VAN DIEMAN'S LAND.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume I, Issue 28, 24 October 1840, Page 3

VAN DIEMAN'S LAND.

We have received Launceston and Hobart Town papers to the Bth of September, and subjoin a few extracts. On Friday last a large quantity of spirits and tobacco was destroyed at the bonded warehouse, not having realised a price at the late sale sufficient to cover the duty and the rent. Many of the articles had been some years in bond, and the rent due upon them was greater than the value of the goods themselves. The only alternative in such a case is, to destroy the property ; because, by allow- , iug it to be sold for le.ss^ than the duty, an injury would be inflictel on the merchant; the Governmaut could not sacrifice the rent without an injury to the revenue, and consequent , injustice to the public. All the property, therefore, which was submitted to public auction, and did not reach a price equal to the luty, was consumed on Friday last. The value of the spirits was vety considerable. — Launceston Advertiser. The Chartists. — Frost, Williams, and Jones, the three Chartists who arrived per " Mandarine," are at Port Authur ; the former is employed as the clerk in the commandant's i office,, the two latter as overseers in the coal > 55«r •""*•;" ***<* o ii' M ?r* > ly Hopp the Kxec>Ui w *» will speedily ameliorate the condition of these unfortunate men ; especially as Lord Brougham says, " their being subject to punishment is illegal." — 1 bid. It is gratifying to observe the number of buildings now in progress in this town ; besides which, we hear that several, upon a very large scale, are commenced. Mr. Suisted is about erecting, a commodious hotel, at the wharf; another hotel is in contemplation, to jbe built by a company of shareholders ; a very large building, also intended for an inn, is in course of erection in William-street. In addition to these are, the Baptist Chapel in York-street, the.Wesieyan Mission House, Messrs. Henty and Co.'s stores, the Royal Exchange Auction Mart, Mr. Cox's store in Wellington-street, all of which buildings are of considerable extent, besides dwelling houses "too numerous to mention." In this manner private enterprize works its way, and Launceston — poor neglected Launceston — flourishes, unaided by Government assistance and solely from the exertion of its inhabitants. — Ibid. Clerks in Public Office. — His Excellency in his minute on the estimates, stated to the Council, that the increased expenditure of various departments, would be caused by the progressive increase in the salaries of the Clerks. We highly approve of this, which was indeed a suggestion of our own some time back. — Hobart Town Advertiser. Pawnbrokers. — The new Act imposes some very salutary restrictions upon these ' gentry, some of whom are not much more honest than their neighbours. A license of £20 in Hobart Town and Launceston, and j £5 in the interior, will require to be taken i out : and this can only be obtained by certificate of the bench. The name of the pawnbroker is also required to be put over his door, and the hours of taking pledges, are restricted. The Act will come into operation on the Ist November. — Ibid. Fence Stealing. — A practice is very prevalent in the outskirts of the town, of stealing fences ; and a most injurious offence it is. At the Police-office the other day, two children confessed, they had. been instructed by'Ufteit mothers to steal part of the Rev. Mr. Lillie's fence; but the mothers declaring that they merely desired the boys to get "some wood " out of the paddock, they were discharged with a hint, that in future cases of the kind would be differently disposed of. The Quarter Sessions would give 7 years' transportation for the offence. — Ibid. , \ The Main Road. — The Colony is forfy

years old, and the principal line of road between the two capitals is not yet finished — no, nor quite formed! We readily admit that what is done is good, but how tantalizing it must be to travel a few miles, here and there on a good road, and then be compelled to fall into the old natural cut-up tract. It has occured to us that, if the elite of the county of Cornwall would give a quarterly ball to His Excellency, His Lady, and suite, it would considerably accelerate the finishing of the grand line of road, which we respectfully submit to their early consideration, now that the season of jaunting and visiting is drawing uear. — Colonial Times.