The Sun.
London, England, 1849-06-18 00:00:00

F,1,4 11"

THE

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN SOIREE.'

The second soirée took plsee at the Hanover-square
Rooms, on Saturday eta ring, end was very numerously
and irilluentielly attended by paeties intelested in the
Australian colonies. Amongst thoee-present were—Wm.
Hutt, M.P., in the chair; Laid Robert Grosvenor, M.P.,
Lord A. Lennox, Sir E. Belcher, Right Hon. W. E.
Gladstone, Sir J. Carmichael, James Matheson, Eq.,
M.P.; 11. A. Aglionby, Esq., M.P.; R. M. Milnes,
M.P.; C. B. Adderley, Esq., M.P.; A. Godly, Req.,
M.P. • ' E. Divett, Eq., M.P.; J. Anderson, Esq., M.P.;
Mark Boyd, Esq., J. Simeon,Esq., M.P.; E. Lennox Boyd,
Esq., &c. Sic., and about 300 ladies and gentlemen.
The speeches were of considerable interest as regards
the Australian colonies, but the address that had imme-
diate reference to emigration was that of Mr. Mark Boyd,
in introducing whom
Mr. HUTT said, it afforded him much gratification to
call upon his friend Mr. Mark Boyd, a gentleman who
must be well known to-them from his extensive connexion
with our Australian colonies, and his philanthropic and
iefiaential exertions in the cause of emigration. To Mr.
Bob d were those colonies deeply indebted as their steady
friend and suppot ter, and he regarded his presence tht re
that evening with the more pleasure, as giving additional
interest to their proceedings.
Mr. Mans. BOYD said—After the eloquent speeches
we have heard, eseecially that of the Right Honourable
Member for the University of Oxford, I confess that I
feel some hesitation in addressing this meeting, but
being called upon by you, sir, the tried friend to colon!.
attion, and v. hose name is identified in grateful teenem
brance with our Australian colonies, I shall best show
my appreciation of the compliment paid me, by tres-
passing very briefly on your patience. I had the plea-
sure of attending the South Australian Soiree last year,
and heard your lucid opinions on the important national
objects for which we are again met, and although I then
looked forward to similar successful reunions, I acknow-
ledge that, notwithstanding the indefatigable exertions
of Mr. Ridgway, the warn friend of our colonies, I did
not anticipate the brilliant assembly of to-night. I can
only account for my name being brought forward on this
occaeion, from having been associated with some friends
in the formation of the Colonization Society, who have
laboured asiiiuously and anxiously in disseminating in-
formation, and affording assistance, as far as in our
power, to those anxious to serve in our colonies. It
would be ungrateful were I to omit ackiiossledging, on
this or any other occasion, how much the success of the
society is attributable to the powerful assistance ren-
dered it by the public press of this country, whose
columns were liberally devoted to copious accounts of its
proceedings, as well as to able commentaries in advocacy
of its objects. In the presence of the ladies I may mention
that amongst the most gratifying results of the labours
of the society have been the formation of kindred asso-
ciations of ladies in different parts of the country—a
measure first originated and matured by my friend and
colleague in the Colonization Society, Mr. Logan, from
New South Wales, and for which it is but fair to sae
we are deeply indebted to that gentleman. I need
scarcely point out in this meeting the advantages of such
societies, many of the duties devolving on which are
without the scope of any committee of gentlemen. For
to whom can the poor aed timid female better resort for
guidance and assistance in taking such a step, which is
always met with more or less difficulty, than to those of
her own sex, who can best understand her wants
and best employ their sympathies in relieving them? The
first of cheap associations was formed at Brighton, where
Mr. John Chapman, in that spirit of philanthropy for
which he is so distinguished, carried out Mr. Logan's sug-
gestions, and assembled a committee of ladies, whose
services have been beyond all praise in the cause of fe-
male emigration. It is quite remarkable now to watch the
increasing interest in our Australian colonies. In look-
ing at the " Post-office Shipping L'st," I observe the
eumber of vessels fitting out for different distant
ports from London to be eighty-seven, of which
forty are for our Australian colonies. With
pride I state that the shipowners have entered
into this measure of emigration in a very liberal
spirit, no sordid feeling being shown in carrying out
this great national undertaking. The ships are uni-
formly of the best description, well found and ably
commanded, and every readiness maniMeted to fulfil
to the letter the intruetions of the Colonial-office and
the Commissioners of Emigration. In confirmation of
this I may men ion thet, during the twenty months
which have elapsed since this active emigration to Aus-
tralia, commenced, no emigrant ship bound to our Aus-
tralian culoniee from Great Britain, that we have heard
uf, has met with an accident. Ido not, lam sure, re-
quire to inform the ladies in this new era, when they
e, me forward to assist us in so important a national
question, that in promoting emigration, and relieving
tee distressed at home, they are aiding our commerce

by creating a body of most valuable customers for
British :manul'actures, as well as attached friends for
British connexion, who will be the means of increasing
the production of the staples on which our manufac-
turers depend, and further drawing forth those great
mineral treasures which have already constituted so
much of the prosperity of South Australia, and indica-
tions of which are daily presenting themselves in other
of the Australian colonies. Nothing so clearly proves
the va:t &id there is for the- absorption 'or the
surplus labour of England in Australia, and
the illimitable extent of her undeveloped re-
sources, than to find that hitherto, with
all the emigration, wages in the colony have as
yet but very slightly declined. The ladies will ba sur-
prised and distressed to learn that, from want of popula-
tion in New South Wales to cotiuni..! the food of that
bounteous laud, not less than 786,000 sheep and cattle
were slaughtered in one year for the tallow alone. 'This
is a sad reflection when we see the distress that prevails
in the mother country, and know that crime in many
Instances is committed to gain acituittaLco to our prisons,
where food is more bountifully supplied th,lit in our

poor-houses. I hail a kiter last weelttrom a magistrate
of Yorkshire who takes much interest in the question of
em:gratiou, in which he mentions that he hart sent five
persons to prison on a charge of incendiarism who had
committed the offence to get into prison. What a diffe-
rent result hail these deluded people emigrated! I beg to
offer my apology, especially atter my promise to be brief;
for occupying so much of your time; and in agaln thank-
ing you for the honour you have done me in connecting
my name with the cause of emigration, I have only to
state that my friends and nayi,ell, in prunatitig this
question, have felt it as a duty to the mother country, at
ale same time laying the foundation of great and lasting
peosperity for her colonies.
The company sepaiated at half-past eleven o'clock.