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From one end of the colony to the other there is re-
quired a re-construction of, and an addition to, the Police ;
in every settlement the number of Constables is inadequate
to the performance of those mixed duties which devolve
on men who are employed in that department within the
Colony ; yet day after day elapses, week after week passes
over, and the consideration of the subject is still shunned,
and no attempt even made at amendment. We are far
from attributing all the calamities which are brought on
the settlers by Bushrangers, to the want of Constables —
we are far from alleging that men abscond from Iron-
gangs because the Constabulary body is not so strong as
it should be ; we are far from believing that Constables,
were they ever so numerous, would be equal to the task of
preventing the Commission of Crime by runaways who
assail the solitary inhabitants of the Bush — To restrain
these evils we must look for other remedies, to prevent men
pursuing their predatory excursions in the Bush, means
must be taken to prevent them absconding. But we do
agree with the inhabitants of Sydney and with the Up-
Country people in thinking, that nine tenths of the rob-
beries which are committed in the Towns, especially in
Sydney, may be provided against, and that plenty of trust-
worthy Constables would prove equal to the task. Sydney
above all other places should be well guarded both by
night and by day, and though there is such a complete
system of communication established among the Thieves
of the Colony, among the principals and accessaries of
every denomination, among those who carry on operations
in Sydney, and those who give assistance up the Country —
though the correspondence maintained among the plun-
derers of the Colony is far more complete than any Govern-
ment or Constabulary Correspondence ; and though con-
sequently creating an effective Police force in Sydney would
be an incomplete measure, yet still improvement must com-
mence in Sydney, the first stone of a new structure must
be laid in Sydney, and an active, and vigilant, and nume-
rous Police in Sydney would prove a great obstruction to
all bad characters in whatever part of the Colony they may
live.
Sydney is the nucleus of Crime and of Criminals, the
resort of the operative Thieves. The Thieves who dispose
of themselves elsewhere act more like subsidiaries, where
occupation would be, as to a considerable portion of it,
determined by the determination of the occupation of their
principals. So that if even the expense of creating a
thoroughly good Police in every part of the Colony, were
overwhelmingly startling, if it were really from one cause or
other beyond the power (which we know by the bye is not
the case) of the Government to afford the protection which
every town in the Colony is entitled to — that protection
might, at least, be extended to Sydney.
The insecurity of the people who reside in Sydney is
daily on the encrease. Some few years ago the effects of
emancipations by servitude, were insensibly felt. A great
many of the prisoners felt the necessity of employing them-
selves beneficially on becoming free. They had not the
opportunities which prisoners have now if subsisting on
plunder ; but more, they had not the inclination. Their
feelings and interests were more identified with the inter-
ests of the Colony. The prospects of obtaining wealth
and regaining respectability, were fair and tempting.
They had endured a course of hardships and of trials which
were serviceable to them, and, for the most part, they
profited of the experience which they acquired while in
bondage. They came into society in small numbers, and
after long intervals, and one course of emancipated pri-
soners had got into useful employment, before another
course followed them. It is not so now. Ruffians of the
worst stamp, whose career has been one of crimes and pu-
nishments, of guilt and suffering, are vomited out of every
receptacle of sin and wickedness upon the public by
scores, by fifties, and by hundreds. Barrack men, New-
castle men, Port Macquarie men, are daily obtaining Cer-
tificates of Freedom. They become "Free-men" and they
dispose of themselves as they please. Sydney is their com-
mon centre --- to Sydney they hasten --- in Sydney they con-
gregate --- in Sydney they mature their purposes. They can-
not work. They have worked enough ! They must live
and so they levy contributions on the inhabitants of Sydney.
Their Confederates in Sydney and their Confederates up
Country are on the alert --- their plunder disappears, and for-
ward they march --- from house to house they proceed --- their
gang receives daily augmentation, and in the large expanse
of Sydney, which covers almost square miles of ground ;
which can count up at least half a dozen streets, (besides
many other lesser streets) each nearly a mile-and-a-half in
length. They continue to reap a rich harvest, and set at
defiance the Constables --- FIFTY Constables ! Yet we ___
have much property to lose if Fifty Constables for we know
not how many people, say fifteen thousand, if fifty Consta-
bles be an effectual corps, including Conductors, Wards-
men, Watchmen, night and day-petties and their Chiefs,
if fifty Constables be all we can afford to keep in Sydney
where most of the Houses are detached, where the Streets
run out to the distance of a mile and a half from one on-
to the other, and where miles of ground are covered with
the Mansions and Hovels of the residents !
