The Press.
London, England, 1856-10-04 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

In the same neighbourhood is the residence
of Mr. Dry, late Speaker of the House of
Assembly. The munificence of these landed
potentates may be judged by his liberality in
endowing a church:—
Mr. Dry has given over to the trustees a portion of land
for a church, and glebe, etc.; also the annual sum of
4001. as endowment. The neighbouring gentlemen having
added their contributions, this will be the best supported
parish in Tasmania,

Evidently the landed gentry class is firmly
fixing itself in the soil of Tasmania ; and
hence, though its growth may not be rapid, its
security will be assured, and it will long con-
tinue to present peculiar advantages to the
settler. A fine estate is possessed in this
island by one who is represented as the largest
lauded proprietor in the world. The writer is
describing the environs of what, formerly
known as Hobart Town (after the name of
Lord Hobart, Secretary to the Colonies in
1811), is now termed the City of Hobarton :
On the right, after you pass these, is the residence of,
probably, the largest landed proprietor in the world, ➢lr.
W. J. T. Clarke.

This gentleman, some years ago, having amassed con-
siderable wealth in cattle dealing and sheep runs, finding
an old Government proclamation to the effect that any one
paying down 20,0001. should be entitled to a special survey
of 20,000 acres of any part of Australia he chose to fix
upon, went to the Victoria Government, referred to the
authority, which there was no gainsaying, and paid down
his 20,0001. Immediately the survey was ordered ; which
he took care should comprise the richest tracts of the
colony, and as near as he could obtain it between the city
of Melbourne and Geelong. Besides this extensive pro-
perty he is the owner of several sheep runs and estates
here ; and some of the most productive land in Tasmania
also belcngs to him. Yet, strange to say, the house at
which he principally resides is not to be compared to the
cottage of the farmer renting his 100 acres ; uor is his
household or establishment in better style—accumulation
being his only idea : this is fully borne out by his general
character and appearance.
Mr. Clarke, from the frugality of his living,
does not appear to be popular. But the
author is quite mistaken in supposing that
such men are the ruin of an infant colony.
On the contrary, by accumulating large pro-
perties they very much promote the solidity
and future fortune of colonial society.

The neighbourhood of Hobarton, from its
fine hays, beautiful streams, splendid moun-
tains, and inland lakes, is enchanting. In a
valley by the seacoast reside the sole sur-
vivors of the aboriginal inhabitants :

Occup3ing comparatively low ground, the valley is beau-
tiful; but if this spot were a hundredfold more pre-
possessing than nature has already made it, its attractions
would scarcely be observed, the attention being forcibly
drawn to an object which, on account of its inmates, is
peculiarly interesting. How, indeed, should it be other-
wise, when we reflect that within the walls of that low
cottage beneath as are all that now remains of a once
formidable nation ; who, in a thirty years' war with our
countrymen, were either sent into captivity or the grave—
they are but now sixteen in number. The glen in which
they live is called, from the little inlet adjacent, Oyster
Cove, a small arm of D'Entrecasteaux's Channel ; a few
acres of which land have been cleared for them along the
banks of a small river that passes by their dwelling. Dr.
Milligan is the inspector of the station, and constantly
visits them. All their wants are supplied from Govern-
ment funds, which annually averages 1,00 W., including the
salaries of storekeeper, medical officer, and chaplain.

The Derwent is a beautiful river, abounding
in varied and delightful scenery. Lake St.
Clair, near Marlborough, must, by the author's
account, be one of the fairest localities in the
world :--
The next object we notice is a beautiful bridge across
the river. The police-station, a glimpse of which we caught
when on the rise before entering Marlborough, is now suf-
ficiently near for our inspection ; it consists of a very pretty
and substantial stone cottage, which affords excellent ac-
commodation for the traveller. After having passed by
this, and crossed the Nive, the eye rests upon immense
plains with but few trees, whilst innumerable herds of
cattle bring to mind the vast prairies of America. Several
small rivers intersect tho land, the two principal being the
Clarence and Travellers' Rest, over which temporary
bridges are erected for the purpose of passing stock. The
owners of the stations by which we are surrounded are
Henri(' Nicholas, W. J. T. Clarke, and T. Standfield, Esqs.
Nothing worthy of remark occurs till we arrive at Lake St.
Clair, the entrance to which does not partake of the general
beauty of the scenery around, and its monotony causes a
feeling of disappointment to arise in the mind of the
traveller.

