HINTS TO EMIGRANTS TO NEW SOUTH WALES.

BY THE HON. WALTER WROTTESLEY.

THOUSANDS are now leaving our shores to seek for independence, work, and food, in the Australian colonies; and many thousands more would cheerfully accompany them, if they could only obtain the means of conveyance for themselves and their families. Of these emigrants a large proportion go to Sydney, the capital of the colony of New South Wales, and will be interested in hearing something of their adopted country.

New South Wales, the oldest of the Australian colonies, is situated on the eastern side of that vast island marked Australia in the maps, and was first taken possession of (for the British crown) by Captain Cook. No settlement, however, was made until the year 1788, when an expedition, under the command of Captain Phillip, R.N., landed at Botany Bay, a large bay or inlet of the sea, about eight miles south of Port Jackson. The country on the shores of that bay being sandy, and deficient of fresh water, Captain Phillip sought a more favourable spot for his infant settlement, and fixed upon the shores of Port Jackson, where he founded the city of Sydney as a penal colony.

For many years the colony was viewed only as a place to which felons were transported, and was best known in England as "Botany Bay." There were no inhabitants but the outcasts of society, the persons employed by government in their control and management, and a few merchants, who were induced to settle in Sydney.

The defence of the settlement was entrusted to a regiment which was expressly raised for the purpose, and was called the New South Wales Corps. Amongst its officers was a Mr. M'Arthur, a native of Argyleshire. This gentleman arrived in the colony in 1791, and, accustomed to sheep-farming on his native hills, immediately saw that New South Wales was well adapted to the cultivation of wool. He imported a few sheep from the Cape of Good Hope and from England, and from the flocks thus commenced have the sprung many millions of sheep which the Australian colonies now contain. In 1807, 245lbs. of Australian wool was imported into England, and thus was founded a trade, which has been the main source of prosperity to the most rapidly-thriving colony that has been known in the history of the world, and which now employs hundreds of ships and many thousands of Englishmen. In 1848, the wool imported into England from New South Wales alone, independent of the other Australian colonies, was near 20,000,000 lbs. As an encouragement to agriculture, the governor of the colony had power to make free grants of land, and large grants were made to persons in the colony; but few free persons unconnected with its government went there until about the year 1828.

In the year 1821, when the first census was taken, the population was under 30,000, and in 1828 not 37,000. However, about 1828 it became generally known that sheep-farming in Australia was a profitable investment, and many persons with capital went there, and obtained grants of land.

In 1836 the system of free grants of land was abolished, and all land was ordered to be sold, the maximum price being 5s. per acre. This sum was afterwards raised to 12s., and it is now 17.

Between 1828 and 1840 the colony increased so rapidly in population, wealth, intelligence, and respectability, that the free settlers became desirous of being relieved from the burden and stain of a penal colony; and, in compliance with their wishes, the government of England ceased, in 1840, to transport persons to New South Wales.

That this change in one important particular has not been injurious to the colony, may be inferred from the facts that in 1840 the population was 120,000, and is now near 250,000. Such is the short history of the past.

Now New South Wales, like the other settlements in Australia, is a free colony; and although some of its inhabitants have been themselves criminals suffering punishment, and others are descendants of criminals, yet I believe all will admit that the taint of crime is daily lessening, and that now the tone of morality is not worse than might be expected in a new society.

Previous to the year 1848, New South Wales comprised the whole of the east coast of Australia; but in the course of the past year that portion of it south of Cape Howe, and which has hitherto been known as Australia Felix, or the Port Phillip district, has been made an independent colony, under the name of Victoria. The western boundary of New South Wales has not been fixed. Of this vast territory a small part has been divided into twenty-one counties, within the boundaries of which land is sold. Beyond, either to the west or north, no land can be purchased; but the crown now grants leases or licences of occupation, and under such licences a large proportion of the sheep and cattle are depastured, so that the country is partially occupied and settled from Cape Howe to Wide Bay, a district more than 800 miles in length, by about 200 miles in breadth. Parallel to the coast, and about the average distance of fifty miles from it, rises a range of mountains, from whence the waters run east and west; those flowing to the west find their way into the Murray, which, under different names, wends its course for more than 1200 miles to the south, and then loses itself in Lake Alexandrina, from which, unfortunately, there is no practicable entrance to the sea; whilst the eastern waters run direct into the Pacific Ocean, but from the shortness of their course do not form rivers of any great magnitude; but amongst the most important may be named the Hawkesbury, the Hunter, the Manning, the Clarence, the Brisbane, and the Burnett.

