12 THE EARLY TASMA>"IAN PRESS, ETC. 



arose, and Beut inserted the following in his columns: — 

 "The Printer of this Paper takes occasion to request a set- 

 tlement of accounts from those indebted to him. Some of 

 the accounts alluded to, he begs to remind, are for papers 

 since the commencement, and having escaped recollection 

 year after year, really ought to be paid without the trouble 

 that accomi^anies the necessity of a legal application. He, 

 therefore, trusts that this timely request will give such 

 subscribers an opportunity to prevent him from resorting 

 to so unpleasant a measure, and that they will speedily 

 come and pay for their papers" (24). Not they ! The 

 appeal had very little effect, and Bent put matters into 

 the hands of his lawyer; the cases were brought into court, 

 and the defaulters ordered to pay. Even then many 

 ignored the verdict, and after waiting a month, Bent stated 

 that he would be willing to accept payment in wheat (25). 

 This had some effect, but year after year the same trouble 

 arose. Bent cut off the supply of papers, and began to de- 

 mand payment in advance. In 1824 some farmers pro- 

 mised to pay after the harvest, and then failed to keep their 

 promise (26). Bent threatened and cajoled; if they re- 

 fused to pay, the court would compel them ; if they did 

 pay, the printer would not only feel thankful, but would 

 make them each a present of an Ahnanacl- (26). 



Amidst such difficulties. Bent plodded on, and built 

 up an excellent business. In the iirst issue of 1824, he 

 surveved with satisfaction his past struggles, and indicated 

 his ideas for expansion. The paper now had sixteen 

 columns, of which Government notices and advertisements 

 took ur) more than one half. The rest was filled with local 

 news, Sydney notes, and English extracts. Bent felt the 

 time had come to admit the public to his columns, and he 

 therefore announced as follows: — ''We have often had oc- 

 casion to remark that the small scale of our paper hitherto 

 would not admit of our inserting Correspondent's letters. 

 . As our columns will now allow of the insertio'n of 

 more matter, and as the well-infoiTned part of the com- 

 munity might be disposed to fill up a leisure hour in com- 

 municating through the Press the result of their know- 

 ledge, observation, or practice, on subjects important to 

 the interests and pursuits of the Colony, we now feel a 

 pleasure in having it in our power to state that our en- 

 larged paper will henceforth enable us to give publicity to 

 all communications which may appear useful or interesting 

 to our readei-s" (27). 



Bent little realised that in issuing this invitation he 

 was opening the gate to the floods of misfortune which 

 assailed him very soon. He had not long to wait for the 



