OLD CONVICT DAYS IN AUSTRALIA.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXI, Issue 8962, 11 December 1905, Page 4

OLD CONVICT DAYS IN AUSTRALIA.

itir CHARI.E* vVIttTK.) Au-ii.r >. "A nit ration r.:i.diran'.-tis-_-." ""•-•■ h'tory of the l!!.-i<:W ft.r.. t.c. (Am- V-ti.iiTc r.fi:-'.i-.v;-r>.)

tHEAPTKU XV -TICK-■■-••.•--••-• i. \> .: A tiffcet-f.;-1.-.i»e v.p.s stmiSy a p.-n..i- ■'.■•■. to e';- individu'd tu wh .en it '>',?-. -t..--t,> employ h-rfis-it f.f '.-.v;i_l •■:; »:. .-; ; t.» stTjttire property: on ro:i..;:r>ii "i f; •' ■ : r within the dis!rtt.-: there-n .-i-■■ .'; ■• ami ..f hi.-, ticket f.-t'.-re the :...-...::.-(r .: • ..' _• • (►•rind* by the r--itht:.,|. . i;: hrtfder w.ia n.»: at'.>wo.l :» nther district v.-irh-ett t'-- exj-r. ■■■ ■•■>■•;'■■■_•' .if the ("iwi'tr.'.t entered »'» th-- t.'j •• "i te rt.-ket: and th- _ti-;i-.:-: v.-.i.s V.i'-A- :•• ■•■ rejirtnwil at a-tvy time :■,: the pl-iv.-r- >•: t:i-Gov.-rror. in which ra.'«* the i- >:-'.-r t- • verted to the -itttsti'.it -:' a i-vi .- -r •■' rtte Crown in every r>-..[v.-t. # A» the' ttrfcet-o'-!t':iv.r .system ;r-.v : ' --'■-• -t. h.>.vt> inntiA it* fidi.et ex^r.-r i .e_ "'['■>' • eivetr»r Itnur'-te'.-. rh-j- tr-jwlalt-itu-. relating t-> :';-"- :- '■■ hordttii: at th.it ttiiie :vi ; l .•.-:.•'■•' -■':■■:: l>iw rhat svsitem ..p-rated i:.-:'.'-ra!!y. Tfi- first" ar.d tndisp..-iisab!e . t u.di:'; .>■•■-:• f-.r a tieket v.-aA the rr>rii|det:n;i •«: a probationary tenn of servitude, \\/.. : Four vears •>{ a r.entene-,- t'-ir .' y.-'-rs. Six years of a v-ntert-.-e forlf years. Ktght years of a sentence for life, reckoned Ertim tti>- date »f _<-:npt-.ym< at by ■Fie- GuvertuinT.t. or id ai.-.tg!it:i-:it i-j pr; i 3 t,- service. In nddittotv ;•> ".h?.l pr-.i itt«n. or.e- year was added for every eertiue »t serrt'>* of ary mate r«nvi>-t .-spp-'.irtttg r.» hmvf l»>-n •>censi.is>-.l by pi?.^-..nd'.:.::. l>n--»ye;tr v.-.-u* also added f>r ev-ry p-.ini.-h----merit" tnfltevd on a tea!.- e.»nvt--t by -._.->• n'f.'d s»-n"eru>'. if. whi -h .-a.--_ t't.- y-r '■■■■' •■•■ 1 •.■etiratK-ftced fr->n> tr<- evj-ir,t'i->i! -.;_ :•'■■• , setiter.'.-. N'otwieiuitat'tliiii.- thl- nil.-. '■■■'•'•■'■ ' ever, ntagi'trate.s enter!.iititug r-n :.:>!'li--i- j tr,.rt for a ti-ket-ofdeay.- w. r- !;-■: |-r • : eluded frf.m reeomtner.dittg. a: th.- ie,t:i'i.-.- ; of rh" irnsltT. a remission ot the j.-Idiit-.■■-1 • pr»b.Ut-n re.|>tre.l. i-itb-r for eh-;i.- ••; . servii-v* or [HiFtLihtiifti:. it they w> r.