Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Wednesday 7 September 1870, page 7


Geographical Outline.

THE name of New South Wales was originally given to the whole of the Eastern Portion of Australia by the Great Circumnavigator, Captain Cook ; who— when first exploring the rugged coast in 1770, just one hundred years ago—thought that some of its general outlines were not unlike those of South Wales. " New South Wales," however, is an appel-

lation now only given to the Southern half of the Eastern Coast—the Northern half being distin-guished, since the 1st of December 1859, as the seaward boundary of the Colony of Queensland. The " New South Wales" of the present day lies between twenty-eight and thirty-seven degrees South Lati-tude, and the 141st and 154th meridians of East Longitude. It extends over about nine degrees of latitude, and about twelve and a half degrees of longitude. Its Northernmost limit (Point Danger) is in 28° 10 South, and 153° 29 East ; its Eastern-most Point (Cape Byron) being in 28° 27 South, and 153°37 East, the most Southerly limit of the colony (Cape Howe) standing in Latitude 37° 28 South, and Longitude 150° 8 East. It has well defined natural boundaries, on every side, except the East and North East. On the North, it is separated from Queens-land by the Macpherson Range, the Dividing Range, the Dumaresq River, the Karaula (or MacIntyre) River, and the 29th parallel of South Latitude. On the East, it is bounded by the Pacific. On the West, it is separated from the Territory of South Australia by the 141st Meridian of East Longitude. On the South, New South Wales is separated from Victoria by a line drawn from Cape Howe to the source of the Murray, and by the westerly course of that River. The posi-turn of New South Wales, as regards its distance South of the Equator—corresponds to that respec-

tively occupied by Cape Colony in Africa, and by the Lower Portion of La Plata, and by Chili, in South America ;—the South of Spain, Italy, and Greece lying in similar positions to the North of the Equator. The boundaries of New South Wales on the map, constitute an irregularly-shaped, four-sided figure, the Southern frontier deviating most widely from a right line. The extreme length of the country (measured diagonally) is 900 miles ;

its greatest breadth, something less than 850, and its mean breadth, about 500 miles. Its superficial area is 323,437 square miles. New South Wales is about three times the size of Great Britain and Ireland, and larger than any State in Europe except Russia. One of its " Outlying" Pastoral Districts within the frontier (Albert) is, alone, larger than England and Wales put together. Taken as a whole the Colony is nearly equal in extent to Canada. The entire length of the coast line is about 800 miles. The seaboard

presents twenty-two remarkable Headlands or Capes. Its Bays and Inlets (from Point Danger to Cape

Howe) are about eighteen in number. Most of these are still known by names given to them by Captain Cook, and other early discoverers. On the coastline there are eleven inlets of the sea, with narrow open-ings, occasionally closed. These Salt-water Lagoons are generally, but somewhat improperly, known as " Lakes." In the Interior there are several extensive Freshwater Lakes. The Islands on the coast are very few and unimportant. The Principal Harbours are Port Hunter and Port Jackson, but at the mouths

of several of the Rivers there are numerous roadsteads

and inlets, more or less, available for maritime pur-poses. The Harbour of Sydney (Port Jackson) is one of the best and most extensive in the world. As regards the physical features of the Country, the surface of New South Wales can be divided into three parts—(1) the Coast District, (2) the Table Lands, and (3) the Plains of the Interior. The Coast District is a comparatively narrow strip of undulating land, lying along the sea coast—often not more than 35 miles wide, and sometimes considerably less. A

high Plateau, or Elevated District (furrowed here and there with precipitous valleys), next succeeds, fre-

quently presenting, on the Seaward side, nearly per-pendicular escarpments. The most important series of these highlands traverses the entire length of the

Colony. In width, this Elevated Region extends

westward to about the 151st meridian. Its shape is irregular, and the area of its extent not so easily esti-

mated. On this " Table Land," at the distance of from 60 to 70 miles from the coast, rise most of the loftiest mountains. From the 151st meridian, to the westward there is a gradual fall to the Plains. These Plains in the Interior, are for the most part very thinly timbered, but well watered ;—covered with grass and herbage, and forming admirable sheep walks. They are the great grazing grounds of New South Wales. In the Central District, or Table Land, the climate is cold in the winter ; particularly so, in the more mountainous tracts. On the Muniong Range, in the Pastoral District of Monaro (a Range generally known as the " Australian Alps ") the snow fre-

quently lies from May to October. The snow is, however, seldom seen in these localities in the summer, although it has been sometimes known to fall there in December and January. In the Alpine districts tremendous storms not unfrequently occur, followed by heavy rains. Although in the Ele-vated Country the winters are rather severe, as a rule the climate of New South Wales is warm and dry, the difference between the mean temperature not being more than 25 degrees. In the Coast Region—the coun-try to the East of the Great Dividing Chain—the mean annual temperature stands higher than on the Table

Lands, upon which rises the Great Dividing Chain of Mountains, separating the Eastern from the Western Rivers. The heat of the summer is here,

however, moderated by the proximity of the Ocean.

In the vast Plains of the Interior the alternations of

heat and cold are always more distinctly marked. Hot winds are more or less prevalent throughout the Lowlands during the summer ; and, whilst they last, often raise the temperature to as high as 120° Fahren-heit. Notwithstanding this inconvenience the climate is universally esteemed to be both healthy and pleasant. One of the general characteristics of the climate is a peculiar lightness and purity of the atmosphere, seldom seen and felt elsewhere. When the rain does fall, it usually descends in very large quantities. Thunderstorms are not uncommon, especially in the summer.

Physical Aspect.

THE main peculiarities of the Physical Aspect of New South Wales arise out of its Mountain and River Systems, which must be carefully considered before the general character of the country can at all be comprehended, either by the geographical student

or by the colonist.

THE MOUNTAIN SYSTEM.

The Mountain System of New South Wales, when rightly understood, is a very simple one. The moun-

tains extend over an immense area, but their average elevation is probably not more than 3500 feet, although some peaks are much higher. The highest, Mount Kosciusko (in the Muniong Range), attains to an altitude of 7308 feet—about 700 below the line of perpetual snow. The Great Dividing Chain, or Cor-dillera, separates the Eastern and Western Water-sheds, but does not constitute the sole important feature of the system. The mountains of New South Wales, frequently remarkable for their steepness, may be conveniently distinguished under four dif-ferent heads : I. THE INTERIOR RANGES ; II. THE GREAT DIVIDING CHAIN ; III. THE COAST RANGES ; and IV. THE ISOLATED PEAKS AND GROUPS.

I. THE INTERIOR RANGES. — The ranges of the interior near the Western Boundary of the colony form the Western Watershed of the Darling River. Of these the principal are (1) Grey Range, and (2) Stanley, or Barrier Range. In " Grey Range "

the chief elevation is Mount Arrowsmith, 2000 feet high , and in " Stanley Range " the chief elevation is Mount Lyell, also about 2000 feet high.

II. THE GREAT DIVIDING CHAIN has Seven Main Branches, viz., (1) The New England Range (highest point " Ben Lomond," 5000 feet) ; (2) The Liverpool Range (highest point " Oxley's Peak," 4500 feet) ; (3) The Blue Mountain Range (highest point, " Mount Beemarang, 4100 feet) ; (4) The Cullarin Range highest point, " Mundoonen," 3000 feet) ; (5) The Gourock Range (highest point, " Jindulian," 4300 feet) ; (6) The Monaro Range (highest point, " Head of Kybean River," 4010 feet) ; and (7) The Muniong Range—highest point, " Mount Kosciusko," 7308 feet. These Seven main Branches are again sub-divided as follows : (1) The New England Range into the Five Lateral Branches—1. Mac Pherson's Range ; 2. Mac Leay Range ; 3. Nundewar (or Hard-wick) Range ; 4. Hastings Range ; 5. Moonbi Range. (2) The Liverpool Range is subdivided into the three

Chief Lateral Branches of—1. Peel Range ; 2. Mount Royal Range ; and 3. Warrumbungle Range. (3) The Blue Mountain Range is subdivided into the three Chief Lateral Branches of—1. Hunter Range ; 2. Mittagong Range ; and 3. Macquarie Range. (4) The Cullarin Range is subdivided into 1. Western Range and 2. Mundoonen Range. (5) The Gourock Range (of a rugged and broken appearance) cannot be easily subdivided. (6) The Monaro Range is subdivided into 1. " The Western Range," and 2. " The North Western Range." (7) The Muniong Range—the Northern Portion of the " Warragong Mountains" of Victoria—contains (on the north side of the Frontier) 1. The Murrumbidgee Range ; 2. The Tumut Range ; and 3. The Murray Range. All this series is connected with the Cordillera, dividing the Eastern and Western Watersheds. In one portion of it there is an Inland Slope (at Lake George, to the S.W. of the City of Goulburn), where there is no outlet. Here an area of 300 square miles is drained by the Turallo and Butmaroo Creeks.

From the Muniong, Monaro and the South Coast Ranges, the MARGALONG or SNOWY RIVER (with its affluents — the rivers Eucumbene, Crackenback, Moamba, Tongaro, Moyengul, Ingeegoodbee, Wul-

wye, Bobundarra, MacLaughlan)—and, lastly, the Bombala, (with its tributaries Cambolong, Columboca, and Maharratta) flows away, across the frontier, to the South. With these two exceptions all the waters of New South Wales either pass away into the Ocean on the Eastward—or, accumulating on the Western side of the Great Cordillera, fall into the River Murray at Wentworth, and so, eventually, the whole

stream reaches the Ocean near Adelaide.

III. THE COAST RANGES. On the east side of the Great Dividing Chain—and parallel to it for a very considerable distance—lie Ranges, which, from their situation, are called the " Coast Ranges. " They gene-rally form the edge of the elevated Table Land upon which lies the Great Dividing Chain. These Coast Ranges are distinguished as follows : 1. The Northern Coast Range ; 2. The Illawarra Range ; 3. The Currockbilly Range ; and, 4. The " South Coast Range "—mentioned under section II. The loftiest peak of these Coast Ranges is Mount Coolun-gera (in the South Coast Range) 3712 feet high.

IV. ISOLATED MOUNTAINS AND GROUPS. The most remarkable of these (as enumerated by Wilkins and others) are Mount Doubleduke, Whoman, Elanie, Yarrahappini, Kibbora, The Three Brothers, Mount Talawah, Dromedary, Mumbulla, and lastly, Imlay, or " Balson"—2900 feet high. This is only a meagre outline of the entire Mountain System, but it may serve to give some idea of the vast extent of the country, and will also render the course of the rivers more intelligible.

THE RIVER SYSTEM.

With the comparatively trifling exception of the Snowy River (the Margalong) and its Affluents, and the two inconsiderable streams called by the colonists " Turallo Creek" and " Butmaroo Creek" (especially mentioned under the head of " Mountain System,"

paragraph II), it will be correct to say that ALL the Rivers of New South Wales have their sources in the Great Dividing Chain, or " Cordillera," flowing thence, with a curious variety of direction, to the sea by the EASTERN or the WESTERN WATERSHEDS. The great Rivers of the Western Watershed are (I) the River Darling, and its numerous Affluents ; (II) the River Lachlan, and its Affluents, comparatively few in number ; (III) the River Murrumbidgee, and its Affluents ; and (IV) the River Murray (or Hume), and its Affluents. All these great Western Rivers eventually become united with the MURRAY, which receives its last tributary (the Darling) at the frontier town of Wentworth. Thence the Murray flows away into Lake Alexandria, near Adelaide in South Aus-tralia. The Drainage of the Western Watershed may be readily understood by the following analysis :—

I. THE DARLING. The Karaula or Calewatta River (River MacIntyre) rises in Ben Lomond, not far from Stonehenge, in the New England Pastoral District. It first flows in a N.W. direction for about 130 miles. Having received (1) the Severn, it reaches the Northern Boundary of New South Wales, and runs for a considerable distance Westerly, successively receiving (2) the River Dumaresq, and (3) the Boomi, (4) Whalan, and (5) Gilgil Rivers. Its course, thereafter, is (for the most part) Southerly, and South Westerly. The United Stream is here gene-rally called the " BARWAN," OR UPPER DARLING— down to about the site of the township of Breewar-rina, to the N.E. of Bourke. The River next re-ceives as its tributaries (6) the Mooni River, (7) the Gwydir or Bundarra, also called the Kindur, (8) the Namoi, or Peel River and its affluents, (9) the Castle-reagh River, (10) the Macquarie River (the Wambool) and its numerous affluents, (11) the Narran River, (12) Bokhara River, (13) the Culgoa River, (14) the Bogan River, (15) the Warrego River, and several other large streams, usually called " Creeks." From Breewarrina down to Wentworth the United Volume of Waters is known as the DARLING. The estimated length of the " Barwan" or (Upper Darling) is 510 miles ; the length of the Lower Darling (or " Darling, " properly so called) is 650 miles ; giving a total estimated length of 1160 miles. The DARLING falls into the MURRAY at Wentworth in Lat. 34° 6 South, and Long. 142° 2 East. The area of basin drained by the Darling, and its affluents, is 198,000 square miles. The length of the MacIntyre is 350 miles, of the Gwydir, 445 miles ; of the Namoi, 600 miles ; of the Castlereagh, 365 miles ; of the Macquarie, 750 miles ; and of the Bogan, 450 miles. It has been supposed that the River Paroo, in the Albert District, falls somewhere into the Darling , but this is somewhat doubtful.

II.—THE LACHLAN.—The River Lachlan or Calare, is the next main stream, but much inferior in length, and extent of basin, to the Darling. It rises on the western side of the Cullarin Range in the County of

King. It receives first the Jerrawa Creek, and is then called the Narrawa River. The Crookwell and the Abercrombie then become tributaries, and the River assumes the name of the LACHLAN. The Boorowa and Belubula Rivers are the last of its principal afflu-ents. Sweeping round to the West, and South West, the Lachlan falls into the MURRUMBIDGEE, flowing in the latter portion of its course through vast plains. The total length of the Lachlan is 700 miles ; Area of Basin, thereby drained, 27,000 square miles.

III. THE MURRUMBIDGEE. — The Murrumbidgee rises in the Muniong Range, and (in the neighbour-

hood of Cooma) trends suddenly to the Northward. It receives (1) the Umaralla, (2) the Queanbeyan, (3) the Yass River, (4) the Coodradigbee, (5) the Tumut, (6) the Adelong, (7) the Nackie, and (8) the Tarcutta. After the first 300 miles it pursues a westerly course, and uniting the LACHLAN (near Maude) fills into the Murray, twenty miles to the South West of Balra-nald. Estimated length of the Murrumbidgee— 1350 miles. Drains of basin having an area of 25,000 square miles. The Murrumbidgee is navigable for 500

miles.

IV. THE MURRAY.—The principal source of the Murray (or Millewa—also known as the Hume or Indi) is in the Muniong Range, near Mount Kosciusko—not very far from the head of the waters of the Murrumbidgee. It flows Westerly, and North Westerly—through the entire width of New South Wales, and finally receives all the Western Waters of the Colony. The lower portion of the Murray and the Murrumbidgee are connected by Ana-branches. It has several considerable affluents in the upper portion of its course. It forms the Southern frontier of the Colony, from Monaro to the South Western limit Length, 1120 miles. Drains an area of 270,000 square miles. Width of the stream from Moama to Albury, in the summer time, about 240 feet. Navigable by small steamers as far as Albury.

RIVERS ON THE EASTERN WATERSHED.—The Rivers on the Eastern Watershed drain an area of not more than 50,000 square miles. These Rivers have often been described. They all flow into the Pacific Ocean. The most considerable are the HAWKESBURY and the HUNTER. The length of the Hawkesbury is 330 miles—area drained, about 8700 miles. The length of the HUNTER (Coquon) is 300 miles—area drained, about 8000 square miles. The Shoalhaven is 260 miles in length ; the Clarence, 240 miles ; the Mac Leay, 190 miles ; and the Manning, 100 miles. The Hastings, the Karuah, the Clyde, the Moruya, the Tuross, the Bega, and the Towamba (all more or less navigable) are each of them less than 100 miles in length. Most of these Rivers have bars at their mouths, and cannot safely be entered by any vessel in tempestuous weather. The Hawkesbury (Deerubbun) is remarkable for the singularly tortuous direction of its course. Its basin has three distinct " Slopes" in the Great Eastern Watershed—a Northern, Eastern, and Western Slope. The main stream comes from its Northern Slope. It is first called the Wollondilly. It receives the Mulwaree, the Cookbundoon, and the Cox Rivers, and is then called the Warragamba. When the Cowpasture River has joined this winding stream, the united volume of waters is called the Nepean. The River continues to be called the " Nepean" until it receives the Grose River (flowing into it from the Blue Mountains), when it finally assumes the desig-nation of the Hawkesbury. After receiving the Colo and MacDonald Rivers and other waters, the Hawkes-bury finally discharges itself into the Pacific Ocean at Broken Bay. Owing to the immense territory which it drains, and the flat character of the country in the lower portion of its course, the Hawkesbury is liable to sudden floods. The alluvial lands in the lower portion of the Hawkesbury, and in the Vale of the

Hunter are renowned for their fertility.

Topographical Divisions.

THERE are two methods of topographical sub-division, by studying which the extent of the area of New South Wales may be appreciated, and the re-lative position of its more important localities more easily understood. The first of these subdivisions is that of " Counties and Towns," and the second, that of the " Old Counties " and " Great Pastoral Districts."

THE COUNTIES AND TOWNS.

New South Wales has been subdivided into one hundred and eighteen Counties, but this mode of sub-division is of but little topographical importance, and very generally disregarded. Besides the vast extent of country included in the rather vaguely defined areas of some of the more distant Inland Counties there are also widely spread, unoccupied tracks to be found (as in the Albert District, beyond the River Darling, to the N.N.W. of the Colony) wherein few counties yet appear to have been even " named." The boundaries of the " Old, or Pro-claimed Counties," nearer to the coast, are all more clearly defined, and their respective areas are less thinly peopled than the " New Counties " of the Interior. Towns, villages, homesteads, clearings, cultivated farms, plantations, and other evidences of human industry and progress, are here not infre-quent ; increasing efforts having been everywhere made, by the Government and by the People, to facilitate intercommunication by Railways and by Common Roads—by the establishment, at convenient distances, of Post Towns, and by the multiplication of Electric Telegraph Stations. In this direction much, at a very large outlay, has already been achieved, but much, of course, yet remains to be done. The OLD COUNTIES (with their Chief Towns, &c.) are—

I. [The Six Counties on the Coast.] (1.) ST. VINCENT. Chief Town—Braidwood, and twenty other Post Towns. Area of County—eighty miles long, by forty miles wide ; contains 1,704,884 acres. (2) CAMDEN. Berrima, and twenty-nine other Post Towns. Area of County—seventy miles long by forty-five miles wide ; contains 1,400,320 acres. (3) CUMBERLAND. Sydney, and Sixty-four Post Towns. Area—sixty-three miles long by thirty-eight miles wife ; contains 914,800 acres. (4) NORTHUMBERLAND. Newcastle, and twenty-six Post Towns. Area—sixty-eight miles long, by fifty-five miles wide ; contains 1,498,880 acres. (5) GLOUCESTER. Raymond Terrace, and nine other Post Towns. Area—eighty miles long, by sixty-five miles wide ; contains 1,375,200 acres. (6) MACQUARIE. Port Macquarie, and fourteen other Post Towns. Area—sixty-miles long, by fifty miles wide ; contains 1,408,000 acres.

II. [The Three N.W. Inland Counties.] (7) DUR-HAM. Paterson, and nineteen other Post Towns Area—sixty miles long, by fifty miles wide ; contains 1,354,880 acres. (8) BRISBANE. Scone, and eight other Post Towns. Area—ninety miles long, by forty miles wide ; contains 1,500,160 acres. (9) BLIGH. Cassilis, and three other Post Towns. Area—eighty miles long, by forty miles wide; contains 1,077,120

acres.

III. [The Seven Western Counties.] (10) COOK. Hartley, and fifteen other Post Towns. Area—sixty miles long, by forty-four miles wide, contains 1,065,000 acres. (11) ROXBURGH. Kelso, and twelve other Post Towns. Area—fifty miles long, by forty miles wide ; contains 976,160 acres. (12) WESTMORE-LAND. O'Connell, and four other Post Towns. Area —sixty four miles long, by thirty-two miles wide ; contains 1,018,880 acres. (13) WELLINGTON. Orange, and fourteen other Post Towns. Area—seventy-two miles long, and forty-two miles wide ; contains 1,059,680 acres. (14) BATHURST Bathurst, and four-teen Post Towns. Area—sixty-five miles long, by forty miles wide ; contains 1,190,400 acres. (15) HUNTER. Jerry's Plains. Area—seventy-one miles long, by forty-seven miles wide ; contains 1,315,840 acres. (16) PHILLIP. Mudgee, and another post town —Guntawang. Area—fifty-three miles long, by forty-one miles wide ; contains 1,035,520 acres.

IV. [The Four South Western Counties.] 17 GEORGIANA. Tuena, and four other Post Towns. Area—fifty miles long, by forty miles wide ; contains 1,231,360 acres. (18) KING. Gunning and five other Post Towns. Area—1,159,810 acres. (19) ARGYLE. Goulburn, and fourteen Post Towns. Area—sixty miles long, by thirty-six miles wide ; contains 1,248,600 acres. (20) MURRAY. Yass, and nine other Post Towns. Area—seventy-eight miles long, by forty-four miles wide ; contain 1,458,080 acres.

The NEW COUNTIES (with their chief Towns, &c.) are subjoined in then Alphabetical Order, without regard to their Topographical Position. These so-called counties appear to be, for the present, little more than vaguely determined areas forming part of the Thirteen Great Pastoral Districts of the Interior. In describ-ing the Colony, they are very often, even by the best geographers, passed over without much notice. (See Wilkins's " Geography of New South Wales." Chapter IX, page 121, &c.) Nevertheless, it may, perhaps, be as well to mention these " counties," as they are sometimes occasionally alluded to.

V. (The Principal New Counties in the Interior). (21) ARRAWATTA. Ashford. (22) ASHBURNHAM. Forbes, and three other Post Towns. (23) AUCK-LAND. Eden, and seven other Post Towns. (24) BARADINE. Baradine. (25) BENARBA. Kunopia. (26) BERESFORD. Cooma, and two other Post Towns. (27) BUCCLEUCH. Tumut, and another Post Town— Brungle. (28) BUCKLAND. Breeza, and four other Post Towns. (29) BULLER. Maryland, and another Post Town—Tabulam. (30) BURNETT. Warialda. (31) CADELL. Moama, and another Post Town— Mathoura. (32) CAIRA. Balranald. (33) CLARENCE. Grafton, and eight other Post Towns. (34) CLAREN-

DON. Gundagai, and another Post Town—Junee. (35) CLIVE. Tenterfield, and one other Post Town Deepwater or Gladstone. (36) CLYDE. Breewarrina. (37) COOPER. Narranderra. (38) COURALLIE. Moree. (39) COWLEY. Kiandra, and another Post Town—Big Hill. (40) COWPER. Bourke. (41) CUNNINGHAM. Con-dobolin. (42) DAMPIER. Moruya, and five other Post Towns. (43) DARLING. Manilla, and another Post Town—Barraba. (44) DENHAM. Walgett. (45) DENISON. Tocumwall, and another Post Town—Mul-wala. (46) DRAKE. Drake, and two other Post Towns. (47) DUDLEY. Kempsey, and four other Post Towns. (48) EWENMAR. Collie. (49) GORDON.

Newrea—Post Town named Obley. (50) GOUGH. Glen Innes, and three other Post Towns. (51) GOUL-BURN. Albury, and three other Post Towns. (52) GOWEN. Mundooran. (53) GREGORY. Merri Merri. (54) GRESHAM. Newtonboyd. (55) HARDEN. Binalong, and seven other Post Towns. (56) HARDINGE. Bundarra. (57) HAWES. Nowendoc. (58) HUME. Corowa, and another Post Town—Howlong, (59) INGLIS. Bende-meer, and two other Post Towns. (60) JAMISON. Wee Waa. (61) LEICHARDT. Coonabarabran, and another Post Town—Coonamble. (62) LINCOLN. Dubbo, and two other Post Towns. (63) MENINDEE. Menindee. (61) MONTEAGLE. Young, and three other Post Towns. (65) MURCHISON. Bingera, and another Post Town—Cobbadah. (66) NANDEWAR. Gulligal, and another Post Town—Narrabri, (67) NAPIER. Weetuluba. (68) NICHOLSON. Booli-gal. (69) OXLEY. Canonbar, and another Post Town —Warren. (70) PARRY. Tamworth, and five other Post Towns. (71) Pottinger. Gunnedah, and another Post Town—Boggabri. (72) RALEIGH. Dovedale, and two other Post Towns. (73) RICHMOND. Casino, and two other Post Towns. (71) ROUS. Lismore. (75) SANDON. Armidale, and three other Post Towns. (76) SELWYN. Walareagang. (77) TAILA. Euston. (78) TOWNSEND. Deniliquin, mid two other Post Towns. (79) URANA. Jereelderie, and another Post Town—Urana. (80) VERNON. Walcha. (81) WA-KOOL. Moulamein, and another Post Town—Wakool,

(82) WALJEERS. Appletree Flat. (83) WALLACE. Nimmitibel, and four other Post Towns. (84) WARAD-GERY, Hay, and another Post Town—Maude. (85) WELLESLEY. Bombala, and two other Post Towns. (86) WENTWORTH. Wentworth. (87) WYNYARD. Wagga Wagga and six other Post Towns.

VI. (Additional New Counties of Minor Importance.) Of the following New Countries but little is known at present. They are, most of them—perhaps we may say all—situated at a great distance from the Metro-polis. (88) BLAND. (89) BLAXLAND. (90) BOURKE. (91) BOYD. (92) CANBELIGO. (93) CLARKE. (94) DOWLING. (95) FINCH. (96) FITZROY. (97) FLINDERS. (98) FORBES. (99) FRANKLIN. (100) GIPPS. (101) GUN-DEBOOKA. (102) KENNEDY. (103) KILLARA. (104) LANDSBOROUGH. (105) LIVINGSTONE. (106) MITCHELL. (107) NARRAN. (108) NARROMINE. (109) PERRY. (110) RANKIN. (111) STAPYLTON. (112) STURT. (113) TARA. (114) WERUNDA, (115) WHITE. (116) WINDEYER. (117) YANDA. (118) YOUNG.

