Page:Statistics of Australia (Haughton, 1853).pdf/7

 address, give a yet more wonderful account of the commercial activity of this colony. Writing of "Our Shipping and Commerce," the editor says:—

"The position of our shipping formed a prominent point in our last summary, exhibiting as it does in a very marked manner the real progress and importance of the port. The most casual observer cannot overlook our extraordinary position in this respect. He cannot fail to observe the magnitude of our daily arrivals, or if he does, he has only to cast his eye towards Hobson's Bay, when the magnificent fleet there riding at anchor, must at once convince him of the value and cast extent of that trade which can attract and employ such a noble commercial marine. The numbers here assembled from every country and climate are so great as almost to challenge belief. For the last six months no less than 968 vessels, representing 265,000 tons, were entered inwards; and 830 vessels, representing 254,000 tons and upwards, were cleared through the Custom House outwards. Presuming this to continue, we shall have an aggregate tonnage trading with this port during the year, of 1,038,682 tons,—an amount, as we pointed out the other day, which is actually almost equal to the tonnage of London in 1817. Even in the year 1850, London only exceeded us threefold, Liverpool being ahead nearly in the same amount; while Newcastle is the only other port in the British dominions which has a greater tonnage than we employ, and that only to a very inconsiderable extent. Melbourne is thus, so far as the amount of tonnage forms any criterion, the fourth post in Her Majesty's dominions; and it is another remarkable circumstance, that her present tonnage is more than double what the Clyde shipping represented in 1850. Such are curious facts, pregnant with great results, and well calculated to strike the thoughtful inquirer with astonishment; when he keeps in view that we are comparatively an infant colony of only eighteen years standing, composed of a mere handful of inhabitants, not exceeding 250,000, who have hitherto been compelled to struggle against an obstructive executive in the absence of a regular constitutional government, and under the necessarily loose administration of somewhat unsettled laws, in a still more unsettled and distracted state of society.

"The results, in a commercial point of view, which have flowed from such an extent of shipping, have been almost as various as the vessels themselves. This port, above all others, requires for a ship a prudent and enterprising captain; for there are many unforescen and harassing difficulties to be here encountered, and besides, the long voyage from the home ports to Melbourne demands more than the usual allowance of temper, tact, and discretion. Yet, the British shipowners seem never to have dreamt of this. They have too frequently sent out masters in charge of their vessels every way incapable,—in many instances, rude, ignorant, imbecile, and intemperate men, who would not for a moment have been trusted with any office of responsibility on shore, but yet who are