- ••'• • otiitii-.n that the- stiltw-ou-nt g.—d e..ud::_-;. j «.f th- .appiicant hail merit.-d the r-an."- : .-ion. _ . . i N"» striet riilm wer.- laid down v.i-rt r •- j ■-ard to t?;.' crar.ting of tickets to f i-Me j eotntct*. nth'-r than trios." hid do-.-.i: :.-r | , ffie niatesk tmder th- original r- _""': - i'-n. ! M.i.cbjra:.-.~ were, however. _ er.ioiti-i '■•• 1 n\ak- clo.-** tti-fdrv « th • - ! :.. - j btlity from terra "f s-rvi:-e a:;. I::■■_■! >■■ "- . • itiet" of the aprfi-atits. I tit pirti- "[ -r'y j ! rb»> manner in v.-I-ich thev i-r >v- -i • •■ • ijiarntairt thrtiw-Ives wiiile ii .Idtr.g the d---ir.'d indtifgenee. An application for fi.-k.t.s hi' :■> '■ - : presented t>ers.->tia!iy by ti." appb. a-r ■>■: i.a form sr:p|'ti-d for that pnr|. ".--). t- •:- I'.-.ttv Ses.st.ms <>f the clt-trtef .-very :e.e.--. '.■ V! the Jtisttee;. might app.if.t. <»:'■' rearr-. trare had power t-i deal wii!i_r.pt.'.i" ■■:•>"> • in ronfnrmity with the regulation.-: 1- ;' '■■ ■ i apt'Fi-itiort irotdd b- re-'eiv.-l wht-'it '.'.."is not in the pre.-.cribed form, .ind sig;i -i !.-.- th-> ma-v.-r or over.v-r. It'att': r-.r.. --• r'er- Mipp'i-d to the !i.T----r, t:t- ": r.-artd. an-! th-y w-r- r- ;ti-r.-d_ ;-- : ; - r..-: •raotly provi-b-i v,i"':i f-.niv ''-.-r t';- e > vr consider rli- appli'-ant for :>. ti.-k.-t i'iid. -.rving of tl.- in-iidg-;—. >■- ;•■;- r-litir-d r» ht.« *>i>ini'-:i >/>'■ '.vr:r-.':-: t-> if'he d.Vli'rv-d to -b. to=-. th- -in : : -"r.v■.-. did not entertain :?-.■• obj-eti-rt. T : ■ :•;•- f. r i'-a;ion rotild b- t;iad- three trior''--- r ;■ •or.- l!i-- t'-rrn of t>roh,i"i-ei !r.-i . \;iit--!, nit rb-> rn-.-.'er wa.-. i-inr'-t to ft;rr-;- ! t ''_'•- .-.f-re'-eaat with a print d fori;, of ri- .:■ .ati-.r, .and -> pa.-«i "to tFi- I'ottrt »t ?'-■-;.• S->-,-t.,rs. and furri:-r !•• -att-v.-.-r a ; l •:"• ■ ■ .ins of the- Court .one. mitig th-- rond-:.-and efafms of th- appli-.-ajif. art.-fdi-!.; pr •orally for r-ti'-h [-tirtio.-.- if re-piir.d. _ If ar.v eonvit wns proved to have •:!»>■-.-- •ngty pr.t.etite.l an appli-ation for a n-k.-Sy-t'ore th-" time pr.vcnli-.d. or mad.- .-.;:" false entry of s--rvi.-e. either with r-.-tv •• t.. dates or omitting to .titer the scv. r.-d ervi-.t« in whi-h b- had been etni.'.-.v.-.!. the IVnch initmviiatelv rrjvortrd th- ra-.e | t'Hrorigh th- Principal Superhrt-nd.-r.t ■>' M'onvicts. ar.d fw- wa.s ptmisbi-d by one year :.,r tn-.r- of additional servitude. _ j I Tlie Court entertaining th- app' ; --^.-n

