33054-005452

165 41/4750 - 12 May 1841. Sale of Gov't Stock at Moreton Bay.

Commissariat Office Sydney 11th May 1841.

No. 777

Sir/

For the information of His Excellency the Governor, I have the honor to state that I am induced to believe from the num =ber of persons now proceeding to settle in the neighbourhood of Moreton Bay, that the present would be a favorable time to dis =pose of the Cattle and Sheep, the property of the Government at that place - The Settlers to whom I allude must all of them conduct their Stock to th[...] place;

The Honorable The Colonial Secretary

[margin notes] [crossed out: approved] My next Despatches will I think bring me something decisive in respect to Moreton Bay, and I scarcely think it advisable to do any thing until I receive them. At present I fear the only Bidders at a sale held at Moreton Bay, would be the Occupiers of Stock Stations in the Neighbourhood of whom there are not above 8 or ten. G:G May 14

Dep: Com: Genl. 19 May 1841

42/5243.

place; and the opportunity of purchasing on the spot, by saving the trouble and expense of a very long and difficult jour= =ney, must give the Government Stock a preference and conse= =quently afford the opportunity of obtaining the highest prices of the period. -

The time is in other respects unfavorable for the dis= posal of Stock; but that disad= =vantage I consider as overbalan= =ced by the existence of an ac= =tual demand, and there being no other Stock for Sale in that quarter of the Colony; the bene= =fit of which would be lost if the present opportunity were allowed to pass. -

Should

167

Should His Excellency be pleased to approve of the measure, the Sale might take place in about three months hence, as on the Return of the "John I shall have a description of the Stock sufficient for such pur= =pose. -

I have the honor to be Sir Your most Obed't Servant W Miller DCG