The Sun.
London, England, 1847-11-02 00:00:00

NEW SOUTH WALES.

The last papers from New South Wales contain
the details of an exceedingly interesting experiment
undertaken by Mr. Boyd, at Sydney, with the view
of increasing the supply of labour. It appeared to
this gentleman that it would be desirable to obtain
immigrants for the colony from the South Sea
Islands, and he accordingly dispatched a vessel for
that purpose, the captain being instructed to call at
as many islands as possible, so that he might satisfy
himself not only as to the people most fitted for the
wants of the colonists, but also as to the number

likely to be procured. In due time the vesse
returned with 65 of the natives of the New Hebrides
group (distant about three weeks' sail from Sydney),
of various ages, from 14 to 25, while the general
accounts given of the cruise were such as to warrant
an expectation of satisfactory and extensive results.
Mr Boyd's wish was, that in the first instance only
50 should be engaged, but so eager were these people
to be taken on board, that it was only through the
authority of their chiefs that the number could be
limited, the explanation of this desire for removal
being that the inhabitants of all the Coral Islands are
in a condition, during upwards of eight months of the
year, little short of starvation. With respect to the
habits of the people, and their fitness for the occupa-
tions of civilised life, it is stated, that although canni-
balism and infanticide prevail amongst them to a
fearful extent, they manifest in their intercourse with
strangers a very great degree of tractability and in-
telligence ; and hence it is considered that their vices
may be attributed rather to the influence of the suffer-
ings to which they are periodically exposed than to
any ineradicable peculiarity. The expense of intro-
ducing them is about 8/. per man, and Mr. Boyd's
intention is to employ them as shepherds. At the
same time, from the description given of them, it
would seem that they might easily be instructed for
other services. Regarding the conduct of the party
during their three weeks voyage, the master of the
vessel reports as follows :
"My first care en getting to sea was to limit the
quantity of food for each person, particularly salt
meat ; to have the hold well aired and constantly
cleaned, &c.; and so successful have I been in my
endeavours to preserve all in a healthy state that I
landed them all at Twofold Bay, with only one slight
case of dysentery having occurred during the passage ;
and I cannot refrain from mentioning the grateful
attachment they have all shown to me, as it exhibits
a trait in their characters rarely found amongst
savages, and one which will contribute in no small
degree to render them manageable during their resi-
dence in the colony ; but on this score I have no
doubt, as, short as the time is that they have been
with me in the Velocity, they have already learned
to make themselves useful, and the alacrity with
which they endeavoured to obey any order I gave
fully proves their inclination to work."
With reference to the numbers to be procured, he
adds :
"I have no hesitation in assuring you that from
the various groups in the vicinity of New Holland,
this vast island, now nearly uninhabited, may be
supplied with an almost unlimited number; for as
the miseries of an over-population are removed by
emigration, the crime of infanticide will cease, and the
desolating effects of perpetual warfare, not only car-
ried on for the purpose of eating the slain enemies,
but also in the hopes of plundering the enemy's
country of the fruit and roots produced in it, will
end when the principal cause is removed."
Perhaps the chief danger to be apprehended is
the common one in all these case of the temptation of
intoxicating drinks. It must also be remarked that
the number imported by Mr. Boyd consists entirely
of males; and that, if this practice be persevered in,
there can be no doubt of a repetition of the evils
which not many years back were denounced in the
first attempts at Coolie emigration to the Mauritius.
—Times.

The leading features in yesterday's Observer,
Oct. 31 : —About nine folio columns of Monetary Affairs,
including one column (by express) of the meeting on
Saturday, at Liverpool, of the Royal Bank Company, u
column of Paris papers of Saturday, with the latest
Bourse and Belgian Funds, by the Observer special ex-
press. The Queen's proclamation to convene Parliament
on the 18th November—Marylebone Vestry on Satur-
tLy—Art and Artists, &c. The extensive publication
of the Observer commences at six Sunday mornings.
The Monday's Observer, with markets, at four Monday
afternoon. Price of the Observer (48 columns) 6d.