[NOTE.—In the vast area comprehended in the fore-going divisions of the colony of New South Wales there are, at present (in September, 1870), about five hundred and fifty Post Towns, Postal Villages, and Postal Stations. These Post Towns and Postal Vil-lages are distributed over the country, in the manner and proportion shewn in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th preceding paragraphs. In addition to those Post Towns however (so distributed) there are about ninety Postal Stations recently established ; the exact position of which cannot readily be described with-out the aid of a map. Of these about forty have been placed in the Districts to the WEST of Sydney ;— about twenty-five more in the Districts to the NORTH of Sydney ; and the remaining twenty-five in the Districts to the South of the Capital. The following analysis may perhaps serve to give some practical idea of the wide extent of the area embraced by our Five Hundred and Fifty Postal Stations. One of these (Mount Gipps) 944 miles from Sydney. Another of them (Menindee) is 850 miles from Sydney. Another of them (Wentworth) is 835 miles from Sydney. Two more—Louth and Pooncarie—are over 700 miles and less than 800 miles from the capital. Two —are over 600 miles and less than 700 : Twenty-five —are over 500 miles, and less than 600 ; twenty-six— are over 400 miles, and less than 500 ; fifty-six are over 300 miles and less than 400 ; one hundred and four —are over 200 miles and less than 300 ; one hundred and ninety-nine—are over 100 miles and less than 200 ; and only one hundred and thirty-one—are less than one hundred miles from Sydney. There are seventy-eight Telegraph Stations ; the most remote being at Wentworth—a distance about 835 miles from Sydney. There are also one hundred and sixty-eight Money Order Offices ;—one hundred in the Twenty Counties and sixty-eight in the Postal Districts. These Postal Villages, Telegraph Stations, and Money Order Offices are daily on the increase. According to the latest information on this subject, the number of Post Towns in the Ten Pastoral Districts of Monaro, Murrum-bidgee, Lachlan, Wellington, Bligh, Liverpool Plains. Gwydir, New England, Macleay, and Clarence amount (at present) to one hundred and eighto-five (185) ; and the number in the three Outlying Districts of Darling, Albert, and Warrego to eighteen (18). The rest are all in the " Twenty Counties," In a Twenty miles Radius of Sydney there are 30 Postal

Stations.]

The Population of SYDNEY, the Capital, and Suburbs (lying on the shores of Port Jackson) is about 140,000 ; the population of the second seaport town, Newcastle (the Port of the Hunter) is about 5000. The total population of the colony is about 500,000 souls.

THE PASTORAL DISTRICTS.

Disregarding the cumbrous and (at present) somewhat imperfect subdivision of the Colony of New South Wales into Counties, a shorter and more simple method will, perhaps, be to adopt for the interiorr the comprehensive arrangement of the Pastoral Districts. These " Pastoral Districts," thirteen in number, include the whole area of the colony, irrespective and outside of the " Twenty Counties"—those proclaimed under the Orders in Council in 1847. The " Old Counties," long considered to be the Colony Proper, have already been described. Grouped around the Old, or Twenty Counties, are the Thirteen Pastoral Districts, each a sort of province dependant upon New South Wales, and each much larger in its area than some of the most important European States. They are as

follows :—

I. MONARO. This Pastoral District lies adjacent to the coast, at ths southern extremity of the colony. It includes the new counties of Auckland, Dampier, Wellesley, Beresford, Wallace, chief part of Cowley, and part of Buccleuch. It has an area of 8335 square miles. The principal towns are :—Kiandra, Kiora, Moruya, Bergalia, Bodalla, Cobargo, Wagonga, Nerrigundah, Bega, Murrimbula, Panbula, Eden, Bombala, Delegate, Cathcart, Candeloo, Kameruka, Nimmitibel, Bobundarrah, Buckley's Crossing, Jin-dabyne, Jegidzerick, Cooma, Numeralla, Bunyan, Adaminiby, &c. It is traversed by lofty mountains and deep gullies.

II. MURRUMBIDGEE. This great Pastoral District stretches away to the westward of Monaro, and is bounded on the south by the River Murray (or Hume), and on the north by the River Murrumbid-gee, from which it takes its name. It includes the new counties Selwyn, chief part of Buccleuch, part of Cowley, Wynyard, Goulburn (county), Hume, Mitchell, Denison, Boyd, Cadell, Townsend, part of Waradgery, Wakool, and part of Caira. It has an area of 26,897 square miles of splendid grazing country. The Principal Towns are :—Walareagang, Tumberumba, Upper Adelong, Tumut, Adelong, Brungle, South Gundagai, Tarcutta, Garryowen, Coppabella, Ten-Mile Creek, Bowna, Albury, Dight's Forest, Howlong, Moorwatha, Wallundrie, South Wagga Wagga, Urana, Corowa, Mittiwalla, Tocum-wal, Jereelderie, Conargo, Deniliquin, Mathoura, Moama (opposite to which, across the Murray, on the Victorian side, is Echuca), Wanganella, Moulamein,

Wakool, &c.

III. LACHLAN. This Pastoral District lies North of the Pastoral District of Murrumbidgee. It is bounded on the South by the Murrumbidgee River, and, on the East and North-East, by the Western boundary of the Twenty Counties. It includes the new Counties Harden, Monteagle, Clarendon, Bland, Gipps, Bourke, Cooper, Sturt, part of Waradgery, Waljeers, Nicholson, Dowling, Franklin, and Blaxland. It has an area of 22,800 square miles, and is admirably adapted for grazing purposes. The Principal Towns are : Maude, Booligal, Hilston, Eauabalong, Grenfell, Marengo, Burrowa, Binalong, Bookham, Gundagai, North Wagga Wagga, Narran-dera, Hay, Junee, Sebastopol, Jugiong, Cooramundra, Murrumburrah, Harden, Wombat, Young, Moran-garell, Marsdens, &c. The upper portion of the Lachlan River divides the Lachlan District into two unequal parts—of which the North-Western Part is but little known.

IV. WELLINGTON. This Pastoral District is bounded on the South, by the Upper Portion of the Lachlan River ; on the East, by the Macquarie River, and the Western Boundary of the Twenty Counties. It includes the new Counties Ashburnham, Gordon, Cunningham, Kennedy, Narromine, Flinders, Oxley, and part of Gregory, &c. It has an area of 16,695 square miles—for the most part fine grazing country. The pricipal towns are : Canowindra, Forbes, Billa-bong, Moonwonga, Condobolin, Canonbar, Warren,

Dandaloo, Heifer Station, Toogong, Murga, Cargo,

&c.

V. BLIGH. This Pastoral District lies on the North East bank of the Macquarie River, and to the N.W. of the " Twenty Counties." The Bligh Pastoral District includes the Counties of Lincoln, Napier, Gowen, Ewenmar, Leichardt, and part of Gregory, &c. It has an area of about 5,000,000 acres of pastoral land. It is bounded on the North by the Warrego District, on the East by the Liverpool Plains Dis-trict, on the West by the Wellington District, and by the Lachlan District and the Old Counties (or settled Districts) on the South. Its Principal Towns are :

Dubbo, Mount Harris, Wammerawa, Merri Merri, Coonamble, Coonabarabran, Gilandra, Collie, Mun-dooran, Cobborah, Coolah, Weetuluba, Talbragar,

&c.

VI. LIVERPOOL PLAINS. This Pastoral District lies N.E. of the Pastoral District of Bligh, and nearly North of the " Old Counties." It has an area of 16,901 square miles. It has but few hills, and is supposed to have once been the bed of an immense inland lake. The mean elevation is 921 feet above the sea level. It includes the new Counties of Buck-land, part of Parry, part of Inglis, Darling, Nan-dewar, Pottinger, White, Baradine, Jamison, and Denham. The Principal Towns are : Walgett, Col-larendebri, Pillaga, Wee Waa, Narrabri, Baradine, Boggabri, Baraba, Manilla, Gulligal, Gunnedah, Carroll, Breeza, Pine Ridge, Quirindi, Tamworth, Somerton, Bendemeer, Moonbi, Dungowan, Goonoo Goonoo, Currabubula, Wallabadah, Bowling Alley Point, Nundle, Hanging Rock, &c.

VII. GWYDIR. This Pastoral District lies North of

the Liverpool Plains District. It contains an area of 11,075 square miles. It consists chiefly of open sandy plains, occasionally well grassed. It includes the new Counties Murchison, Burnett, Courallie, Benarba, Stapylton, and part of Arrawatta. It is bounded on the North by the MacIntyre River—here the Southern Frontier of the county of Queensland. The Principal Towns are : Bingera, Warialda, Moree, Kunopia, Mungindi, Gundiwindi, Yetman, Cobba-

dah.

VIII. NEW ENGLAND. This Pastoral District is a

long and comparatively narrow Pastoral District conterminous with the Table Land (here lying on each side of the Dividing Range) and reaching from the Northern-most Boundary of the twenty counties to the Southern frontier of Queensland. It contains on area of 13,100 square miles, and lies at an elevation of about 3000 feet above the sea level, The climate is temperate, but rather cold in the winter months. Much of the soil is well adapted for agriculture. It includes the new counties Hawes, Chief Part of Ver-non, Sandon, Part of Inglis, Hardinge, Clarke, Gough, part of Gresham, Clive, and part of Arra-watta. The Principal Towns are : Tenterfield, Tim-barra, Bonshaw, Ashford, Wellingrove, Inverell, Dundee, Glen Innes, Oban, Bundarra, Falconer, Armidale, Rocky River, Uralla, Walcha, Nowendoc,

&c.

IX. MACLEAY. This Pastoral District lies between the Southern portion of England and the coast. It is bounded an the North by the Southern limit of Clarence Pastoral District, and on the South by the Macleay River—from which it takes its name. It contains an area of 3180 square miles. Large quantities of cedar are obtained in this District and shipped to Sydney, and other ports. It includes the New Counties Dudley, Raleigh, part of Vernon, and part of the County Fitzroy. The Principal Towns are : Kempsey, Dovedale, Nambucca, Summer Island, Warneton, and Frederickton.

X. CLARENCE. This Pastoral District lies between the north end of New England and the Pacific, to the north of the Macleay District. It contains an area of about 5000 square miles. Much of the land in this district is used for agricultural purposes. It includes parts of the New Counties—Fitzroy and Gresham, and the Counties Clarence, Drake, Richmond, Rous, and Buller. It is bounded on the north by the Macpher-son Range—here the southern frontier of Queens-land. The north-eastern point of Rous is Point Danger. The Principal Towns are : Maryland, Unumgar, Kynnumboon, Tooloom, Drake, Lismore, Casino, Ballina, Richmond River Heads, Wardell, Woodburn, Codrington, Wyrallah, Lawrence, Clarence River Heads, Palmer Island, Rocky Mouth, Brush Grove, Ulmarra, Grafton, Copmanburri,

Ebor, &c.

[Returning back again South-westerly, to the Murray River, we find within the present limits of New South Wales the Great Outlying Pastoral Districts of DARLING, ALBERT, and WARREGO.]

XI. DARLING. This Pastoral District (to the S.W. of the colony) is bounded on the East by the Lachlan Pastoral District ; on the South, River Murray ; on the West by the 141st Parallel of Longitude ; and on the North by the Southern limit of the Great Albert District—a line running from Menindee to the Western frontier, at right angles to it. It contains an area of 50,000 square miles. It is used for Pastoral purposes. It includes the Counties of Tara, Windeyer, Menindee, Perry, Wentworth, Taila, part of Caira, part of Livingstone, &c., and much land never subdivided into counties at all, The towns are few and unimportant : Balranald (on the extreme Western Boundary of the Murrumbidgee District)

Euston, Wentworth, Pooncarie, Mossgiel, Menindee, and Mount Gipps.

XII. ALBERT. This vast Pastoral District is, as yet, but little known. It is bounded on the South by the Pastoral Districts Darling and Lachlan ; on th East by the Warrego Pastoral District ; on the North by the frontier of Queensland, and on th West by the frontier of South Australia. On the West of Albert District ore (as w have intimated) two Ranges of Mountains—" Grey Range," and " Barrier" or " Stanley Range." Towards the Eastern Boundary is the course of the River Paroo, running towards the North. The S.E. Portion of the Albert Pastoral District is traversed by the Darling. It contains an area of about 60,000 square miles—considerably larger than England. The larger portion of the Albert District is not yet subdivided into " Counties," but it includes the New Counties of Young, Killara, Landsborough, Living-stone, Werunda, Rankin, and Yanda. The towns are very few, small, and otherwise unimportant. Amongst them are Wilcannia, Tankerooka, Mount Monaro, Louth, &c.

XIII. WARREGO.—This Pastoral District is tra-versed by the Rivers Darling, Narran, Bogan, Warrego, and Culgoa, &c. It contains an area of 10,000 square miles. In Warrego District there is much land good for pastoral purposes, and much that is arid and useless. It includes the counties of Cowper, part of Clyde, Yanda, Narran, Finch, Gun-derbooka, &c. Its towns are few, and (for the most part) unimportant. Amongst them are Bourke, Brenda, Toora, Breewarrina, Yarramba, &c.

Inter-Communication.

IN New South Wales there are numerous obstacles to on effective inter-communication for travelling, and for the conveyance of goods. There are no canals, and (comparatively speaking) but few navigable rivers, considering the vast extent of its territory. The Great Dividing Chain near the coast, for many years after the foundation of the colony, presented an absolutely impassable barrier to the early settlers. Much has now been done by public and private enterprise to remove these disadvantages. The Eastern Rivers are, for the most part, navigable by vessels of small tonnage, and the Four Great Rivers of the West by small steamers. Immense sums of money have been spent upon the common roads, of which there are Three Main Lines—the Great Southern, the Great Western, and the Great Northern. The Great Northern Road begins at Newcastle ; the two other Main Lines at a short dis-tance from Sydney. There are three Main Lines of Railway in the same general direction as these three Great Roads. The Electric Telegraph Lines have already been mentioned under the head of " Counties and Towns." New South Wales possesses an im-portant means of communication between many of the localities on the coast by her fleet of sea-going steamers. Sydney is 590 miles from Melbourne ; 600 from Hobart Town ; 1000 from Adelaide ; 390 from Brisbane ; 1280 from Auckland, in New Zealand ; 4350 from Honolulu ; 1520 from Fiji ; and 6430 from

San Francisco.

Governmental Divisions.

THE principal divisions of New South Wales for Political, Municipal, and Executive puposes, are three in number, viz. : The Electoral Districts, the Police Districts, and the Municipal Districts. The last of these include (1) the City of Sydney, (2) the Subur-ban Boroughs, (3) the Country Boroughs, and (4) the " Municipal Districts," properly so called.

ELECTORAL DISTRICTS.

New South Wales is, under the 22nd Victoria No. 20, divided into Sixty Electorates, entitled to return seventy-two members to the Legislative Assembly. Of these sixty electorates two are in the Capital, and three constitute the Gold Fields Electoral Districts— the " Gold Fields South," the " Gold Fields West," and the " Gold Fields North." The remaining fifty-five Electoral Districts are those of Argyle, Balranald, Bathurst, Bogan, Braid-wood, Camden, Canterbury, Carcoar, Clarence, Central Cumberland (the metropolitan county) Eden, Glebe (Sydney), Goulburn, Gwydir, Hartley, Hawkesbury, Hume, Hunter, Hunter Upper, Hunter Lower, Illawarra, Kiama, Lachlan, Liver-pool Plains, Macquarie East, Maitland East, Maitland West, Macquarie West, Monaro, Morpeth, Mudgee, Murray, Murrumbidgee, Narellan, Nepean, Newcastle, New England, Newtown, Northumber-land, Orange, Paddington, Parramatta, Paterson, Patrick's Plains, Queanbeyan, St. Leonards, Shoal-haven, Tenterfield, Tumut, Wellington, Williams, Windsor, Wollombi, Yass Plains. The three Gold Fields Electorates respectively embrace a large number of different localities, in which gold mining pursuits are followed. In these electorates every person possessing a Miner's Right is licensed to vote.

The Sydney University will be entitled to return a

member of the Colonial Legislature, when the Supe-rior Graduates of the Institution shall be found to

amount to one hundred.

THE POLICE DISTRICTS.

New South Wales is also subdivided into Seventy-

one " Police Districts." In these 71 Police Districts

is included the whole area of New South Wales (323,437 square miles) constituted by the Twenty Proclaimed Counties, and the Thirteen Pastoral Dis-tricts. This subdivision is one of a purely practical character, convenient for statistical and other pur-poses. These subdivisions have all been taken into consideration in the arrangement of the Electoral Dis-tricts. The Police Districts are either grouped round some principal town or towns, or else round some con-venient, central point. The limits of the Police Dis-tricts are so liable to modification, and so little known, that they are not available for geographical pur-

poses.

MUNICIPAL SUBDIVISIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS, &C.

CITY OF SYDNEY.—The City of Sydney was first in-

corporated in 1842—Corporation dissolved and Commissioners appointed 1853—Corporation re-established 1857—Divided into eight Wards — Mayor and sixteen Aldermen. Present Population about 90,000.

Of the SUBURBAN BOROUGHS, as Municipalities, there are seventeen, namely :—RANDWICK, WAVERLEY, GLEBE, REDFERN, BALMAIN, PADDINGTON, WOOLLAHRA, WATERLOO, EAST ST. LEONARD'S, MARRICKVILLE, CAMPERDOWN, COOK, NEWTOWN, DARLINGTON, NORTH WILLOUGHBY, ST. LEONARDS, ALEXANDRIA. They have each a Mayor and a certain number of Alder-men, and the population of the whole is about 50,000.

There are also about twenty COUNTRY BOROUGHS, as Municipalities, governed in a similar manner ; and

five MUNICIPAL DISTRICTS.

[NOTE.—The population in nearly all the Boroughs proclaimed in 1859-60 has been, in some instances-doubled, and in some trebled. There are now petitions before the Government from five or six towns in the interior praying for incorporation.]

Political Condition.

NEW South Wales furnishes an instance of political growth without parallel. It is but a century since the discovery of Australia by the illustrious naviga-tor, Captain Cook. It was not until 1788, that Governor Phillip arrived with the " first fleet.'" Under his auspices a penal settlement was estab-lished. But the land was too beautiful and fertile for a prison, and those who claimed it as the future home of millions of free men rested not until they had secured the abolition of transportation, and the con-cession of all those rights of government and admin-istration which are dear to British subjects. It is not the object of this article to give a history of the progress made from military rule to responsible government, but rather to convey an idea of the degree of political freedom which is enjoyed by the colony under its present Constitution, and to explain in a familiar way, without going into technicalities, the form of government which has been granted to it by the Imperial Parliament. New South Wales has been entirely free from all interference on the part of the Home Government, except in regard to matters which affect Imperial interests, for fourteen years, and its laws are supposed to be a reflex of the popular

mind.

Politicians of all grades assembled to celebrate the inauguration of responsible government in 1856. They congratulated each other and the country on the distinction conferred upon them. From that time until now they have shown much vigour in contend-ing for places of distinction and emolument ; and, notwithstanding the bitterness of personal jealousies and political feuds, they have given evidence of consi-derable administrative ability. In the initiation of responsible institutions experience has been costly. The colony has suffered from over-legislation, from the disturbing influences of frequent political changes, and from that kind of patronage which will always be exercised in small communities, where the chief political actors are brought into daily contact with a numerous class who wish for Government employ-ment ; where the administrators are unusually ac-cessible, and depend for support upon members, many of whom desire offices for themselves or their friends, and sometimes special advantages for the constitu-encies they represent. Nevertheless, the great majority prize their political institutions, and those who would recede are conscious that such a step is

impossible.

The colony of New South Wales has a Governor, and a Parliament, consisting of two Houses, called " The Legislative Council," and " The Legislative Assembly." The Parliament has power to deal with all matters affecting the order and good government of the colony. The special functions of the Governor, enable him to interpose as representative of the Crown in regard to questions which affect the Empire.

The Governor is appointed by Commission under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom, and is em-powered to appoint an Executive Council to advise and assist him in the administration of the govern-ment of the colony. But he may act in opposition to their advice if he deem it expedient, subject to certain directions contained in the Royal instructions, which have regard to the preservation of Imperial interests. His Excellency the Governor receives a salary of £7000 per annum, which is provided for in one of the schedules of the Constitution Act. The

present Governor is the Right Hon. the Earl of

Belmore.

The Legislative Council is a nominated body. In the early days the colony was under military govern-ment. On the 11th August, 1824, the establishment of a Legislative Council, consisting of half a dozen members, was publicly notified. The Governor was president of that body, which at first was entirely official. Subsequently it was enlarged by the addi-tion of two or three distinguished colonists. After that, from the 1st of May, 1829, to 1843, the Govern-ment of the colony was administered under the Imperial Statute 9 George IV., cap. 83, passed in July, 1828, and intituled " An Act to provide for the better administration of justice in New South Wales and Van Dieman's Land, and for the more effectual Government thereof, and for other purposes relating thereto." The Governor derived his powers partly from this Act, and partly from Letters Patent. In regard to the Legislative Council the Act provided that it should consist " of such persons resident in the colony, not exceeding fifteen, nor less than ten, as his Majesty shall be pleased to appoint."

This form of government, based partly upon statute and partly upon prerogative, failed to give satisfaction, or probably it may be with greater fairness said that the colony rapidly out-grew it. The people petitioned, and in 1843 the representative element was introduced. This Act for the government of New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land was passed on the 30th July, 1842, and printed in full in the Sydney Morning Herald of the 5th January, 1843. It not only gave to the people the elective franchise and to the Governor and Council power to make laws for the peace, wel-fare, and good government of the colony, but also authority to alter the system of representation. The year 1842 was one of the darkest in Australian annals, but the inhabitants found some consolation in the fact that " if fortune frowned upon their trade she gave them some compensation by smiling benignantly upon their politics." From that time to 1856 the colony had only one House of Legislature called the Legislative Council. It consisted of thirty-six mem-bers. Twelve of them were nominated by the Crown and twenty-four were elected by the people. In 1856 the Constitution at present existing came into force. Under it there are two separate Houses. The Gover-nor with the advice of the Executive Council was empowered to summon a Legislative Council which was to consist of not fewer than twenty-one members.

The tenure of their office was for five years, but there was a provision that all who were summoned to the Council after the expiration of five years, should hold their seats for life. Opinions have been ex-pressed from time to time in favour of an Elective Upper House, and there are those who would abolish it altogether and reduce the Legislature again to a single Chamber. But the five years were allowed to pass away without any reform in regard to the constitution of the Council, or, as it is generally called " the Upper House, " and it remains part of the Constitution. It consists at present of thirty-one members, most of whom are gentlemen of great ability and experience. There have been some eccentric appointments, and colonists who have better claims to Parliamentary distinction than some of the present councillors have been over-looked ; but the House has rendered very important services to the country, and the fact that it has not been superseded or abolished is owing rather to its moral and intellectual status than to any preference

on the part of the people for the principle of nomina-tion. Its duties in regard to the Assembly are some-what analogous to those of the House of Lords in relation to the Commons. It is not a mere revising body. It has initiated many useful measures, and, with one or two exceptions, has shown itself jealous of its honour and its constitutional rights.

The Legislative Assembly, or House of Repre-

sentatives established under the Constitution of 1856, consisted of fifty-four members, but by an Electoral Act passed in 1858 the number was increased to

eighty. Two or three years later, by the separa-tion of the northern territory, and its erection into a separate colony (Queensland), it lost eight members, so that there now remain seventy-two. Several alterations were made in regard to the qualifications of electors, and also of members of the Assembly. These alterations were all in the direction of political freedom. One of the first acts of the Legislature was to pass a law to amend the Constitution, by repealing those clauses which required a majority of two-thirds to alter the Constitution, and to place that power in the hands of a simple majority. The following are the words of the Electoral Act setting forth the qualification of members of the Legislative Assembly :—" Every male subject of her Majesty of the full age of twenty-one years, being natural born, or who, being a natu-ralised subject, shall have resided in this colony for three years, shall if qualified as in this section is provided, and entered on the roll of electors, and not disqualified by sections 17 and 18 of the Constitution Act ; or unless under sections 11 or 12 of this Act, he would be disqualified or incapacitated as an elector."

The 17th clause of the Constitution Act referred to provides that no person, being a member of the Legis-

lative Concil, shall be capable of being elected or of sitting or voting as a member of the Legislative Assembly. The 18th disqualifies persons holding any office of profit under the Crown during pleasure or for a term of years. There is, however, an exception made in regard to five gentlemen who held office under the old regime (one of these is now Attorney-General), and also in favour of half-pay officers of the army and navy. The 11th clause of the Electoral Act disqualifies paupers, persons of unsound mind, or attainted, or convicted of treason, felony, or other infamous offences. The 12th disqualifies persons in the military service or in the police.

It will be seen, therefore, that practically the only qualification required is that candidates shall have attained their majority, and that they shall be neither paupers, nor policemen—neither soldiers nor mad-

men.

It will not excite wonder that with a freedom of

choice so extensive the Legislative Assembly is a mixed body. Every grade of society is represented. The colonists have seen on the Legislative benches men of reputed wealth and members for whom con-stituencies have sent round the hat ; venerable patriarchs, and beardless men who seem to have scarcely emerged from boyhood ; representatives pos-

sessing superior literary ability, and others who would be suddenly checked by an elementary educational

test ; merchants and traders, lawyers and medical

doctors, and men without settled occupation ready to accept any light genteel, and remunerative business. As a rule, debates upon any subject of importance offer a fair illustration of " collective wisdom."

It can hardly be said that much regard is shown to party government in the English acceptation of the term. Every politician professes liberal principles. The colony has suffered most, perhaps, from the per-

sonal jealousy of men who received their Parliament-ary training in the same political camp, from the efforts of rival politicians to out-liberal each other, and, as a consequence, from the rapid changes which have taken place in the Administration. " Toryism,"

of course, is out of the question in a colony whose Constitution embraces nearly all the points of the Charter so earnestly desired by a class of English radical reformers. But withal, there is nowhere to be found, in or out of the Legislature, a people more loyal to the throne.

The following is the qualification of electors :

" Every male subject of her Majesty of the full age of twenty-one years, being natural born, or who being a naturalised subject, shall have resided in this colony for three years shall, if qualified as in this section is provided, and entered on the roll of electors, and not disqualified or incapacitated for some cause herein-after specified, be entitled to vote at any election for the electoral district, in respect of which he shall be so qualified." The requirements are six months' resi-dence, or a freehold or leasehold estate of the annual value of £10. There is a proviso that no elector, possessing more than one qualification within the same district, shall be thereby entitled to any addi-tional vote at any election for that district. Among the disqualified are classed criminals, paupers, persons in the military service or in the police. The Sydney University when it contains a hundred superior graduates is to return one member. Practi-

cally, we have universal suffrage. The electoral rolls are revised every year, and the duty of collecting the names is performed by the police. For the most part, the people show a fair appreciation of their poli-

tical rights, and generally they possess a tolerably accurate knowledge of the working of political insti-tutions. But the Government is the great bridge-builder and roadmaker, the owner of telegraphs and railways, and it has also the administration of the public lands. There is therefore a strong temptation to people in remote districts to exercise their suffrage in regard to personal and local considerations rather than with reference to any political principle. It will be observed from the above quotations that the qualifi-

cations required in a member are less than the qualifications of an elector.

Our Parliaments are quinquennial, but hitherto only one has expired by effluxion of time. In the midst of general elections, however, the duration of Parlia-

ments has often been a subject of comment. Bills

have been several times introduced into the

Legislative Assembly to make Parliaments triennial, and there are a few members in favour of annual election. The practical result, however, of the present system will satisfy most reasonable men that we have not suffered from any lack of opportunity to ascertain the will of the people in their primary assemblies.

The electoral districts were framed on a population basis, but considerable anomalies now exist, owing to the vicissitudes of settlement and the shifting of com-munities. A general census of the colony is about to be taken, when the inequalities which at present exist will be rectified. The Gold-fields return three members, an exception having been made in the case of gold miners, so that in consequence of then migra-tions they might not be disfranchised.