.'nrerrd. on the f.irm all such par:; ■■'!'■-■::■ r.-h.imz to the rr.ndrj.-t of the .-> f .:.l-:.i.f ~< entiM I.« obtained front his it-v :r " r fornvr trrwters. e.nd transmitted rh- d.i-r:-rn-Tt with other.-; prepared 'I.tI:-.- _'•'•"• month to tlit Superintendent of t'.-:'.v : -' r :'.. for tfv Oovrrnor'i. information, tin- ">;'••';''• .-arioas he in:: firs" copied into a bo-.:: _t"r rh.it pttrpov by th- Her';, a column '••;"*: left to enter the rWL-tnti when obtained. The principal sttpeririteitdnir. on receipt of the application, examined the re-orr's. of hi* office for any far'-; nectary to complete the evidence in favor of or aaainat the claim, and tl'.en forwarded the doenmrnt*. with his report, to I*> submitted to th- f.ovrrnor. If the application was rejected, additional probation lietnrr re.it»irerl. tin' Court of Petty Sesatorcs_ ro:tivrncd wm immediately apprised _of the fart, ar.d through the magistrate- th- master was informed, and a notice pasted in.vide and outside the courthouse. Ariv mnvirl wiio?r> sir':rt of b.-.-e \y\ U-n "ranctiiird by th-> l.ovrrttor f>r mt.= - rondfirt mid". :«K''- V •'■ r i: - s r—'oration. thr.msh Mi»» rnas'er to wl-r.nt he iv.rl been a.-wiinrrl. wlm forward*-1 liU ren-oris to :h-< magistrates, and they ard the Snp.-r. intenrlert reported thereon and ----! t:_ie .I'lettments on to the (biy.-mor. t'o!es.-, in rfii-i manrwr. no app'ir.ition '-odd !•■> '«"•'" "or th»* restoration of a tie'-.-' <;<•:••. _'';-• . onviet had *.TVtfl a protnttor of four vers front ttw date of liU tic!--.- !-i"vr

.-.i'irf!>."f). vbert th<- original re.:"l. - .!:■-•"• roitbl b«» carrirHl oat. M?> rorivit-t.t holding ticlntA for (•■ > diotrirt of Sy-Irtey and rs-sidin-J wi:!t:;T the town metered in the par ; .-h.-s. in v.!- .> th.-v resided, tinder «he of a >«i!ire on the first flay of every ■rvottth ior tl>- second if the first fell o.i Sur.ri.-iy). at stich pb.ee and ho:ir a.-_ !{:••> rti.->iriat"ntc mizht appoint: ard every tt- 'y_-f-ofder in tho town of Sydney leavins hi* for another in the <ame- p.ir : s'»i :-?s

ns to tfv wsrdsm.vn vithin !vtiiiv-!.iim lortfs of qtiittin;. and .-•«•*> t.> cive a #ittif»r rtottiv'to the wardsrnan o[ the i.ari.-h tn which ho had taken tip his residence: of thl« r-ruhtion er.:ai!iiii: irr.nv-di. ?t«.« Kanceffotion of the ii-fcrt. Tho-.* livttS without "ho hut ir. tli--. .li-t.n! for which S"v<in.-y v.*-, th-.- ph'-e oi IV;ty *fjmns, were ma*teml wiarterly. FI-.it! r? of ticket.* in t'v -ourctry districts wr-> .v-o

postered qß.irt.rty at the ro-.irthr.iLo. >.•- for? a police magistrate if there were o~« to :h-t district.' or otlxrwhie the o'<tV of Petty NtvmoM ;ir.d->' tho inspection o: -i tnsiiT of th" peaur. Immediately after each Truster tlu"nndcr whose snperiniondonre it wsw held, or the clerk of th-> V.en-.!i. hr.d tf» report the- numes of all ahsenteos to the Principal Superintendent of _ Jhe C'on- ■ tcts for the Governor's information.

