Seal Property Act. 29 



fact, that as similar bills either had or were about to become law 

 in four of the neighbouring colonies, it was highly desir- 

 able that the Lands' Transfer System of the whole group should 

 coincide, and thus admit of co-operation in the consideration of 

 improvements, and of the profiting by each of the experience of 

 the others. 



It certainly never entered my thoughts that the measure thus 

 passed could be regarded as final. The history of all legislation 

 of this nature shews that completeness can only be approached 

 through a gradual application of the teachings of actual experi- 

 ence. Nor was it the least important recommendati»n of Mr. 

 Torrens's plan that even in its then state, it had been largely sub- 

 jected to this amending process. The South Australian Act of 1861 

 on which that of New South Wales was based, differed considerably 

 from Mr. Torrens's original measure of 1857, and the nature and 

 sources of amendment may be better described in his own words. 



"The present bill," he says, "is the result of the adverse and 

 friendly criticism of a great part of the legal profession in the 

 colonies of South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Queensland. 

 The Attorney General and Solicitor General of Queensland went 

 through all, and so did the Solicitor General. The Attorney- 

 General and Solicitor- General of Tasmania have been through it, 

 and so have our two Judges. Then we have had Mr. Allport, 

 Mr. Fisher, Mr. Ireland, Mr. Pellowes, and all these legal gentle- 

 men trying to pick holes in it, and pointing out whatever they 

 could against it, and whenever there was any reasonable doubt 

 or even colourable pretence almost, of an objection, we have 

 altered it to meet their view." 



Nothing could be more creditable to Mr. Torrens than the 

 candour exhibited in his ready adoption of these amendments, 

 and in the explanation he thus gives of the fact. Whatever it 

 may detract from his claim to originality, it will add to his 

 character for statesmanship. It ought to serve as an antidote to 

 the jealousy of some lawyers who were disposed to resent the 

 intru sion of a layman into the province of legislation peculi- 

 arly professional. It is true that all the colonial Acts bear the 

 impress of Mr. Torrens' individuality so far as they carry out his 

 peculiar view of applying the special machinery of shipping law. 

 But in other portions of these Acts liberal use has been made 

 of suggestions emanating from professional sources, and of the 

 Parliamentary and other papers published in England in connec- 

 tion with the analagous proposals there under consideration. The 

 result has been a measure which, with all its imperfections, may 

 challenge comparison with many acts incubated in the most 

 orthodox manner under lawyers sitting on law-amending or 

 Parliamentary committees at_, Westminster ; a large average of 



