AUSTRALIA SIXTY YEARS AGO.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 925, 10 February 1872, Page 3

AUSTRALIA SIXTY YEARS AGO.

A correspondent of the " Australasian" writes:—l have before me a remarkable book published in 1811, being a "Present Picture of New South Wales." Some of, the general orders issued by the then Government are curious reading now. Here is a specimen of fairness in the good old days : —" Convicts uot to strike or be struck by free persons ; penalty, 200 lashes to the prisoner, and jail gang 12 months ; a free man to pay £2 for the first offence and to be bound over." Another regulation would suit the strictest of Sabbatarians: —" General attendance at divine service required, during the performance of which all strollers are to be apprehended and confined." The times were bad for loafers, as " all idlers loitering about the wharfs" were directed to be sent to hard labor. The retail dealers were kept well under authority, as " not "more than 20 per cent, on the importers' price is permitted on the retail." Pure water was highly prized, and the penalties for taking up fresh water except at the tanks was £5 penalty, and " the offender's house to be razed to the ground." By these regulations wheat and live stock at Government prices were made a legal tender. How a purchaser of a fig of tobacco was to get his chance out of a fat bullock is not explained.