216 HISTORY, GOVERNMENT, ETC., 



bane, dimng whose administration all restrictions on the press were 

 removed. 



In 1824, by an act of Parliament, a Supreme Court was established, 

 having equity, common law, admiralty, and ecclesiastical jurisdiction. 

 Trial by jury was authorized under certain limitations, and the Legis- 

 lative Council instituted. This was a great improvement upon the 

 former system, and reduced the power of the Governor, which had 

 before been absolute, while it at the same time gave him the best 

 advisers. 



The Legislative Council consisted of the Governor, with three civil 

 officers, and three gentlemen not holding office. The establishment 

 of this body was a step towards a constitutional form of government. 

 It continued in the original form, until, by an act of Parliament in 

 1828, it was increased to not less than ten or more than fifteen mem- 

 bers, all of whom were appointed by the crown. At the same time 

 an Executive Council was created, and in these two bodies the 

 government of the colony is still vested. 



During the administration of Sir Thomas Brisbane and Sir Ralph 

 Dai-ling, many improvements in policy took place. Among them 

 were inducements to free settlers, and many officers of the army and 

 navy, with other respectable persons, received grants of land. The 

 acquisition of a population of a better character furnished the means 

 of enforcing the laws, and removed the necessity of employing those 

 who had been guilty of crime, to effect its suppression. A better 

 state of things succeeded. Agriculture, and particularly the raising 

 of herds and flocks, were promoted by the facilities afforded by the 

 government under the assignment system; and the resources of the 

 colony were developed, particularly in the growth of wool, which 

 has now become its great staple. The success of these agricultural 

 efforts, excited in England, particularly among its manufacturers, a 

 more direct interest in the colony, and attracted much attention to it ; 

 in consequence of which the Australian Agricultural Company, in 

 which many influential persons in England became interested, was 

 incorporated under a royal charter. The avowed objects of this as- 

 sociation were to further the improvement of the cultivation of land 

 in New South Wales, and the rearing of cattle, horses, and fine- 

 wooled sheep. The capital of the Company was a million of pounds 

 sterling and govern ment agreed to grant in addition a million of 

 acres of land, in any part of the territory that might be selected. 



The agent of the Company, Mr. Dawson, commenced operations in 