Now what frittering answer can be given to represen-
tations like these, what solid excuse for leaving Sydney
at the mercy of hosts of "Free"-booters, or, at least
only checked by fifty badly paid "Staff-officers." Con-
stables are not obtainable — plenty of raggamuffins may
be met with — but honest, trust-worthy Constables are
" rare birds !" Admitted. Who can expect a respec-
table man to accept an office which is degraded with
a paltry fifty pounds a year wages — who will under-
take an office which is a degraded and a degrading
office, so long as degrading wages are attached to it ?
spend the "Waste-land" money, on the Constabulary —
spend the "Rent of Land" money, on the Constabulary —
spend the "Cedar Money," on the Constabulary — give
each man an hundred, or an hundred and fifty, or two
hundred pounds a year salary — Make the Constabulary
Police Officers — let us have our first and second Class
Police-men — let us launch into a little, into a great deal of
expense — let us be liberal, lavish, yes, even lavish, and
then we'll have the station of Constable or Police-officer in
request ; we'll have respectable men, and plenty of them,
as guardians over our lives and property. We say, the
government and the people will gain by splendid remuneration
to those who have to assail desperate characters at the haz-
ard of their lives, to those who have to resist the innumerable
temptations with which their path of duty is constantly be-
set. Expense ! Trash ! Is it not expensive to have property
stolen, wasted, destroyed, thrown into the river, dug into the
earth, or burnt — is it not expensive to have the feelings of
families harrowed up with fear — constantly on the stretch
— eternally in dread of midnight visits from Burglars and
assassins — does it not cost many a pang of apprehension
where all should be peace and security ? How many thou-
sands annually are levied by thieves upon the community,
how much of those thousands is utterly and for ever lost
to every one ? Even where property is recovered, what is
the recovery worth ? Look at Messrs. Aspinall and Brown's
loss, to go no farther than this, which occurred the other
day — it was estimated at Seven Hundred Pounds, and they
have sold the entire of what they recovered for the amazing
sum of TWENTY-EIGHT POUNDS ! They convicted the thief,
and got their stolen goods returned to them ; sold these
for twenty-eight pounds ; and in attendance upon the Courts
in time alone, suffered inconvenience to thrice that amount.
But refer to another instance — equally immediate — refer to
Messrs. Rapsey and Mitchell's robbery. That was esti-
mated at Three Hundred. The Thief and receiver both
convicted — and how much have they received ? Thirty
Pounds ? If they have, it is as much as they have recovered !
Look again to the Commissary's loss of Dollars ! — look
again to the attacks on the Treasurer. But why multiply
instances ? Can it be expected that fifty Constables are
adequate to the Constabulary duties of Sydney — of Syd-
ney — not a common Town — but overcharged with vagabonds
and thieves — of Sydney, constantly receiving an accession
of Vagabonds and Thieves, and constantly the scene of
violence and depredation. There is a lull just now, but it
is only the deceptive calm which precedes the fierce tem-
pest. There are now and then lulls, and then the Thieves
break out again, and then they break in again, and then the
people get frightened, and then the Thieves are taken (per-
haps !) and then the Thieves are convicted, (perhaps again !)
and then, this is the unctuous emollient which is applied to
the losers — the holy unguent, which appeases general exci-
tations — the anodyne which consoles the Authorities, and
mitigates their disappointment ! Catching a Thief now and
then is satisfaction enough for every body !
Fifty Constables for Sydney — good and bad — well and
ill — employed — those who will and those who will not be
sopped ! Fifty Constables, to watch not only thieves but
dram drinkers and dram sellers. It would be curious to as-
certain how many of the fifty are in active service — sub-
tracting those who are asleep of right — those who are asleep
of wrong — those who are out of the way by accident, and
those who are out of the way by design — those who are per-
sonating the carman — the weary traveller, or the Cholic-
seized unfortunate, in order to entrap the illicit spirit dealer,
— subtracting all these, and a few others who may be com-
fortably engaged — it would be curious to ascertain how
many are providing against hole-making in stone walls,

larcenies, and street robberies. Of fifty Constables, whose
avocations are as various as Caleb Quotem's, we wonder
how many at one and the same time are doing their best to
prevent the people from suffering the worst.
