Xii PREFACE. 
Wales, who, as Lieutenant-Govern or of Van 
Diemen's Land, had Norfolk Island for several 
years under his superintendence. It would not 
be just to omit to mention the forethought, 
discrimination, and zeal manifested by His Ex- 
cellency in making the requisite arrangements 
for the task. 
The plans of the Government were not 
matured until the spring of 1856. The vessel 
engaged for carrying the transfer into effect, was 
the Morayshire, chartered at Sydney. During 
the whole of the passage, which commenced 
on May 3, 1856, the real interests and per- 
sonal comforts of the people, young and old, 
of both sexes, were consulted in the most tender 
and scrupulous manner in all respects. Acting 
Lieutenant G. W, Gregorie, of the Juno, per- 
formed his part of Superintendent of this service 
in a manner which amply justified the choice of 
so competent and humane an officer. In the 
removal of 194 persons in an emigrant ship, on 
a voyage of upwards of three thousand miles, 
occupying thirty-five days, it does not appear 
too much to say, that no one could have desired 
a better kind of treatment for members of his 
own family* 