But soon these fancies are dispelled, when, having un-
moored the beautiful gig placed there by private subscrip-
tioa, and pulling far out into the centre of the lake, the
hands unconsciously relax their grasp of the oars, and the
tourist gazes around on the beautiful scenery that meets
his enraptured eye. The snow-white beach lining the
borders of the lake is adorned by native shrubs, and strewn
with shells and pebbles of every description : the" waratah,"
mingling the brilliant red of its blossoms with a thousand

951

different shades of foliage, is more entrancing to the eye
than words can well express. Flowing into the lake on the
upper side is the river Narcissus, which, sweeping again
outward from the other extremity, forms the source of the
Derwent. The myrtle, cabbage•palm, fern•tree, tea•tree,
and pepper•tree, are but a few of those which grow so
luxuriantly in this soil : these, together with the numerous
spurs of the mountain that jut out on the lake, covered with
every description of native shrubs, lay reflected in the crystal
mirror ; the lofty ranges of Mount Ida, Mount Olympus, and
Cie Seven Apostles, at whose immediate base the lake is
situated, looking grand in their towering majesty. The
numerous attempts which have been made to sound the
depth of Lake St. Clair have, as yet, ever proved fruitless.
Its length is generally estimated at fifteen miles, and it ex-
tends from two to four miles in breadth. The desolate
aspect of the country fur the last eighteen miles renders
the lovely appearance of this noble sheet of water, sur.
rounded by every beauty the hand of nature can plant, still
more enthralling ; and the stranger feels amply repaid for
all the discomforts of his journey, when in the midst_of a
scene upon which he cannot but gaze in ecstasy.
Before we close our description of this part of the
country we would observe that there is another road,
besides that we have just passed over, leading to Lake St.
Clair—one cut by private enterprise, and possessing the
advantage of being ten miles shorter • but as it c►.wmence3
from, and runs the whole way through, the large estates of
T. L. Gellibrand, Esq., it is not generally used, being
thought private. Compared with the large sums expended
upon that made by Government, its cost has been but
some few pounds ; which its usefulness has many times
repaid. Mr. Gellibrand's estate of Cleveland is about five
miles from the Ouse-bridge, along a fatiguing sandy soil.
The house is prettily situated on an eminence overlooking
the river Dee, which flows along the bottom of the extensive
fruit•garden adjoining.
Here, again, we find a great number of tenants, whose
chief characteristics are industry and firm attachment to
the small portion of ground forming their only home. And
as our eye glances over the sweetly pretty view from the
house, of the river winding gracefully through the little
shrubs which grow near the waterside, we cannot fail to
notice that great attention is paid to irrigation—all the
meadows looking as though covered with green velvet : so
truly refreshing 10 the eye is the beautiful English grass.
About two miles from here, we approach the beautiful
cataract of the Derwent; which, after dashing and tossing
into a thousand different streamlets, unites into one body of
water, and flows precipitously between the vast mass of solid
rock which, forsome considerable distance, lines its course.
The force with which it falls, more especially in winter,
is very great—greeting the ear some time before this truly
pleasing scene meets the eye ; and not only rendering the
voice perfectly inaudible when standing on the rocks, but
filling the heart with a feeling almost amounting to awe, as
the gazer watches with intense interest the waters bursting
in their sparkling grandeur.

Mr. Gellibrand is evidently another of tho
" large landed proprietors" so numerous in
this island. Their presence is felt in the
high social tone pervading the country :

Society in Hobarton and Tasmania generally has, from
the very commencement of the colony, possessed, with

some drawbacks, many great advantages: Originally a penal
settlement, the principal inhabitants long continued to he
exclusively officers of Government ; and when free immi-
gration was allowed, the majority of those who availed
themselves of the privilege were retired officers from the
army and navy, with a few capitalists, and a sprinkling of
the mercantile classes from Leeds, Liverpool, and London;
who thereby secured to themselves broad acres in freehold
of the richest land in the finest climate of the world. It
thus happened that the colonists, being men who had held
authority in their former positions in life, and filled high
places in society, felt it a duty incumbent on them to
exert a control over their own actions and conduct, and
maintain an elevated tone of manner, so as to avoid even
the appearance of an evil considered —as Lord Stanley
avowed in the House—likely to accrue from the cause above
alluded to. The presence also of a highly educated class,
from the earliest period of the colony. contributed to this
beneficial influence ; and there can be no question, that, in
addition to her beautiful climate and picturesque scenery,
Tasmania can boast of as agreeable and cultivated society
as can be found in the southern hemisphere
Viewing, therefore, the society of Hobarton in all its
lights and shades, whilst we see somewhat to condemn, we
find much to admire. The Anglo-Saxon race is everywhere
energetic, enterprising, and improving. We have amongst
us the germs of virtue and true nobleness. A spirit of
emulation is rife amongst us. Our merchants assume a
place in Europe not dreamt of before ; goodly ships daily
visit our ports ; our land fast increases in value ; the in-
dustrious and sober earn much more than a competence ;
and, within the last year, a fresh impetus has been given
to trade of every kind. Still it is the imperative duty of
every member of our society to labour in the great work
for its advancement; and, proud as they well may be of
their adopted country, to assist each other in the endeavour
to make all contented and happy : being assured, that to
accomplish this end, we have only our own hearts to rule
—the principle being the all•enduring, never•failing one of
charity and peace. _ _