We cannot, (we confess) allude to, or speak of the existing
Constabulary of Sydney, but in terms of praise — that is, in
praise of the individuals who compose it. We are prone to
believe that they are superior to the common class of Con-
stables, many of them are exceedingly active, exceedingly
vigilant, proud to detect or prevent crime if they can, who
would bravely attack a Bushranger, or a devil, and crown
themselves with the applause of their immediate employ-
ers, and the Public. But we press this point — what can
fifty men effect ? Their attention being often, as we think,
misdirected, and an injudicious encouragement, as we equal-
ly think, being given to that misdirection of attention.
When night falls in the Constables are on "the look out"—
For loose characters ? No ! For Thieves ? No ! For
House Breakers ? No ! For Fidlers ? Aye for fidlers ;
for merrymakings, and hops, and jigs, and tumblers, and
quart pots, and little bottles, and sealing-wax, and twenty-
five-pound-sterlings ! They are on the look out for "deal-
ers in Spirituous Liquors without a License !" When they
have seen the "licensed Houses" fairly shut up, (and often
before this) they begin to think whom they are likely to
catch "napping" among the unlicensed tribe. They look
out for a comrade to assist them, as old birds are not easily
quarried — and while they are looking out here the Thieves
are looking in there, and next day, while they are trium-
phantly recording the issue of their adventure with the
minor offenders against the law, some unfortunate sufferer
is pondering over some grievous loss, and waiting to inform
the Superintendent of Police that he had a visit during the
preceding night from four or five ruffians, much about
the time that the illicit traffic job was going on, and
that the free-booters carried off a rich booty ! It has been
usual, we believe, for the business, of "Informing" to fall
into the hands of "Common Informers"— we have seldom,
if ever, heard of this office being exclusively or principally
performed by Constables. We, however, see no great ob-
jection, on principle, to Constables exercising a surveil-
lance against evaders of the law of this description, provided
that it does not interfere with more important duties. But
it has frequently occurred to us, that the time of the Con-
stables might be much more satisfactorily taken up than in
seeking out illicit dealers of spirits. If there were an abun-
dance of Constables, they might be allowed to have this
comprised in their scale of duties, but great offenders may
chance to 'scape through their toils, while they are endea-
vouring to net a few of the small "fry." This being our
opinion, we have witnessed with pain the encouragement
which has at times been publicly given to them, and that
they have been almost bribed to forsake a useful for a profi-
table duty.
As it is prevention of crime which is chiefly needed, how-
ever much we may applaud the vigilance of the Constables,
and with whatever approbation we may speak of the un-
wearied activity of the Superintendent of Police — in over-
taking the Thief after he has accomplished his crime, it is
folly to pretend that because Bushrangers, Burglars, major
and minor depredators, and in short, every species of pub-
lic Robbers, are pursued without remission, and are occa-
sionally, we may say very frequently, seized upon, and
tolerably often brought to justice — the people and the Go-
vernment should rest contented, the former making no efforts
to obtain, the latter not using adequate exertions to put us
in possession of a Police, who would render uncalled for
thief-taking, by being sufficiently numerous to prevent
thieving — who would relieve the public from fear — protect
them from harm, and diminish the number of punishments,
by checking the commission of offences.
The new RULES AND ORDERS of the Supreme Court, or more
properly speaking, the modifications of the English Rules of
Practice, are now in operation. These Rules and Orders, it is
well known, have been framed under an authority to that effect
from his Majesty in Council — an authority which provides,
" that such Rules and Orders, as aforesaid, shall be consistent
with, and similar to, the law and practice of his Majesty's Su-
preme Courts at Westminster, so far as the condition and circum-
stances of the said Colony will admit ; and that, as far as conve-
niently may be, the appropriate language and technical terms of
the law of England shall be adopted and observed in framing
such Rules and Orders ;" and again, "that the said Rules and
Orders shall be so framed, as to promote, as far as possible,
economy and expedition in the dispatch of the business of the
said Court, and that, as far as conveniently may be, the same
shall be plain, simple, and compendious, avoiding all unneces-
sary dilatory or vexatious forms of proceeding in the said Courts,
or in the execution of the judgments decrees — rules and orders
thereof."