The mode of voting at elections is by ballot, and the system has worked with excellent effect. There is at the hustings on the day of nomination ample scope for political demonstration, the candi-

dates being proposed and seconded in the usual manner, and a show of hands being taken. But the ballot has tended greatly to the main-tenance of good order and freedom of action on the polling day. In this colony it is valued most by men who require shelter from the aggressions of their own class, and not because of any attempt on the part of one class to unduly influence the votes of another.

Several efforts have been made to make provision for the payment of representatives by the State, but, as yet, without success. The members of the Cabinet of course are paid. The Colonial Secretary receives £2000 per annum, the Colonial Treasurer £1500, the Attorney-General £1500, the Minister for Lands £1500, the Minister for Works £1500, the Solicitor-General £1000, and the Postmaster-General £950. The Crown Law officers are not necessarily members of the Cabinet. At the present time the Solicitor-General is a member of the Cabinet, but the Attorney-General is not. Both are in the Legislative Council, of which the Solicitor-General is leader. The Speaker has a salary oi £1200 a year, and the Chairman of

Committees £500.

The Parliament buildings, like the two branches of the Legislature who meet therein, are composite, and not very imposing, but they have hitherto answered the purposes for which they are intended. There is a good library attached to each House, and a refresh-ment-room, conducted on the principle of a Par-

liamentary club, for there is not at present any counterpart of " Bellamy's" in New South Wales.

The offices of President of the Legislative Council and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly have gene-

rally been failed with great ability. At this time the President is Sir Terence Aubrey Murray ; and the Speaker, Mr. William Munnings Arnold. A fair idea of the incessant conflict which is maintained by those who seek the honour or emoluments, or both, of the political offices, may be obtained from the political changes which have transpired since the inaugura-tion of responsible government in 1856.

In fourteen years the colony has had six Parliaments. The present Parliament is in its second session. The first Parliament opened on the 22nd May, 1856, and after two sessions was disolved on the 19th Decem-ber, 1857. The second Parliament opened on the 23rd March, 1858, and alter two sessions was dissolved on the 9th April, 1859. The third Parliament opened on the 30th August, 1859, and after two sessions was dissolved on the 10th November, 1860. The fourth Parliament was opened on the 10th January, 1861, and after five sessions was dissolved on the 10th November, 1864 ; the fifth Parliament was opened on the 24th January, 1865, and its fifth session was brought to a close on the 1st April, 1869. The first session of the present Parliament began on the 27th January last, and closed on the 7th May. Its second and continuing session was opened on the 11th August.

During the same time we have had at least eleven Ministries. We say " at least eleven "

because two of them underwent so many changes, that while retaining their name, their composition has been greatly altered. But eleven Ministries in fourteen years indicates a rapidity of change sufficient to show how numerous are the

chances of politicians, and how brief has been the time for any set of men to benefit the country.

The first Ministry was that of the late Sir Stuart Alexander Donaldson, who took office on the 6th June, 1856, and went out with a majority on the 25th August the same year. He was succeeded by Mr.

Charles Cowper, who held office till the 2nd October, 1856, when Sir Henry Watson Parker was sent for, and formed a Government which lasted till the 7th September, 1857. Mr. Cowper then took office a second time, and retained his position till the 26th October, 1859. He was succeeded by Mr. Forster, who, on the 8th March, 1860, made way for Mr.

John Robertson, of whose Ministry Mr. Cowper was a member, and whose Government merged into the third Cowper Government, which lasted till October, 1863. Sir James Martin then accepted office, and held it until the 2nd February, 1865. Then we had a fourth Cowper Ministry, from 3rd February, 1865, till the 21st January, 1866, when Sir James Martin again came into power, and held office till the 26th October, 1868. Mr. Robertson came into office on the 27th October, 1868, but at the beginning of the present Parliament his Government again merged into the Cowper Government, which still exists.

In regard to legislation, the pace has been severe. As many as eighty bills have been originated in a single session. For the first ten years of responsible government the average was about seventy-two per annum, and the proportion passed into law is about four-ninths of the bills introduced. These include many measures of great importance to the colony, and some of which have been exceedingly beneficial in their operation.

Administration of Justice.

THE administration of justice throughout so extensive a territory as that of New South Wales necessarily requires a large and somewhat costly establishment.

The laws of the colony are substantially identical

with those of Great Britain. There are a few varia-tions. The most material is that the punishment of death is still awarded for the crime of rape. It was proposed a good many years ago to assimilate the law of the colony, in this respect, to that of the parent country. A bill for that purpose was brought in by the late Mr. Plunkett, then Attorney-

General, and the question was very fully and ably discussed in the Legislative Council of the day—a body in which the Ministers of the Crown and the elected representatives of the people sat and delibe-rated together. The opinion of the majority was that, circumstanced as this country was, with a very scattered population and females very often left with-out any protection but that of the law, the changes sought for would be dangerous. The question has been revived since more than once, but with as yet the same result. Another difference is in the absence of a grand jury and the " finding" or " ignoring" of bills of indictment by the Attorney-General. A third, that the landed property of a person dying intestate, is divided among his heirs, like the per-sonal estate, instead of passing in its entirety to a heir-at-law. There are other variations which need not be especially noted.

In many matters of practice—as, for instance in the mode of selecting juries, and in admitting pleas of cross-actions, so as to lessen and cheapen litiga-tion—this colony has been even in advance of the mother country. There are still, however, some re-forms which are considered to be necessary—particu-larly a revision and condensation of some of the statutes. To that end a Law Reform Commission has been appointed during the present year, which, although it has not yet presented any report, is under-stood to have been actively employed in inquiring and grafting. It consists of the Chief Justice (who is its President), the Attorney-General, the Solicitor-General, two members of the Bar (Sir James Martin, Q.C., and Mr. Butler), and two attorneys (Mr. Iceton and Mr. Barker). Its secretary (Mr. Oliver) is a barrister, and is also one of the Parlia-mentary draftsmen.

The laws relating to insolvency, which are spread over a number of statutes, are among those which are generally admitted to need not only consolidation, but some amendment. They embody a number of stringent provisions against fraud and for lesser kinds of misconduct—not warranting criminal prosecution, there may be a suspension or refusal of the certificate, according to circumstances. Certificates are not classified. Where a certificate has been absolutely refused, the insolvent may, with the consent of a majority " in number and value" of his creditors, apply again after a lapse of two years. Public notice of his application is then given, and if other creditors do not come in and successfully oppose, the Court looks into the case and grants a certificate after such further suspension as the causes of refusal, and the various attendant circumstances, are thought to render needful. These renewed applications are made not to the Chief Commissioner (hereafter men-tioned), but to the Supreme Court. Statutory pro-vision has also been made for the assignment of estates and their administration. Imprisonment for debt on mesne process has long been abolished, but is retained as to damages recovered in actions for seduction, slander, and personal wrongs of like character. And in these cases the insolvency of the judgment debtor will not entitle him to be discharged from prison without paying the damages awarded against him. Defendants in Supreme Court actions about to leave the colony may be arrested and held to bail, and persons against whom judgments have been recovered in the District Court may be imprisoned, on writs of ca. sa., if it is made to appear to the satis-

faction of the Judge that they are able to pay, but fail

to do so.

The police and penal establishments have been in-cluded here as necessary adjuncts to the " Admini-stration of Justice," although not ordinarily thus classed in public documents.

The sums voted for this branch of the public service for the year 1869 were the following :—For the de-partment ordinarily classed under the head of " Admi-

nistration of Justice" (i. e., law officers of the Crown, Supreme and Circuit Courts, Sheriff's department, Insolvent Court, District Courts, Quarter Sessions, Coroners, and Court of Claims), £55,618 ; Petty Ses-sions, £39,357 ; police, £140,013 ; gaols, £68,026 ;

total, £309,014. There were some savings effected by the abolition of a general establishment on Cockatoo Island and by some reductions in the police force and the Petty Sessions departments, but on the other hand there have been many supplemental charges to be met. The cost to this colony of the Administration of Justice therein may be estimated in round figures at £300,000 per annum.

We will now proceed to describe briefly the various establishments and divisions of this portion of our governmental machinery.

LAW OFFICERS OF THE CROWN.

The principal Crown law officers are an Attorney-General and a Solicitor-General. These officers are the advisers of the Government on all matters con-nected with the administration of justice. Both are generally members of the Cabinet, but at present the Solicitor-General only has that position, the Attorney-General being a non-political officer. The Attorney-General was formerly the Minister of the Department of Justice, but the superintendence of that department is now attached to the post of Colonial Secretary. Thus superintendence, however, gives no control over the Supreme Court or the Judges. All the latter—both of the Supreme Court and the District Court, hold office during " good

behaviour."

The law officers of the Crown are assisted by an Under-Secretary and two clerks. There is a Crown Solicitor, who has five clerks, and two Parliamentary Draftsmen (both barristers), and employed to draw

and revise bills submitted to Parliament.

The present law officers are the Hon. Sir W. M. Manning, Knt., M.L.C., Attorney-General ; the Hon. Julian E. Salomons, M.L.C., Solicitor-General ; Mr. W. E. Plunkett, Under-Secretary ; Mr. John Williams, Crown Solicitor, and Messrs. A. Oliver, and C. J. Manning, Parliamentary draftsmen.

The annual salaries of these functionaries are—

Attorney-General, £1500 ; Solicitor-General, £1000 ; Crown Solicitor, £1000 ; Under-Secretary, £650, and Parliamentary draftsmen, £250 each.

THE SUPREME COURT.

The Supreme Court has, as regards this colony, all the powers which are vested in the Courts of Chan-cery, Queen's Bench, Exchequer, and Common Pleas, and in the various other superior tribunals of England (the Admiralty Court excepted) for the Administration of Common, Ecclesiastical, and Statute law.

There are four members of this tribunal—the Chief Justice of the colony and three Puisne Judges. The Chief Justice has precedence next after the Governor of the colony, such precedence being assured to him by the Charter of Justice. In other respects his position in the colony corresponds to that of the Chief Justice of the Queen's Bench in England, while the Fuisne Judges have, locally, a similar status to that of the Queen's Bench Judges. The judicial powers which are in England vested in the Lord Chancellor are here committed to the Judges of the Supreme Court collectively—that is to say, to the full Court. One of the Judges, however, has, as Primary Judge in Equity, peculiar functions.

The Primary Judge transacts all such business in the Equitable, Ecclesiastical, and Insolvency jurisdic-

tion of the Court as can be disposed of by a single Judge ; but there is an appeal from his decrees to the

full Court.

The Supreme Court is the tribunal of final appeal for the colony from all Courts of inferior jurisdiction in all cases where, either by statute or by common law, appeals can be had. Any two of the Judges can sit as " the full Court," and deal with all such business as is usually disposed of by a Superior Court in Banco. A single Judge even can exercise in emergent cases, out of term, the powers of the full Court, subject to a formal confirmation, in term, of his orders. It is seldom, however, that less than three Judges sit for Term business.

An appeal lies from the Supreme Court to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London in cases of the highest importance. Where property

is concerned there must be at least £500 at stake to give an absolute right of appeal, and if a less amount than this is involved the Judges here have no juris-diction to grant an appeal. But the Privy Council can allow such appeal, in any case, on petition. In every case where an appeal lies as a matter of right, or has been granted by the Privy Council on petition, all that the Supreme Court has to do is to fix the amount of security to be given for costs and for abiding the result of such appeal. There are often, however, very important collateral questions to be determined, as, for instance, whether there shall be a stay of proceedings pending the decision of a case by the appellate tribunal.

There are four " Terms " in the year, during which the Court sits in Banc. These terms last about a month each, and are so arranged as to take up the various special cases, points reserved, motions for new trials, &c., arising out of the several sittings for the trial of causes and of criminal cases, both in Sydney and on circuit. The Terms have not here specific names, as in England, but are styled the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Terms.

There are also four sittings in the year, at Sydney, for the trial of causes, and a like number of sittings for the trial of criminals. A month at a time is set apart for the causes, and two Courts are appointed to be held at once. Latterly, however, there has been a considerable falling-off in this branch of the business, and the two Courts have not been fully occupied during the whole time. The sittings for criminal business are continued until it has all been disposed of. It generally lasts about a week or ten days, one Judge or two Judges sitting according to the nature

and pressure of the business.

There are two vacations—one of six weeks at the beginning of the year, and one of a fortnight in July.

There is, as has already been mentioned, no Grand Jury in this colony. The power of determining whether or not a person who has been committed for trial shall be actualy tried is vested in the Attorney-General, in addition to the other functions ordinarily attaching to that office.

The Jury lists is—both of special jurors and com-mon jurors—are very full in and near Sydney, as

well as in most of the circuit towns, but in some of the latter it has been found difficult at times to muster a special jury panel. The jurors are quite equal in point of intelligence to men of the same class in Great Britain. Criminal cases in the Supreme Court are tried by juries of twelve taken from both panels, and the finding must be unanimous. For the trial of civil cases, a system has now been in operation for many years which has been found to work admirably. There are three kinds of civil juries— juries of four, common juries of twelve, and special juries of twelve. In every case a verdict of three-fourths of the jury can be returned if after six hours' consultation they cannot all agree ; and if, after they

have " been out" twelve hours even three-fourths cannot be found to agree, the jury is discharged without verdict. This latter result is very uncommon. Most cases are tried by juries of

four, but in some few cases considered of great importance special juries of twelve are empanelled. The Court has decided that any suitor can claim to have his case tried by a common jury of twelve (subject to the right of the other side to apply for special jurors instead) ; but it is very seldom that any such claim is urged.

The Equity and Common Law Departments are as regards the records and clerical duties of those depart-ments kept distinct, although all under the control of the Judges, and of the Chief Justice in particular.

The Master in Equity has similar functions to those of the English Masters in Chancery. He is assisted by three clerks.

The Prothonotary has charge of the common and ecclesiastical branches, and is also Curator of Intes-tate Estates. He is assisted by four clerks.

The Sheriff, although especially an officer of the Supreme Court, has other and independent duties to perform, being also Inspector of Prisons. He is in this colony a paid officer of the Crown, appointed by the Government in the same manner as other public functionaries, although vested with all the powers held by the honorary sheriffs of England. He acts for the whole colony. He is assisted by an under-sheriff and six clerks, and has a staff of bailiffs (13) throughout the country, all of whom are salaried

functionaries.

The Judges' Associates, of whom each Judge has one, are appointed by the Government on the nomination of the Judge himself, being generally some near relative of the latter. Besides the duties ordinarily attaching to such offices they act on circuit as clerks of assize.

The offices above enumerated are filled at present by the following gentlemen :—Chief Justice, his Honor Sir Alfred Stephen, Knt., C.B. ; Puisne Judges, their Honors J. F. Hargrave (also Primary Judge in Equity), Alfred Cheeke, and Peter Faucett ; Master in Equity, Mr. A. T. Holroyd ; Prothonotary, Mr. D. B. Hutchinson ; Sheriff, Mr. Harold McLean ; Judges' Associates, Messrs. Cecil Stephen, R. Har-grave, G. A. Cheeke, and T. C. Callaghan..

The annual salaries attaching to these offices are —Chief Justice, £2600 ; Puisne Judge, £2000 ; Master in Equity, £1000 ; Prothonotary, £700 ; Sheriff, £800 ; Judges Associates, £275 and £200.

There is also an allowance of £200 per annum to two barristers who prepare for publication reports of Supreme Court decisions.

INSOLVENCY COURT.

This is, strictly speaking, a department of the Supreme Court, but has all the essential characteris-tics of a distinct tribunal of secondary rank. In this Court the insolvency laws—which here supply the place of the English bankruptcy laws— are administered. An appeal lies to the Judges of the Supreme Court. Such matters as can be dealt with by a single Judge are disposed of by the Primary Judge in Equity, but appeals are heard and decided by the full Court.

The Chief Commissioner of Insolvent Estates has a primary jurisdiction in all matters affecting the management of those estates, the conduct of enquiries, the granting or refusing of certificates, &c. He is, in fact, a Judge, although not so styled. The officers of this department in Sydney are, a Registrar, before whom meetings are held for proof of debts, and three

clerks and a bailiff.

The present Chief Commissioner is Mr. George H. Deffell, barrister-at-law. The salary attaching to this office is £1000 per annum.

There are three Official Assignees, (Messrs. J. P. Mackenzie, R. H. Sempill, and F. T. Humphery), to one or other of whom the immediate management of every Insolvent Estate is entrusted.

Of country Commissioners of Insolvent Estates, there are twenty-seven, chiefly Police Magistrates and Clerks of Petty Sessions. They preside at meet-ings of creditors, &c., in their respective localities.

The Commissioners and Official Assignees are paid by commission.

VICE-ADMIRALTY COURT.

The Vice-Admiralty Court has a similar jurisdic-tion in this colony to that of the Court of Admiralty in Great Britain—dealing with claims for salvage, &c. The Chief Justice of New South Wales for the time being is, ex officio, president of this court as Judge Commissary. One of the Puisne Judges is usually Deputy Judge, and presides in the absence of the Judge. At present Mr. Justice Faucett holds this office. Cases are heard and disposed of by the Judge alone, and no appeal lies from his decision to the Supreme Court. There can in any case, however, be an appeal to the Privy Council. The officers of the Court are two Surrogates (both barristers), a Registrar (this post being filled by the Prothonotary), and a Marshall. The remuneration for business done by the officers of this Court is by fees.

CIRCUIT COURTS.

The Circuit Courts deal, at the " assize towns," with all such cases, both criminal and civil, as would in Sydney be disposed of by the Supreme Court. They are, as a general rule, presided over by the Supreme Court Judges, but occasionally, when the pressure of business has required it, a member of the bar has been specially commissioned to act as Judge. The Circuit Courts are, strictly speaking, distinct from and inferior to the Supreme Court, but in practice are worked as if they were branches of the latter tribunal ; new trial motions and special cases, &c., from Circuit being disposed of in their turn with other term

business.

The Assize towns are ALBURY, ARMIDALE, BATH-URST, DENILIQUIN, GOULBURN, MAITLAND, TAMWORTH,

and WAGGA WAGGA. Courts are held at each of

these places twice a year—i. e. in the months of April and October.

DISTRICT COURTS AND COURTS OF QUARTER SESSIONS.

The colony is divided into five great Districts for the purposes of this branch of the administration of Justice. To the METROPOLITAN AND COAST DISTRICT there are two Judges, who are both pretty fully employed. The Southern, South-Western, Western, and Northern districts have each a Judge. There are District Court sittings once a month in Sydney, and less frequently at all the principal towns in each district—the periods for holding such Courts varying in different places. These Courts have a civil jurisdiction up to £200, except in cases affecting title to real property. Where the amount at issue is under £10, it is disposed of by the Judge alone ;

but where it exceeds that sum, the suitor can either leave it to the Judge or have a jury of four. Dam-ages can be awarded to a defendant in a District Court suit if he succeeds in making out a counter claim greater in amount than the plaintiff's demand.

The District Court Judges are, ex officio, also Chairmen of the Court of Quarter Sessions in their respective districts. The Courts of Quarter Sessions

have jurisdiction in all criminal cases, except treasons and felonies of the gravest class. Cases are tried in these Courts by common juries of twelve.

There is a Crown Prosecu or for each District, whose functions are sufficiently indicated by his title.

The District Court officers are Clerks of the Peace, Registrars, and Bailiffs. The office of Clerk of the Peace and principal Registrar is in each district united in one person. There are a number of local Registrars—generally Clerks of Petty Sessions and bailiffs—at places where the Courts are held.

Appeals on matters of law lie from the District Courts to the Supreme Court.

The present District Court Judges, are Mr. J. S. Dowling, Mr. A. McFarland, Mr. H. F. Francis, Mr. J. F. Josephson, Mr. F. W. Meymott, and Mr. G. B. Simpson—all Barristers at Law. The salary of each District Court Judge is £1000 per annum.

The present Crown Prosecutors are Messrs. Joseph Chambers, D. G. Forbes, W. J. Foster, C. J. Man-ning, F. G. Rogers, and W. H. Wilkinson. The annual salary of each public prosecutor is £500. The salaries of the principal Registrars range from £500 to £300, and those of the local Registrars from £200 to

£30.

Not only Judges of the Supreme Court, but those of the District Court and the Chief Commissioner of Insolvent Estates are each addressed officially as

" your Honor."

BUSINESS OF THE SUPREME, CIRCUIT, AND DISTRICT

COURTS.

The total number of convictions in the Supreme and Circuit Courts during the year 1869 was 139 for various felonies, and 174 for various misdemeanours —313 in all. Of these there were 3 for assault with intent to rob, being armed, 8 for manslaughter, 3 for murder, 1 each for wounding with intent to murder, wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, shooting with intent to do grievous bodily harm, sodomy, assault with intent to rob, arson, breaking and entering a church and stealing therein, the like as to a chapel, uttering a forgery, robbery, accessory to a felony, administering poison with intent to procure abortion, using an instrument with the same intent, assault, ditto on the high seas, inde-cent assault, abduction of a girl under 16, attempt to commit a felony, and embezzlement by an in-solvent, 4 for burglary, 20 for burglary and larceny, 4 for embezzlement, 3 for forgery, 15 for forgery and uttering, 40 for larceny, 2 for stealing in a dwelling, 4 for attempts to commit crimes against nature, 2 for unlawfully wounding, 3 for obtaining goods by false pretences, 6 for obtaining money by false pretences, 5 for conspiracy to defraud, and 2 for fraudulent insolvency. The total number of com-mitments for trial in these Courts, during the same period, was 207 for felonies, and 277 for misdemea-nours, so that 68 persons committed for felo-nies, and 103 committed for misdemeanours, were acquitted. The total number of commit-

ments for trial in Courts of Quarter Sessions during 1869 was 835, and the total number of con-victions in these Courts during the same period 508, showing 327 acquittals.

The total number of convictions in the Supreme and Circuit Courts and Courts of Quarter Sessions in 1860 was 405 ; in 1861, 437 ; in 1862, 514 ; in 1863, 497 ; in 1864, 590 ; in 1865, 686 ; in 1866, 770 ; in 1867, 702 ; in 1868, 601 ; and in 1869, 682. The number of criminals executed in 1860 was 8 ; in 1861, 2 ; in 1862, 6 ; in 1863, 6 ; in 1864, 2 ; in 1865, 3 ; in 1866, 6 ; in 1867, 4 ; in 1868, 5 ; in 1869, none.

The following extracts from official returns will give some idea of the amount of Civil business trans-acted in the beforementioned Courts :—

SUPREME AND CIRCUIT COURTS.—Common Law : Number of writs issued, 2146 ; number of causes entered for trial, 275 ; total amount for which judg-ment signed, £195,285 12s. 8½d. ; number of days occupied in Jury trials at Sydney, 69 ; ditto on Circuit, 32 ; number of days' sittings in Banco, 67.

EQUITY AND ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTIONS. — Number of bills filed, 26 ; petitions, 49 ; decrees, 103 ; appeals to the full Court, 7 ; number of days occupied in hearings before Primary Judge, 68 ; in appeals, 11. Number of letters of administration, 202 ; amount sworn to, £363,002 6s. 2d. ; District Court appeals, 7.

INSOLVENCIES.—Voluntary, 513 ; compulsory, 17 ; total, 530. Amount of liabilities as shewn in the insolvents' schedules, £483,145 13s. 10d. Amount of assets as similarly shewn, £296,979 12s. 3d. Defi-ciency, £186,166 1s. 7d.

DISTRICT COURTS.—Total number of District Court suits, 9899. Total amount sued for, £143,335 13s. 0¾d. Suits settled without hearing, 3779 ; ditto by arbitration, 10. Tried, 6044 (65 by juries, and 5979 without juries). Verdicts for plaintiffs, 5335 ; verdicts for defendants, 709. Costs of the suits, £9916

18s. 3d.

COURT OF CLAIMS.

This Court, as it is generally termed, is more pro-perly speaking a Commission appointed under a statute (5 William IV., No. 21), to investigate and report to the Government upon claims to grants of land. These claims are, however, inquired into in a judicial manner, and the determination arrived at by the Commissioners has pretty nearly the effect of a judgment, so far as the claimant is concerned. There is a President and two Commissioners, all three being barristers, and a Secretary (an attorney), who is the officer of the Court. The present officers are Mr. A. T. Holroyd, President ; Messrs. Owen and Wilkin-son, Commissioners ; and W. G. Pennington, Secre-tary. A fee of £2 2s. to each Commissioner, and £1 1s. to the Secretary is paid for the final report in

each case.

COURTS OF INFERIOR JURISDICTION.

CORONER'S COURTS.—There are forty-one Coroners in the colony, who hold Courts in their respective districts at any time and place where it may become necessary. Besides inquiring into causes of death whenever there are any circumstances which seem to render such an inquiry expedient, they investigate the origin of fires. The facts are decided upon by juries, the Coroner presiding as a Judge. Occa-sionally, however, the causes of death are inquired into " magisterially," without the assistance of a jury. The Coroner for Sydney and its environs is a salaried functionary (receiving £450 per annum), and devotes his whole time to the dutie of his office ; but the Coroners of the interior are gentlemen following other avocations, and are paid by fees—20s. in each case. All Coroners are appointed by the Govern-

ment.

MAGISTERIAL COURTS.—Nearly all the magisterial business of the country is done in the Courts of Petty Sessions. There are a great number of Justices of the Peace who are all appointed by the Government and hold office " during pleasure " as in England ; but it is scarcely ever, as in that country, that a Justice transacts magisterial business at his own residence. There are 160 places where Courts of Petty Sessions are held, more or less frequently according to circumstances, but always, we believe, on fixed days. The Magistrates tesiding in the neighbourhood of a place where one of rhese Courts is held are considered to constitute " the Bench " of that place ; but gentlemen " in the Com-mission " have jurisdiction all over the colony, and can sit in any of the magisterial Courts. There are fifty-six salaried Police Magistrates, whose annual salaries vary from £600 to £325. Two of these serve in Sydney—at the " Central Police Court " and the " Water Police Court." The remaining fifty-

four are apportioned among the principal towns and districts. Many of them attend several Benches, on different days. Of Clerks of Petty Sessions, ordinarily so called, i. e., gentlemen specially appointed to those offices, there are 78, but in many cases the offices of police magis-trate and clerk of Petty Sessions are combined, and in many others officers of police act as clerks of Petty Sessions. Like the Police Magistrates, these clerks have often to attend several Benches. In the Sydney Police Courts, a " Roster" is kept and magistrates summoned to attend in turn. There are, we believe, similar arrangements in many of the country towns and districts. Many of the clerks of Petty Sessions are also Justices of the Peace The business in Sydney, especially at the Central

Police Court, is very heavy, but is never allowed to fall into arrear. The magistrates have, as in England, both ministerial and judicial functions, but they have several other duties which English magistrates

are not called upon to perform. The business at Courts of Petty Sessions is indeed of a very mixed character, affording cheap and speedy justice in a numerous class of cases. In nearly all instances where justices are empowered to act judicially the presence of two of them is required, but by a special enactment a police magistrate can be invested with the power of two justices, and police magistrates who officiate in places where the attendance of a second justice cannot always be reckoned upon are so in-

vested. The police magistrates take precedence of the unpaid justices, but, except for the special pur-pose already mentioned, have no superior powers. Courts of Petty Sessions in the country are by statute made Small Debts Courts, in which all debts which do not amount in the whole to more than £10 can be sued for. The magistrates have also a power of ordering the summary ejectment of teuants (no actual question of title being involved) of directing the restitution of property illegally detained, of awarding damages to a certain extent for property in-jured, of ordering maintenance of deserted wives and children by husbands and parents, and fixing its amount, of adjudicating between masters and servants, of hearing and deciding appeals against municipal assessments, of revising the electoral and jury rolls, granting or refusing licenses for public-houses, and transfers of same, &c., &c. The Gold Fields Act of 1866 confers certain powers on Justices which may be said to create Miners' Courts. All disputes as to encroachments, &c., upon a mining claim, are triable before a Justice of the Peace and two assessors, the latter selected by ballot from among four persons, holding miners' rights or leases, who at the request of either party are summoned by the justices. An appeal against any decision arrived at in this way lies to the justices in Petty Sessions. (As some changes are occasionally made, and as the functions of police magistrates and clerks of Petty Sessions, &c., are much mixed up, the perfect accuracy of the above figures cannot be vouched for, but it is believed that they are substantially correct.)

