HISTORICAL REVIEW OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



distasteful to the whole community. Bourke did not allow his military training or 

 career to petrify his ideas of government. Being essentially liberal and high-minded, with 

 too much tact to make personal enemies, or to suffer himself to be embroiled in petty 



squabbles, although at the same 

 time not wanting in firmness, he 

 generally succeeded in having his 

 own way. As soon as practicable 

 after his arrival he paid a series of 

 visits of inspection to the different 

 out-lying settlements, for the purpose 

 of acquainting himself personally 

 with their present condition and 

 future prospects, and thereby ob- 

 tained an extent of popularity which 

 none of his predecessors had enjoyed. 

 Some proof of his sense of justice 

 and moderation of temper will be 

 found in the fact that no Govern- 

 ment prosecutions for libel took 

 place during his term of office. 

 Many valuable reforms were carried 

 out by him both in Government 

 and in Administration ; the convict 

 system was amended by providing 

 for a more equitable distribution of 

 assigned servants among the settlers, 

 and at the same time regulating 

 the amount of punishment by the 

 lash to which convicts were subjected 

 at the will of their masters ; the 

 system of Government aid to the 

 churches of different denominations 

 was improved by establishing reli- 

 gious equality among the sects a 

 policy by which it was hoped, in 

 the language of Bourke, that " the 



people of those persuasions will be united together in one bond of peace, and taught 

 to look up to the Government as their common protector and friend;" the immigration 

 of free settlers was promoted by the joint action of the Home and Colonial Governments ; 

 and he endeavoured, though vainly, to establish a system of national education. 



The estimates laid before the Legislative Council shortly after Bourke's arrival, con- 

 tained the first vote in aid of immigration the Home Government having expressed its 

 intention to contribute double the amount voted by the colony. The first immigrant ship 

 had entered the Harbour, only a few months before, bringing fifty young women from an 



WILLIAM CHARIES'.WE.NTWORTH 





WENTWORTH S STATUE IN THE SYDNEY UNIVERSITY. 



