Agricultural Societies. 267 
of course, being to the great change in the social con- 
dition of the labouring population — and there appears 
to have been agreement as to the desirability of ascer- 
taining the real condition of the agricultural industry, 
in order " that it may be seen whether any steps have 
been neglected to be taken by the planters to reconcile 
the apprentice-labourers to due obedience to the laws." 
It was accordingly resolved that a series of questions 
should be put to the several managers of estates, with 
a view that all who were so disposed might favour the 
Society with the desired information. This catechism, 
if I may so term it, comprised thirty-two queries, replies 
to which were requested by the 27th September. If the 
answers ever were obtained no public intimation seems 
to have been made to thac effect, and therefore all that 
it is possible for me to do is to note the matter to the 
extent I have done. At this meeting on September 3rd, 
1834, a model of a self-acting railway was submitted for 
inspection by the inventor, Mr. Duncan MACBEAN, Jnr. 
The question of immigration was thus early after the 
institution of the apprenticeship system, forcing itself 
forward, but naturally a good many years elapsed before 
a labour supply could be obtained from abroad upon 
anything like a proper system. Well, at the last meet- 
ing of the Society in 1834, on the 15th December, 
certain resolutions were adopted with reference to the 
necessity which the planters were beginning to experience 
that additional labourers should be brought into the 
country. These resolutions ran as follows : — 
That the Standing Committee of this Society has seen with much 
pleasure the correspondence of the Right Honourable the Secretary of 
State for the Colonies relative to His Majesty's Government affording 
its assistance and co-operation in furnishing the colony with additional 
LL 2 