Macistrate* sttpcrintendintt the muster T iid liberty to interrogate the ticket-holder t>-.»p*ctinc his means of subsistence -nanner of life, and if not satisfied that !■:«• was getting an honest living they made 1 «K«ial IBCort Of *hf polder failed to attend the musters, and 'id not show good cause for non-atteiul-rnce, he was JbpriveJ oi hia ticket: aUo if he were foond at any time bevond the firmts of the district for which the ticket had been granted, without a pass or other anthontv. Women holding tickets of Ifavc were no'

l":i]Bircd to master in person, bnt had to a report to the magistrate snper'•■erdinc the mnster 6*atiror they de!d ■ jrkets and where they Any orailioo in the delivery of these reports, or any false statement, rendered tbe ticket liable to cancellation. Magistrates had power to dispense with, these reports, however, in the can of married women wbose

characters and habits justified a relaxation ,-,•-,. could obtain from the nearest jusV ■ of tho i-ace a p;:s.s /or al-senting them--,'dv-s from the district for a period of not ~..,:,. than fourteen day*: bill a pass lor 1 .1 longer time- had to be granted by the 1 nn-L-i.,.lSuperintendent of Convicts. Appii- . .'lion had also to be made to the PnnJ.iin! Sui>orir,ter.dcnt for the transfer ol a ItV-i-. from one district to another "i„, 19: h April, 1849. the last ticket-of-h.nv.- regulations were published. lltcy I read as follows :

Ail tiekets-of-leave are issued for par- .;,", i i 3r districts, named in the ticket-oi-i'-.'vt'-: or |>.-i«.|>ort4. to enable the holder •r, remain in the service of masters beyon.l ;"—• boundaries of location. . ' Ivvrv ti.k-i-of-'.eave holder is Tequrred, »-•; inn "fourteen davs after ids arrival m his .V'i-rict. to report." either personally or in •v'rtiti- t» the Clerk of Petty Sessions of ;,-, d-:rirt. his name, and ship, residence, t-'V. ,i. : u.e of his master or employer, his ■"id,- or c-.dliug. or his mode of maintamiiV-' himself: and also to do so between the Is? -is-! --Stii J.inuarv in even." year. Any •l t-i'f-of-h-av«- holder" failing to comply with •■li-i order will be reported to the Prin- .';, .' -..n.etiulendent of Convicts, with iv ".v.- to having his indulgence cancelled. it' h- is on jMssport lie is to make his -..-,i.-r to ili.- Commissioner of Crown Lands ,'.-•'|.-" di-,:rirt in which he is employed, m- .;...,! of the Ik-itch. ii. [, r, mured to report every change in .... or 'r-.-dd.-r.'.e in the district within [-, ■"; r t. • -t: ii.:vh of its taking place ; and if i .-'•..-i-i Siic'b-Miiidaries. such change of eer- \ :„'■■' to o:iiv he made with the authority I-'.' ''-,-. t''-:.imi.':so::er first obtained for that-

