220 HISTORY, GOVERNMENT, ETC., 



that more than two such showers were never required to subdue the 

 most turbulent. 



I was struck with the ruddy, healthy, and athletic looks of the 

 young convicts that were arriving, and from their deportment and 

 countenances I should hardly have been inclined to believe that they 

 had been the perpetrators of heinous crimes. 



I am not at all surprised that many of the settlers of the colony 

 should be opposed to the change in the assignment system ; for when 

 such a fine body of men is seen, the reason is easily understood, as 

 the possession of such strong and hale persons to all intents and 

 purposes as slaves, and at the expense of their maintenance alone, 

 must be very lucrative to those requiring labourers. I am, on the other 

 hand, at a loss to conceive how the assignment system can be looked 

 upon in any other light than as a great evil, which must be abolished 

 if it be designed to make the inhabitants of New South Wales a 

 moral community, and to reform the convicts. It acts most unequally 

 on the parties, and is a barrier to the reformation that the punishment 

 of transportation is intended to effect. 



The convicts on arriving are sent to the barracks at Sydney. The 

 government selects from them such mechanics as are required for the 

 public service, and then the numerous applicants for labourers are 

 supplied. Those assigned to private employers, are sent to the 

 interior under the charge of a constable or overseer. 



They build their own huts, and the climate being very fine, require 

 but little shelter. The hours of labour are from six to six, and the 

 quantity of labour exacted from them is about two-thirds of what 

 would be required in England. They are treated in all respects as if 

 they were free, and no restraint is imposed, except that they cannot 

 leave their masters, who, when they have no further use for them, 

 return them to the government to be reassigned. 



When on ticket of leave, they may reside in any place they choose 

 to select. 



The convict's time of probation depends upon the original term of 

 his sentence ; but on a commission of crime within the colony, it 

 begins from his last conviction. For refractory conduct, they may 

 be taken to the nearest magistrate, who orders punishment on the 

 oath of the master. The magistrate has also power to send them to 

 the nearest chain-gang employed on public works. Here they are 

 worked in irons, and kept on scanty food for a limited period, after 

 which they may be returned to their masters. If badly treated, 