THE LAND TITLES OFFICE, although a branch of the Registrar-General's department, may be said to have

an important connection with the administration of justice, on account of its great influence in the settle-ment of titles to real property, and the prevention of litigation thereon. There are three Commissioners under the Real Property Act, the Registrar-General being one of these Commissioners and their chairman. Of Examiners of Titles there are two, both being professional gentlemen (attorneys) of experience. No title is registered until it has undergone a thorough examination, and until ample opportunity has been afforded to any one to come in and object (public notice being given, for that purpose, of each application) ; but the registration once obtained, objections are barred, and the property may be ransferred or otherwise dealt with by a simple act of record, and at a very trifling expense. The present Registrar-General is Mr. Theodore James Jaques, the other Commissioners are Messrs. R. Jones and A. W. Scott. The Examiners of Titles are Messrs. G. K. Holden and Edmund Barton. The total cost of the Lands Titles branch is estimated at £4575, but it is charged to the Registrar-General's department.

THE LEGAL PROFESSION.

The number of barristers on the roll of the Supreme Court, resident in the colony, is 56, of whom four are Queen's Counsel. The number of Sydney attorneys is 108, and of country attorneys 98. There are 22 notaries public, all of whom are attorneys.

The legal practitioners of New South Wales are, as a class, highly respectable men. In this respect, and as to professional talent, they may be compared favourably with those of any other country. Of course there are exceptions, but they are few. The

examinations in law both for the Bar and and for attorneys are sufficiently rigid to ensure that none can pass who have not a fair knowledge of their pro-fession. As a general rule the most successful prac-titioners among the attorneys are those who have studied in the colony, and some of the colonial barristers have attained great eminence. Duly quali-fied practitioners not only from Great Britain but from other parts of the British Empire are admitted, without examination, on proof of their professional rank and of their respectability. Such admissions in the case of attorneys are conditional upon there being confirmed after twelve months' residence ; but they are so confirmed as a matter of course, unless good cause is shewn against such confirmation. Any gentleman of respectability who can pass the neces-sary examinations can be called to the Bar.

Attorneys of the Supreme Court are admitted to practice as advocates in the District Courts and all

other tribunals of inferior rank.

There is a " Law Institute " with a President, Council, and other officers. Its objects are the pre-vention of professional abuses, &c.

POLICE.

The police of New South Wales is equal to that of any country in the world. It is, however, far less strong than it ought to be for so large a territory, and were it not for the superior intelligence and activity of the officers and men of " the force," it would be too weak for its work. As it is, there is no part of the British dominions where better order is kept. The police also collect the jury lists, make up the electoral rolls and statistical returns, and perform

various other duties of like character. The whole

strength of the New South Wales police, exclusive of the Inspector-General and his staff, is 795. Its superior officers are 5 superintendents, 5 inspectors, and 14 sub-inspectors. The mounted force consists of 18 senior-sergeants, 25 sergeants, 98 senior-constables, and 202 constables. The foot police numbers 23 senior-sergeants, 25 sergeants, 49 senior-constables, and 331 constables. The four senior-sergeants in charge of divisions of the Metropolitan Police have brevet rank as sub-inspectors.

Since the departure of the military the town guards are furnished from the police. Eighteen of the force are daily told off for this duty.

The Detective force consists of an officer in charge of this branch of the Police Department and fifteen officers, who are of three grades, five in each grade. These officers, although not numerous, have proved themselves on very many occasions exceedingly effective. The Detective Office is at head quarters (in Phillip-street, Sydney), and is under the imme-diate supervision of the Inspector-General.

The Inspector-General (Captain McLerie) has a staff of clerks, &c. The secretary of the department and superintendent at head quarters (Mr. Fosbery) is the officer next in rank to the Inspector-General.

The salary of the Inspector-General of Police is £800 per annum ; superintendents, £500 to £400 ; inspectors, £300 each ; sub-inspectors, £200 each ; senior-sergeants, 9s. 6d. per diem ; sergeants, 8s. 6d. per diem ; senior-constables, 6s. 9d. ; ordinary ditto, 6s. ; supernumerary constables, 4s. ; and trackers (native blacks), 2s. 6d. The officer in charge of the detective force receives £225 per annum ; detectives of the first class, 10s. per diem each ; those of the second class, 9s. per diem ; and those of the third class, 8s. The general cost of the Police department has been already stated.

GAOLS.

There are 16 gaols in the colony and 20 " lock-ups" proclaimed as gaols—that is to say lock-up houses established for the temporary reception of prisoners, to which such as are under sentence may be com-mitted. The gaol at Darlinghurst is a large building, or rather collection of buildings, where prisoners are classified, educated, and taught various useful mechanical arts. It is capable of containing 348 prisoners in separate cells, or 700 if more than one prisoner is confined in a cell. The total number re-ceived there during the year 1869 was 2495 males, and 1571 females ; the greatest numbers received at any one time being 19 males and 19 females. The total number confined there at Michaelmas, 1869 (as to which there is a special return) was 400 males and 113 females. The total numbers of prisoners received during the year 1869 at all the gaols were 4881 males, and 1995 females ; the sum of the greatest number received at any one time in each and all of these establishments being 180 males and 35 females. Of these criminals 3698 males and 1216 females were able to read and write, 413 males and 482 females able to read only, and 728 males and 294 females unable either to read or to write. Among the prisoners are included 53 males and 4 females under arrest for debt. The total numbers

of prisoners received into the lock-ups proclaimed as gaols during the same period, were 1474 males (including 6 males imprisoned for debt) and 193 females—the sum of the greatest numbers received at any one time in these establishments being 92 males and 14 females. Of these prisoners 933 males and 73 females could read and write, 172 males and 36 females could read only, and 369 males and 84 females

could neither read nor write.

The following were the general totals of prisoners in gaols, and lockups used as gaols, during the year 1869 :—-Total numbers received during the year, 6355 males, and 2188 females. Able to read and write, 4631 males, and 1289 females ; able to read only, 585 males, and 518 females, unable to read or write, 1097 males, and 378 females. 781 males and 194 females had only

been once convicted ; 220 males and 120 females had

been twice convicted, and 217 males and 207 females had been convicted three or more times. The offences of prisoners confined at Michaelmas, 1869, in the seve-ral gaols, and lockups of the colony used as gaols, are thus classified :—Felonies, 789 males, and 36 fe-males ; petty larcenies, 259 males, and 53 females ; assaults, 54 males and 3 females ; other offences, 224 males and 103 females. General total, 1326 males and 195 females. These returns as to the state of the gaols at Michaelmas, 1869, may serve as an illustra-of their average state.

The salaries of the gaolers vary from £350 (that of the principal gaoler at Darlinghurst) to £120. To the smaller gaols there are warders at 6s 6d each per diem ; to persons (lockup-keepers) in charge of lock-ups proclaimed as gaols, extra allowances of from £10 to £20 each are made. The total cost of the depart-ment of gaols has been already given.

Religious Denominations.

THE religious denominations of the colonists are various, the most numerous being the Anglicans, the Roman Catholics, the Presbyterians, and the Wes-leyans. All possess equal rights, and enjoy the most perfect toleration and freedom. No one denomi-

nation is now specially supported by the State. The relative proportions of all the different Churches, and the extent of their organisation, will best be under-stood by the following analysis—based upon the latest Statistical Returns. It will be seen that, in spite of many and serious difficulties, these Churches are already exercising a very potent and beneficial influence upon the community.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

CHURCH OF ENGLAND.—The Anglican Church in New South Wales is sub-divided into Five Dioceses : (I.) Sydney (the Metropolitan See). (II.) Newcastle. (III.) Grafton and Armidale. (IV.) Goulburn. (V.) Bathurst. (1.) In the Diocese of Sydney (including the City of Sydney and its Suburbs) there are 92 clergymen, and 118 Churches and Chapels. Of these Churches and Chapels—31 are in the City and Suburbs, and 87 in the Country Church accommo-tion provided for, 28,535 ; average attendance, 22 490 ; attendance in buildings used for Public Worship, 4504. Total average attendance, at Public Worship, every Sunday, 26,994. (2.) In the Diocese of New-castle, 25 clergymen, and 71 churches and chapels. Church accommodation here provided for 9347, average attendance 6272, attendance in buildings, &c., 2427. Total average attendance, &c., 8699. (3.) In the Diocese of Grafton and Armidale, 13 Cler-gymen, and 20 Churches and Chapels. Church accommodation provided for 2750, average attendance 1721, attendance in buildings, &c., 1372—total ave-rage attendance, &c., 3093. (4.) In the Diocese of Goulburn, 24 clergymen, and 54 churches and chapels. Church accommodation for 7050, average attendance 4601, attendance in buildings, &c., 1935— total average attendance, &c., 6536. (5 ) Bathurst Diocese. The details respecting this diocese (recently established) are included under the See of Sydney. Total number of Licensed Anglican Clergymen in New South Wales—154. Total number of Churches and Chapels, in ditto—263. Total average atten-dance by this denomination at Public Worship every Sunday—45,322 persons.

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. The Roman Catholic Church in New South Wales is subdivided into Fiver Dioceses. (I.) Sydney (the Metropolitan See). (II.) Maitland. (III.) Bathurst. (IV) Goulburn. (V) Armidale. (1) In the Diocese of Sydney (including the City of Sydney and its Suburbs) there are 69 Clergymen, and 82 Churches and Chapels. Of these Churches and Chapels—21 are in the City and its Suburbs, and 61 in the Country. Church accomo-dation provided for 25,500 ; average attendance, 27,151 ; attendance in buildings used for public worship, 1,665—Total average attendance at Public

Worship every Sunday, 28,816 persons. (2) In the

Diocese of Maitland, 10 clergymen, and 26 churches and chapels. Church Accommodation here provided for 5772, average attendance 5255, attendance in buildings, &c., 450—Total average attendance &c., 5705. (3) In the Diocese of Bathurst, 17 clergymen, and 14 Churches and Chapels. Church Accommo-dation provided for 3095, average attendance 2,350, attendance in buildings, &c., 1954—Total average attendance &c., 4304. (4) In the Diocese of Goul-burn, 13 clergymen, and 27 Churches and Chapels. Church Accommodation for 6430, average attendance 5500, attendance in buildings, &c., 930—total average attendance &c., 6430. (5) In the Diocese of Armidale, 6 clergymen, and 9 Churches and Chapels. Church Accommodation for 2220, average attendance 1500, attendance in buildings, &c., 930— Total average attendance, &c., 2430. Total average attendance by this denomination, at Public Worship every Sunday—47,685 persons.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NEW SOUTH WALES. In

the Presbyterian Church of New South Wales there are 68 Registered Ministers, and 96 churches and chapels. Of these churches and chapels, 17 are in the city of Sydney and the suburbs, and 79 in the country. The Church accommodation provided is for 18,730 ; the average attendance, 10,594 ; the attend-ance in public buildings, or dwellings used for public worship, 4721. Total average attendance by this denomination, in New South Wales, at Public Wor-ship, every Sunday—15,315 persons.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH—SYNOD OF EASTERN AUS-TRALIA. In this Presbyterian Church, in New South Wales, there are 7 Registered Ministers, and 5 churches and chapels. The Church accommodation provided is for 620 ; the average attendance 450 ; the attendance in public buildings, or dwellings used for public wor-ship, 730. Total average attendance by this denomi-nation, in New South Wales, at Public Worship, every Sunday—1180 persons.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH—OTHER THAN THOSE STATED.

In this part of the General Presbyterian denomination, in New South Wales, there are 6 Registered Ministers, and 3 churches and chapels. Church acccommodation provided for 280 ; average attendance, 130 ; attend-ance in buildings, &c., 191. Total average attendance of this part of the denomination in New South Wales, at Public Worship, every Sunday—321 persons.

WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH.—In the Wesleyan Methodist Church of New South Wales there are 68 Registered Ministers, and 200 Churches and Chapels. Of these Churches and Chapels, 26 are in the City of Sydney and its Suburbs, and 174 in the country. The Church accommodation provided is for 36,000, and the average attendance—34,000 persons.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.—In the Congregational Church of New South Wales there are 24 Registered Ministers, and 21 Churches and Chapels. Of these Churches and Chapels, 11 are in the City of Sydney and Suburbs, and 10 in the Country. The Church accommodation provided is for 7030, average at-tendance, 4815 ; attendance in Public Buildings and Dwellings used for Public Worship, 242. Total aver-age attendance of this denomination in New South Wales, every Sunday, 5057 persons.

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.—In the Primitive Methodist Church of New South Wales there are 12 Registered Ministers, and 39 Churches and Chapels— 4 in the City of Sydney, and 35 in the Country. The Church accommodation provided is for 5260 ; average attendance, 3285 ; attendance in buildings, &c., 260 Total average attendance of this denomination in New South Wales, every Sunday, 3545 persons.

UNITED METHODIST FREE CHURCH.—This Denomi-nation has one Registered Minister, and 4 churches or chapels. Church accommodation for 580 ; average attendance, 290 ; attendance in buildings used for public worship, 210. Total average attendance of this denomination, every Sunday, 500 persons.

UNITED FREE GOSPEL CHURCH.—This Denomina-tion has one Registered Minister, and 2 churches or chapels. Church accommodation for 200 ; average attendance 100 persons.

BAPTIST CHURCH.—This Church has 9 Registered Ministers, and 18 churches and chapels. Of these churches and chapels—4 are in the city of Sydney and suburbs, and 14 in the country. Out of these 14 churches, 3 are Welsh churches. The church accommodation is provided for 3264 persons, 1414 for the city churches, and 1850 for the country churches. The average attendance at the city churches is 710 ; ditto for the country churches 1000—total 1710. Attendance in buildings used for public worship 479. Total attendance of this deno-mination in New South Wales, every, Sunday, 2189

persons.

FREE-CHURCH OF ENGLAND.—This Church has 2 Registered Ministers, and one church or chapel. Church accommodation for 600 ; average attendance, 90 ; attendance in other buildings, 90. Total average, attendance, every Sunday, 180.

UNITARIAN CHURCH.—This Church has two Regis-tered Ministers and one church. Church accommo-dation provided, 300 ; average attendance every Sunday, 450.

GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.—This Church (in the country) has one Registered Minister, and 2 churches or chapels. Church accommodation, 150 ; average attendance every Sunday, 80 persons.

" CHRISTIANS."—This Church (in the suburbs) has one Registered Minister, and one church. Church accommodation provided for 400 ; average attendance, every Sunday, 250 persons.

JEWISH DENOMINATION.—This denomination has 5 Registered Ministers in the city of Sydney, and 2 Synagogues. Accommodation for 720 ; average atten-dance every Sabbath, 410 persons.

CHRISTIAN ISRAELITES.—This Denomination has one

Registered Minister, and 2 churches or synagogue.

Accommodation for 169 ; average attendance, 75

persons.

SUMMARY OF THE FOREGOING.—Registered Ministers of Religion, 476 ; Ordinary Established Places of Public Worship, 818 ; Church accommodation for 165,113 ; average attendance of all Denominations meeting for Public Worship weekly, 156,659 persons.

SUNDAY SCHOOLS OF ALL DENOMINATIONS.—Number of Schools, 805 ; number of Teachers, 5425 ; number of male Scholars, 23,185 ; number of female Scholars, 24,896 ; total Sunday School Scholars, 48,081. In-

crease of Sunday School Scholars during the past year 4287.

Education.

UNIVERSITY AND HIGH SCHOOLS.

THE principal means of Education in New South Wales are the Primary Schools (" Public " and " De-

nominational ") ; the " Grammar School " of Sydney, and the " King's School " of Parramatta ; and, lastly, the Sydney University and its Affiliated Colleges— St. Paul's and St. John's. The Public School Act has lately given a most gratifying impetus to Primary Education in New South Wales, but the state of Education of a more advanced character (such as may be more properly termed " Scholastic") is still very far from satisfactory. The instruction supplied by the Sydney Grammar School (founded and supported by the State) is chiefly in-tended for the instruction of the youth of the colony in classics and mathematics, preparatory to the Uni-versity course. But the standard of the University is high, and there are no collegiate institutions in the colony at all corresponding in their character to Eton or Winchester. Instead of every student trying to go to the University, very few indeed attempt to do so. It was thought by some that the Affiliated Colleges, and other similar Collegi-

ate Institutions, outside the University, might be so worked as, in some degree, to rectify this. The stringent clause of the 18th Victoria, No. 8—which requires all students at the Affiliated Colleges to be matriculated students of the University—has had, some have thought, an unduly restrictive effect on the present state of Liberal Education in the colony. Undoubtedly it has kept the large Colleges of St. Paul and St. John (the Anglican and Roman Catholic Colleges) nearly empty. The number of young men there finishing their education is discouragingly small —far from what might be expected, considering the enormous outlay made in the establishment of such an institution. Private Schools and Colleges—such as Camden College, Newtown, in connection with the Congregationalists ; St. Mary's, Lyndhurst, in con-nection with the Roman Catholics, and many other Educational Establishments of an altogether " Private" character—have been labouring with same success for some years past, to fill up the " aching void." But almost every thing remains to be done in this direction. A system of public examinations has been tried, in connection with the University, for non-matriculated students, and with a partial success. Besides the above institu-tions there is an Anglican College near Liverpool, on George's River, but only for the training of Candidates for Holy Orders. The Sydney University was founded on the 18th of October, 1850 It has a magni-ficent range of Buildings on a hill to the South of Sydney, It is governed by a Senate, con-sisting of nineteen gentlemen ;—one of whom is the Chancellor, and another the Vice Chancellor. It has five Professors,—Boards of Examiners for the Faculties of Law, Art, and Medicine, a Registrar, and other officers. St. Paul's College (of which the Metropolitan Bishop is the Visitor) is governed by a Warden, and eighteen Fellows. St. John's College (of which the Roman Catholic Archbishop is the Visitor) is governed by a Rector and eighteen Fel-

lows. A College for the Wesleyan Body, to be called " Wesley College " is projected ; and a Presbyterian College (to be affiliated to the Sydney University) has been incorporated by Act 31st Vic-

toria. " St. Andrews " is to be connected with the Presbyterian Church of New South Wales ; Modera-tor to be the Visitor. To be governed by a Principal,

and a Council of Twelve.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Great importance is attached to primary education by the people of New South Wales. Ample pro-

vision is made by the Legislature of the colony for the instruction of the young. From 1858 to 1867 public instruction had been administered under the supervision of two separate Boards called respectively " The Board of National Education," and " the Denominational Board." To these separate bodies the Government handed, from year to year, large sums of money in equal proportions. These Boards performed good service to the community ; but many circumstances arose to show that it would be bene-

ficial to supersede them by an undivided authority ; and this was done in accordance with the provisions of an Act which, towards the close of 1866, was passed to make better provision for public edu-

cation.

There are many points of resemblance between the provisions of the Public Schools Act of New South Wales and the bill recently introduced by Mr. Forster into the House of Commons in relation to the some subject ; but as the object of this paper is chiefly to state facts, it will be necessary here only to mention the provisions of the Act. Thework of comparison may be left to those who have leisure and inclination to enter upon it.

The Council of Education consists of five members, who are appointed by the Governor with the advice of the Executive Council. The term of office is four years, but the Act gives the Governor power to re-move any member of the Board at any time upon the like advice. Two of the members, however, were at the outset, nominated for two years only, so that in the event of appointment not being again conferred upon the same persons, the changes would not be so abrupt as to interfere with the satisfactory working of

the Council. The Act entrusts to the Council the expenditure of all money appropriated by Parliament for elementary instruction. The Council has authority to establish and maintain public schools ; to grant aid to certified Denominational schools ; and, subject to certain provisions, to appoint and remove teachers or school inspectors ; to frame regulations ; to elect their own President ; to define the course of secular instruction, the training, exami-nation, and classification of teachers, the examination of scholars, the discipline to be enforced ; and to do everything that is necessary to carry out the pro-

visions of the Act. The Council of Education is sub-ject to the Governor and Executive Council in the same way as any other department of the Public ser-

vice. Its regulations are laid before Parliament, and have the force of law.

Public schools may be established in any locality where, after due inquiry, it is found that there are at least twenty-five children who will regularly attend

such school on its establishment. Denominational schools are certified under conditions set forth in the 9th clause of the Act as follows :—" It shall be lawful for the Council of Education in any locality where a Public school may be established which has in attendance thereat not less than seventy children to certify as a denominational school any school situated

not more than five miles from such Public school ; on

such Council being satisfied after due inquiry that there are at least thirty children in regular attendance

at such school. Provided that no school shall be so certified in any case where such school shall be within two miles by the shortest highway of any Public school, unless there shall be in regular attend-ance at such school, and at the nearest Public school together, not less than one hundred and twenty children." All certified Denominational schools are subject, generally, to the same course of secular in-struction and the same inspection as Public schools, and the certificate may be withdrawn if the required number of pupils be not maintained ; if the building become dilapi-

dated or otherwise unsuitable ; if the supply of furniture and apparatus become inadequate, or if the regulations of the Council be infringed. No devia-tion is allowed contrary to the spirit of the Act.

Teachers of the same " persuasion " as that to which any certified school may belong, are appointed to certified Denominational schools, but they are subjected to examination and approval the same as Public school teachers. In all certified Denomi-national schools, the religious instruction of the children is left under the control of the heads of the denomination to which any such school may belong.

The Act makes further provision for half-time schools to be taught by itinerant teachers who move about among the scattered population. By regula-tion, such schools may be established wherever twenty children of the school-age, residing within a radius of ten miles from a central point, can be collected in groups of not less than ten children in each. The Act provides for assistance, under certain regulations, to schools in thinly popu-lated districts. A school-fee of a shilling per week is charged (a reduction is made where several children attend belonging to one family), but children whose parents or guardians are unable to pay the fees are not on that account refused. The following are the provisions of the Act in regard to secular and re-ligious teaching :—" In every Public school four hours during each school day shall be devoted to secular instruction exclusively, and of such four hours two shall be in the morning and two in the

afternoon ; and a portion of each day—not less than one hour—shall be set apart when the children of any one religious persuasion may be instructed by the clergyman or other religious teacher of such persua-

sion. Provided that in case of the non-attendance of any clergyman or religious teacher during any portion of the period hereby set apart for religious instruc-tion, such period shall be devoted to the ordinary

secular institution in such school."

The local supervision of these schools is confided to local " School Boards." It is the duty of the mem-

bers of these boards to visit, inspect, and report upon the schools. Provision is also made for the training of teachers and their classification according to attain-ments. The assistance given by the Council in aid of the erection and furnishing of Pubic school build-ings, is as a rule two thirds of the private contribu-tions for the same object, and assistance to the other classes of schools is generally limited to the payment of teachers salaries and the supply of school books and apparatus. Public school buildings may not be used as places of public worship, nor for the holding of political and other meetings likely to cause con-tention ; but non-vested schools built and kept in repair without aid from the public purse, are made available for the work of the Sunday school and for week night religious services. It is a special instruction to all Public school teachers that " nothing must be said or done to offend the religious views of any pupil during the period devoted to ordinary instruction." The teachers receive salaries varying from £84 to £150 per annum as well as the school fees—which in large schools where there are several teachers are divided ratably—and, in some cases, residence. Special salaries are given in the

model schools.

The Council has remained unaltered from its com-mencement. Its members are the Hon. George Allen, M.L.C. ; the Hon. the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly (Mr. W. M. Arnold), Sir James Martin, M.L.A. ; Mr. Henry Parkes, M.L.A. ; and Professor Smith, M.D., of the Sydney University. Mr. Parkes, who rendered distinguished services in connection with the passing of the bill, still occupies the position

of President.

Last year the Council had in operation 807 schools, attended by about 600,000 pupils. The number of teachers, including pupil teachers, was 1093. The reports which have been issued since the Act came into operation show how well the Public school system is appreciated. The applications for Public schools have been numerous, and the Council has had an arduous task in determining whether they should be granted or refused. During the present year there have been many applications for provisional schools, but it is not likely that either the appli-

cations for the establishment of Public schools or the attendance at the schools already established will be so numerous as formerly, for with a slowly-increasing population there must of course be a time when the public demand, speaking generally, will be fully met ; and the average attend-ance of children in the country districts has, no doubt, been very much reduced by the operation of the floods. The figures published by the Council of Education in its recent report will best show the rate of progress. In 1867 there were established 288 Public schools ; in the following year the number increased to 318, and in 1869 to 336. During the same time the Provisional schools had increased from 31 to 146, the Half-time schools from 6 to 61 ; but the Denominational schools, which in 1867 were 317, fell to 289 in 1868, and last year the number still further decreased to 264. During the same period the scholars in the Public schools considerably increased. In 1867 there were in Public schools 20,986 scholars, and in Denominational schools there were 26,416.

But in 1869 the pupils in the Public schools had in-creased to 26,208, and the number in the Denomina-tional schools had decreased to 25,909. The total in-crease of scholars of all classes has been at the rate of

upwards of four thousand a year. According to the report of the Council the " Provisional" schools are supported by all denominations, and " tend to supply many destitute and thinly settled localities with the means of elementary education." Speaking of their operations the Council observes :—" Though popular, comparatively little can be said for their efficiency, the results being in most cases, except in reading and writing, low, and the instruction, to a great extent, confined to these subjects, with the addition of arith-metic." There are instances where they have grown into Public schools, and it was anticipated by the framers of the Act that such a result would be brought about with the expansion of the districts in which

the schools were established. There can be no doubt in regard to the popularity of half-time schools seeing that they are attended by more than a thousand scholars, and in one of the districts the Inspector speaks very favourably of their operations. About 65 per cent. of the children on the roll are continuously at school. The cost of education

in 1869 is thus stated :—" The amount of fees

paid during the year was, for all schools, £39,618. Of this sum £22,815 was contributed to the Public, provisional, and half-time schools, and £16,803 to the Denominational schools. The local contributions to-

wards the erection and maintenance of Public school buildings amounted to about £6000. Adding the fees and local contributions to the amount expended by the Council, the total expenditure on all classes of schools under the Council is seen to be £147,000, besides the amount (unknown to the Council) spent in maintaining Denominational school build-ings. Omitting the cost of buildings, and, taking 60,000 as the number of children brought under instruction during the year the cost per head is found to be £2 2s. 6d. ; of which £1 9s. 3½d. is contributed by the State, and 13s. 2½d. by the parents. There would appear to be a dis-crepancy between these figures as compared with the number of scholars and the fees paid ; but there are many cases where the fees are remitted. It is re-

ported that during the year 1869 " the number of free children educated in Public schools [Sydney] was 220, or nearly 2 per cent. of the total number of pupils on the roll." The number educated in Denominational schools was 1388, or 9 per cent. of the total number on the roll. In a general summary of the operations of the year it is stated "no prominent feature is in a lower position than it occupied last year, and in many respects a marked improvement has been

effected."

