120 Stalisiics of Van Dienicns Land. 



tion of 1 per cent, to tlie bills of exchange; while the notes 

 and bills in circulation are nearly 10 per cent., and the 

 deposits Sl^- per cent, less than at the corresponding period 

 of the previous year. The Banks continue to display much 

 caution and steadiness in their operations, amply justifying 

 that confidence in their stability which they have hitherto 

 so well maintained. 



Table 40 is a return of the Savings' Banks at the close of 

 the year 1848, three of which now exist in the Colony; the 

 total number of depositors being 22G0 (one-half of whom 

 are for smaller sums than £,\Q), and the amount deposited 

 £43,637 12s. 2(5?. — with interest allowed at the rate, princi- 

 pally, of 4 per cent. Compared with 1847, the depositors 

 are fewer in number by 131- per cent., while the deposits 

 show an increase of 12f- per cent. The social and moral 

 welfare of the working classes are so intimately connected 

 with the maintenance of these valuable institutions, that it 

 must prove a source of unalloyed satisfaction to observe the 

 great degree of encouragement which they receive. Besides 

 affording the best incitement to industry and self-restraint, 

 perhaps a more effectual means could scarcely be devised 

 for rescuing a man from the thraldom of the vice of drunk- 

 enness. Induce him to invest his first shilling, and you in 

 all probability detach him from the " evil of his ways," and 

 are instrumental in laying the foundation of industrious and 

 prudent habits. 



Tables 41 to 48 form a series of returns illustrative of the 

 progress made in agriculture during 1848. By Table 41 an 

 addition is shown of 17-| per cent, in the number of acres 

 broken up and brought into cultivation since the previous 

 year, — a circumstance w^hich, considering the low prices that 

 have ruled for every species of produce, speaks well for the 

 persevering energy of the settlers. There is an increase also 