! .'iMii-tlitely after each muster, the ... :::n:.- under whose superintendence it \ m.-de wdi report the names of all ab-_ ■ r. i- !•• the Principal .Superintendent of ;'..'i-.vi -i- for the Governors information, . • i x.-it'-i a vi.-'.v to the cancellation of the T-. IVr.ch of Mairi.-irates or the Police '■l. for the district will whenever ;•;••" think it necessary, interrogate the :,. I.'-.-r ->f a ticket-of-kavo, respecting his •ii. ;ii:i '•:' sab.sistence and manner of life. .'•ti.l if he ftlull not be satisfied tiiat the i-.'-K-s-of-le.ive holder subsists honestly, he -...:: r-i.tlt-r .: special report of the case :.)';hc !'r;ti>:ip.il Superintendent of Convicts ■•-r tie- Governor's information. N-i ticket of-leave holder is to be out of hj:, ,1-sir'n.: without a pass, except in the • ■x,. u:ion ot* hia duty as a constable. !'.'.-.-vs to leave the district are given ..-liv l.v the Police Magistrate or by two M listr.ites of the district acting in Petty Sv.»>ioi!.-,. and every such pass must be ...imtersiL'iied by tlie clerk of the Bench. Such passes "can only be granted for p.-riods not exceeding fourteen days, and i:-. pisses ran be Tenewed, nor any new ].i:-s granted to the same person until after the expiration of two montlis from the date • »;' the former one. I"t.'.-tii.« »i pisses ar<- obtainable at the p-.'.ii-- otlite. u|K)ii payment of 2s 6d fee. i'.i-M-.s for a longer period than fourteen d..v> ..in only bo granted by the Principtl Su;<•rinteiiilent of Convicts, on the ap- ].';■ .it:o:i of the ticket-of-leavo holder, or ui;i iifcister. through nie Bench of Magistr.ite- in his district. The Principal Superintendent of Convicts "s ir.e onlv person who cm grant jiermis--.1 t.< any holder of a ticket-of-'eave to his district; and all applications ;.. him for that pun>ose, or for ])C-rniissin ;.. i.si-li.- beyond thelioundariesof his pass--1 -r;s in'.tat be made through tlie Tiench i;' M.iiristr.ites of the district ill which the ;i-h-t ..f'e.ive holder resides, accompinicd i.v .-. f-e of 2s 6d, and the Tiench is Teo;;r. : ;•> forw.ird such applications, with t ! > is- r ::>.-irks ili.reon. to the Principal >'■;;» ri:.!eiidsM of Convicts. '!"':-• !-r-!'h of nhy of tlrt.-se regulations v.-:ii -:;l-;-i t .i ticket'-of leave holder to bo • ':, i-riv.-l <>f iiis indulgence, and to be rctiirr. \ '•' tlie t< rvice of the Goveniment. ?."■• ::- ':■ -t-of-ieave holder for a country iliyrj.; -:- iiii.iv..-d to be ill Sydney without a ;.-.-.>: and any snrh person found there •.vi:!,->:i: authority will have his ticket can- .,:' i and he" immediately removed to (/.,,': it- Island. .\ ;:-kiiff-U'.ve holder who forfeits his in !i, ;-Tti e. fro:n a breach of the Tegulari..- t-r anv oilier cause, returns to his i. .-iii-in as an or<iinary prisoner of the t'ro-.vn. and forf-its all the privileges lie t..-.—.! while holding his ticket-of leave. .':■ i ..iii ! .:■ ..died ii|xm to serve a prolu- ::•-:; • ; hnc veais before his indulgence is

Ti- holder of a ticket is liable to be :.:'•:;.":.;! Mititift.irily by Magistrates in P -.■ .• S.-.-.- : e.:;s for the following olfcnces, - :.-."iv: Misdemeanors, pilfering, simple i -r- ■•:.":■ - tm.i-.-r £5. Punishment, sentence ;-. ir-iis for six or twelve months. I)t::-. :• iiiif-.--. .ih.-cond-r.g from the district r v-'r.-t: bevond th- tjotindaries from the -..re;-- for 'v.hie'n he holds his jut-sport, ■r .-:•!.-r disorder)v conduct —the forfeiture of !.■.- t-.-::et. In addition to this, as an ~:•;:; irv prisoner of the Crown, he may be : ui-.i-h.'d for neglect of work, disobedience of .-'d.is. or absconding, by fifty lashes, two months to tlie treadmill, or imprisonment with hard l.dior, or fourteen days' :•■■ it'iy confinement.

