VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 130, 28 August 1847, Page 4

VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.

Governor Sir W. Denison opened the Legislative Comcil at Hobarl Town on the 25th June) in a speech so full of interesting matlei. and so illustrative of the stale of tilings past, present and prospective, that wo feel tempted to lay before our readers, a cursory epitome ol ts> contents. This Council as most of our readers may be aware, has undergone a recent re-modelling, b\ the ejection of Sir Kardley Wilmott's six compliant nominees, and the re instalment of thai consistent and patriotic legislator, Mr. Grigson, and his five political coadjutors. Aftei an appropriate introductory address to the members. Sir W. adverted in congratulatory terms to the improved state of the finance*., which he asciibed as well lo the pecuniary aid afforded by (he Home Government, to u aids the support of police and gaols, as to the augmentation in the receipts aiising fiotn different branches of trade, exhibiting a fair indication of general amendment. In the quantity of land cultivated, there had been a marked increase, but jet strong evidence of a mode of culture, ai ome slovenly and expensive, shewing settlers the necessity of economising labour, and of applying science to agriculture, so as to compel every acre of ground lo veld the utmost amount of nelt pioduce; to accomplish which improved means of internal communication would be necessary, of which the Home Government would contribute a portion. His Excellency then referred (o a despatch ol Lord Grey's on the subject of granting to Van Diemen's Laud, a representative Legislative Assembly, which it is piobable will be short!) called into operation,, b) an Act of Parliament, on a constitution similar to that of New South Wales. Indeed this seems only a furtherance of the intentions of Her Majesty's Mini»ters, lo carry free institutions into the different BtitMi settlements in those seas inclusive of New Zealand. Municipal institutions would of course follow, not merely by the grant of Incorpora tiou to Hobait Town, and Launcestoii aloue, but to all principal towns in the rural districts. A correct trigonometrical survey of the country, chargeable on the land fund should be carried out, and hydrographical sutveys of the principal bays and harbours.

The aboriginal establishment at Flinders 1«" land should be removed to such a distance from llobart Town as would bring it within the reach of public inspection and revision. In order to economise lue finances it would be expedient to repeal the Registration Art, and the i3O Court of llequests Act, transferring the latter to the cheap juiisdiction of the Su pi erne Court; to amend the law abolishing iinpiisonmerit for Debt, and to abolish the Insolvent act. Public setvaiJls whom it had been found necessary, from motivesof economy, to discharge, Sir W. hoped the Council would enable httn to pension or make gratnities to, until again emplu)ed. Transportation of convicts lo Van Diemen's Land, Her Majesty's government had determined should not be rseumed after the two sears for which it was intended to be discontinued. This the Government had resolved in accordance with the expressed wishes of a large propottion of the free inhabitants, but whether for weal or woes, his Excellency expressed no decided opinion. To us it appears that the island must suffer materially for some time by the proposed change, nursed as it has been by abundant hnnan labour imported at no expense, and by the gradual diminution and final extinction of that immense Btitish government expenditure on which it has so long fed and fattened. The estimates of expenditure for 1848, amount lo £115,030. j£lO,OOf) was shipped at Huhart Town for England by the baique ' Gjpsy/ in consequence of the high premium charged on hlils.