Though the power thus delegated is not very clearly de-
fined, though much is left to the discretion of the Chief Jus-
tice, and though "so far as the condition and circumstances of
the said Colony will admit," and "as far as conveniently may
be," are words of a wide signification, and allow of much the
same latitude of legal meaning, as "peace, welfare, and good
government of the Colony ;" yet it is plain, that the authority
of the Chief Justice is circumscribed, that he has not been allow-
ed to wander into a world of speculation, and amuse himself by
theoreticising ad libitum, and to form a new and complete code of
proceeding. The forms of the English Courts are required to be
preserved, so far as there is an aptitude in the Colony to receive
them, and in all attempts at simplification, in all attempts to
ensure dispatch, or to introduce economy, it seems to have been
constantly borne in mind by the Chief Justice, that he must not
depart altogether from the English practice — that he might cur-
tail, but not invent. He seems never to have forgotten that the
English practice formed part and parcel of the English law it-
self ; and that he could no more reject the former, where it could
conveniently be adopted, than he could prevent the operation of
the latter, where it could be applied. It was indeed the excres-
cences of a system, and not the system itself he had to deal with
— the superfluous appendages, and not the edifice. The social
institutions of England are acknowledged to be superior to those
of any other nations ; and her system of administrative justice
must possess a great deal of intrinsic worth, to have rendered life
more sacred, as we have seen it well expressed — person more se-
cure, and property more protected in the English Empire, than
in any other country of the world. It was the business of the
Chief Justice, following the spirit of his instructions, to preserve
this system unimpaired ; and while he swept away the cobwebs,
to be wary that he injured not the walls. A flourishing nation —
an infinity of commercial dealings — enterprizes without end —
and every species of transactions which can spring up among a
numerous people — together with the fluctuations and mutations,
to which all human affairs are subject, have each contributed a
share towards rendering a system originally simple, extremely
complex. As circumstances changed, Rules of Practice en-

creased, became encumbered with constant additions, while all
old forms were most religiously preserved. It was deemed no vio-
lation of the sacredness of a system to interweave novelties with
it, as these became sanctified by use ; but it would have been
deemed worse than sacrilege to destroy any portion of that which
had endured time out of mind. It may do very well for a rich
community to tolerate such feelings, and submit to the conse-
quences ; but a duty has been cast upon the Chief Justice to re-
lieve this Colony from them, and to get rid of the cumbersome
and unessential forms ; at least of the English law proceedings ;
and if nothing more be accomplished, a very essential service
will be rendered to the Colony — the similarity of the Colonial
to the English practice will still be preserved ; and that confor-
mity ensured, which we like to see in all our institutions, with the
institutions of the parent state. We like to find this conformity.
For there is a natural allegiance, as we have heard it expressed,
which springs out of common laws, and similar usages, indepen-
dently of power or hereditary claim ; it is the bond of nations —
the "cheap defence" of colonies, as Burke calls it — and it will
last when authority on the one side, and dependence on other,
will have passed away. There is besides, a great convenience
to both Countries, in a similarity of the Practice of Courts.
Credit is sustained by it, because the creditor sees his remedy
before him, and credit is the soul of commercial relations.
Under these considerations, the Chief Justice could do no less
than adopt the code of English Practice, as far, but only as far,
as it was easily practicable. In undertaking this arduous, we are
free to confess this difficult task, the Chief Justice had no guide,
save his own experience — the experience of a thirty months ad-
judication of causes in the Supreme Court ;— he had no prece-
dent, save a clumsy attempt of Mr. Ellis Bent (an attempt by
the way which was not more clumsy than unnecessary), to frame
Rules of Practice for the Governor's Court (for a Court exer-
cising a summary jurisdiction, to the amount of fifty pounds,) —
an attempt which remains a monument of that Judge's partiality
for legal sinuosities, or of his ingenuity in making bad, worse.
The simple Rules of Mr. Judge-Advocate Wylde, for the
same Court, could not have been transplanted into the Su-
preme Court without deviating from the tenor and spirit of
the instructions to the Chief Justice. If the Chief Justice
could have reconcile it to his mind, after the experience
he has had of the Colony, that those simple rules were the
nearest approximation "the condition and circumstances"
of the Colony would admit, "to the practice of his Majes-
ty's Supreme Courts at Westminster," he might have tried to
persuade others, and also that "the appropriate language
and technical terms of the law of England were adopted,
as far as conveniently may be," when they were expunged
altogether.