The Public schools are attended by children of all denominations. The teachers are of various religious creeds—so are the members of the local boards ; so, also, are the members of the Council of Education. There is not much attention paid to religious teach-ing during the hour set apart by the Public Schools Act, considering the great outcry made by certain members of the community in regard to the importance of religious instruction ; and it is a fact worthy of note that those who have declaimed loudest in favour of religious instruc-tion have done least to impart it in the Public schools to the children of their denominations. The vigour with which the work of education is carried on, and the results which have already been achieved, warrant the belief that the Public school system is destined to have a most important influence on the future of this colony. Politicians regard it as the handmaid of the franchise, and a safeguard to the Constitution. Social reformers value it as being favourable to domestic happiness and commercial prosperity, and a portion, at least, of the religious world have become conscious of their own obliga-tions to meet the necessities of the future by a more earnest regard to the educational qualifications of the ministers whose duty it will be to occupy the pulpits of the colony. The people have reason to be grateful to the men who battled for this Act, as well as to those who administer it with so much impartiality and ability, and they do not grudge to spend on the Public schools of the colony £100,000 a-year.

Educational Institutions.

ONE of the most important institutions in Sydney of a quasi-Educational character is the " Free Public Library," now open in Bent-street, near Governor Bourke's Monument. This institution was opened to the public on the 30th of September, 1869. It was established by the Government of the colony. The first act of the management was to purchase the books of the old Australian Library—about 16,000 volumes for £1500. Many of these works—the accumul-ation of forty years—were of great value as works of reference. The building now occupied by the Free Library is rented, pending the erection of a new building for which money has been voted by the Colonial Parliament, or until some other desirable arrangement can be made. New books, on the various branches of literature, of considerable value and interest, have recently been added by purchase, on the approval of the Trustees. The Government have also placed in the Library about 3000 volumes of the Patent Commissioner's Publications—so that

the total number of volumes there kept for the use of the public now amounts to 20,000. Orders have been also sent to England for completing and continuing a supply of the leading periodicals published in Great Britain. The object of this admirable institution, which is open every day free of charge, is to encourage the students of the colony, and all persons of limited means, to supply them-selves with the necessary means for self-improvement, so as to enable them to cultivate an acquaintance with a useful, scientific, and desirable class of literature.

These advantages are now by the aid of the Free Public Library placed within the reach of all.

Besides this Library there is a large and well-selected library at the Mechanics' School of Arts in Pitt-street, and many libraries of a quas public character.

Amongst these are the Library of the University, the Library of St. Mary's, Lyndhurst ; the Anglican Clergy's Library, in Phillip-street ; and other similar collections of valuable books. The Mechanics' School of Arts, in Pitt-street, is a highly popular institution, under a management similar to that of the Free Library, and with a yet wider sphere of usefulness. It is the mother of all the in-stitutions of its kind in New South Wales, and by far the largest of any in the Australian colonies. For many years under excellent management it has, dur-ing the last two or three, had new life and energy in-fused into it, with the obvious determination of making it as attractive and useful as possible ; so that, not-

withstanding the establishment of a Free Library, and a general commercial depression but too prevalent, it continues to flourish, and to increase in the number of its members. The volumes circulated thereby average about 40,000 per annum. The library for circulation consists of not less than 16,000 books, embracing standard works in every department of literature, and the latest publications are continually added. The reading-room is spacious and comfortable, containing the principal English, Scotch, Irish, foreign, and colo-nial newspapers ; together with British, French, Ger-man, and American periodicals, and a large and valu-able refefence library. The following classes and number of pupils meet weekly, viz. :—" School of Design," 90 ; " Latin," 40 ; " Mathema-tical," 30 ; " English Grammar," 30 ; " French," 20 ;

" Drawing," 12 ; " Short-hand," 10 ; " Architec-tural," 3 ; " Writing and Arithmetic," 15 ; " Sing-ing," 50. Members of the institution enrolled this year, 1800. The subscription is very low, considering the numerous advantages held out to members—only five shillings a quarter. This institution (which not only provides its members with a good library and reading-room, but is a sort of People's College for all male adults, with limited means, who may desire to educate themselves) is managed by a committee, a secretary, and an assistant. There are " Schools of Art" and (" Literary In-stitutes of a character similar to that in Sydney) at Albury, Armidale, Balmain, Bathurst, Bega, Bel-lambi and Bulli, Berrima, Braidwood, Branxton, Bourke, Camden, Dubbo, East Maitland, Forbes, Goulburn, Grafton, Grenfell, Gundagai, Inverell, Kiama, Morpeth, Mudgee, Muswellbrook, Orange, Parramatta, Paterson, Queanbeyan, Raymond Ter-race, Richmond, St. Leonards, Singleton, Stroud. Tamworth, Ulladulla, Wagga Wagga, Waratah, West Maitland, Windsor, Wollongong, Yass, and many other places. In several of these localities and many other places, Mutual Improvement Associations have also been established. Generally these organisations vary somewhat according to the taste and habits of the inhabitants. At Balmain, for example, there is not only a School of Arts but a Working Man's Institute, an Odd Fellows' Insti ute, and a Literary Association—all distinct institution. In many of the towns at a distance from the coast, the building occupied as a School of Arts, or Literary Institute (as at Berrima and at Camden) forms a con-venient meeting point for the various Friendly Societies, and occasionally a place for concerts, and amateur dramatic entertainments, for the amusement of the residents after the labours of the day. In Sydney, on the eastern side of Hyde Park, stands the

" Australian Museum," a large and splendid build-ing, in which there is a magnificent collection of objects illustrating every department of Natural History, and especially such objects as are directly connected with Australia. It is open to the public four hours daily, free of charge. There is also a Museum of antiquities in connection with the Sydney University, which' once a week, is, likewise, thrown open to al visitors. Sydney, moreover, contains a Masonic Hall, an Oddfellows' Institute, an Infirmary, and numerous club-houses, warehouses, and banks. The last named edifices are, some of them, of a truly palatial appear-ance. Many of the churches and other publi build-ings are structures that would command admiration in any part of the globe.

Public Charities.

THE public charities of New South Wales are mani-fold. There are no poor laws, and there is no regular pauper class, such as is found in older and more thickly populated countries. But there is—as in every populous country there must always be—a good deal of destitution and sickness, at times call-ing for relief. And it does not call in van. Inten-perance, we are sorry to say, is the cause of by far the greatest part of the distress which has to be pro-vided for. But the necessity for effective relief has not, on that account, been at all repudiated. Bene-

volence has been gradually so " systematied" that there is scarcely a kind of destitution, however brought about, which has not been specially pro-

vided for, or a probable need which has not been to some extent met. The public sub-scribe freely and largely to all kinds of charities. Many open-hearted people tax themselves very heavily for this purpose, and lend their aid to several societies at once. Others subscribe only to the one or two which they think most worthy of their support. The amounts thus raised by private contri-butions are very liberally subsidised from public funds. Some of the charitable institutions of the colony are supported wholly by Government grants. Others are maintained partly by public money and partly by

private subscriptions. There is a third class of chari-

ties which have no Government aid. Several institu-tions also exist which cannot be called charities, has-much as they are intended to be self-supporting but which require more or less extensive aid for their establishment or maintenance.

The amount of Government aid to the various charitable institutions of the country last year was £109,968 18s. 10d. The official returns show receipts from voluntary contributions to the extent of £23,774 18s., but there are many " subscriptions lists " of which there are no official records. Besides the amounts expended in the support of various charities unaided by the State, and towards the maintenance of institutions which are partly self-supporting, there are frequently recur-ring demands upon the purses of the bene-volent in the shape of subscriptions for the relief

of sufferers from floods, contributions to British relief funds, &c. The total amount per annum applied in

this colony to charitable purposes is probably about £150,000, exclusive of such as may be devoted to private and individual charities and the relief funds of the Freemasons, and other brotherhoods.

All hospitals, infirmaries, orphan schools, and charitable institutions which are, wholly or in part, supported by grants from the public revenue are under the inspection of a Government official styled " the Inspector of Public Charities." The gentleman who holds that office (Mr. King) is also secretary for the Government Asylums for the aged and infirm poor, and receives a salary of £500 per annum. As Inspector of Charitable Institutions, his duty is to inquire " as to the proper appropriation of the public grants in aid, and the efficient conduct of such institutions," and to report annually thereon.

The following extract from the Sydney Mail, of 20th August last, affords an excellent illustration of the extent to which appeals for contributions to British relief funds have been responded to by the public of New South Wales, and of the proportion which their subscriptions in this way has borne towards the public contributions from other Australian colonies :—

A notice recently appealed in the newspaper Press pur-porting to give an enumeration of the contributions of the Australian colonies to the English Relief Funds, in which some of the principal contributions of this colony were not mentioned. In a return ordered by the House of Commons on the motion of Mr. Torrens, received by last mail, we observe fuller and more accurate information upon the subject. The contributions of the Australian colonies to the " Patriotic Fund, for the Relief of Widows and Orphans of Soldiers and Sailors who fell in the Crimean War,"

were :—

New South Wales | £64,916 | 6 | 6 Tasmania | 28,375 | 5 | 7 Victoria | 47,711 | 10 | 3 South Australia | 6,297 | 0 | 0

The whole of the sum raised by New South Wales was collected by voluntary contributions, while the amount raised by voluntary contributions in Victoria was only £7711 10s 3d. The additional £40,000 being voted by the Victorian Legislature.

The contributions to the Indian Mutiny Fund were :—

Victoria | £25,000 | 0 | 0 New South Wales | 5,821 | 0 | 6 South Australia | 2,803 | 0 | 0

No mention is made of the contributions of New Sout Wales in the return, but we find on reference to the Herald of the 26th January, 1859, that the above amount was raised in this colony by public subscription.

The Australian contributions to the cotton Famine Fund are stated in the return to have been

New South Wales | £21,311 | 0 | 0 Victoria | 6,000 | 0 | 0 Western Australia | 603 | 11 | 5 Queensland (amount not named).

The (sum of £15,739 12s. 1d. is also got down to the credit of " Australia," the amount being forwarded to the " Lord Mayor's Relief Fund."

We are not sure that the sum of £92,048 represents the whole of the voluntary contributions from this colony to the three funds named ; but, admitting that it does, it will be seen that it is £54,236 more than the voluntary contri-

butions of Victoria (the next largest contributor). It is £16,158 more than the voluntary contributions of Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia put together, and it is a substantial proof of the loyalty and liberality of the people of New South Wales.

A sum of about £23,000 has been subscribed for the erection of a hospital to commemorate the visit of his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. It has been long in the hands of trustees, but it has not yet been determined how to dispose of it. Various sites for a new hospital have been suggested and discussed, but none has yet been decided upon. There was an idea of apply it to the improvement of the present In-firmary, but this has been abandoned. There can be no doubt that it will be laid out to advantage.

We will endeavour to give an outline sketch in detail of the public charities of the colony.

GOVERNMENT ASYLUMS FOR THE AGED AND INFIRM POOR.—There are four of these asylums, which are wholly supported by the State. They are managed by a Board, by whom, and the Secretary, orders for admission are made. Persons are also admitted at the recommendation of magistrates, &c., and, in urgent cases are taken in at the asylum themselves. Thus the old people are well cared for. They are con-tinually coming and going, but the number of persons in such asylums is generally much the same. In Hyde Park Asylum (Sydney), there were on the 31st December last 197 females, and the cost of the esta-blishment for the year was £2731 10s. 3d. In Parra-matta Asylum there were on the same day 232 men, and its cost for the year was 2736 0s. 10d. In the Liverpool Asylum there were on the same day 521 men, and its cost for the year was £5393 12s. 6d. The Port Macquarie Asylum contained on the same day 88 men and 38 women, and its cost for the year was

£1579 7s. 3d.

LUNATIC AND INVALID ASYLUMS.—There are three of these—the Hospital for the Insane, at Gladesville ; the Asylum for Free Lunatics and Invalids at Parra-matta : and the Asylum for Convict Lunatics and Invalids at the same place. They are all large, well organised, and admirably managed institutions, of which we cannot event attempt a description within the space at our disposal. The Parramatta asylums are devoted almost exclusively to the reception of per-sons who are considered incurable, and the Glades-ville institution to curable patients. These are Government establishments, and most of the patients and invalids are supported free of cost, but the rela-tives of such patients as are able to contribute towards their maintenance are required to do so. The num-ber of inmates of these establishments on the 31st December last was at Gladesville, 429 males and 223 females ; at the Paramatta Asylum for free lunatic and invalids, 229 males and 211 females ; and at the Asylum for Convict Lunatics and Invalids, 53 males and 8 females. The total cost to the Government for 1869, of the three institutions was £40,380 13s. 1d. viz. :—£19,802 9s. 8d. for the establishment at Gladesville, and £19,928 3s. 5d. for those at Parra-

matta.

BENEVOLENT SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES.— This was the first charitable institution established in the colony, having been founded so far back as the 5th June, 1818. It has a most extensive operation, giving relief to any distressed person recommended by a subscriber, or, in extreme cases, by any respect-able person. It gives out-door relief during the year to from 4000 to 6000 cases (the number of cases relieved last year being 5740), besides from 100 to 150 accouchement cases ; affords refuge to a number of persons during the year, and has been especially useful in collecting destitute children and in relieving distressed women with sick children. The number admitted in 1869 was 192 females (adults), and 255 children. There were 3 males and 50 females (adults) and 112 children in the establishment on the 31st December last. Four adult females and 30 children died there during the year.The amount of volun-tary subscriptions in 1869 was £756 6s. 8d., and of Government aid, £4856 19s. 11d.

SYDNEY INFIRMARY AND DISPENSARY.—This is the most costly of all the public charities of the colony, but its importance can scarcely be overrated. It is partly supported by voluntary contribu-tions, but these contributions are very largely supplemented by aid in various shapes by the Government. The total receipts in 1869 were £20,384 8s. 2d., of which sum £4080 1s. 1d. was raised by voluntary contributions, and £16,224 7s. 1d. ob-tained from the Government. The total amount disbursed during the same period was £14,750 5s. 1d. The hospital was built many years ago, in the days of Governor Macquarie. Its wards are very large and airy. It has been added to in various ways, and has now every convenience necessary to such an establishment. It has a large internal staff, besides its (honorary) consulting physicians and surgeons and district medical officers. Of males on the establishment there are a manager, two resident medical officers, two dispensers, and fourteen other officials and attendants. The practical superintendence of the institution is entrusted to a lady superintendent and a staff of nurses trained on Miss Nightingale's system. There are, besides the lady superintendent, five sisters— four English and one colonial-trained—three probation sisters, and thirteen probationers, besides a housekeeper, 6 nurses, and 12 female servants. Very splendid quarters have been provided, at public cost, for the sisterhood and female attendants, in the shape of a handsome gothic building attached to the institution, and called the " Nightingale wing," which has cost over £7000, and contains no less than forty rooms. The number of persons in this estab-lishment on the 31st December, 1868, was 123

males and 61 females ; total, 184. Admitted in

1869, 1110 males and 518 females ; total, 1628. Dis-charged, 977 males and 487 females ; total, 1468. Died, 140 males and 49 females ; total, 189. Re-maining on the establishment on the 31st December, 1869, 116 males and 43 females ; total, 159. Out-door medical and surgical relief given during the same period to 5439 persons.

ST. VINCENT'S HOSPITAL.—An institution for both in-door and out-door patients, managed by the Sisters of Charity, but open to persons of all religions. The present hospital has been in existence since 1857. The number of in-patients accommodated at one time has been 22 ; the average number yearly has been about 200 ; the average number of out-patients has been about 400 yearly. The amount of the annual expenditure has averaged £600, and the fund to meet this has been obtained from subscriptions, donations, and other sources. The increased amount of applica-tions for the admission of patients, which it was im-possible to accede to on account of the very limited accommodation in the present building, rendered it necessary to take measures for the erection of a new

hospital, now almost complete. The new building,

of which but one half, as originally planned, is now erected, stands in a very healthy situation, overlook-ing the harbour of Port Jackson, and has been erected on about three acres of land. About an acre of this is a Government grant ; the remainder has been purchased. The hospital has all the modern requirements which are used in buildings adapted for the use of in-patients. Very par-ticular care has been taken of the ventilation, and gas and water have been laid on all through the building when required. There are two large wards, which will accommodate 80 patients, each of whom will have about 800 cubic feet of air. In addition there are several separate rooms for private patients, who will be able to pay for their separate accommo-dation. There is a large operating theatre, a dispen-sary room, and the out-offices are all that is required. The purchased land of which the hospital stands cost £2700 £2300 of which is still due. The cost of the building when in working order, will be about £9000 £1000 of which has been received from Government ; the remainder was derived from donations and other charitable sources ; leaving a balance about £2500 still due on the building.

BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS AND HOSPITALS IN THE INTERIOR.—There are institutions of this kind at Parramatta, Windsor, Goulburn, Yass, Bathurst, Mudgee, Newcastle, Maitland, Tamworth, Armidale, Albury, la, Gundagai, Wagga Wagga, Murrurundi, Carcoar, Birdwood, Port Stephens, Wellington, Deni-liquin, F s, Muswellbrook, Grafton, Tenterfield, Young, Woollongong, Warrebri, Queanbeyan, Warialda, Tambaroo , Bourke, Cooma, and Grenfell. These are supported partly by private subscriptions, and partly by ifj-oj,! from the Government. Their total income from e former source during the year 1869 was £7752 2s. d., from the latter £9134 14s. 9d. The total ursements of all these institutions during the same period was £15,678 12s. 8½d. There are also institutions at Penrith, Scone, and Singleton, which are classified in official returns as Bene-volent Asylum although one of them (that at Penrith, stated to be a hospital also, as some the country hospitals are stated to be asylums as well as hospitals. The income of the Penrith institution in 1869 was £150 19s. 3d. from Voluntary contributions, and £70 6s. from Government total £239 6s. 9d. ; and its total disbursements during the same period, £214 2s. 2d. Scone, voluntary contributions £63 14s. 6d., Govern-ment aid £135 3s.—total £198 17s. 10d. ; disburse-ments £61 3s 5d. Singleton, voluntary contributions £500 4s. 9d., Government aid £507 0s. 9d.—total £1007 5s. 6d. ; disl ements £732 12s. 2d.

PROTESTANT ORPHAN SCHOOL, PARRAMATTA.—An institution for the orphan children of Protestant parents of all denominations. Wholly supported by the Government. Number of children in the esta-

blishment on the 31st December last, 161 boy, 185 girls ; total, 246. Cost of the establishment in 1869,

£2781 14s. 10d. This is an admirably managed in-stitution. The children are admitted on Government

orders obtainable on the recommendation of any clergyman or person of known respectability. They

are well educated, and, when old enough, are appren-tices. Then interests are looked after until they arrive

at adult age.

ROMAN CATHOLIC ORPHAN SCHOOL, PARRAMATTA.—

An institution of the same kind as that last mentioned, but for children of Roman Catholic parents only. It is managed (and well managed) by the " Sisters of the Good Shepherd." Wholly supported by the Govern-

ment. Numbers of children on the establishment on the 31st December last, 160 boys and 170 girls—total,

332 ; cost for this year, £3470 7s. 9d.

DESTITUTE CHILDREN'S ASYLUM AT RANDWICK.—

This is perhaps the most useful of our public

charities. It was founded on the 23rd February, 1852. It receives and educates destitute and aban-

doned children namely :—-" 1. Children found by the police or others without protection, whose parents cannot be discovered, or whose parents have been convicted as vagrants, drunkards, or disorderly cha-

racters, unfit to have the care of their children. 2. Children abandoned by their parents, and left with-out friends or protection. 3. Children, either of whose parents is an abandoned or dissolute character,

and who may be placed by the other parent in the Asylum, on payment of a fixed sum for their maintenance." To these children this institu-

tion affords " a sound and useful education, and trains them in available habits of industry, until they

reach an age when they may be disposed of in the manner which may be most conducive to their indi-

vidual interest and the general good of society."

We quote from the original prospectus which expresses very clearly the objects of the founders. These have been very fully and efficiently carried out. The institution has been so well supported by bequests, voluntary contributions, and Government aids, that

although comparatively young, it has attained mag-nificent proportions. The buildings are large and handsome, situated in one of the finest sites near Sydney. A hospital has been recently added, which is called the Catherine Hayes Hos-pital, in honour of the lady whose munificent donation (which amounted, with interest, to £1300) first enabled the managers of the institution to con-

template this addition to its usefulness. The build-ing is in the Romanesque style, and has cost £6000, besides £250 more for furniture. The number of the

children in the asylum on the 31st December, 1868, was, boys, 364 ; girls, 320 : total, 684—exclusive of 17 apprentices. There have been received during the

year 1869, 142 boys, 121 girls : total, 263. There

were discharged during the same period, 100 boys and 84 girls, of whom 60 boys and 47 girls were ap-

prenticed. There remained in the asylum on the 31st December, 1869, 406 boys and 360 girls : total, 766, exclusive of 25 apprentices employed in the institu-

tion. The daily average of the year 1869 was 735, including the 25 apprentices. There were but three deaths during this period. The total amount of subscriptions and donations in aid of this institu-tion 1869 were £3827 11s. 6d., and of Government aid £7090 0s. 9d. Of the latter sum, however, £3890

0s. 9d. was for the maintenance of children from the

Benevolent Asylum. The total receipts for the year

were £11,717 12s. 3d., and the total disbursements during the same period £11,486 10s. 1d. The Society for the Relief of Destitute Children is incor-porated. Its affairs are managed by a directory, and

there is a " House Committee" consisting of twelve

of the directors.

GOVERNMENT INDUSTRIAL AND REFORMATORY

SCHOOLS.—There are three of these, an Industrial School for Girls and a Reformatory school for girls, both at Newcastle, and the Nautical School ship

Vernon, in Sydney harbour. These institutions pro-vide a home and education for all children under six-teen, who, although they have not come under the grasp of the law are being trained up as thieves

and prostitutes, by constant association with adults of those classes. They do the same for juveniles offenders. Any boy or girl who is brought before any Court of Jus-tice, and sentenced to any period of confinement

not less than 14 days can be sent to a Reformatory School instead of to prison. Children found wan-dering without visible means of support can also be sent to these schools, where they are educated and taught to earn an honest livelihood. These institu-

tions are supported by the Government, but parents who have children in such institutions and are able to contribute towards their support are expected to do so. The number of boys on board the Vernon on the 31st December, 1869, was 135, and the cost of

the institution during the year was £4291 12s. 2d. The number of girls in the Industrial School at New-

castle at the same date was 105, and the cost of the school during the year £6568 8s. 7d. In the Re-formatory School, recently established, three girls

cost £197 17s. 8d.

SYDNEY FEMALE SCHOOL OF INDUSTRY.—This is a Church of England institution for the maintenance and training of the female children of poor parents. It is supported by voluntary subscription, and by the proceeds of an annual ball. Its receipts for 1869 were £860 0s. 11d., and its expenditure for the same year £700 16s. 2d. There were 48 children in the in-stitution on the 31st December, 1869. It is managed by a Ladies' Committee.

DEAF, DUMB, AND BLIND INSTITUTION.—The nature of this institution is sufficiently explained by its title. Premises are rented for its use at Paddington, but it is proposed shortly to erect a suitable building ; £1233 has been subscribed for this purpose, which lies in a bank at interest. A Government grant of £2000 has been promised, also a suitable piece of land (near Newtown) for a site. It is proposed to erect such a building as the means at the disposal of the directory will allow without going at all into debt. 40 children in the institution—7 blind and 33 deaf and dumb. In-come of 1869 from Government £450, from voluntary contributions £728 14s. 3d : total £1178 14s. 3d. Ex-penditure of the year, £1029 0s. 5d.

RAGGED AND INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS.—There are three of these in Sydney, wholly supported by voluntary contributions. About 420 children on the books, but average daily attendance about 200. About 300 admitted during the year. Subscriptions about £600, the precise amount for last year being £575 s. Chil-dren admitted at the schools, and even sought out by supporters of the charity. Efforts made for improve-

ment of parents also.

SYDNEY NIGHT REFUGE AND SOUP KITCHEN.—An admirable charity, established about two years and a half ago, chiefly through the exertions of Captain Scott, Senior Police Magistrate of Sydney. It is supported wholly by voluntary contributions. Tickets are given to subscribers, to be handed to persons seeking charity. Three clean and well ventilated apartments are provided for sleeping accommodation, the occupants receiving blankets to cover them. Three times a day a good wholesome meal is served

out, dinner is given to all presenting a ticket ; break-fast and supper only on the condition that the re-

cipient works during the afternoon. Baths and

wash-houses are provided where the men can wash

themselves and their clothes. On Saturdays warm water is supplied, and every man in the place is re-quired to have a bath. During the year 1869, upwards of 70,000 meals were given (averaging from 180 to 200 meals per day) ; and upwards of 14,000 separate nights' shelter afforded. A free registry-office has been established in connection with this charity, and no efforts are spared to procure employ-ment for those who seek it. About 300 engagements were made during the year of longer or shorter duration. Many of the men kept their situations for long periods ; others might have done well but for their fatal tendency to " drink." Employment was obtained for several women who could not otherwise get situations. Young women with infants were accomodated at the institution, who being per-fectly friendless must have suffered great hardships but for such assistance. In all these instauces situa-tions were found for them after much trouble. The

income for the year was £404 1s., and the expendi-

ture £326.

SUNDAY MORNING BREAKFASTS.—From 100 to 120 persons of the poorest class, receive substantial breakfasts every Sunday morning, and are addressed

by ministers of religion and others. Cost defrayed

by voluntary contributions.

CENTRAL POLICE OFFICE POOR BOX.—Supported by small donations and judiciously expended by the Police Magistrate, Captain Scott, in affording tem-

porary relief in cases where small donations only are

needed. The annual receipts have varied very much, and the extent of relief has been governed

by these receipts. Since the establishment of the Night Refuge and Soup Kitchen, the demands on this fund have decreased more than one-half. Average number relieved per annum, about 200 ; average receipts, about £20.

SYDNEY FEMALE REFUGE.—A Protestant institu-tion for the reception and reformation of women

who have strayed from the paths of virtue. Managed by a ladies' committee. In this establishment on the 31st December, 1868, 22 ; admitted during the year 1869, 46 ; discharged in same period, 47 ; remaining on 31st December, 1869, 21. Receipt of the year

(from subscriptions alone—no Government aid) £936 2s. ; expenditure, £898 2s. 10d.

HOUSE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD.—A similar insti-tution, open to females of all religions, but managed by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, under the inspection of the Roman Catholic dignitaries. In the

establishment 31st December, 1868, 91. Admitted during 1869, 86. Discharged, 83. Remaining 31st December, 1869, 93. The Sisters also visit and relieve distressed persons ; the number so visited in 1869 having been 219 males and 675 females ; total, 894. The expenditure for the year was £1397 10s. 1½d, towards which £832 9s. 1d. was contributed by sub-scriptions, the remainder being raised by proceeds of work, &c.

