The Convict System.

New Zealander, Volume 5, Issue 361, 29 September 1849, Page 3

The Convict System.

The following despatch was laid on the ta'ile of the Legislative Council of Van Diemaa's Land, on the 27th of August, by the Governor : —

Downing-itreet, 27th April, 1849. Sir — I have the honor to acknowledge your tiespath, No 228, of the 17th November last, accompanied by ceitain resolution! passed by the Lcgislatire Council respecting transportation. The opinion embodied in the second of these resolutions very much agrees tvith the views whirh have at various times been expressed by her Majesty* government.

I quite concur in thinking it most deiirable, if the object could be effected, that convicts who have undergone a due portion of punishment at home should be distributed in moderate numbars over a variety of colonies, instead of being collected in a single one. You will be 10 good ns to apprize the Legislative Council, in the uiual mode, that their resolutions have deen duly received ; and you will assure them that the subject to which those reiolufions relate is one which continues to engage the anxioui attention of her Majesty's Government.— l have the honor to be, air, your obedient servant, (Signed) GREY. Lieutenant Governor Sir W. Denison.

California..— All occupation, save gold digging' had been abandoned, and the working of land in California for farming purposes completely neglected.— Nao York Paper.