Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/584

 a license, and a signed copy of each newspaper was to be lodged with the Colonial Secretary within ten days of publication. The Chief Justice, having no politteal associa- tion b in the colony, was not impelled to veto the Acts by with holding his certificate. The printer, Andrew Bent, who had obtained a quasi- triumph over Colonel Artliur in legal contention about the proprietary of the Gazette, applied vamly for a license. He published a monthly periodical, but the speculation failed. He presented a memorial supported by many colonists, but Arthur was inexorable. He transferred liis press to Mr. Gelh brand, intending to occupy liimself as a subordinate, but the Governor saw in such a transfer no reason for modifying his resolution. He told the memorialists that the press ought not to be free so long as the colony might be a receptacle for convicts. The Acts passed in 18S7 did not remain long on the Statute-Book. A tax of threejvence in so small a com- munity was prohibitory of all newspapers from which profit was expected, and the Stamp Duty was not maintained. But an Act to regulate the printing and j)ublishing of news- papers was re-enacted in 1B2B. It prescribed affidavits of the names of printers and publishers under heavy penalties —recognizances with two or three '^ sufficient sureties to the satisfaction of the Chief Justice" ., *'in the sum of four hundred pounds" for the printer or publisher, and '* a like sum** in the case of the sureties. The printing press was still sidjject to the grasp of law, and to the strong will of the soldier who had the island in his charge. Printers and editors t>attled vigorously against the tyranny to which they complained of being subjected ; but the Governor pursued what he called his duty, and more than one offender pined in imprisonment. Colonel Arthur did not rely on prosecutions only. He secured the co-operation of an able colonist, Dr. Boss, to superintend the puldicatioii of the G'tzftte, which supported the government policy, and was denounced as venal. When the (iazette became a formal vehicle for advertisements, Dr. Boss continued his labours in the Conner, The un- flinching ruler shrank from no responsibility, A motion had been made by the Solicitoi: -General to disbar the Attorney-