discovery. Considerable discussions having been excited in Parliament, and carried on in the diurnal and other periodical publications, respecting the government of the distant settlements in the southern hemisphere, it was resolved by the Government to send a Commissioner with powers to examine every part of the administration; to report on the condition of the inhabitants in general, on their pursuits, their habits, their property, and their conduct; and to suggest, for the consideration of his Majesty's Ministers, such laws and regulations as might tend to make those settlements less burdensome to Great Britain, and more conducive to the improvement of those persons whose violations of law had created a necessity for their removal from Europe.
From the Reports of Commissioner Bigge, whose labours were closed in 1821, and from other papers laid before Parliament, the following accounts of the present state of New South Wales are chiefly extracted, and presented to our readers in a condensed form.
The increase of inhabitants by births, owing to the great disproportion between the males and females, has been very small since the commencement of the settlement, and must continue to be so till the sexes approach nearer to an equality than they do at present. The whole number of convicts exported to New South Wales and to Van Dieman's Land, from the year 1787 to 1820, was 22,217 males, and 3661 females; and the present population of all the settlements in the latter year amounted only to 29,407 persons. The inhabitants of New South Wales, amounting to 23,939, are classed in the following manner, viz. 1307 are persons who came to the colony as free settlers; 1409 are persons born in the settlement; 3255 were become free by the expiry of the terms for which they had been sentenced; 159 had received absolute pardons; 962 had received conditional pardons; 1422 were convicts, but with tickets of leave, which enabled them to work on their own account; 220 were serving on board colonial vessels; 9451 were convicts in a state of servitude; and the remainder, 5668, consisted of children of both sexes. The whole number of females, of all classes and ages, in 1820, were 6310, viz. 3707 women, and 2603 female children. It appears that in thirty-three years, from 1787 to 1820, during which the whole numbers transported have been 25,878 persons, the number of the convicts who have died, who have lawfully returned to Great Britain, or who have made their escape, amounts together to 7080. The
greater part of the inhabitants reside either in the town of Sydney (the capital), or in its immediate vicinity. The returns from that place make the inhabitants to be 12,079, of whom 4457 are convicts.
Whilst this colony has been increasing in numbers, Moral Cent. there is reason to hope it has been instrumental in somewhat improving the moral character of the persons transported to it, or, at least, that their progeny is placed in circumstances less exposed to temptation than it would have been under the tuition of such parents in Europe. There has been a gradual, but general improvement in the moral condition of the society, by the children of convicts arriving at maturity; thus forming, with the free settlers, a nearer proportion to the convicts than was the case at the more early periods of the settlement. The remitted convicts, and those whose time has expired, seem, in some instances, to become useful members of society. Mr Bigge relates, that out of 4376 remitted convicts, including those whose time has expired, 369 may be considered as respectable in conduct and character.
The proportion of landed property acquired by those classes of inhabitants, may be considered as of Property Adjustment among the Classes. evidence of some improvement in their condition and character. The whole quantity of land granted was, in 1820, 389,288 acres. Of this portion, 20,317 belonged to remitted convicts, and 54,693 to convicts whose time has expired. Thus those classes seem to have a fair proportion of the landed property of the settlement; and we think it may be inferred from the Commissioner's Reports, that they possess a large share of the moveable property likewise, as they seem to be the principal persons who own vessels and carry on distant trade. Mr Bigge remarks, that "though the free settlers have not, as a body, been the most successful improvers, either of their own condition or that of the colony, yet the best cultivated estates, and the greatest quantity of cattle, belong to them, though they have not lately engaged in mercantile operations." The large grants that have been recently made have rendered the quantity of land, held by classes of individuals, a less accurate criterion of property than it was before those grants were made. In the year 1810, the land cleared was to the land granted as 1½ to 4; but in the year 1820, when the land granted was 389,000 acres, the portions returned as cleared were 54,898 acres, or as 1½ to 7. Of the cleared land, in 1820, 16,706 acres were cultivated to yield wheat, 11,270 maize, 1230 barley, 379 rye and oats, 213 pease and beans, 504 potatoes, and 1094 in orchards and garden ground.
