206 HISTORY, GOVERNMENT, ETC., 



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 members, all 

 of whom were appointed by the crown. At the same time an Execu- 

 tive 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 

 Darling, 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 acqui- 

 sition 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 association were to further the 

 improvement of the cultivation of land in New South Wales, and the 

 rearing of cattle, horses, and fine-woolled sheep. The capital of the 

 Company was a million of pounds sterling, and government 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 

 1826, at Port Stephens, to the north of Hunter's river, on a tract 

 selected by him and the surveyor-general; he continued to manage 

 their affairs until J 829, when, in consequence of a misunderstanding 

 between Mr. Dawson and the Company, growing out of the unavoida- 

 ble difficulties he had to contend with, and the many misrepresenta- 

 tions made by his enemies, he was removed, and Sir Edward Parry, 

 the celebrated polar navigator, appointed in his stead. 



Sir Edward Parry continued in the management until 1836, when 

 he retired, and was succeeded by Captain P. P. King, the able sur- 

 veyor, and who still conducts the affairs of the Company. I regretted 

 much not having been able to accept of the pressing invitation to visit 

 Captain King. It affords me great pleasure to bear testimony to the 