In estimating the success of the Chief Justice, we are not to
consider what might have been effected with an unlimited autho-
rity, but what has been effected by the employment of a power
which is circumscribed.
Time and experience alone can fairly stamp the character of
these RULES AND ORDERS — time and experience alone can de-
termine whether the objects designed have been fully attained ;
and whether simplicity, despatch and economy, have been
substituted for complexness — delays — and expenses.
In point of simplicity much is gained — still more, how-
ever, in our opinion might have been gained without de-
viating essentially from the English forms, at present, or
rendering it difficult to recur to a precise and strict obser-
vance of them, if requisite, in future,. The Hottentottish
declaration, which frequently swells to hundreds of folios,
and the equally preposterous dimensions of pleas, are much
abbreviated, and indeed in some instances declarations are
superseded, and long pleas avoided. In order further to en-
sure a brevity in all cases where a "Bill of Particulars"
cannot be filed, we should have wished it had been provid-
ed that the names only of the counts of a declaration, and
the names only of the pleas should be required. Take a
common money action as example. "A. B. complains that
C. D. owes him twenty pounds," for "money had and re-
ceived," for "goods sold, and delivered," for "work and
labour performed," &c.— the defendant might have convey-
ed his plea in the words "non assumpsit," "a tender," "a
set off." So in an action for an assault —"A. B. complains
that C. D. committed an assault upon him"—"C. D. says
he is not guilty," or "C. D. justifies, for that it was in de-
fence of person"—"of property"—"to preserve the peace,
&c. ;" and the like in other actions. As much insormation
would have been conveyed to a Court and a Jury, as is
presented to them by the recital of formulæ, which are used
nominibus mutatis in ten million cases. This hint, however,
is the result of a very hasty reflection ; and though the
adoption of it might have led occasionally to greater simplifi-
cation, the RULES AND ORDERS provide an equally good, if
not preferable mode of bringing many suits before the Court ; the
principal difference being, that these do not preserve the skeleton
of the English practice so entire. As to despatch, a consider-
able innovation is effected. If either party be desirous of bring-
ing the suit to issue, the power to do so commences in sixteen
days after the return of the writ ; and, without the interference
of some special circumstances, they must be at issue on the ex-
piration of the above mentioned number of days. There is one
thing startling, which we may mention under this head, because
it has a direct and powerful tendency to procrastinate suits.
There are only four RETURN DAYS in the year ; in England,
there are as many or more in each term ; on this account, if
process be issued, or a defendant be arrested at the end of Ja-
nuary or beginning of February, no further step can be taken
till the first of May, whereas if more than one return day had
been appointed in February, the case might have been tried,
and judgment and execution obtained in February. Another
Rule we may allude to, though the observation does not pro-
perly fall under this title. It is provided that a plaintiff may
object to bail any time within fourteen days after return-day of
the writ, that is two day's only prior to the parties being at
issue.
We have but little to say on the subject of costs, and on the
effect of the Rules to suitors in an economical point of view.
The advantage of the RULES AND ORDERS is very conspicuous
in this respect. The expense of an outrageously long declaration
is saved. The expense of "rich" pleas is also saved, and
every "motion of course," that is, every useless form which
burthens the English practice is wholly rejected. Unprincipled
men may, no doubt, be extortionate — they may swell their legal
bills beyond all reasonable limits ; but what may not such men
do when they act in the capacity of Practitioners of the Law,
and with the power in their hands of preying upon the credulity
of the ignorant — plundering the helpless — and abstracting money
under false pretences from all they can make their dupes ? Rules
for such people must always prove inefficacious.
The Parramatta Grand Jury handed their Presentment into
Court, through the agency of their Foreman, Major Druitt,
on Wednesday afternoon. It is as a "Yankee" would say,
rather lengthy ; and though it may almost be said that the Grand
Jurors have PRESENTED those things which they ought not to
have done, it cannot very fairly be said of them, that they have
left unpresented those things which they ought to have presented.

It is too voluminous for our Columns this day, overflowing as we
are with "matter." We shall enumerate the Heads of the Sub-
jects which the Grand Jurors have entertained, and thus afford
our Readers as much information, and in a more readable, be-
cause, and only because less bulky state, than if we spread before
them the "original document."