The future progress of this colony must depend mainly on the productions raised from the soil, and Agriculture. hence the condition of its agriculture, including the breeding of cattle, becomes a most interesting subject. The first land settled near Sydney, though then moderately fertile, has been exhausted by overcropping, so that a considerable expenditure in manure, or in labour for fallowing, or in both, is indispensable to renew its productive powers. It has hence become necessary to pay attention to the production and proper application of manure, as well as to the cultivation of artificial food for the cattle.
Lucerne, sanfoin, and burnet, as well as rye-grass and meadow fescue, have been introduced and gradually assimilated to the climate. It has been remarked of the grass seeds imported from Europe, that their first and second flowering is in conformity with the season in Europe, but that the next time they flower according to the season of New South Wales. The cost of reclaiming an acre of forest land, of converting it into tillage, and of sowing it with wheat, is calculated to amount to L. 6, 10s. The cost of the same operation to fit it for maize would be L. 5, 8s. 6d. Mr Cox, the surveyor, has estimated, that on a farm of 50 acres, when the government supplied subsistence for six months, the expense would exceed the produce L. 5, 19s. the first year; that in the second year the produce would exceed the expenditure L. 49, 10s., and in the third year L. 36, 10s.; after which, recourse must be had to the renovating power of manure. Maize and wheat are grown on the same land in one year; the former when hoed well, and twice hilled up, being found a good preparation for the latter. Wheat is sowed in March or April, and harvested in November. Maize is sowed in November and gathered in April. The produce of wheat on the Hawksbury settlement, from 1804 to 1814, was from 21 to 25 bushels to the acre, and since the last of those periods from 15 to 20 bushels. The land on the rising ground is inferior to that on the borders of the river, but the wheat grown on it, though yielding less in quantity, is of a superior quality. Mr Oxley, the Surveyor-General, thinks the average produce of wheat on the colony does not exceed 10 bushels to the acre; whilst, on land of similar quality, the produce of maize is from 30 to 60 bushels. The price of wheat has been from 11s. to 12s. 6d.; of maize from 3s. to 7s. per bushel.
Besides the grains, attempts have been directed to several articles whose cultivation appears suitable to the climate. Flax has been grown with success, but has not been extended from the very limited demand for it in the settlement. Tobacco has been well produced, but from want of sufficient practice in curing the leaves, the tobacco of Brazil has been so generally preferred, as to leave but little inducement to grow it in the colony; though of late, some improvements in drying offer a prospect of more success. Vines have not yet been prosperous, owing to blights which probably have arisen from improper exposure to prevailing winds. As this is an object of great importance, Mr J. Macarthur has paid much attention to rectify any errors, and hopes are entertained of more favourable results in future, than have hitherto been produced. The same gentleman, one of the earliest settlers, with his characteristic spirit, has been at pains to introduce the olive, and as far as can be judged from the trees, which are yet but in their infancy, with the greatest earnest of success. All the finer fruits of Europe are most profusely brought forth, and in some gardens, the choicer kinds of the tropics are successfully cultivated.