HOME VISITING AND RELIEF SOCIETY, for the relief of educated persons of both sexes by gifts or loans, &c., so as to enable them to earn a livelihood. About 100 persons thus relieved during the year. Subscrip-tions, about £400 per annum. No Government aid, Applications to the Secretary (Mr. G. F. Wise), but no aid given until case inquired into. All relief con-

fidential.

AUSTRALIAN BENEVOLENT SOCIETY OF BLUES.—For the aid, by gift or loan, to persons educated at Christ's Hospital, England, wholly supported by voluntary contributions, amounting to about £80 per annum—few cases, as yet, needing relief ; but some among them where such relief was very seasonable.

SYDNEY HEBREW PHILANTHROPIC INSTITUTION, for the relief of distressed persons of the Hebrew persua-sion by loans or pensions. About £4 10s. week dis-tributed in pensions, besides relief by loan, &c. Number of pensioners vary. Probably average of about twenty in general. Supported wholly by voluntary contributions from persons of the Hebrew faith. Managed by a committee.

SYDNEY DORCAS AND STRANGER'S FRIEND SOCIETY, for the relief of poor married women, without distinc-tion of country or creed, during the month of accouchement, and for the temporary relief of deserv-ing persons who are without friends. Wholly sup-ported by voluntary contributions. About twenty or thirty Dorcas cases in the year, and about the same number of poor families relieved. Subscriptions about £80 to £100 a year. Managed by a committee of

ladies.

HEBREW LADIES' DORCAS SOCIETY AND BENEVO-LENT INSTITUTION.—Similar to the last-named institu-tion, but confined in its operation as a Dorcas society to poor married women of the Hebrew faith. Also grants assistance to Jewish females under any circum-stances, when necessary. Subscriptions between £80 and £100 per annum. Number of persons relieved vary greatly, according to the times. No data show-

ing average.

SHOEBLACK AND PORTERS' BRIGADES.—Supported partly by contributions and partly by the earnings of the boys who are enrolled in the " brigades." These boys are mostly such as, if not provided with steady employment in this way, would probably have to be cared for in a manner less beneficial to themselves and less profitable to the community by one or other of the public reformatory institutions already mentioned. As it is, they appear to be doing very well. The members of the " Shoeblack Brigade " stand in the streets and clean the boots and shoes of anyone who will employ them at 1d. per pair. They also go to houses for the same purpose when required to do so. The " porters " attend the landing-places of steamers, &c., and carry luggage. The lads have a uniform (of blue serge) and are numbered. Part of their earnings go towards their maintenance and part is saved for them. This in-stitution is as yet but young in the colony, but appears to be very successful.

OTHER INSTITUTIONS.—There are several insti-tutions which, although intended to be self-suppor-ting, require and receive some external aid. The principal of these is the Sailors' Home—a very com-fortable and cheap home for seamen (in a large and handsome building near the Circular Quay) also a place for the safe deposit of their money and chests, &c., when absent. The Home in Elizabeth-street, Sydney, is really "a home " for respectable single females of ever class when out of employment, but chiefly for nursery governesses and domestic servants. Also a registry office for procuring them employment. Open to females of all religions, but family prayers according to Anglican ritual. The Female Home and Registry Office, Darlinghurst Road, is an institution of the same character as that last mentioned, but established under Roman Catholic auspices, and con-ducted under the inspection of the Sisters of Charity.

The Protestant training School for Young Girls as

Domestic Servants is an institution now being organ-ised, and which it is expected will shortly be in a position to commence operations.

Municipal Institutions.

THE inhabitants of New South Wales have shown an intelligent appreciation of the value of municipal institutions. Sydney has been incorporated many years, and has experienced some extraordinary vicis-situdes of municipal existence. The Civic Council derives its powers from a special statute. The first General Municipalities' Act applicable to the entire colony was passed in 1858, and the Amended Act now in force became law at the end of 1867. The following will illustrate the rapidity of municipal progress. It was estimated a year ago that the city of Sydney had a population of 71,800 souls living in 14,500 houses. The estimated value of the house property in the city proper is upwards of eight millions sterling. The suburban boroughs have a population of about 44,000. They contain upwards of 9000 houses, and other buildings, and the estimated value of the house property is nearly £3,000,000. In the unincorporated suburbs there are about 12,000 souls and 2500 houses and other buildings. The estimated value of the household property is nearly three-quarters of a mil-lion sterling. The total population of the city and suburbs, incorporated and unincorporated, within the Metropolitan Police District, was 127,000 ; the number of houses and other buildings was 260,000, and the estimated value of the household property was £11,637,000. In this district there are nearly 200 miles of street, and 134 miles of roads. During the past year there have been considerable and valuable additions to the buildings of the city and suburbs, and new streets and roads have been aligned. The foregoing returns were carefully col-lected by the police, and the details are set out with

great accuracy.

The Government has offered substantial encourage-ments to municipal incorporation. Its object is to bring about ultimately a state of things which will enable it to relieve itself of many duties which have hitherto devolved upon it, although they can be much better performed by local municipal action. The Act provides for two classes of municipalities— " Boroughs" and " Municipal Districts." A borough may consist of (1) " any city or town, with-out its suburbs or country immediately adjacent thereto ; " (2) " any suburb of the metropolis as at present incorporated ; " (3) " any populous country district." But every such borough must have a population of not less than a thousand souls, and an area of not more than nine square miles, of which area no one point shall be more than six miles distant from any other point. A municipal district may in-clude any part of the colony not containing a borough, and may comprise on its first incorporation an area

not exceeding fifty square miles, of which no point

shall be more than twenty miles distant from

any other point. And there is a proviso requiring that every such municipal district shall contain a population of not less than five hundred souls. These " Boroughs " and " Municipal Districts " are incorporated on petition of persons who, upon the in-corporation of the municipalities proposed, would be " liable to be assessed for municipal taxes." In a few instances counter petitions have been more nume-rously signed than those in favour of incorporation ; but generally the people have been quick to perceive the advantages, pecuniary and otherwise, which result

prom a practical application of the provisions of the

Act.

There are now in New South Wales about forty municipalities, and it is not too much to say that there are very few Acts on the statute book whose operation has been attended with results so marked, and at the same time so satisfactory as that under which they are incorporated. The municipalities vary greatly in regard to size and population. The suburban municipalities are of course the most compact and populous. Balmain contains an area of but fifteen-sixteenths of a square mile, and has a population of about 4000. The Glebe has an area of three-quarters of a square mile, and a population of 5000. The municipality of Cook contains an area of only half a square mile, and has a population of about 1400. Marrickville contains an area of little more than two and a half square miles and has a population of 1500 souls. Newtown contains two-thirds of a square mile, and has a population of about 5000. Redfern contains an area of little more than half a square mile, and has a popu-lation of between four and five thousand souls. Some of the country municipalities embrace areas of more than a hundred miles. Central Illawarra, for instance, has 116 square miles ; Kiama, 120 square miles ; and Cudgegong, 191 square miles. The Act provides for cumulative votes. The rates are levied on nine-tenths of the fair average annual rental of buildings and cultivated lands, and upon £5 per cent. of the capital value of the fee simple of all unim-proved lands. In addition to the general rates, special rates may be levied for sewerage, water, gas,

free infant schools, and free libraries. But the rates, general and special, are limited to two shillings in the pound of the assessment, and in very few in-stances at present do they exceed one shilling in the pound. The municipalities have not generally undertaken the supply of water. Indeed, this is a weak point in regard to the city. The question of an inexhaustible supply is, however, under consideration. Several of the suburban municipalities are lighted with gas, the pipes being continued from Sydney, and the Corporation of the inland city of Goulburn light their streets with kerosene. Some of the municipalities have free libraries, but no special rate has been levied for their maintenance. The town halls, for the most part, are generally neat and substantial. The Sydney Cor-poration are erecting a building which would do credit to any English or Continental city.

Aldermen hold office for three years,—one-third retiring every year. They are elected by ballot, and the constituents are the ratepayers. The occupier, lessee, or owner of property assessed at an annual value not exceeding £25, has one vote ; over £25 and not exceeding £75, two votes ; over £75 and not exceeding £150, three votes ; over £150, four votes, which number is the maximum. All municipalities receive endowment in proportion to the rates. For the first five years after incorporation the Govern-ment gives a sum per annum equal to the whole of the rates, assessments, and subscriptions ; for the second five years, one-half ; and in the third succeed-ing five years, one-fourth, after which the Govern-

ment endowment ceases.

It will be observed that our Municipal Act is re-markable for its liberality. It is in fact rather too liberal inasmuch as it contains no pro-vision limiting the period during which the offer of endowment may be accepted. Thus those who from an unworthy fear of taxation set their faces against municipal incorporation and improvement, may, after defeating the object of the Government for an unlimited period, come in at the last moment and claim its bounty. At present the municipalities have done little to relieve the Central Government which

continues payments for trust roads through the very heart of municipal districts. They have nothing to do with the payment or control of the police. They have certainly done much to change the face of the most populous parts of the colony, and they have a very

important duty to perform in preserving the salu-brity of their districts and preventing operations in-jurious to the health of the public, or coming within the category of nuisances. The proceedings of the Municipal Councils are conducted generally with spirit and intelligence, and every year there is an enlarged interest in municipal elections.

The Administration of the Land.

THE last Constitution Act conferred on New South Wales, and which became operative in 1856, gave full power to the Government of the colony to alienate and administer its public lands. This caused great satisfaction, for it was generally considered that the lands were by no means " fairly portioned." A small number of people came into possession of an estate vast and rich, and there was a conflict to determine who should be the administrators. Numerous schemes

were proposed to secure the most satisfactory results. These matters, however, are of scarcely more than local interest. In the exercise of its new powers the Legislature passed two bills which were assented to on the 18th October, 1861, and which are still in force, known as " An Act to regulate the Alienation of Crown Lands" and " An Act for regu-lating the Occupation of Crown Lands." By the 2nd section of the Crown Lands Alienation Act of 1861, the " Orders in Council" under which the sale and occupation of Crown lands were formerly ad-ministered by the Crown, were repealed, with certain reservations respecting rights which had accrued in regard to some existing leases.

This Act provides for the granting of Crown lands for public purposes ; for the setting apart of sites for towns and villages ; for the special sale of land to occupiers who have made improvements, and for a variety of other things of a like nature. The clauses of most universal interest are those which contain provisions for the settlement of population upon the land. The principal of these clauses is the 13th :— " On and from the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, Crown lands other than town lands or suburban lands, and not being within a proclaimed gold field nor under lease for

mining purposes to any person other than the ap-plicant for purchase, and not being within areas bounded by lines bearing north, east, south, and west, and distant ten miles from the outside boun-

dary of any city or town containing according to the then last census ten thousand inhabitants, or five miles to the outside boundary of any town containing

according to the then last census five thousand in-habitants, or three miles from the outside boundary of any town containing according to the then last census one thousand inhabitants, or two miles from the outside boundary of any town or village contain-ing according to the then last census one hundred inhabitants, and not reserved for the site of any town or village, or for the supply of water, or from sale for any public purpose, and not containing improvements, and not excepted from sale under section seven of this Act shall be open for conditional sale, by selection in the manner following :—that is to say, any person may, upon any land office day, tender to the land agent for the dis-trict a written application for the conditional pur-chase of any such lands nor less than forty acres, nor more than three hundred and twenty acres, at the price of twenty shillings per acre, and may pay to such land agent a deposit, of twenty-five per centum of the purchase money thereof, and if no other like application and deposit for the same land be tendered at the same time such person shall be declared the conditional purchaser thereof, at the price aforesaid, provided that if more than one such application and deposit for the same land or any part thereof, shall be tendered at the same time to such land agent, he shall, unless all such applications but one be immediately withdrawn, forthwith proceed to deter nine by lot in such manner as may be prescribed by regulations made under this Act which, of the applicants shall be-come the purchaser."

Crown lands within proclaimed gold-fields, and not within areas excluded by special proclamation, and not occupied for gold-mining purposes, must be selected subject to the foregoing provisions ; but if, subsequently, it be found that the land contains auri-

ferous deposits the sale may be annulled, in which case the purchaser will be entitled to compensation. At the expiration of three years from the date of any conditional purchase, or within three months there-

after, the balance of the purchase money may be ten-dered with a declaration that the law has been satisfied in respect of bona fide residence and im-provement, and the grant of the fee simple obtained. The following is the clause of the Act :— " At the expiration of three years from the date of conditional purchase of any such land as aforesaid, or within three months thereafter, the balance of the purchase money shall be tendered at the office of the Colonial Treasurer, together with a declaration by

the conditional purchaser or his alienee or some other person in the opinion of the Minister competent in that behalf under the Act ninth Victoria number nine, to the effect that improvements as hereinbefore defined have been made upon such land, specifying the nature, extent, and value of such improvements, and that such land has been from the date of occu-

pation the bona fide residence, either continuously of the original purchaser or of some alienee or succes-sive alienees of his whole estate and interest therein, and that no such alienation has been by any holder thereof until after the bona fide residence thereon of such holder for one whole year at the least. And upon the Minister being satisfied by such decla-ration and the certificate of the land agent for the district or other proper officer of the facts aforesaid, the Colonial Treasurer shall receive and acknowledge the remaining purchase money and a grant of the fee simple, but with reservation of any minerals which the land may contain shall be made to the then right-ful owner. Provided that should such lands have been occupied and improved as aforesaid, and should

interest at the rate of five per centum per annum on the balance of the purchase money be paid within the said three months to the Colonial Treasurer, the pay-ment of such balance may be deferred to a period within three months after the first day of January then next ensuing, and may be so deferred from year

to year by payment of such interest during the first quarter of each year. But on default of a compliance with the requirements of this section the land shall revertato her Majesty, and be liable to be sold at auc-

tion, and the deposit shall be forfeited."

Crown lands alienated without conditions for residence and improvement, are sold by auction, and the following are the upset prices :—Town lands, £8 ; suburban lands, £2 ; other land, £1. This is the general plan, but there is a proviso, that the upset price may be fixed at any higher amount. Twenty-five per cent. is paid at the fall of the ham-mer, and the remainder in three months.

The object of the system of " conditional purchase " and unlimited credit (without interest for three

years) is to settle people on the land as culti-vators. The effect of its working has no doubt given a large amount of satisfaction to many persons connected with agricultural pursuits ; but others,

tempted by the case with which land could be ac-quired, have found " conditional purchase" a delusion and a snare. The operation of the Act has also been injurious to the squatting interest, inasmuch as it has rendered the lessees of Crown lands liable at any moment to have the best parts of the runs they occupy selected either for legitimate use or for the purpose of annoyance and dishonest gain. Certainly while the present system exists there is not much encourage-ment to people at a distance to enter upon squatting pursuits in New South Wales. Another effect of the Alienation Act has been to scatter the people engaged in agriculture in a manner quite unneces-

sary. The Act, however, has greatly facilitated the acquisition of land, which may now be obtained without the delays and disappointments experi-

enced under the system which formerly prevailed, and this is regarded as an advantage of no small importance. The chief matter for regret is that the change was brought about in a manner which, though beneficial to individuals, is fraught with much disadvantage to the colony as a whole. Many conditional purchasers have taken up farms of a quality unsurpassed by land in any part of the world, and those who have had the means and the necessary experience combined with industry and sobriety, have no doubt, as a rule, established themselves on the soil under very favourable conditions. According to the Crown Lands Alienation Act, in New South Wales, so rich in minerals, Crown lands may be conditionally selected for the purpose of mining, other than gold mining, on payment of £2 per acre ; and on a declaration that £2 per acre had been expended in mining operations other than gold mining on the land, and further upon payment of the balance of the purchase money, a grant in fee simple is made without any reservation of minerals other than gold, and this payment may be made

although the period of five years required in other cases may not have expired. Auriferous lands are dealt with under an Act which was assented to on the 27th September, 1966, to amend the laws relating to the Gold fields. By this Act the Governor with the advice of the Executive Council, may, " sublet to, and in accordance with the laws for the time being respecting Crown lands of the colony, and the provisions of this Act and regulations under it, grant leases for mining of portions of auriferous lands and fix the amount to be paid by way of rent, whether as a royalty or other-wise." For the " right" to mine for gold the miner pays 10s. per annum. The gold fields are a source of great wealth to the colony of New South Wales, although the amount ap-pears small when compared with the large sums annually derived from pastoral pursuits. By the Act which regulates the occupation of Crown lands by persons who become lessees under the Government, " Crown lands" are divided into three classes :—The " first class settled districts" comprise lands declared to be of the " settled class" under the Orders in Council. The " second-class settled dis-tricts" comprise lands converted into the " settled class" by a previous Act. All other Crown lands form part of the " unsettled districts." In the first of these classes, leases are granted for pastoral pur-poses for one year, in the settled or un-

settled districts for five years ; and, for mineral purposes other than gold-mining, fourteen years. The portions leased are of various sizes. There are not many " runs," or pastoral leases, less than 10,000 acres : some of them are over 100,000 acres, and many runs are sometimes held by the same lessee. A return of squattages in different districts of the colony held by members of Parliament three or four years ago showed that one hon. gentle-

man was the lesseee of sixty stations, the total estimated area of which was 1,772,000 acres. Districts are proclaimed for the formation of " runs,"

and the Act contains the following provision in regard to their area and capabilities :—" Runs shall, in ordi-

nary cases, consist of not more than twenty-five square miles ; but should that area, in the opinion of the proper officer of the Government be insufficient in average seasons for the pasturage of four thousand sheep, or eight hundred head of cattle, a run may be enlarged to whatever area not exceeding one hundred square miles may be necessary for that purpose."

The rent paid for these squattages varies from a fraction of a penny to a penny and a fraction per acre. A short time ago there were between thirteen and fourteen thousand leases, the estimated area of which was nearly 209,000 square miles, and the rent and assessment from which amounted to £260,500. The area brought under lease has gradully increased from year to year. The exports of the colony give some idea of the wealth-producing power of these leased lands, and of their value as a source of revenue to keep down taxation.

Those who read this account of the ease with which land can be obtained in New South Wales for all purposes, will naturally compare the state of facts with that which exists in the country they inhabit. It is therefore unnecessary to point out in what respect the Land Acts of the colony agree with, and in what they differ from, the laws with which various classes of readers are familiar. New South Wales, with its enormous area of land, has room for unlimited capital and enterprise to develope its resources. An attempt will shortly be made to cure some of the defects of the Land Acts. The object will be not to restrict the freedom with which land can be acquired, but rather with greater prudence, and with a proper regard to the principles of political economy, to encourage agri-cultural settlement, to promote immigration, and generally to accelerate the progress of the colony.

The Produce of the Land.

THE original boundaries of the colony of New South Wales, as defined by the British Government in their instructions to Governor Phillip, which comprised the eastern half of Australia, or a territory nearly as large as a moiety of Europe, has become peopled more or less, throughout its length and breadth, by industrious and enterprising colonists. From its immense area it became in time too unwieldy for the efficient control of the central Government and Legis-lature at Sydney. Hence New South Wales proper has been largely shorn of its proportions—first, by the formation of the independent free colony of South Australia in 1836 ; second, by the separation of the district of Port Phillip under the title of Victoria, in 1851 ; and third, by the separation of the Moreton Bay district, with all the territory north of that, and its formation into the colony of Queensland, in 1859. In the last year of its entirety—1835—the population was 71,592, the number of acres under crop, 79,256 ; the amount of wool in pounds 3,893,927, valued at £299,587 ; 500 cwt. of tallow ; a revenue amounting to £274,591, and an expenditure amount-ing to £171,044. When Victoria set up for herself, she carried off 67,845 from the accumulated popula-tion of 265,503, and reduced the proportion of New South Wales to 197,168. The area of land under cultivation was reduced from 198,056 to 153,117 acres, the horses were reduced from 132,397 to 126,397, the horned cattle from 1,738,257 to 1,375,257, the sheep from 13,059,324 to 7,396,895, the pigs from 61,631 to 65,510, the wool crop from 32,361,829 lbs. to 15,269,317 lbs. In the year 1861, a considerable in-crease is observed in the population. Notwithstand-ing the separation of Queensland, it stood at 358,278. There were 297,575 acres of land under crop ; the horses had doubled on the return of 1851, the horned stock had increased to 2,271,923, the sheep to 5,615,054, and the wool to nearly 13 millions of pounds weight. The same year there were 260,798 acres under culture which yielded 1,581,597 bushels of wheat, 1,484,467 bushels of Indian corn, 39,801 of barley, 98,814 of oats, 28,127 tons of potatoes, 9704 cwt. of tobacco, 50,927 tons of hay, 99,791 gallons of wine, besides other produce. The value of the fruit exported, chiefly oranges, was £61,466. At the pre-sent time the domain of New South Wales comprises an area of 323,437 square miles, which proves the colony to be nearly as large as the superficies of France and the United Kingdom together. The most recent statistics, to which we have had access by the kindness of the Registrar-General, puts us in posses-

sion of facts concerning the year ending March 1870, which are highly satisfactory, and somewhat signifi-

cant of a diversion of capital from some branches of labour to others. The number of acres under wheat is 189,452 for grain, and 11,418 for hay ; the number under hay 129,700. Of barley there are 9151 for grain, 2208 for green fodder, and 1251 for hay. Oats for hay, green fodder, and grain occupies 67,000 acres of land ; potatoes occupy 17,132 acres, tobacco 366, arrowroot 31, sorghum or imphee 296 acres, sugar cane 3917 acres, artificial grasses sown for food and hay, 26,309 ; vines 3906 acres, gardens and orchards 14,516 acres. The horses number 280,304, the horned cattle 1,795,904, the sheep 14,989,923, and the pigs 175,924. These data, if taken in conjunction with the losses sustained by floods and thought and disease, and the several checks incident to a new colony, where experience has to be gained in every department of agriculture, afford good evidence of the spring and vitality which charac-

terise New South Wales.

FARMING.

There is a considerable difference of opinion re-specting the fitness of the land of the colony for cultivation or the growth of crops. There are many persons who would give it all up to pasturage. Common sense, however, in these

Park, Albury, and other varieties, need be no longer in doubt. It would be well if more of the wine that is made could be longer kept. So soon as the acreage shall have increased and the price of the better wines been sufficiently reduced to bring them within the reach of the middle and labouring classes, the demand will be much strength-ened. This effect is earnestly desired by those who look with regret upon the inebriety which prevails, for they consider that the imbibition of spirit which is now commonly resorted to—good colonial beer being yet not popular—would be much modified were sound wine procurable. Until lately, there were but few competent wine-makers, and fewer still who were skilled in the art of maturing wine. This defect is gradually being overcome, and the growers are getting experience—generally as a matter of purchase. The appearance of the oidium amongst the vines of Cum-berland and the Hunter River district has not been attended with very serious results, sulphur having been applied with great assiduity by all the principal

vignerons.

OLIVE.

Nothing has been yet done with the olive save by way of experiment ; but in the course of a few years this tree will be freely cultivated, and olive oil will appear amongst the exports from New South Wales.

SUGAR-CANE.

There is but one other matter of importance to allude to before we proceed to touch upon live stock and then collateral branches of produce. The SUGAR CANE has long been struggling into notice. The settlers, who are men generally possessed of very slight experimental acquaintance with husbandry, show natural timidity in dealing with novelties. They are much given to wheat, barley, oats, and potatoes, having heard of them or seen them alone in England and Ireland. The cane, therefore, had to meet with and overcome much prejudice, and it was not until 1867 that this indifference to it was converted into favour. Continued writing and talking on the sub-ject brought public opinion to a fever heat, and the settlers on the rivers from the Manning River up-wards, went boldly in four sugar as a substitute for wheat, which was found to be a fickle friend, and maize, which offered an indifferent cash return. In 1867, there were about 116 acres crushed, and 17,786 lbs. of sugar made ; in 1868, 646 acres, and 134,740 lbs. of sugar made ; in 1869, 2548 acres, and 3,264,824 lbs. ; in the year ending March, 1870, the acres under cane were 3917, and the produce, in pounds weight, 3,563,704. This produce should have been much greater, but for the want of machinery. Owing to the spirited exertions of the Colonial Sugar Refining Company, the Clarence and Macleay Rivers have been pretty well supplied with machinery ;

three great mills, each capable of crushing from 4 to 4½ acres of cane per day, having been put up or being in the course of election. The settlers, as a rule, are dependent on capitalists to elect machinery, and are in some instances successful in the offers they hold forth. The mill-owners are purchasing the cane of the growers at 10s. per ton, and cutting it for them, and, in a great many instances, advancing money to them while the cane is growing, with the design of initiating a better system of cultivation than would otherwise prevail. The present year's experience will enable us, in six months' time, to speak with certainty with respect to the profits of sugar-growing, but we have reason, prospectively, to entertain the highest hopes of it. It is now clear that the grower may do well with common care and industry in rearing cane at this price. His preparatory ex-penses in trenching and planting do not exceed £20 an acre, and seldom go beyond £12. The cane comes to maturity in twelve months after being planted, and yields from 30 to 40 tons of cane per acre. If tended with skilful husbandry, the return will be from 50 to 100 tons an acre, at 10s. per ton, affords ex-cellent profit to the grower. The expenses the second year will be not more than £5, while the weight of cane from the rattoon crop, it is considered, will be even greater than that from the plant crop. With good management it is considered that the succeeding crop may increase in force, and as yet the limit is not known. So far as we know at present the sugar cane behaves very differently in New South Wales to what it does elsewhere. In the tropics it must be replanted whenever it arrows or flowers, in New South Wales it never flowers, and,

therefore, may be regarded pretty nearly as perennial. Then, as to the production of sugar, the manufacturer seems to be quite satisfied with his prospect. The

average of Queensland appears to be 1¾ tons per acre. The average of New South Wales is more likely to be 2 tons per acre at present. The maximum sugar-yield will equal 4 tons to the acre, the minimum 1 ton. This is far better than grain growing, and quantities of people are putting their money into sugar lands. Either they are buying up the lands to

sell out to planters, or they are buying to plant.

There is a reach of country 300 miles long, and about 50 wide, between Cape Hawke and Point Danger, admirably adapted to sugar production. Nothing is

wanted but capital, skill, and labour. The mode of cture is simple. Wind, frost, and fire are the chief influences inimical to the crop, and here the first and last are alone to be feared. It seems to be proof against goods, for, where the wheat, maize, hay, and grass have been ruined by flood waters, the cane has stood in three feet of water without having materially suffered. In still water it is very little affected.

But it seems that the colony is not to be restricted for its sugar to the sugar cane proper. The Imphee, a variety of sorghum, is a sugar-bearing cane of hardier habits. It stands frost better, and is little affected by floods. It comes to maturity in five months, and therefore may be employed as an inter-val crop, alternating with sugar cane, and keeping the sugar mills going. There are sixty acres planted with imphee in various districts. Present experi-ments lead the growers to expect from 1¾ to 2 tons of sugar to the acre. When not grown for sugar the plant yields abundance of valuable food for cattle at the rate of 30 to 40 tons of cane per acre.

SILK.

So far as silk is concerned, there are no export figures to quote. Sericulture is a subject for the future. Probably before 1880 we shall have to chronicle the export of 100,000 pounds of cocoons to London, but at present the affair is a complete specu-lation. We know that the mulberry will grow in rich profusion ; we know that some of the best descriptions of worms are cultivated here, and that worms which are affected with disease in Italy or France, &c., are quite healthy near Sydney, which seems to indicate that a very large trade might be done in " grain" or eggs. The mulberry will grow anywhere in this colony ; all along the coast lines the caterpillar comes to perfection, and what with the trade in eggs and the trade in cocoons, the commerce in these commodities might swell with rapidity. A market has been opened in Europe for the contributions of the colonies, and producers and consumers are brought together by means of the Silk Supply Association.