As may be supposed, in so large a tract, every variety of soil is found; rich alluvial flats, suited to the plough; vast plains, where herds of cattle and horses roam amidst rich and luxuriant grasses; and gently undulating ground, where large trees, thinly scattered, give the country the appearance of an English park, with grass short and nutritious as that on the South Downs, and where the sheep are kept in flocks varying from 500 to 1500. The whole country is more or less covered with trees, which, although of different kinds, all possess one common property-that of not shedding their leaves; they are evergreens, and it must be confessed that the eye, accustomed to the ever-changing hues of European trees, becomes wearied with the sombre appearance of an Australian forest, which is ever the same from Christmas to Christmas.

The most common are the different species of Eucelyptus, called the gum-trees. Of these the most useful are the blue gum, which are well suited for ship-building, and the wood of which is supposed to be as durable as the teak, though sufficient time has not yet elapsed to test its qualities; and the stringy and iron bark trees, which are principally used for buildings and fences, and are well qualified for those purposes in a new country, where labour must be economised, as, from their splitting readily and evenly, the necessity of sawing planks is obviated. For furniture and the interior of houses, a kind of cedar is used, which grows in large quantities on the banks of the rivers, and the cutting of which has been a profitable employment for some years.

In the northern districts in the neighbourhood of Moreton Bay, several kinds of tree, the wood of which is beautifully marked, and will take a high polish, have been found. As labour becomes more plentiful, these last will, no doubt, be exported to England for the use of cabinetmakers.

Much as has been said about the fineness of the Australian climate, in no case has it, or can it be exaggerated. The sun is powerful, though never oppressive; the air pure, dry, and exhilarating; the nights cool and refreshing. The seasons are the reverse of those in England. Christmas is the height of summer, and June and July winter months. For health and enjoyment the climate is perfect. The only fault it .possesses is, that there is not always rain enough for agricultural purposes. This deficiency is, however, experienced less in the neighbourhood of the coast. It is therefore principally between the range of mountains and the coast that the land is cultivated. In the interior, the ground is occupied by large sheep and cattle holders, who seldom grow any grain, but bring all the flour necessary for the consumption of themselves and their servants from the port to which they send their wool. The largest portion of the population is employed in pastoral pursuits, in tending the vast flocks and herds with which the country is covered, and in preparing their produce, wool and tallow, for exportation. These pursuits have hitherto engrossed the time, and most of the capital, of the wealthiest settlers; so much so, that a few years since great quantitie of the wheat consumed in New South Wales were imported from Valparaiso, in South America; but now, owing to the rapid increase of small settlers employed in agriculture, this importation from Valparaiso has ceased; but some corn is still imported from Van Diemen's Land and South Australia. Wheat, barley, and maize, thrive well; oats are grown only for the purpose of being cut green, to make hay, as maize is the corn given to horses; tobacco is extensively cultivated on the banks of the Hunter and other places, and the vine grows admirably. The most extensive vineyards are those of the Messrs. M'Arthur, the sons of the gentleman who introduced sheep-farming; and to their energy and enterprise in introducing German vinedressers, and in making experiments with the different descriptions of grape, the colony is mainly indebted for an article which will add greatly to its prosperity. Much wine is already made by them and other gentlemen, of a good quality, and which meets with a ready sale at remunerating prices. a few years, I have no doubt both wine and brandy will be exported. The olive and the mulberry also grow well; so that, some years hence, oil and silk may be produced. In the northern districts, near Moreton

In

Bay, the cotton-plant flourishes. However, years must pass, and the population be very much increased, before any supply of cotton from Australia can be reckoned on. Potatoes do not grow well, except on the high table-lands of Bathurst and New England; they therefore are generally imported from Van Diemen's Land; but yams and sweet potatoes are plentiful, and all other English vegetables are cultivated and brought to great perfection; whilst the fruit-market of Sydney presents a variety to be witnessed, I believe, in no other country in the world. Side by side may be seen the ordinary fruits of England, of the south of Europe, and of the tropics-apples, pears, plums, peaches, nectarines, grapes, melons, oranges, pomegranates, grenadillas, litchis, guavas, olives, figs, bananas, custard-apples, loquats, and pine-apples.