The breeding of cattle must, however, be the most sure road to the prosperity of the colony for some years to come. The numbers of horned cattle have quintupled between the years 1810 and 1820. In the latter year they amounted to 54,103; besides
those tame cattle, a race have grown up wild in the woods, derived from some stock which early strayed from the settlement, and which were supposed to have perished, till their offspring were discovered in large herds in the interior. The sheep have been tripled in ten years. In 1820, they amounted to 99,487. Mr Macarthur has a flock of 6800, of which about 300 are pure Merinos, and yield wool of excellent fineness. As the duty on wool from New South Wales has been reduced to 3d. per lb. in Great Britain, eager hopes are entertained of success, which will naturally tend to increase the numbers, and to improve the quality of the wool. The average weight of the fleeces of the New South Wales Merinos is about 2 lb. 7 oz. Some few bales of that wool have been sold in England at 5s. 6d. per lb., and one at 10s. 4d.; but the far greater part have hitherto sold at about 2s. The importation into Great Britain has been, in 1819, 71,299 lbs.; 1820, 112,616 lbs.; 1821, 175,433 lbs. The increase of horses has been in nearly the same ratio as the sheep. In 1810, they were 1114, and in 1820, 3639. They are generally of the European breed, with a mixture of the Arabian brought from India. Pigs and poultry have increased in nearly the same proportion as other stock. The mineral productions of this settlement are yet but slightly ascertained. Iron has been found about eight miles from Port-Dalrymple, which is said to be equal in quality to that of Sweden. The mines have not yet been worked. There is abundance of coal at Hunter's River, about 50 miles north of Port-Jackson. The vein is three feet thick, was worked by a passage from the river, but is now by a shaft 112 feet deep, and the labour of twenty-seven men can extract twenty tons per day. In this labour, the criminals from Sydney are destined to be employed. Lime, for building, has hitherto been burnt from oyster-shells, as no limestone has been discovered near the settled ports. Common salt has been extracted from sea-water, but from the bitter not being accurately separated, the culinary salt of England, notwithstanding its price, is generally preferred.
The circumstances of the colony are not favourable to manufactures; but some hats, blankets, woolen stockings, and coarse cloths, have been made from the native wool. Pottery wares, of different kinds, have also been made, but they have not yet acquired the art of glazing them. The most advantageous operation of manufacture is tanning; but, from want of sufficient practical knowledge, it has been hitherto badly performed. The bark of the mimosa, a tree that abounds in the interior, is found to contain the requisite properties for tanning hides. With a little more experience, and with some regulations to prevent damage to the hides on flaying them, the colony might supply itself with leather from the cattle bred and slaughtered at home.
The foreign trade of the colony consists of the importations of sugar, spirits, soap, and cotton goods, from Bengal; of tea, sugar-candy, silks, and some clothing, made of English cloth, from China; of iron and hardware, cottons, millinery, wines, porter, cheese, and salted provisions, from England; and of sugar, tobacco, and spirits, from Brazil. The exportations
have hitherto been but trifling. Wool has been already noticed: seal skins and fish oil might have formed returns but for their being charged with higher duty in England, if taken by a colonial than by a British vessel. Exportations to China have been made of sandal-wood, and pearl shells, previously collected at the Islands. Some attempts have been made to export flour to the Cape of Good Hope, and horses to Batavia; some coals have also been shipped for Bengal and for Batavia. The shipping of the colony consists of twenty-seven vessels, from 15 to 184 tons burden. This branch of industry is much retarded in its growth by the restrictions which are found necessary to prevent the escape of convicts by sea.
The external trade has been assisted by the establishment of a bank; but the institution has been injured by having suffered its cashier to defraud it of nearly L. 10,000, being half the capital. The principal circulating medium is the bills of the Government, or receipts for stores received by the Commissary, which amount to about L. 40,000. The smaller operations are performed by means of the notes of the bank, which are issued for 2s. 6d., 5s., 10s., 20s., and five pounds. The legal interest of money in the colony was 8, and is now raised to 10 per cent.
By the accounts of the treasurer for seven years,
ending September 1821, it appears that the taxes collected in that period amounted to L. 174,310, 10s. and the expenditure to L. 163,790, 8s. The income is derived chiefly from port dues, import duties, licences, and tolls. The chief expenditure has been on the establishments for male and female orphans, and for public schools—for public buildings and works—for salaries to officers—and for public and judicial charges.
In all the grants, reservations of land have been made for the support of the clergy, and for the maintenance of schools. The clergy are under the inspection of one of their number, denominated senior chaplain. Some Roman Catholic chapels are building, and one for the Wesleyan Methodists. The public services of religion are reported to be attentively observed. The administration of justice is executed in a court established by special act of Parliament, in which the Chief is an English Barrister; and recently an Attorney-General has been appointed, who is to be the general prosecutor of all offences.
See Wentworth's New South Wales; Parliamentary Papers ordered, by the House, to be printed at the following dates—19th June 1822, 19th April 1821, 13th March 1823, 9th March 1821. (w. w.)