VAN DIEMAN'S LAND.

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 46, 18 April 1846, Page 2

VAN DIEMAN'S LAND.

Land. — The absurd system of fixing the minimum price of land, in these colonies at twenty shillings per acre, has been most fully demonstrated, by a sale of land, in Hobart Town, on the 27th February, by order of the Sheriff; which had been previously purchased from the Government, far above that high upset price. There were 30,104 acres, situated around the town of Hamilton, and consisted of some of the best pastures for sheep, in the whole colony. The whole sum realized was £20,370, or about 13s. 4d. per acre; and such prices would not have been given, unless the principal buyer had been the possessor of ! the adjoining property ; and who was the ! purchaser of 18,703 acres for £12,980. Another person bought 3.200 acres for «£1,7C0, which he had sold some years since for 20s. an acre. Floods. — There have been most heavy rains in the southern parts of Van Dieman's Land, and floods have covered the plains, as well as rendered the lower parts of Hobart Town almost impassable. In the interior the consequences have been most disastrous. The bridges between. New Norfolk and Hamilton are completely swept away, The still flowing

Derwent had risen to a torrent, preventing its navigation. The low grounds on either side, were all under water, and covered with timber, and remnants of buildings from the upper country. Numbers of cattle and sheep have been entirely swept away, and very many of the settlers would suffer considerable losses. Emigration from Van Dieman's Land.-— Exclusive of the great emigration to Adelaide, there were 1 37 farm labourers who left Hobart Town for Sydney, in the barque Sapphire,, and arrived at the latter port on the 7th March. ■ Imprisonment for Debt.' — An act passed on the 27th March to abolish Imprisonment for Debt in Van Dieman's Land, for any debt not exceeding £20, exclusive of the costs of action. Persons in prison for debt are released by the bill, as soon as passed, but creditors are given powers against the property and effects of debtors. Debentures, — On the 26th March, in the Legislative Council, on the motion of the Colonial Secretary, a resolution was passed sanctioning, a loan of £7000, and an issue of Debentures, to the amount of £ 1 0,000. There had been previously a loan of £25,000. Two of the members, Messrs. Reed and Hopkins, immediately left the council. The revenue of Van Dieman's Land, for the last quarter of 1845, was cf23,600, and the expenditure .£34,000. Markets.— Hobart Town, 26th March : — Wheat, 4s. 3d.' to 4s. 6d. per bushel ; Barley, 4s. 6d. to 4s. Bd.; Oats, 3s. 3d.; Maize, 3s. 6&.