The GRAND INQUEST visited THE GAOL.— found it clean
and healthy, but still horribly dilapidated (find us a public
building that does not lay claim to the same good character.) —
They had a little gossip with a prisoner named Robert Wells,
who having in some unguarded moment coveted his neighbour's
sugar, had made unwarrantably free with two pounds thereof,
when a warrant of a Magistrate, a trial at the Quarter Sessions,
and a sentence of the Court had rendered him an inmate of
this place of health and insecurity for TWELVE LONG CALEN-
DAR MONTHS. The Grand Inquest found six of these unex-
pired, they pronounced the sentence somewhat harsh (so we
think — something like Cullen's fine of fifty pounds sterling, for
bruising his servant, who interfered in a squabble with his wife —
something like the sentence which the Jury could not have anti-
cipated, or they would not have found Cullen guilty, or they
would have recommended him strongly to mercy) and therefore
gave it a place in their Presentment, with a representation
tacked to it, and a recommendation of Wells to the clemency
of his Excellency.
THE GRAND INQUEST visited THE FACTORY — were pleased
— good order prevailed, and Mrs. Fulloon was attentive in her
attentions to her visitors.
THE GRAND INQUEST visited THE HOSPITAL — pronounced
an approval of its general economy.
THE GRAND INQUEST peeped at THE SEWER communicat-
ing with the Prisoners' Barracks, and describing curvilinears
through George and Philip-streets. They recommended that
their peepings should forthwith be restrained, and the prospect
into the sewer, interrupted by A COVERING, to prevent acci-
dents, infections, and other evils.
THE GRAND INQUEST became visible at the Orphan
School, but the Master became invisible, he fled at their
approach — they had been at the sewer, and perhaps the
contagion was imminent. They felt themselves, therefore,
most imperatively called upon to present him who was not
present, and instanter made a note, a long note, a note of
interjection at the full stop that had been put to their up-
stairs and down-stairs scrutinising, by the sable clad supe-
rior, who apprehended, perhaps, that the Grand Inquest
would enquire into the foul linen, in imitation of SÔME ONE
ELSE, a "biggish man," who was once reported to us.
The current of their remark, as it flowed smoothly on,
was that they were sorry to be under the disagreeable ne-
cessity of presenting the Master, the Rev. Mr. Kean, who
had been guilty of contempt and high crimes, &c. in becom-
ing an absentee when they became presents — not pre-
sentees, and immediately too on their announcing that the
Grand Inquest waited, and were desirous to be "coomin
up," and that they were consequently precluded from in-
vestigating those things which it was their imperative duty
as Grand Jurymen to inquire into.
THE GRAND INQUEST made reference to former Pre-
sentments, and appended their regrets to the unrepaired
state of the road leading from the Seven Hills into the Par-
ramatta-road, and thence to Windsor ; and here took oc-
casion to remark that impositions would be prevented, if
Toll-gate Keepers were required to affix boards to the
exterior of their BOXES, giving fair notice of their toll-
demands.
THE GRAND INQUEST having delivered the visited of
themselves, proceeded to deliver themselves of sundry re-
commendations.
THE GRAND INQUEST recommend that constables
should not be made letter carriers, to the danger of the
inhabitants, who are often left unprotected, while their
guardians are performing the duties of postmen and errand
boys.
THE GRAND INQUEST recommend that prisoners
should not be allowed to sleep out of Barracks, without an
exercise of discrimination as to the merits and claims for
the indulgence.— (An excellent recommendation, let it be
attended to.)
THE GRAND INQUEST recommend moveable prisons to
be constructed for securing, at night, iron gangs working
on the roads.— (This is a suggestion deserving of support —
we are persuaded that it is feasible, and will obviate many
— very many evils.)
THE GRAND INQUEST expressing their pleasurable, as
well as their painful sensations, felt pleased with Govern-
ment for having adopted means for removing lunatics from
the Asylum at Castle Hill to a more appropriate establish-
ment.
THE GRAND INQUEST then concluded by regretting that
several Gentlemen who had summoned as Grand Jurors,
had availed themselves of frivolous excuses to avoid at-
tendance ; and they reprobated this conduct as unconstitu-
tional,, as causing inconvenience to the members of society,
as defeating the ends of justice, and as militating against
TRIAL BY JURY.
Mr. Gaggin, we are informed, has not yet tendered his resig-
nation.
Mustin, Watkyns, and Brown, were brought up on Thursday
for judgment. Sentence of death was passed upon the three.—
They were recommended not to entertain the slightest hopes of
mercy being extended to them.
