The last accounts from Van Diemen's Land have considerable interest, as showing the continuance, and even the aggravation, of the want of confidence I etween Sir William Denison’s Government and the Legislative Council, arising out of their differences on the great Transportation question. In our last summary of Tasmanian news we mentioned that the Council had been convened for a special session, the supplies for the I’olice and Gaol departments being nearly exhausted, in consequence of the refusal ol the Council at its regular session to grant the Estimates for these branches of the
public service for a longer period limn three months, because their representations :o the I lonic Government against Transportation jiad not yet been answered. AVe tow learn vhat at the late sittings the same principle of action was (irmly maintained. The Colonial Secretary moved that the Estimates should be voted till the end of the year, and it was argued that, although no fi rrnal answer had yet arrived from England, still the paragraph in the Queen’s Speech in winch the subject was referred to in terms implying a promise that “at no distant day” transportation to Van hitmen’s Land would be “altogether discontmi ed,” might be regarded as virtually a rep'y in accordance with the petition of the Council, but the elected members strenuously resisted bolh Ihe argument and the motion, on behalf of which it was urged; and an amendment, proposed by Ah'. Chapman, that the supplies should be voted for three mouths only, was carried by a majority of -11 to 9. ... It is difficult to conjecture how this course will end, as die Government had soul notice to all the officials in the Police Department, from (he highest to the lowest, that on the day on which the three mot lbs expire, “ their services must be dispci sed with.” 'fhe final discussion of the Session was on an Address to Her Majesty expressing the gratitude and joy with which the celebrated passage in the Koval Speech had been received. The lone of this Address will appear from the following sentences: —• “ They now feel that there is some hope for I heir country, and for Ihe moral and religious welfare of their children, when (heir helo\ed Oueen has spoken so decisively in their behalf, fhc darkness and despondency of Ihe past Lax _ given way to confidence in a brighter and happier future. “Believing that a sound moral constitution of society is (he basis of all national greatness, they look forward to Ihe happiest social results when, freed from Ihe moral incubus which fas hitherto rendered (lie very name of their country infamous, as well as depressed (he deveh pmeut of ils line resources, they shall rise to their proper position, and enjoy (heir legitimate share of the unexampled prosperity which a bountiful Providence is now conferring on ycur Majesty's Australian possessions.” Loyal and unobjectionable as this style of Address seems, it was not palatable to the Colonial Government, and the Private Sect ctary moved an amendment, of the nail re and grounds of which, however, we arc rot informed. But the original Address was carried by a considerable majority. This terminated the business, and the Council adjourned to the 12th of July. The following paragraph from the Colcnist, although it confessedly rests on imperfect authority, has a two-fold interest,—as respects the present and the anticipated occupants of Norfolk Island. “In a laic number of (ho Panama Star, it is slated to he probable, that the inhabitants cf Pitcairn's Island, the descendants of John Adams, Christian, and others (the mutineers of the iiounhj), will he removed to Norfolk Island, as that Pandemonium is to he no longer a place of punishment. We think it certain, that all Hie prisoners will he removed to Tasman’s Peninsula, as in justice and mercy they should he, so as to be within reach of a visiting commissioner.” Hobart Town was slated to ho so crowded that U was as difficult to get a dwelling house there as in Melbourne. Hen Is had of course greatly risen. Gold dust from Fingal was still occasionally offered in the market. A Gold Circular by’Mr. lloweroft, bullion-broker of Hobart Town, quoted ils price at 3/. 12s. per oz., Port Phillip gold selling for 3 1. 17s. Gd.
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New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 731, 16 April 1853, Page 2
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715Untitled New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 731, 16 April 1853, Page 2
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