NEW SOUTH WALES. 27 1 



the Appendix, from XIV. to XX., the rapid increase of the commerce 

 of Sydney will be seen ; but they give only an imperfect idea of the 

 life and animation that this port exhibits, or of the bustle attendant on 

 the receiving of produce and forwarding of supplies to the interior, on 

 the arrival of emigrants. The warehouses, and all works connected 

 with this trade, are of a durable description. The number of vessels 

 that entered Port Jackson in 1826, was sixty-two, and their tonnage 

 seventeen thousand one hundred and seventy-eight tons; in 1840 they 

 had increased to seven hundred and nine, and the tonnage to ono 

 hundred and seventy-eight thousand nine hundred and fifty-eight tons. 

 The value of imports in 1826 w T as sixty thousand pounds; in 1840, it 

 had increased to three millions fourteen thousand one hundred and 

 eighty-nine pounds. That of exports, in 1826, was one hundred and 

 six thousand six hundred pounds; in 1840, they amounted to one 

 million three hundred and ninety-nine thousand six hundred and 

 ninety-two pounds. 



It will also be seen that in the return of vessels built and registered 

 in 1822, there w r ere but three, of only one hundred and sixty-three 

 tons: in 1840, one hundred and eleven vessels, the amount of whose 

 tonnage was thirteen thousand three hundred and forty-nine tons. 



But the most remarkable increase is in the exportation of wool, 

 which in 1822 was only one hundred and seventy-two thousand eight 

 hundred and eighty pounds, while in 1840 it amounted to eight millions 

 six hundred and ten thousand seven hundred and seventy-five pounds. 

 This is not the only instance, for a greater or less increase has oc- 

 curred in all the productions of the colony. The quantity of timber 

 exported forms also no inconsiderable item. The returns are referred 

 to as showing it, in Appendix XXII. 



The fisheries begin to claim attention, and in particular the whale- 

 fishery, as it requires comparatively a small capital, and the returns 

 are quickly realized. The operations of this fishery are conducted 

 with great success, a ready market being found at Sydney, and the 

 great saving by arriving on and returning from their cruising-grounds 

 without loss of time, adds greatly to their gains. They are, however, 

 not as adroit in the pursuit of these treasures as our own countrymen ; 

 their vessels are sailed at greater expense, and the officers and crews 

 less enterprising. The value of this trade and its yearly increase is 

 exhibited in the official returns, by which it appears that in 1830, 

 fifty-nine thousand four hundred and seventy-one pounds were derived 

 from it, while in 1840 it amounted to two hundred and twenty-four 

 thousand one hundred and forty-four pounds. I heard many com- 

 plaints that our whalers were in the habit of taking whales and 