PROSPECTS OF SETTLERS.

The prospects of settlers are very good if they are men of the right class. It is found that men who are well versed in the principles of agriculture speedily learn to apply these principles to colonial circum-stances and become the foremost men in every dis-trict. But the land will not enrich those who know not how to use it ; and the explanation of the great amount of discontent which is expressed with the country is simply this,—that it arises from those who have had to purchase their experience in the dearest of all markets. There are peculiarities of climate to deal with—prolonged droughts and rains have to be provided against, but clever men get rich in spite of them. Good land is to be bought cheap ; the only drawback is that it cannot be got in large quantities. Capitalists are prevented from buying largely, but men of moderate means can suit themselves well. For young English farmers who like to graze and farm, this colony offers great advantages. The rate of wages is not so high as is sometimes supposed. For the last ten years, farm labourers have been receiving from 28s. to 35s. per week with board and lodging, and shepherds from 30s. to 35s. per week. The ten-dency of the price of provisions and clothing to favour the consumer within the same period is very

marked.

LIVE STOCK.—HORSES.

Now let us turn for a little time to the live stock —that is to say, the horses, cattle and sheep. First then to horses these animals since 1850 have in-creased in number but deteriorated in quality

Horse-breeding is not found to pay any better in New South Wales than it does in England, but the cause may not be the same. It is here generally acknowledged that it does not pay because the rules of good breeding are neglected so much that the reputation of New South Wales horses has failed to attract buyers. Were the brand good the demand would soon increase. An attempt is now made to supply India, with what success we are not informed. Some cargoes of horses have left the port of Sydney, but we fear that the sample was not such as to induce the exporters to try again.

There are splendid horses in the country, but the tendency to breed from any sort of mare leads to the production of a wholly wortless class of horses, which are commonly sold in our markets for half-a-

matters prevails, and the settlers have found that they can use the plough to advantage in a great many localities. The dividing range of the Blue Mountains, running through the colony from north to south, in a line parallel with the coast, and nowhere more than 100 miles from it, separates the pastoral from what are termed the agricultural lands. On one side there are sheep and bullocks and a little farming on the other side a mixed possession of the land by farmers and graziers. The settlements now being made are mostly along this eastern strip where the triumphs of the plough will be chiefly apparent in years to come. A large extent of this tract is useless either to crop or graze, being excessively barren. The farming on the western side of the Blue Mountains is confined to Bathurst Orange, Mudgee, and New England districts, which have all obtained a reputation for cereal production. Further to the west there is nothing worthy of the name of cultivation, although settlers have been tempted to take up land beyond the reach of roads and the influence of schools and markets. These settlers are generally too thinly spread to keep each other warm. Sugar is fast spreading from the Man-ning River to the Richmond River—the fine alluvial valley of the Hunter is devoted to the production of lucerne hay, wheat, barley, oats, either for hay or grain, and wine, and the rest of the strip to Cape Howe which is cultivated is occupied in the same way. The extent of this seaboard measures 700

miles.

After having glanced at the manner in which the land is occupied, we will enter more particularly into the facts concerning the progress and prospects of

certain branches of cultivation.

OCCUPATION OF LAND.

In the first place, there were, in 1860, 15,715 occupi-

ers of land, the extent of whose holdings in acres was represented by the figures 3,560,558½. Ten years has effected a change. The number of occupants of land (exclusive of occupiers for pastoral purposes), was 27,720 ; the total extent of holdings was 7,857,469½ acres ; the extent of land in cultivation was 482,324½

acres ; the extent of land enclosed but not in cultiva-

tion, was 3,693,213¼ acres ; and the extent of the land unenclosed was 3,681,931¾ acres.

CEREAL CROPS.

The cereals of Europe, together with maize, have been extensively cultivated in New South Wales, not because they were the best adapted to the climate, but because the settlers were more familiar with them than with plants more accustomed to a semi-

tropical climate. Wheat was grown when the colony was first settled as a necessity ; but since it has been extensively planted in Victoria and South Australia, where it is less subject to attacks of rust, and con-sequently produced at less expense than it is here, the growers in New South Wales are gradully turning their attention to safer and more profitable crops, The same observation holds good of maize, to which the land and climate is admirably adapted. Despite the prolific character of the crop, the profit is small, owing to the want of a market. It is also a fact in relation to wheat and maize

that, owing to the mode in which they are cultivated the growers are yearly less capable of standing against foreign competition. The land being cropped year after year, and neither manured nor properly cultivated, the yield gradually diminishes, and when a compensation is wanted for the loss of the monopoly of the home market in the shape of in-creased return, the return per acre is actually smaller.

The remedy of course would be the introduction of better husbandry where the wheat crop is felt to be a safe one, as it is in the Orange and Bathurst districts, but on the sea coast the cultivation of wheat can be

scarcely expected to continue. Although the yield per acre is falling off the acreage continues slowly to increase, but the wheat crop is changing its location, and eventually will be settled at a distance from the sea. The railways that are penetrating to fine wheat lands in the west and south will be the means of effecting and establishing this change. The wheat crops occupied 115,928 acres in the year 1860, yielding 1,605,353 bushels, which was 13¾ bushels per acre. Last year there were 189,452 acres of wheat, which yielded 3,200,959 bushels, or 16¾ bushels per acre. The price is now about 5s.

per bushel. It will be easily understrood that there

is a vast difference between the maximum and the minimum in the production of wheat. The man who produces 16 bushels and sells at 5s. makes £4 an acre, and finds himself out of pocket by the transaction ;

but there is nothing to hinder the doubling of this sum by good husbandry in a general way. Maize is grown for grain and also for green fodder. In 1860 there were 49,506½ acres under maize, the yield being 1,602,630 bushels ; in 1870 there were 129,713 acres, yielding 3,880,805 bushels. Barley and oats are chiefly cultivated for hay : the acre produces, of the former, from 12 to 14 bushels of an indifferent grain, of the latter from 12 to 13 bushels. Potatoes do well in some localities. The colony produced 54,199 tons last year, the average yield per acre being nearly 2 tons. In some districts the hay crop is very valuable. Wheat, barley, oats, are all grown for hay ; but lucerne is generally pre-

ferred, and on the rich, alluvial, and well-watered lands, near the rivers, so great are the returns that the settlers are said to be able to bear the loss by flood of every third crop. They frequently crop the land five or six times during the year, and gather from one to two tons per acre each time. The labour of cultivation is slight, and the price obtained gene-rally high, from £5 to £6 per ton being no uncommon figure, in the neighbourhood of a good market. Some attention has been given to tobacco, which grows well in the colony ; but enterprise in this direction has been checked by the importation of American tobacco since the civil struggle in that country has ceased.

ORCHARDS. There are very many settlers who have turned fruit growers. Orchards are plentiful, and successful attempts have been made to produce apples and pears on the low lands, and gooseberries and other hardy European fruits on the uplands. There is a great demand for apples and pears, which, until lately, was exclusively supplied from Tasmania. Strawberries are grown, but do not come to the fine perfection as in England. Peaches, nectarines, apricots, and loquats flourish admirably in the cleen air, and are cheap when in season. These gardens and orchards are mostly found in the counties of Cumberland (7775 acres), Camden, Cumberland North, and Durham—but we cannot say what pro-portion of land is devoted to fruit and what to flowers. The entire acreage is 14,516 acres.

A considerable portion of this land is dedicated to the ORANGE, particularly in Cumberland, where a fine market and an accommodating railway to be found. Thousands of cases come down to Sydney annually from the Parramatta orangeries and are shipped to Melbourne, South Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, &c. The profits of orange growing are, when the practical management of fruit tree is understood, very considerable, but in many cases the trees have been exhausted by being owed to bear heavily, year after year, without any attempt being made to recruit their jaded powers by the administration of mans. Most of the orangeries are new ; but in some of the older ones the trees have attained a height of 35 feet, the diameter from the extremities of the branches being 33 feet. From trees of this size, of which there are few in the colony, 12,000 oranges are occa-

sionally picked in the year, which, 6d. a dozen wholesale, would give £25 as the value of the yield of the single tree. The plantations are generally young, and the trade in oranges and lemons is likely to assume large proportions ; but the growers will have to master the principles of drainage and manuring, and apply them before they will be able to preserve

their trees in a healthy state.

VINEYARDS.

The vine is a very favourite plant and every year is assuming a most important chapter. The repu-tation of New South Wales is been established for wine of great excellence, as the vineyards at Paris and London in 1851, 1856, 1862, and 1867 testify. In 1860 the vine occupied 1583 acres—622 acres being devoted to wine. The producer 99,791 gallons of wine and 709 gallons of brandy at the rate of 160 gallons per acre. Since that 'e the acreage has been annually extending, as w be seen by the fol-

lowing figures :—

Year ending | | Gallons | Gallons

31 March. | Acres. | Wine. | Brandy.

1865 | 1849 | ,198 | 3077 1866 | 2126 | ,123 | 1439

1867 | 2281 | ,183 | 3176

1868 | 2531 | ,283 | 3856

1869 | 3115 | ,283 | 1888

1870 | 3906¾ | 0,321 | 1687

Besides this, 955½ tons table fruit have been yielded by the vineyards, which are found in greater numbers in the counties Cumberland, Northumber-land, and the Murrumbidgee districts. There abundance of land suitable for the vine, and the crop is growing in favour with those who have sufficient capital to plant and en pon the business of wine making. It was at one time considered that of wines would not keep v but this question has never been settled in the alternative. Those who have tasted early vintage of the Dalwood, Camden

crown and five shillings a head, or boiled down for the grease to lubricate the carriages they should draw. In 1850 there were 116,397 horses—there are now (1870) 280,304. The stud horses imported from England number nine during the past year.

HORNED STOCK.

The principal breeds of Great Britain—Short-

horn or Durham, Hereford, and Devon, are to be found here in perfection. A walk through the cattle sheds of the Agricultural Society of New South Wales would induce a lover of stock to believe himself in England. Pedigree stock is much sought for, and realises a high price. Not only are the prin-cipal breeds represented here, but the principal herds. The contest is almost as sharp about Booth or Bates as it is at home. Without particularising individual importers, it is sufficient to say that so much has been done in this way that at out agricultural meet-

ings the colonial-bred animals are allowed to compete without restriction with the imported, when formerly the imported and colonial-bred were classed separately. This was an acknowledgment of inferiority that would not now be tolerated, and peihiips no fact nlloids bettu testnnonj to the high character of the cattle of this colony. The Devon is not much used. The native mountain spirit soon breaks the crust of civilisation and becomes visible in wildness of eye and a disinclination to human society, rather troublesome to the breeder. The debate concerning the merits of Short-

horn or Hereford is very strong. Both breeds have many advocates. It is generally admitted however that the Hereford travels better than the short horn, and better endures periods of dearth and drought. A vast quantity of the cattle of this colony having to travel from 500 to 800 miles to the slaughter house, this quality is a consideration of the utmost consequence, for the fatigues and privations of travel are often such as to reduce a fat bullock to a very lean state before he presents himself to the butcher. Short-horns are the favourite breed, judging from their number, and probably there are localities in which they most thrive. There is no stock native cattle upon which to effect a graft—the entire of the cattle of the colony is the result of importation, and it is found as yet that sufficient fixity of character is not gained by the acclimatised race to make us independent of the home blood. Deterioration of character takes place very quickly, and it is necessary to stop the process by continued importations both of Hereford and Shorthorn blood.

The cattle station property of this country is of two kinds, breeding and fattening. The breeding country is pretty much confined to the table lands—high and comparatively cool—extending from north to south. New England up to Tenterfield, the Liverpool Plains, and the country from Goulburn to Maneroo Plains, afford specimens of breeding land. The fattening land is mainly found to the west of the mountain range—being the salt bush country as far back as the river Darling, where the apportionment of 3 acres to one fattening bullock is considered fair. Besides, fine fattening pastures are found in the alluvial districts along the seaboard. Breeding are not so much in request as fattening stations. From the former the return is about 10 per cent., from the latter from 12 to 15 per cent. upon the capital employed at the present time. Store cattle are generally sold at from £2 to £3 per head ; fat cattle, weighing about 600 lbs., from £7 to £8. The ordinary weight of what are called fat cattle is 600 lbs., but occasionally they average from 800 lbs. to 1000 lbs The increase in horned stock since 1850 has been inconsiderable. In that year the numbers were 1,375,257 ; they reached a high point in 1860, continued to increase to 1862 (2,620,383), and fell to 1,795,904 last year. In fact, the following figures illustrate our progress in live stock for the past forty years :—

| | Horned | |

| Horses. | Stock. | Sheep. | Pigs. 1830 | 12,479 | 262,868 | 536,391 | . . . .

1840 No returns

1850 | 132,437 | 1,738,965 | 7,366,895 | 65,510 1860 | 251,497 | 2,408,586 | 6,119,163 | 180,662 1870 | 280,304 | 1,795,904 | 14,989,933 | 175,924 Throughout the Australian colonies there are 636,676 horses, 3,867,678 horned cattle, 46,812,859 sheep, and

598,430 pigs.

WOOL AND MUTTON.

The great staple of New South Wales is wool, which is almost entirely derived from the Merino sheep. The figures already quoted will show with what marvellous rapidity these animals have in-creased, and will imply the vast amount of capital sunk in sheep farming. A sheep, when fat, is generally supposed to weigh 60 lbs, and at present it fetches from 6s. to 8s. The wool does not average 2 lbs. per fleece. The same conditions are required for breeding sheep as for breeding cattle, and for this reason the breeding grounds are pretty much the same as we remarked in the case of cattle. The profits on sheep farming have been enormous—as much as 25 per cent. generally— but now they have been reduced, one-half, and, in a

vast number of instances, sheep stations are held at

an annual loss. This results from the fall

in the price of wool, and the small demand which exists for mutton. In Victoria, the preserva-tion of mutton for the European market has just

about doubled the price of sheep in eighteen months, and this will probably be the effect in New South Wales whenever any large meat-preserving establish-ments are organised. At present the wool, the fat, and the skin are the only parts of sheep which the squatter can turn into money, but whenever he can economise the flesh also, he will find sheep-breeding more profitable than it now is. There are two meat-preserving establishments on the Clarence ; but these deal with beef, and have obtained a reputation in England. A third company is started in Sydney, but as yet it is not localised ; while a fourth, at Goulburn, will soon be in operation. In the products from live stock for export a great improvement is seen since 1850. The number of pounds was then 32,861,820. The separation of Victoria from New South Wales in 1851 reduced the amount to 15,269,317 pounds, the separation of Queens-land in 1859 further reduced it to 12,809,362 pounds ; in 1866-70 it had risen very nearly to 30,000,000 pounds and this by no means represents the whole, since the Murrumbidgee district contains nearly 3,000,000 of sheep, whose wool almost wholly goes to swell the exports from Port Philip in-stead of Port Jackson. There are 48 boiling down establishments in the colony, where, in 1869, 290,550 sheep and 246 bullocks were turned into merchant-able tallow, the quantity of that commodity being 67,175 cwt. Of hoofs and bones, 10,673 cwt. were exported ; of horns, 146,851 ; of horse hair, 3327 lbs. ; of skins, about 67,000 packages ; and of preserved meats, 10,059 packages, valued at £37,072.

In consequence of the low price of the inferior sorts of wool great attention is now being paid to the production of better quality. This determination has been assisted by the severe drought of 1868, which thinned the flocks and made them more proportionate to the land grazed. This calamity also effected a salutary selection by killing off those of inferior constitution. The pastures, relieved from the oppression of numbers, will impart greater vitality to those that remain, and if better blood be introduced, and quality of wool instead of quantity be aimed at, the immediate loss will be followed by a great gain. A sheep on the natural grasses needs about three acres to feed in ; but on artificial grasses one sheep to an acre, the year round, is supposed to be a fair proportion, supposing the land to be good. Should the business of meat preserving ever create a great demand for fat sheep, a profitable occupation will arise for those who like to grow artificial grasses and lucerne for sheep feeding on the sea board lands

near the ports.

Besides the sheep, in some parts of the country, where water is scarce and the heat severe, the Angora goat is found to prosper. It yields a huge quantity of fleecy hair or wool, which realised a high price in the English market.

The Wool Interest.

WOOL, which for many years was the only important product of New South Wales, continues to be our chief staple, and is at the present time by far the largest source of colonial wealth.

The introduction of merino sheep by Mr. John Macarthur, more than a generation ago, is a matter of history familiar to most educated people in the colony, and probably to many whose business in England and Continental Europe renders the produc-

tion of wool a matter of the utmost personal importance. The small beginning made by Mr. Macarthur may be compared to a fountain, which, after the lapse of less than half a cen-tury, has become a mighty river. From this insignificant source the cultivation of merino wool has extended to all the neighbouring colonies ; and New South Wales has furnished the flocks from which Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, Queens-land, and New Zealand have become wool pro-ducing countries of vast importance to the mother

country.

So greatly dependent upon the Australian colonies is England for the supply of this staple, that it is not too much to assert that a sudden suppression, if such a thing were possible, would be productive of results as disastrous as those which arose out of the civil war in America ; and created what is now generally

known as the cotton famine.

The chief quality which attracted the notice of English manufacturers, even in the earliest stage of its culture, was the peculiar felting property of colo-nial grown merino wools ; comprising a desirable medium between the hard milling character of Spanish wool and the softer qualities derived from the German States. It is almost needless to say, that the soil, climate, and other characteristics of the colony, as a wool-growing country, remain un-altered, and are at the present moment as much available for the purpose, as they were when the enterprise of the first farmer of Saxon-merino sheep developed this vast source of wealth to the colony

and the mother country.

A history of the progress of wool growing in Aus-tralia would occupy a volume ; but it will be suffi-

cient for the purposes of the present article to refer to one or two phases in its development, which may

be useful to growers in future times.

About thirty years ago a great mistake was made in sheep breeding. A widely extended impression prevailed that by cross-breeding with heavy long-woolled rams from the mother country, a much heavier and more valuable fleece could be obtained, and consequently that larger profits would accrue. This mania, for it can scarcely be otherwise de-signated, prevailed to an alarming extent ; and for a huge proportion of the wool of the colony, the dis-tinguishing characteristics, which had brought it into such high repute, were in danger of being en-

irely lost.

A very few years, however, revealed the true state of the case, and the necessity for bringing back the wool of this colony to its original type became fully apparent. The evil had to be eradicated ; but it was necessarily a work of some considerable time. The panic of 1851-1855, however, very greatly facili-tated matters : by the inevitable conversion of large numbers of sheep into tallow ; and as the coarse-

woolled sheep were the most suited for the pot, they were the first sacrificed, and the restoration of our produce to its original high character was thereby

greatly promoted.

The steady continuous increase in the value of wool (subject only to accidental interruptions) and the consequent increased value of the stock, led to the exploration and occupation of new country, es-

pecially in Northern Queensland ; chiefly through the enterprise of Sydney capitalists who pushed their business to almost the extreme northern limits of the Australian Continent. Recent experience has, however, proved the total unfitness of a tropical climate for the cultivation of merino wool, and a large number of the far northern and western stations have already been abandoned and many others are in the process of following suit. Vast numbers of sheep have been converted into tallow, and thousands upon thousands have been disposed of at an almost nominal price, for transmission to the more congenial climates of Southern Queensland

and New South Wales

The disastrous results of the enterprises above al-luded to may be objected to as being somewhat be-yond the legitimate scope of this article ; but they may fairly be incidentally alluded to as mere matters of fact, as, at any rate, the heavy losses entailed have in a very large measure to be borne by the parent

colony.

New South Wales embraces a vast amount of ter-ritory, in which are to be found, to almost an un-limited extent, the different climates, soils, &c., suit-

able for almost any descriptions of wool, especially those most prized in the home and continental mar-kets. The Mudgee district and other highly-favoured localities produce wool which is probably not surpassed by any country in the world. The Northern counties, probably best known as the New England district, produce fine, well-grown, sound fleeces, which English manu-facturers cannot dispense with. The western and southern counties, which have acquired the

designations of the Bathurst and Goulburn districts,

can produce in perfection, under proper management, that large and important class known in the trade as middle wools ; while further south, any one who has a fancy to compete with English growers in coarse wool can do so to his heart's content. New South Wales is capable of producing every description of wool of value in the final market ; but the great evil to be avoided is the attempt to grow such qualities

as are not suited to individual localities.

The attempt to introduce a mongrel class of wool in localities which are suitable for the growth only of the pure merino type, proved to be an utter failure more than thirty years ago ; and it is strange that the present generation of wool producers should have ignored the lesson taught by the experience of others. During the last two or three years many important slips have exhibited an idea, on the part of the owners, that by adopting a system of cross-breeding, they would increase their profits ; while, in fact, they were destroying the best feature in the character of then produce. The evil is not, however, very widely spread, and it may be hoped that the warning from

time to time given through the columns of the public

Press, combined with a little actual experience, which is the best teacher of all, will prevent a further extension of what would eventually prove to be a suicidal policy.

The resources of New South Wales, in a productive

point of view, are so great that probably a few years will develope other industries which may claim to vie with the cultivation of wool. The colony has already taken a firm stand as a wine-growing country. Sugar will probably ere long be established as a great staple product, and there are ample grounds for including cotton in the category at no very remote date. But if the boundless resources which nature has placed at our disposal be cultivated with care, diligence, and intelligence, the colony of New South Wales cannot fail to rank in perpetuity amongst the foremost of the wool-producing countries of the world.

The Mineral Wealth of the Colony.

GOLD.

BEGINNING with the most precious mineral, we must premise by saying that, having to confine our remarks upon the colony as a gold-field to the limits of a newspaper, we can give little more than a synopsis of the localities in which the precious metal has been

discovered and worked.

The first public discovery of gold was made in 1851, although gold had been found by Strzelecki and the Rev. W. B. Clarke some years previously. At the end of the present year we shall consequently have had twenty years' experience of the conse-quences of that discovery, enabling us fully to appre-ciate the advantages and disadvantages of the new industry so suddenly introduced. First commenced at Summerhill Creek, in the Western district of the colony, the gold workings were gradually pushed on by the enterprise and energy of the diggers, until within a few years the whole of the country border-ing upon the Macquarie, the Turon, the Meroo, and many of their tributaries were found to be auriferous. At the present time, we have, or have had, workings on the Cudgegong River, from its head waters, near Rylstone, down to its junction with the Meroo, below Merrindee. This extent of country includes the Apple Tree Flat, the Pipeclay, the last new rushes at Gulgong and Tullwang, and the Two-mile Flat, with numerous small diggings which have given employment to from twenty to fifty miners, and sometimes to even more, but which have never ob-tained any special notoriety. The Meroo has been proved along the whole length of the river, from its head-waters to its junction with the Cudgegong, to be almost one continuous gold-field ; many of the diggings in connection with it having proved even richer than the river itself. Amongst these may be named the Upper and Lower Pyramul, Hell's Hole, Maitland Bar, and Louisa Creek. In nearly all the places named, gold-washing is being earned on at the present time, though more systematically and with more expen-diture of capital than is as the case in the palmier

days of these fields.

The whole length of the Turon has also been won-derfully rich in auriferous deposits, from its head waters near the Crown ridge down to its outflow into the Macquarie. Many of the numerous tributaries of this stream have also proved no less rich than the river itself, whilst others have given yields inferior only to those of the main stream. On the line of the Turon may be enumerated the Gulph, Palmer's Oakey, Spring Creek, Big and Little Oakey, Nuggetty Hill and Wattle Flat, where work is still going on. Not only have they been already extensively worked, but they now afford profitable employment to hun-dreds of miners, whilst several reefs have recently been opened. With regard to the immense ranges which border this river, it has been found that when-ever a rainy season has offered a supply of water sufficient to supply a race brought on to one of the hill sides, every one of the hills thus experimented on has paid well for sluicing. This has been so well proved that, during the recent wet season several large sluicing companies have been formed for working different portions of the range. Tambaroora, though a tributoary of the Macquarie, demands a special to itself, not only by reason of the richness of its alluvial workings, but also because of its extraordinarily rich reefs. The former are being still turned over, though no less than fifteen years have elapsed since the field was first opened, and though the ground has been worked at least a dozen times. As to the latter, the

wonderful yields of the quartz veins which have been worked here during the last eight or ten years, have every now and again astonished the people of Sydney and the colony. These veins, found on Hawkins' Hill, though narrow are numerous, and have given returns varying from ten to one hundred ounces to

the ton.

On the Macquarie, the principal diggings have been those of Ophir, Burrandong, Stony Creek, and the Ironbarks ; many of the smaller creeks falling into the river from some twenty miles above its junc-tion with the Turon down a considerable distance below Burrandong, have proved highly remunerative to the mines. During the last five or six years the colony has suffered very severely from continuous drought. This had so far reduced the volume of the rivers, that the miners were enabled to work the bed of the Macquarie. It required, of course, some con-siderable capital and skill to carry on such an enter-prise, for even though low, there was always a large body of water in the river. Some very splendid yields of remarkably fine and pure gold rewarded the miners for some years ; but this last season of floods has earned away all the extensive works, dams and races, and water wheels, and filled up the immense excavations which had been made at an immense outlay of labour and money ; and has driven the miner into the higher grounds, where it has furnished him with the water the want of which had hitherto made those grounds unwork-

able.

Southward of the Ophir were found the strange deposits of the Lucknow or Wentworth mines, seven miles east from Orange. Here the gold was in a regular ironstone lode, and incorporated with the stone as with quartz. The lode, which was exceed-ingly irregular, occupied a vertical position in a mass of alluvium which had filled up the interstices formed by a deep rent in the bed rock, traced down to a depth of nearly two hundred feet. The stone gave from twenty to sixty ounces to the load. These mines are situated on private property, and are now in the hands of a large company. Beyond this last named spot, round the eastern slopes of the Canoblas mountains, by Canowindra, and thence to the Lachlan, the country has been proved to be payably auriferous in every spot where the formation of the country has favoured an alluvial deposit. General

attention has been directed to this part of the country only within the last three or four years, since when diggings after diggings have been opened, whilst numerous rich reefs are being worked, and others are being discovered almost daily. Only within the last week or two some highly auriferous quartz reefs have been opened in the Forest district, and the display of the stone taken from the reefs is causing considerable excitement amongst the western

miners.

Running up the Lachlan to its junction with the Abercrombie, and then following the latter upwards to its head waters, we have again a large stretch of auriferous country in which may be included the diggings of Cargo, King's Plains, Trunkey Creek, and Tuena, besides workings on some of the smaller tributaries of the stream. In every spot where there has been no sweeping away of the ancient alluvial deposits, payable gold has been found, whilst the whole tract of country is perfectly seamed by reefs of auriferous quartz, some of the stone, as at Trunkey Creek, being exceedingly rich.