All this general description of the colony may be very well (says the emigrant) for those who stay at home, and wish to know something about different parts of the world; but I am on the voyage to Sydney; I wish to know what I am to do when I arrive there. How can I best employ myself? what should I seek? what should I avoid? In what way can I soonest attain that for which I have sacrificed home and friends-present food for myself and family, and independence for the future?

To answer these questions, my friend, I must know something about you. You must tell me your means. What are your views?—what are your wishes? But, whatever you are, remember, that unless you have made up your mind to adopt New South Wales as your permanent home, you had better at once go back to England. Think not that you can be a sojourner in the land; that you can in a few years realise a fortune, and carry it with you to Europe. Thousands have been ruined by such ideas they have neglected that which would have given them small and gradual profit in searching for a royal road to wealth, and are now, after having expended their capital, acting as servants to those who perhaps started with no other capital than strong arms and a prudent head.

You are a capitalist-that is, you have at least 30007. You may be a sheep-farmer, then. However, this is the smallest sum with which a stranger to the country should commence sheep-farming. The necessary expenses of a small flock bear a much larger proportion to the gross profits than where the flock is large. You will not, therefore, make much profit the first two or three years. However, if you are willing to rough it at first, and live industriously and frugally, you may commence with that capital, and in a short time your flocks and profits will both increase.

At the present price of land, 17. per acre, purchasing land for sheepruns is out of the question. Moreover, within the counties, where alone land is sold by government, all the valuable land is already occupied. You must, therefore, go beyond the boundaries, and become what is called a squatter. As the flocks and herds of the settlers increase, fresh lands are constantly occupied, and new stations and runs formed; but no new emigrant, or, as he is called in colonial language, new chum, should think of going to the extreme bounds of the settled districts, or to form

new stations.

By law, all the land beyond the boundaries of the counties is considered absolutely the property of the crown, and may be let for a term

of fourteen years for a certain small rent to individuals, who acquire no further property in the land thus leased to them than the right to use it for grazing during the term they occupy it, and upon their relinquishing it the land reverts to the crown, who may lease it to another. Such is the law; but custom, often, as in this case, more powerful than law, has established a certain right of transfer in the lessee. On the formation of a sheep-station, houses for the owner and his men, stores, and wool-sheds must be built; hurdles for penning the sheep at night, and rails to enclose a paddock for the horses, must be made. Thus no sheep-station is formed without considerable outlay; and therefore, when a person wishes to give up a station, he sells his sheep and "the right to the run" on which they are. phrase is well understoood, and the purchaser, though he does not directly give anything for the right to the run and the buildings on it, yet in reality pays for them by giving more per head for the sheep; and this is sufficiently recognised by the government, who never refuse to grant a lease to the purchaser upon the ordinary terms, or to allow the lease already granted to be transferred.

This

You

On your first arrival, do not be in a hurry to purchase. You will probably hear of many most eligible investments; stations which just suit your means, and situated in the best part of the colony; or, if costing more than you possess, part of the purchase-money may be left on mortgage, at 101. or 81. per cent. Listen to no such tempting offers; incur no debt; remember the old adage, “Out of debt, out of danger." do not expect or wish to get rapidly rich; independence is your object. Place, therefore, your money in one of the banks; and, if you have a family, seek out some quiet lodging in the neighbourhood of Sydney. Such are to be found. Hotels and lodging-houses there are dear; in fact, as expensive as in London. Having done this, make inquiries as to what runs are to be disposed of. Newspapers are daily published in Sydney, which contain advertisements, offering everything to the public, from a run capable of maintaining 50,000 sheep, down to a bark hut.

Attend the auctions which are daily and hourly taking place; listen to the talk in the coffee-rooms, which is of " new countries," sheep, bullocks, &c.; make inquiries of those to whom you have letters of introduction. On all occasions keep your ears open and your mouth shut; hearken attentively to all advice; buy nothing. By such means you may form an opinion as to where you may wish to settle. Good sheep runs are to be obtained in all directions. Much depends upon fancy, still more upon particular circumstances, which are always varying. No general advice written now can assist a person some months or years hence.

Having by such means decided upon the country which you may think most desirable, and perhaps heard of a run which may suit you, buy a good, useful horse, a short-legged, clean-shouldered animal, one which has been accustomed to the bush, as the country is called, cares not for the luxury of hay and corn and grooming, has lived always on the native grasses, and will not roam far at night. See that he has good sound legs and feet, and has been well shod, and, above all, see that he has not a sore back, or the marks of ever having had one; buy a bridle, a pair of hobbles, such as you see on a tinker's