NEW SOUTH WALES.

Press, Volume XIII, Issue 1717, 25 August 1868, Page 3

NEW SOUTH WALES.

DEATH OF DB. BLAND. Some of our Engish readers will probably remember the festival held in this colony to commemorate the inauguration of responsible govern-: ment in 1856. Dr Bland, who was chairman at that demonstration, which is known here as " The National Banquet," died on Tuesday, 21st July, in his seventy-ninth, year. His funeral was attended by a large number of gentlemen. Some were associated with him in his early political efforts. Others cherished his memory as one who had made sacrifices for the country in which his lot was cast. Few living men have seen changes in any British colony so marked as those which were witnessed by the late Dr Bland. He arrived here in 1814, when New South "Wales was little more than a .mere convict settlement. He saw the rise and progress of one off-shoofc which has outstripped its parent in population if not in wealth, and of several others much more im. portant commercially, and far more to be desired as places of residence than was New South Wales when he first made its acquaintance. He saw the Government of the colony*change from a military administration, and finally to absolute responsibility. He had the privilege of sharing in the efforts to obtain these advantages, and.also of seeing the country relieved of the burden and grievance .of transportation. When he came to the colony its population was about 20,000; its imports were a few stores, and its exports nil; when he died our population was about 450,000, our general revenue nearly £3 000,000, our annual ordinary expenditure, £2,125,000, our exports about £10,000,000, and our imports; about £9,500,000. Dr Bland was elected a member of Parliament under the new constitution, but he soon afterwards ceased to take an active part in political affairs. Five years ago he received from the Government an annual pension of £300, and he enjoyed till his death this recognition of his public services. THE TEEASO2T PELO2TT ACT. The news that her Majesty the Queen had withheld her assent from the Treason Felony Act was not received with any feeling of regret. The Act was passed at a time of great excitement, with unexampled rapidity. So far as the principle of the measure is concerned, there was no division in either House. The Assembly divided once, but that was on the question of the suspension of the standing orders, to allow the bill to be carried through all its stages in one day, and then there were only two hon. members who desired to put on-the drag. The general feeling was that the Government were in a better position than any private member could be to judge of the necessity for a law so stringent, and they trusted the Ministers with powers such as had never before been conferred upon any British Government in modern times. Whatever errors therefore, may have been committed from excess of loyalty and indignation must be shared by all parties who helped to pass the bill, which has been returned for reconsideration and amendment. The m««nie 1» imperative mth regard to the detection and apprehension of . Fenian conapiraton. It is impossible, however S"ay what may have been the extent of its moral influence. It has certainly put an end to much loose talk which was probably only m joke, and made it abundantly clear that Fenian- „ find no o-eneral home in i>ew doming Herald," AuguatlZ^