That ,-iitv lonvict, absconding from the distri'it. or service of his employer, during ili.- s-tibsistenr-e of liis sentence of trous-D-.r:.-ition. >Iu!l be liable to be tried in a -■-.iiiiiuiry way by the tribunal authorised to '.ike (<il-ni?;iii';e"of such offences, although at ilie fl.it*- of his apprehension his original .iml additional sentences may have ex-|.ir..:-i by effluxion of time, and he will be H:V.- to lie punished: in the same way as n' :> :>-rio'i of his. original term had not o:pir.-f. A ; I t-.-'iiti-ncos to irons, to tiie Toads, to i::>; .-\->n:::er.t <-.r the treadmill are cumu-

iit've on a prisoners'is original sentence, ~:.d i: iv.- to be served in addition to such original term. For example :If a pri-svr.-r's s-ntet!'.e is fourteen years, and he r,,elves a st-ntence of 6ix months in irons, i;o will not be frio until lie lias served fourteen years and six months from the date of the original conviction. A ticket-of-Icivo holder is also subjectto the provisions of the Masters and Servants Art, by which he may be punished bv imprisonment, or forfeiture of wages, for absence from liis employer's service, for .(■-obedience, or neglect of orders, or other misconduct, in service. Or if ho obtains money in advance from an employer and fills to enter his service, or fails to perfrom his .-.greement in any way; for all tlit-.- offences he is liable to punishment under the above Act, irrespective of any <>:!ier punishment, as a prisoner, where the <>!'i'.-i'.i:«- is of a criminal nature. Hut unrlr the same Act a t icket-of-lcavo holder

. .us i:l;i) .ompei bis employer to perform h - tart of the contract, in'.iil resj>ccts as ni'.-.'tti.illy as ii lie (the ]>risoncr) were a ii.v man. Anv ticket-oMe.ive man who has held jt ; 3 induUtiuo with good conduct for three vr.irs. rertified to by three Magistrates, ' r (..-r-ois of respectability, known to the ('{.-.vi'tnor. tlrrouali tho l'rir.c-ipal Superiiiten.'.etit of Convicts, for a conditional pardon. This indulgence enables the holder to exercise all the rights of a free suhjirt. and to proceed to any P".Tt of the world j-.ive to Great Britain ana Ireland, or If tried out of tiie United Kingdom, exto tiie place where lie was con-

By At: o; Parliament it is provided that ,i i.*>r.vitt holding a ticket-of-leave is allowol to acquire'and hold personal pr.v perty. ;snd to maint.-.iu an action or suit i-.-r i:r- recovery of any personal property. •■r f-.r any debt due "to him, or for any fiaiiM-.v b'.r«tained by him ; but if he should

.1: niry 'ime forfeit "hi;: ticket-of-leave from I TnK>ndn«jt. the property acquired by him wilt become absolutely vested in JTor If.v j .smi hiuti l>» disposed bi nt the disKnVion of the ({ovcrnor of the colony. Addenda.—Every t ickct-of-leave holder is ri'Kiircd to hold his indulgence for three !:•'•':.- c::t'vv yiars with good conduct, and to pay into the hands" of the Principal Superintendent of Convicts the suni of £ls, by yearly instalments of £5 each (on accoar.t of the expense of his passage to the r'/i«-:iy) before a conditional pardon can he :s--'.ied to him.

Any ticket-of-leave holder who has held ii?j> tiiket for two years with good conduct (which mttit ha certified by tliree Jlagisirates or persons of respectability known to the Csov«:Tnmont), and who has paid the sum of £lO on account of his passage money, may app'-y by petition to.the O**vernor, tlirouen ,th« *"—--' ' -- <;„„,. /~ > . Superinten- — %/i v-onvicts, for a conditional pardon, j and will not be issued until he has completed three years from the date of his ticket, and hai paid into -tie hands of the Principal Superintendent of Convicts tho Tcmainins £o due for his passage. It being, however, understood that any offence committed by a jicket-holder after he has been recommended to the Secretary of State for a pardon will render him liable to have that indulgence withheld . (on its arrival) j for such a time as hiV. Excellency the Go- j vernor may see fit. The description of bearer wa6 endorsed on tho back of the pass, giving name, ship, year of arrival, native place, trade or calling, age, height, ©omplexionr hair, eyes, and general remarks, and bearing tbe convict's iignatnrii •"..' "'

