Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/253

---

the Secretary of State," informing them that he had already sent more than one American vessel away with great quantities of spirits, and desiring them to make it publicly known "that no greater quantity than 300 gallons would be allowed to be landed from any one vessel."

The quantity of intoxicating liquor sent away during King's government was of spirit, 69,484 gallons; of wine, 31,293 gallons.^[1] Though in the first instance he had taken his measures without publicity, two days after assuming the government he issued a public order (1st Oct. 1800) declaring that he was "instructed to put a stop to the unwarrantable and scandalous monopolies that have existed in this colony," and that "no person whatever is allowed to sell or retail any spirituous liquors," or "to land spirits or wines without the Governor's own permit in writing." Offenders would be punished, exclusive of the seizure of the spirits. "No greater price than twenty shillings per gallon for spirits to be admitted in any civil or criminal prosecution unless it shall appear that it cost that sum or more from the master of any ship, in which case no advance on the retail will be allowed."

On the 27th Oct. an order announced that licenses to sell spirits would be granted to persons "recommended by the magistrates to the Governor." The penalty for selling without a license was £10 for each offence, with two months hard labour on a hulk for refusal or neglect to pay, justices having power to send to the hulk instead of fining in the first instance.

1. Return (in King's handwriting) from September 1800 to August 1806:
   Spirits.Wine.

   Gallons.Gallons.

   British

   002,88622,320

   American

    27,40322,697

   British from India

    39,195 8,276

   aaaaaaa— — —aaaaaaa— — —

   69,48431,293
   The average price at which he permitted the spirits, which were landed, to be sold is stated in the same return to have been-for spirits, seven shillings and sixpence; for wine, five shillings per gallon. The extortion from which the community was saved may be inferred from the prices previously recognized and enforced.