Thirty-one men are to be conveyed by the schooner
Samuel to Port Stephens, as assigned Government servants
to the Australian Agricultural Company.
On Thursday morning last, as Mr. Robertson of George-
street was taking a cruise in his new boat, on the Parra-
matta River, he descried a something floating in the water,
about midway between Cockatoo Island and the Pul-
pit Rock, which appeared, though at some distance off, very
similar to a human head, in some sort of jeopardy. Mr.
R. lost no time in bearing down upon this object, which,
as he approached nearer, emitted a faint cry, and was dis-
covered to be a man, who, though nearly deprived of ex-
istence, still continued to grapple lustily with death, hold-
ing on by a friendly oar. He was hauled into the boat,
and by means of a little rum taken inwardly, and a blanket
applied outwardly, recovered, although he had been nearly
an hour in the water. The man described himself as a
wood-cutter, named M'Cormick.— In a sudden gust of
wind his boat had been upset. He supposed his compa-
nion, of the name of Leary, was drowned.
We are glad (says one of our Correspondents) to hear that the
spirited efforts making at present to repair and form roads, are
extending to the inner parts of the Country. The road from
Windsor to Pitt Town is in a very bad state, and should be re-
paired ; and that down the right bank of the Hawkesbury has
been stopped for nearly eighteen months, by the want of a bridge
at the large Caddie Creek. This was formerly the common road
for the settlers from and to windsor ; but those on the south side
of that river are now compelled to cross it with their produce, take
the road on the north side, and then cross the river at Windsor.
The only alternative is a very circuitous route of 20 or 30 miles,
by the head of the creek. A road is marked off as far, we be-
lieve, as Wiseman's ; but nothing has been done to it — even the
bridges have been erected by individuals, for their own conve-
nience, or by subscription. When that over Caddie is com-
menced, as we trust it will very soon be, we hope that the work-
men will proceed with more rapidity than they have done on the
three celebrated bridges between Sydney and Windsor, which
have been under the hands of these masonic operators — time out
of mind.
Nothing is more important than the state of the roads for re-
gulating the prices of commodities. During the recent fresh in
the rivers and creeks of the interior, the price of grain rose very
considerably ; because the carts of the settlers were stopped on
their journey to town. And it is besides, not dealing fairly with
the settler at a distance from the main road, to do nothing in the
way of securing to him a ready access to market. For he has
not only the tolls on the main road to pay, but he has a long
journey through the bush to perform in addition ; and, after
all, must sell his grain at the same rate with him who can bring
it a sixpence or a shilling cheaper to market, and can take ad-
vantage of high prices in the course of a single day. Good roads
are like the veins and arteries in the body : and the former should
be as well protected and cherished by Government, as the latter
are by nature.
On Thursday night last, as two of the Paramatta Constables
were escorting about fourteen men from Parramatta to the Iron

Gang at Lapstone Hill, Emu Plains, the latter, in a joint and
corporate body rushed against the Constables, who attempted
opposition ; one of the prisoners ran off, hotly pursued by a
Constable, who fired at him, but missing, was forced to return to
the aid of his brother Constable, whom he then found engaged
in a warm contest for the re-possession of his musket, which the
other ruffians had seized. The first Constable's aid was prompt
and well timed. He presented a pistol at the remaining thirteen,
which had the effect of inducing them to desist from further
opposition.
A few days ago a most notorious character was captured at
Cox's River, on the Mountain Road, he had only made a tempo-
rary escape from Lapstone Iron Gang — seven others about the
same time followed his example. They knocked the handles
out of their axes and hoes, and bid defiance to their overseers.
In relating the foregoing circumstances, our informant adds,
" The man when taken had on his legs a pair of Irons, strong
and heavy ; he confessed that he had tried divers ways to
get them off, but found it impossible, he could only cut one
ring, and then tie them up under his trowsers. The man made
no secret of stating, that he passed the two Military Depots,
Springwood and Jameson's Valley, without quitting the road ;
that he was for five minutes listening to the soldiers' discourse.
Some limits should be prescribed to Soldiers at out-stations,
under the command of Serjeants and Corporals, who ought to
have enough to do without keeping to Public Houses on the
road.— Since writing the foregoing, I met nine Soldiers pro-
ceeding to Lapstone Hill, as a guard, the Gang there being in
a state of mutiny. The above is true in every particular."

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