Iho system of granting indulgences to the convicts, as already stated, reached its fullest development during the administration of Governor Maequane. He discountenanced immigration, contending mat the colonv was intended for convicts and by granting indulgences to the good conduct prisoners he sought to promote reformation and preserve something like rood orders But his mistaken zeal carried him too far, and in a large number of cases crime was increased instead oi lessened and evil habits were encouraged rather than corrected by undue leniency. That which is acquired very easi y is frequently estimated lightly, and the liberality with which Maequane dispensed tickets-oMeave, conditional pardons, free pardons, and certificates of freedom to all and sundrv of the convicts who cared to take the trouble to apply (and it may Iktaken for granted that very few hesitated to make The request under such circumstances) wrought more evil than good -retiuently. Every convict who had been fortunate enough "to escape a second conviction came to look upon the granting ot one or other of the indulgences named a.s a duty which the Governor owed to him and hence applications poured in by "the hundred, until at last ti:-.-Governor 'Himself grew weary of dispensing the favors. A ticket-of-leavo, as already shown, enabled the holder to go anywhere he chos> within a certain district, and to employ himself in whatever way he thought lit to his own advantage. It contained simply a declaration of the Governor's pleasure to dispense with the attendance at Government work oi the convict holding it, am! permission to employ himself in any lawful occupation within a given district far his advantage. During Macquarie's rule he granteo .-.o less than two thousand five hundred tickcts-of-leave, one thousand five hundred condi- • tional pardons, and four hundred free p,irdons: although he was compelled at one . time in self-defence to restrict the issue of the indulgences within very narrow limit.-;. . During the first year or two ol" his rule '■ ho received and granted applications for . these indulgences almost daily; but cou- ■ stant indulgence soon blunted the pleasure of exercising his vice-regal functions, and '. what had at first been a source of grani fication at length became an almost inlakr- • able nuisance. He was not only prevented ■ by the constant appeals of prisoners from attending to other business, but the settlers ' were placed at great inconvenience by ti-..- . frequently recurring absence of their assigned men on journeys to Sydney to prosent their petitions and applications for , his favors. Pestered beyond enduraiic-.-, • he limited ther time for receiving applications to once a month, but oven this soon became so tiresome and inconvenient th-.t • in 1813 regulations were issued containing new ami stringent requirements, and restricting all such applications to one day in the year, viz., the first Monday in L><- > comber." This was going from one extremes to tlw other, and occasioned very serious • inconvenience by bringing large numbers of prisoners to Sydney from all parts of the colonv at the "same" time, and was particularly "annoving to the farmers, as it often took almost all the men away just at th.-. ■ commencement of the harvest. The practice, nevertheless, was persisted in for several years, and saw the occasion of soms ; very remarkable and disorderly scenes taking' place in Sydney, and even at Govern- • ment House itself." An eye-witness give*; • the following account of what he saw there : in 1819:—"I was once present at Government House on the day on which the petitions were presented. The crowd upon tlie occasion was very great, and observing their impatience, the Governor addressee! them and informed them that lie would grant no tickets-of-leave to those who had iiot been three years in the country, no, any other indulgence except in terms oi his' proclamation" of the year 1813. Thiaddress produced no effect; and there w.-n ■great diificulty in preserving order in the. presentation of the petitions that were delivered to the Governor, who, on perusing the statements and looking at the certificates, either wrote in pencil on the margin the initial letters of the indulgence that'was to be given, or rejected the petitions- altogether. The. petitions presented on this occasion exceeded 700 in number."