IN BASS STRAIT. 511 



occurred in Bass Strait will, it is to be hoped, direct 

 immediate attention to the construction of these 

 lighthouses, and I think that the collateral benefits 

 to be derived from the dispersion of the convicts 

 ought to be given their due weight. The expense 

 would, in consequence of the ample supply of la- 

 bour, be small ; some of the islands afibrd stone in 

 abundance ; and the convicts might raise part of 

 their food in the vicinity of the proposed buildings. 

 1 cannot but think that this, in the end, will prove a 

 lucrative undertaking for Government ; as on the 

 number of vessels that pass, light-dues of about a 

 penny a ton might be levied. 



In another part of this work I have adverted to 

 the desirability of forming other convict establish- 

 ments than those at present existing, particularly on 

 the north-west and north-east coasts ; and I would 

 especially recommend the neighbourhood of Hanover 

 Bay on the former, and Halifax Bay on the latter.* 



of Kent Group, is the best position for a light at the eastern 

 entrance of Bass Strait ; and they beg leave respectfully to 

 recommend to your Excellency and honourable Council, that 

 immediate steps may be taken for commencing so desirable an 

 undertaking as the erection of a lighthouse on that spot. 



(Signed) "J. Gibbes, Chairman. 



" Co7incil Chamber, 6th September, 1842." 



* We have just learned that it is the intention of Government 

 to form a settlement of the kind mentioned in the text on the 

 north-east coast; and that the province is to be called North 

 Australia, the southern boundary of which is to be the 26th 

 parallel. I have already expressed my opinion, that convicts 

 should not be sent to Port Essington, as the proximity of the 

 islands would afford them facilities of escape. 