. .
Wild cattle hunting is one of the sports of
the colony, and a spirited descriptien of such
hunting is given in the seventeenth chapter.
The breed of sheep is excellent, and contri-
butes greatly to the wealth of the island. At
the commencement of the shearing, there is a
sharp contest between the owner and the
shearers :

The season for shearing is from the middle of October
o the end of March ; the time occupied cen <KOWA farms of

952

course depending on the number of sheep, the number
of shearers employed, and the convenience of the place.
A shearer, working twelve hours a day, will shear from
fifty to one hundred sheep, and as the price has ranged
for the last three or four years from fifteen shillings to one
pound per hundred, the wages for shearing are higher in
proportion than for any other farming work. Still there
are some drawbacks, as the shearer often loses much time
i■ going from place to place, and at the end of the summer
has to engage for low wages during the winter season.
There is always a stand made at the beginning of the
shearing season for the price, and the unlucky sheepholder
who begins first has sometimes the mortification of seeing
all his shearers troop off just as he has got his sheep
washed, and perhaps ready to shear.
The usual trial of skill between master and man goes
forward somewhat in the following way :—Suppose the
sheep in the pens, shearers scattered over the floor, wool
winders and wool pressers in their places. The master
comes in, and, with as careless an air as he can assume,
says, "Now, my lads, hit in."—" What's the price ?" asks
the spokesman, a bush lawyer.
Master : " Oh, thirteen shillings is what I hear."

All : " Thirteen shillings !"
Spokesman: " Why, Jack says they're a giving thirty
shillings over the water ; it war a pound last year, and
now all the shearers is gone to New Zealand, it's a going
to be twenty-five shillings this year."
Master ' Pooh ! nonsense ! Who can afford to give
each a price as that? I hear fifteen shillings is the price
at Port Philip, and we can't afford to give so high a price
as they do."
Spokesman " Why, look at the price of wool; it's higher
now than when you give a pound last year."
Master "'Tie not as if it did you any good : you'll
spend all the money in drink."
Wag : " We lays it out iu houses—(sotto race) public-
houses."

Muter: "And as to shearers, there's lots of them
knocking about that would be glad to take a flock like
mine, so many ewes and lambs, and hardly any rough
sheep."
Spokesman : " Ali, they says they are shearers ! but
when they gives in their tally, it'll be five-and•twenty or
thirty : as to me and my mates, we've been a shearing
these ten years ; but it's time we give up when masters
talks of thirteen shillings" (putting up shears, and corn•
menoing to put on coats).
Muter: " Well, I'll go as high as fifteen shillings and
two lots of cider, and no thanks to you: you are a greedy
set."

Spokesman : " There now, just as if we cared ! only
how can one go for to show oneself on a township, and
have it cut up as we lowered the price ? we darna go fur
to do it."

Muter : " You may depend upon it nobody about here
will give more ; but if anybody round about gives a pound
I will; but mind, now, the price is fifteen shilling 4."
(Exit muter.)
Spokesman (to the rest): " Well, bow's it to be ?"
Man, who has not got a shilling, and has borrowed
money to buy his shears : " The cove says hell give a
pound if anybody else does."
Man, who left a good place, and has got five pounds in
his pockets : "A pound is the price we agreed to have."
Thirsty man : " But cove says we're to have two lots of
cider."

At this juncture an old ewe, with very little wool on
it, comes round to the front of the yard.

" good morning, marm," cries the wag ; " you're the
shearer's friend, I should say : you and me's partners."
" Come, Jack," says his mate, " den't you be a eagle,
hawking 'em at this rate : no picking, say I."
This induces a rush for the sheep, and before the
spokesman can get out, " That's not a fair start," there
are several sheep on the shearing floor, and busy shears
at work: the most stubborn grumble, and at last get a
sheep, saying, " Well, I think the cove would ha' given
the pound if we had a stuck out."
It is satisfactory to observe how steadily
this young colony is improving. The land
sold already amounts to 2,804,183 acres, and
the rented land to 2,284,214 acres. The land
unsold in the colony is stated to be 12,482,214
acres. The value of imports in 1855 was up-
wards of 3,000,0001., and of exports 2,000.0001.
The revenue of the colony amounted to
298,7841., and the expenditure to 276,6501; the
return of land revenue was 113,3351., and of
expenditure to 86,6801.
The book gives a most favorable impression
of the country of Tasmania, and of its present
social state. Whatever taint the colony re-
ceived from its convict population is fast wear-
ing out. Apart from circumstances, vice does
not appear to be progenitive. It is an element
foreign to humanity, a kind of acquired habit
from which the children of a convict popula
tion, brought up under favorable conditions,
may be wholly free. That Port Jackson, from
a purely convict settlement, should have
risen to its existing flourishing state must be
regarded as one of the noblest achievements
of modern times, and surely points out the
most desirable mode of dealing with a criminal
population. As for the insane it has been dis
covered that the best and most curative mode
of treatment is to relieve them from restraints,
to give scope to their activity, and only im-
mure theta in a solit.try cell when they mani-
fest irrestminablo violence, the history of