In order to convey some idea of the large con-tinuous area of auriferous country which only requires prospecting to be developed, or rather which only demands a good supply of water to be made richly remunerative, we have passed by the Lachlan gold-field, which at one time astonished the colony with its wondrous yields. It still gives employment to some fifty or sixty miners, and the reefs at the Pinnacle would have proved remunerative had per-manent water been procurable within easier distance. Crossing the Lachlan, we come to the rich reefing district of Emu Creek, which has certainly sent away from it a larger amount of retorted gold than any other district of the colony, besides being rich in alluvial workings, still far from being worked out. Within a few miles of the Emu Creek Gold-field are the extensive alluvial workings of Lambing Flat, or the Burrangong gold-field, which for the time they were working furnished perhaps a larger amount of gold than had been done by any gold-field of a similar extent in the colony ; besides bringing together a large number of miners from the neigh-bouring colonies. Though worked out, as far as indi-vidual mining is concerned, the ground yet offers profitable employment to the capitalists, and two large companies have been formed for working over the ground in a systematic manner by the aid of machinery.

Beyond Lambing Flat, to the south, are the Euron-gilly, Junee, and other reefing districts, extending beyond Wagga Wagga. Most of these reefs are in active work, although they are but poorly supplied with crushing power. The latter is very much in demand, not only in these but in other reefing dis-tricts. Turning eastwards from these, the reefs of the Adelong and the Tumut have provided settled work for the miners during the last ten or twelve years ; and the yields recently reported show that the quartz is by no means falling off in richness. The average of the stone crushed during 1869 gave about an ounce and a quarter to the ton of stone. Then from the Tumut by Tumberumba, where large alluvial deposits were found, and where several reefs have recently been opened, we mount to the head waters of the Snowy River, and reach the rich and extensive gold-field of Kiandra. Here occurred perhaps the largest rush that was ever known in the colony. The ground was unmistakly rich, but the weather in these lofty ranges proved so inclement in the winter season,

and the ice and snow formed so insurmontable

a barrier to prospecting, that the place soon got thinned of its population. A number of miners, how-ever, have settled down here to steady work, and find profitable employment on the margin of the old ground, and occasionally opening out new spots.

Several reefs are also being worked in this district, though the stamping batteries are few in number.

From Kiandra eastwards to the coast, and thence northwards, there are several diggings which have been steadily worked for the last eight or ten years, on the first plateau of the coast fall of the table land. The principal of these are in the Nerrigundah and Moruya districts. Thence coming northwards we reach Araluen, whele the work of the miner is done more systematically and effectually than in any other workings in the colony. The surface soil is stripped down to the washdirt, a depth of about twenty feet, the stripping being carted away, and tipped on to some other spot. When the whole is stripped, the washdirt is carefully collected and washed down to the bed rock. The claims are usually worked by com-panies of ten or a dozen men, and to keep the claim clear of water pumping engines are employed by each company. For several years the yield kept up very steany at 1200 oz. per week, but within the last two years it has fallen off to about £3200 per month. Bell's Creek and Major's Creek, both tributaries to the Araluen Creek, have been long worked out as alluvial diggings ; but, within the last two years attention has been called to the quartz reefs in their vicinity. The stone gives promise of considerable richness, and as two or three crushing batteries have been erected at each of the two places, the stone will have an opportunity of being fairly tested. Up to the present time the result of crush-ings has been highly favourable, two and three oz. of gold to the ton being obtained for lots of fifty tons of stone, with reefs varying from eight to twelve

feet in thickness.

The Mongarlow, or Little River, some few miles east of Braidwood, has been a good lasting alluvial field. The number of men working on it has never been large, and there are still many auriferous patches to be turned up, the country at a distance from the river having been but poorly prospected owing to the scant supply of water. Its reefs lately opened have given some wonderful yields of golf from small quantities of stone, some rich veins struck having returned at the rate of fifty and sixty oz. to the ton. The body of the reef, however, does not appear to be giving anything but poor stone. Coming next to the Jacqua reefs, between Braidwood and Bungonia, where an average of one oz. to the ton has been obtained, we are brought within reach of the Southern line of rails, and are only a few hours distant from Sydney.

Turning next to the Northern district, we come first to the Denison diggings, on one of the head waters of the Hunter River, and within two-and-twenty miles of the town of Scone. This is mainly a reefing district, though some small alluvial patches, not very rich, have been worked there. As there is an abun-dant supply of water in ordinary seasons, the crushing batteries are here worked by water power. The stone has turned out very fairly, the crushings giving an average of about an ounce and a-half to the ton. The Peel River has been found to be auriferous from its head-waters down to within a dozen miles of Tamworth, and on both sides of the river several quartz reefs have been opened. The great drawback to the development of this field has been found to be the possession by the Peel River Company of a very large portion of the land on the southern side of the stream. The chief reefs are those on Foley's Folly, which are being worked by an association of miners under the amalgamated claims system. The reefs on the river have not been worked for some years past, owing to the absence of water, which had

been used as the motive power of the ciushmg batteries. Some very extensive sluices had been cut from the morasses on the high tableland, which brought down an abundant supply of water, sufficient for all the purposes of washing and water-wheels ; but the last few years of drought stopped the supply. The water-wheels dropped to pieces and the washing was put an end to. For six years there was no per-

ceptible run in the river, and yet miners managed to procure gold, and, though their number fell off there were still many who adhered to the old spot in hope of better seasons. The upper part of the river, about Nundle, and the tributaries which here join it, have been very rich, and in the days of water supply were extensively sluiced. There are very many spots which will all pay handsomely for working in this way, and several sluices have been cut at great ex-pense to bring the water to spots fancied by the miner. The Hanging Rock, on the table-land above the river, also gives employment to a few miners.

To the north-west of Tamworth are Wood's Reefs, on which very little is now doing ; and further on, in the same direction, are the Upper and the Lower Bingera diggings, now occupied almost exclusively by the Chinese. In the former of these was disco-vered one of the most extraordinary auriferous deposits yet met with in the colony. On an exten-sive flat, the gold was found in large pieces almost on the surface, and barely covered with the soil, with no deposit whatever below it, and with no indication of deposits on any of the adjoining hills. One or two veins of gold were found towards the embouchure of the gully, the gold in this case being

fine. There are several fine reefs here, but none of them have been tested. Beyond the Lower Bingera towards the west is a large extent of country, which there is every reason to believe will one day be found to be auriferous. A little off the main Northern Road, and two-and-twenty miles south of Armidale, are the Rocky River diggings. These were at one time very rich indeed, and they still give employment to some scores of miners. North of

Armidale, on the eastern fall of the coast range, the streams which form the head waters of the Clarence and Richmond Rivers are all more or less auriferous, and form the extensive gold-field known under the general name of the Timbarra, and extending from Oban on the south up to the borders of Queensland. For years this field has given steady employment to something like two hundred miners, and has contri-tributed a steady amount of gold to the escort. Only lately two very fine reefs have been opened on this gold field, on the road from Tenterfield to Grafton, and reports have reached us of very astonishing yields from the hand-crushing of small quantities of picked stone.

During the year 1869, the Mint returns show that the amount of gold received by escort fell off to some small extent. The Master of the Mint attributes this to the dry state of the country from the long succes-cession of droughts with which it had been visited. We ourselves doubt whether the actual yield fell off at all and are inclined to account for the smaller amount received by escort by the fact that the settled state of the country and the absence of bushrangers on the roads have allowed more gold to be brought down by private hand. However, taking the Mint returns of the amount of gold actually received by escort into that establishment, and dividing that amount by the number of miners who have taken out miners rights during the year, the yield per man would be £72 4s. 6d. per annum. This, in our opinion would be about a fair estimate as, though there are certainly a number of men working without miners' rights, these could very fairly be set off against the gold which reaches Sydney otherwise than by escort, and of which we have no certain account. The gold from the various fields received per escort at the Mint, during the year 1869, was as

follows :—

Western District :—Sofala—quantity of gold re-ceived, 15,779.34 oz. ; value, £59,698 10s. 1d. ; at £3 15s. 8d. per oz. Bathurst—quantity of gold re-ceived, 15,816.05 oz. ; value, 58,914 15s. 9d. ; at £3 14s. 6d. per oz. Hargraves—quantity of gold re-ceived, 4387.53 oz. ; value, £17,166 4s. 3d. ; at £3 18s. 3d. per oz. Tambaroora—quantity of gold received, 17,567.10 oz. ; value, £69,024 1s. 3d. ; at £3 18s. 7d. per oz. Mudgee—quantity of gold re-ceived, 20,177.33 oz. ; value, £78,523 8s. 10d. ; at £3 17s. 10d. per oz. Orange—quantity of gold re-ceived, 10,431.29 oz. value, £38,508 16s. 11d. ; at £3 13s. 10d. per oz. Stony Creek—quantity of gold received, 3669.19 oz. ; value, £14,401 11s. 5d. ; at £3 18s. 6d per oz. Forbes—quantity of gold received, 1583.41 oz. ; value, £5871 16s. 3d. ; at £3 14s. 2d. per oz. Grenfell—quantity of gold received, 41,542.69 oz. ; value, £164,612 18s. 2d. ; at £3 19s. 3d. per oz. Total amount of gold received from the Western dis-trict, 130,953.93 oz. ; value, £506,722 2s. 11d.

Southern District :—Goulburn—quantity of gold received, 539.60 oz. ; value, £2072 19s. 3d. ; at £3

16s. 10d. per oz. Braidwood—quantity of gold re-

ceived, 11,170.42 oz. ; value, £43,238 16s. 8d. ; at £3 17s. 6d. per oz. Araluen—quantity of gold re-ceived, 38,824.59 oz. ; value, £150,930 11s. 10d. ; at £3 17s. 9d. per oz. Adelong—quantity of gold re-ceived, 12,367.73 oz. ; value, £47,924 19s. 3d. ; at £3 17s. 6d. per oz. Tumut—quantity of gold re-ceived, 173.69 oz. ; value, £675 18s. 10d. ; at £3 17s. 10d. per oz. Tumberumba—quantity of gold re-ceived, 1310.36 oz. ; value, £5170 9s. 2d. ; at £3 18s. 11d. per oz. Burrangong—quantity of gold re-ceived, 8399.74 oz. ; value, £32,793 19s. 8d. ; at £3 18s. 1d. per oz. Cooma—quantity of gold received, 2536.11 oz. ; value, £9552 13s. 7d. ; at £3 15s. 4d. per oz. Kiandra—quantity of gold received, 2419.65 oz. ; value, £9053 10s. 6d. ; at £3 14s. 10d. per oz. Gun-dagai—quantity of gold received, 2847.67 oz. ; value, £9575 5s. 1d. ; at £3 7s 3d. per oz. Total amount of gold received from the Southern district, 80,589.56 oz. ; value, £310,989 3s. 10d.

Northern District :—Rocky River—quantity of

gold received, 2734.43 oz. ; value, £10,789 12s. 1d. ;

at £3 18s. 11d. per oz. Nundle—quantity of gold

received, 5905.41 oz. ; value, £22,342 2s. 8d. ; £3 15s. 8d. per oz. Tamworth—quantity of gold received, 950.09 oz. ; value, £3547 ; at £3 14s. 8d. per oz. Scone—quantity of gold received, 521.11 oz. ; value, £1752 4s. 8d. ; at £3 7s. 3d. per oz. Armidale—quantity of gold received, 2727.74oz. ; value, £10,604 1s. 9d. ; at £3 17s. 9d. per oz. Total amount of gold received from the Northern district,

12,838.78 oz. ; value, £49,035 1s. 2d.

The following table shows the amount of gold received by escort at the Mint during the last ten years :—1860—356,572 oz., value, £1,359,123 ; 1861 —402,634 oz., value, £1,554,629 ; 1862—575,538 oz.,

value, £2,212,534 ; 1863—423,407 oz., value, £1,629,049 ; 1864—316,430 oz., value, £1,211,170 ; 1865—280,810 0z. value, £1,077,905 ; 1866—241,489 oz., value, £928,275 ; 1867—222,715 oz., value, £863,798 ; 1868—229,739 oz., value, £894,829 ; 1869 —224,382 oz., value, £866,746.

In a paper on the sedimentary formations of New South Wales, written by the Rev. W. B. Clarke, in 1867, the following passage occurs, illustrative of our gold deposits :—

" So far as is at present known the gold is derived chiefly from the lower silurian formation ; but re-searches conducted for me at H. M. Mint in Sydney, prove that it exists in almost every distinctive rock in New South Wales. In this province the alluvial deposits are not so extensive as in Victoria ; but this, probably, arises from the facts previously mentioned of the strike being in Victoria transverse to the direc-tion of the cordillera ; by which means, the currents which distribute the drifts had a wider area of gold-bearing materials to denude them than in New South Wales, where, I conclude from numerous examples, the principal currents were to northwards, so that in the province they would coincide with the direc-tion of the cordillera, and not accumulate the deposits in such low lying extensive regions as those of the Murray districts. The same objection would obtain on the supposition of gradual waste and accumulation from less powerful agency than that of a general rush of water. It is not, however, to be doubted that there is an enormous amount of gold yet untouched in numerous places in New South Wales, not only in the quartz lodes or reefs, but in gullies and plains where alluvial gold diggings will yet be discovered. The distinctive differences in material mineral wealth be-tween Victoria and New South Wales are not alto-

gether confined to gold, or tin, which latter metal is

well represented in New South Wales ; but coal, iron, and copper, silver and lead prove more than an equi-valent of the great amount of gold at present in Victoria."

Actual experience is daily showing the correctness of the views here expressed by the rev. geologist. There has not been the same disruption, abrasion, and denudation in New South Wales that has taken place in Victoria ; and thus, though the alluvial deposits are more extensive and in many instances richer in the sister colony, the amount of auriferous wealth contained in the reefs of New South Wales far ex-ceeds that of the reefs of the Southern pro-vince. Whilst they are richer they are also more numerous, and only require for their perfect development the conjunction of capital with discreet and intelligent management. Unhappily, this branch of mining has, until within the last two years, been too much neglected in the colony. The management of reefing operations when hey have been undertaken by a company has fallen too much into the hands of mere speculators ; whilst

the works have been too often supervised by design-ing or pretentious men, either wanting in honesty to their employers or without the ability necessary for carrying the venture to a successful issue. We are just now emerging from this state of affairs. Companies are gradually undertaken by men of means and talent, anxious as well for the advancement of the colony as for their own private gain ; and there is now a bright hope before us of something better in the future for what may really be termed mining enterprise.

COPPER, SILVER AND LEAD, AND IRON.

New South Wales is unmistakably rich in copper.

In the Orange district outcrops of copper carbonates have been found over an area of quite twenty miles square. Here the lode has been worked more exten-sively than in any other district in the colony. The Cudiangulong Company have bery extensive works, both under and above ground, with a complete range of smelting furnaces. The property, however, passed out of the hands of the company, and was purchased by some Victorian capitalists, more for the sake of a quartz reef running through the property, than for the valuable copper mine and working plant, which had cost its first promoters so large an amount of capital. The mine is now being worked on tribute, and consists of a fine lode of black sulphate of copper, yielding about sixty per cent. of metal.

The Carangara mine, at the Cornish settlement, is now idle, but having been proved at various points, shows a very large area of copper country, commenc-

ing with an outcrop of carbonates, and runn-ing into a regular lode of black sulphate. Within two or three miles of Carangara, on the track to the Ophir, a copper mine has been opened on the land of Mr. Icely. The lode has been proved ; but it has not been as yet systematically worked.

At Currawang, near Lake George, in the Goulburn district, a fine lode of black sulphate of copper is now being worked on tribute. Here, as at Cadiangulong, a great deal of expense was gone to in making the works as complete as possible, only to encounter failure. The Monmouth Copper Mines, at Gulgandra Creek in the Monaro district, are also being worked by a company of Victorians. Shifts have been put down, and the lode has been thoroughly proved ; but as yet the necessary smelting furnaces have not been erected. Copper ore has also been found in the vicinity of Bathurst, Carcoar, and Molong ; whilst at Tumbarumba, in the Albury district, some ore has been brought into market.

The chief silver lead mines of the colony are those of Woolgarlo, on the Yass River, near its junction with the Murrumbidgee, and of Hulfe Gottes, on the Isis, one of the upper waters of the Hunter, and sone five-and-twenty miles from Scone. The former is being worked by a Sydney company, who were progressing favourably, having erected the necessary furnaces, and other works, when the wet season, which has just closed, came upon them, and nearly the whole of the works was swept away by the floods which, one after the other, came pouring down upon them at only very brief intervals. The works have been again put in order, and a beginning is about to be made. The Hulfe Gottes is being worked by a company of Newcastle proprietors, and, though well opened and fairly proved, has as yet given no return to its promoters.

The Moruya Silver Mining Company at Broulee, after getting together a fine plant at their mine in the

Thoulee district, was finally wound up a couple of years ago, owing to the manner in which its affairs had been connected. The mine itself was a promising one, and gave an excellent return on analysis. In fact, as we have before remarked with regard to gold-mining companies, the great fault which has hitherto been committed in the management of mining com-panies of every kind, has been that the practical working has been left to men altogether ignorant of the important duties entrusted to them.

The Fitzroy iron mine at Nattai is the only one which has been worked in the colony. It has hitherto proved a source of loss to all who have ever been connected with it, and solely from the cause just mentioned. With regard to iron ore, it has been been found very extensively in the colony, and in most instances in immediate connection with good

seams of coal.

CINNABAR.

Two deposits of cinnibar have been found on the banks of the Cudgegong River, four or five miles from the township of the same name. The ore was not found in a regular lode, but was in small veins of flood debris highly impregnated with the red sulphuret of mercury, and lying vertically in the ordinary alluvium. It has been worked to some extent, but the quantity procurable was not con-sidered sufficient to justify the company in carrying on an expensive establishment. Attempts are being made to follow up the track of the debris, in the hope of striking the real lode. The writer of this recently saw unmistakable traces of the red sulphuret of mercury in the workings at a small diggings in the neighbourhood of Trunkey Creek.

The following is the official return of the silver, lead, &c., mines of the colony for the year 1869 :—

No. of Mines

Bombala—Quidong ... ... ... 5 Silver and lead Orange ... ... ... ... ... 5 Copper

Goulburn—Currowang, near Lake George... 1 Copper, sulphate Bathurst—Green Swamp... .... ... 1 ditto Carcoar—Green Swamp... .... .... 1 ditto

Woods Flat ... ... ... 1 ditto Molong—Near Boree ... ... ... 1 ditto Albury—Tumbarumba ... ... ... 1 ditto

Yass—Woolgarlo ... ... ... 2 Copper, silver,

and lead

Scone—Isis River ... ... ... 1 ditto Rylstone—Oakborough ... ... ... 1 Cinnabar Broulee—Moruya ... ... ... 1 Silver

Murrurundi—Timor Creek ... ... 1 ditto Berrima—Natta ... ... ... ... 1 Iron.

DIAMONDS.

Up to the present time, the search for diamonds has not proved a very successful avocation. The diamonds are too sparsely scattered through the wash dirt, that in spite of the employment of very excellent labour, and saving in machinery (Hunt's Patent Ore Separator) the cost of labour has not been covered by the value of the gems found. The drift in which the diamonds are found lies immediately above the ordinary wash dirt taken by the gold miner, to the height of about three feet, the stones being found, sometimes in the upper, sometimes in the middle, sometimes in the lower portion of the drifts ; so that to secure that an immense quantity of wash has to be raised to the surface and passed through the machine. A very excellent paper, furnished by Mr. Hunt, Manager of the Australian Diamond Mining Com-pany, and furnished to this journal, points out the difficulties at present in the way of making diamond mining a successful mercantile speculation. What is required is a close study of the stones which are found to accompany the diamond in the drift, so as to save the labour of washing valueless drifts. Here again occurs a difficulty in the very capricious lodgments of the gems. A very small patch of drift will give a splendid return of diamonds, as was the case with the claim of the Hennessy's at Two-Mile-Flat, where diamonds worth £1000 were found within about a dozen cubic feet of drift. The necessity for taking so large a quantity of wash, also makes the yield of gold per load very small. Thus, there may be only some six inches of auriferous drifts which, if washed by itself, would give perhaps half an ounce or an ounce to the load ; but when to these six inches are added three feet of the upper drift washed for the diamonds it may contain, the propor-tion of gold to the load becomes very small

We are certainly not yet in a position to compete with the diamond mines of either India or of South

America, where labour is procurable for nothing, or next to nothing, or for the mere first cost of the pur-chase of the labourer. In New South Wales the miner, who will willingly work for himself so long as he can obtain enough to provide him with food, or " tucker," as it is impressively termed, will not work for a master unless he gets full wages, and the reason is obvious. In the first case, he has always before him the chance of obtaining some prize in the digging lottery, and this is the secret which keeps him up when struggling against ill luck ; whilst in the latter case he has no hope beyond his wages, for anything he gets must go to his employer. Until diamond mining has been made a much more complete study than it has yet been, and until it can be said authori-tatively that where such and such indications exist there will the gems probably be found, the cost of labour will prevent the search being a successful

speculation.

The number of diamonds found up to the present time have been, at a rough estimate, about 5500 ; the largest having been one of 5¾ carats, and the smallest one-tenth of a grain. The average weights of those found has been about one grain each. They have all been found on the banks of the Cudgegong, at the Two Mile Flat, a great many of them in the old tailings left by the gold miners from their washings, more from the alluvial drift in regularly worked shafts, some few accidentally in the bed of the river. They are always accompanied by rubies, topaz, and other gems, but these latter are of a size to give

them commercial value.

The Australian Diamond Company was formed in Melbourne, and has been working on the Cudgegong for the last two years, employing two of Hunt's machines driven by steam power, and passing through a quantity of drift. The cost of wages however has been too much for them, and they have recently de-termined upon bringing the works to a stop. The

Mudgee Company, also with a Melbourne proprietary has been very unlucky, having had their works swept away by floods no less than three times. By last accounts they had not got into working order. The Hennessy's claim which was mentioned above as very rich, was situated on one of the old leads. After the rich find alluded to, they were offered £2000 for a fifth share in their ground, and refused it, and since then they have been getting little of any value. Attempts

were made to form two companies in Sydney, but neither was successful, our Sydney capitalists not being quite so forward in such matters as are the more speculating denizens of the sister colony. It has been com-puted by Mr. Hunt, that diamond mining will not pay a company unless two penny weights of gold, and

one diamond of a grain in weight are returned from

each load of wash.

Diamonds have also been found on the Meroo, and in the vicinity of Dubbo. At the latter town a local company has been started for the purpose of following this branch of mining.

The Coal Mines.

After the gold, the most important of our mineral products is coal. From the first working of our coal mines, our trade in this important article of commerce has gone on gradually increasing. With the excep-tion of 1863 and 1867, when there was a trifling falling off in our exports, easily accounted for, the quantity sent out of the colony has steadily and surely increased year by year, until now we find our customers for the article in almost every port of the Southern hemisphere.

The most productive, as well as the most exten-sively worked of our New South Wales coal mea-

sures, is that of the Hunter River, or, as it is more generally called, of Newcastle. The collieries at which the seams are worked have been established on the southern and western side of the river Hunter.

To this there are tow exceptions—that of the Tomago colliery, which is on the Raymond Terrace side of the river, and only a short distance from that township ; and the Rix Creek colliery, which is some ten miles north of Singleton. Immediately south of Newcastle is the Burwood colliery, better known as that of the Coal and Copper Company ; then immediately to the north of the town, and hemming it in on that side, is the land of the Australian Agricul-

tural Company, on which is the Borehole colliery. Then come in the order named the Waratah, the Lambton, the Co-operative, the Walls-

end, the Minmi, the Hexham, the Alnwick, and the Woodford collieries. At a short distance west of Morpeth are the Four-mile Creek and the Rathluba collieries. About five miles north of the Four-mile Creek, at West Maitland, is the colliery of Mr.

Bourn Russell, at Stony Creek, where a seam of cannel as well as a seam of splinty coal is worked. Further north again some fifteen miles the Lower Hunter seams again crop out at Anvil and Dalwood Creeks, and are worked near Branxton by Mr. Far-

thing. Thirty miles farther north again, at Rix Creek, north of Singleton, there is another outcrop, which is being worked. In fact the outcrop of coal seams has been found throughout nearly the whole of the basin of the Hunter, almost up to the very base of the main range. Even beyond this, outcrops have been discovered and a valuable seam of kerosene shale has been opened and tested on the property of Mr. A. Loder, at Collie Creek, in the Liverpool Plains district.

Reporting on these seams Mr. Keene, Examiner of Coal Mines, observes :—" The seam of the Australian Agricultural Company has an average thickness of 10 feet. The coal is highly bituminous, with a ten-dency to uniform and orbicular fracture. It is highly esteemed in the Melbourne and Californian markets. The Wallsend have the seam 9 feet 10 inches thick, with 10 inches of partings dividing the seam into three bands at the Lambton ; the seam crops out towards the river, but the company have worked to the dip. The Minmi seam appears to be the second below the chert rock, which covers the Coal and Copper Company's seam at Burwood, and the small makes a good coke, as does that of all the Newcastle collieries. The Four Mile Creek Com-pany have at least three workable seams. That working is 8 feet 6 inches thick, 5 feet 6 inches being a splint coal of very superior quality. It does not clinker, and burns to a fine dry ash being comparable lo the Gool coal. Descending the strata and below

all these seams are the Stony Creek seams of cannel and splinty coal and fifteen miles farther north these lower seams again crop out at Anvil and Dalwood Creeks, the coal being in repute for steam fuel."

About forty miles south of Sydney commences what may be called the Wollongong coal measure. Outcrops have been traced for a distance of thirty miles to the south, whilest to the west or inland, what have been declared to be the same seam, have been struck at Nattai, and worked by the Fitzroy Iron Mining Company, and between that locality and Berrima, as here, a splendid seam has been opened by Mr. Young. The Bulli Company are working a fine fourteen-feet seam by an open adit, with a tramway running thence by an incline to a jetty built for convenience of shipment ; the only drawback being that vessels have to lie in an open roadstead. The ports of Bellambi and Wollongong afford means of shipment to the other collieries on the Southern coast. Mr. Keene remarks with regard to these, that " the same series of seams extends from Newcastle to the Wollongong district, disturbed and broken up only by comparatively modern eruptions of porphyries and basalts." The mines opened in the Wollongong district are the Osborne Wallsend, the Mount Pleasant, the Bulli, the American Creek, and the Bellambi (Woonora). Of these all but the last are in full work, shipping their coal at Wollon-gong and Bellambi, with the exception of the Bulli, previously referred to. In the Berrima district mines have been opened at the Cataract, Black Bob's Creek, Jorden's Crossing, and Nattai. None of these are at present at work, though the mines at Nattai and Black Bob's Creek are in a convenient position for connection with the railway. A shaft has also been opened at Stanwell Park, in the Campbelltown dis-trict, and coal has also been discovered at no very great distance from Penrith.

To the westward of Sydney we have recently had opened what may be termed the Hartley coal measures. The seam, which has been traced by the outcrop over an area or some ten square miles, is considered by the Rev, W. B. Clarke to belong to the lower portion of the Western section of the upper measures of the great coal-field of New South Wales. This opinion is based on the fact of the presence of fossil plants and the absence of marine fossils. It is a non-caking coal, approaching to splint, and intermediate between the lower Newcastle and the Anvil and Dalwood Creek seams. The seam runs from 9 to 11 feet in thickness, and is being worked by Messrs. Saywell and Garsed, at Bowenfels ; by Messrs. Woolley and Anderson, at the Hermitage Colliery, Lithgow Valley ; by Mr. Thomas Brown, in the same valley ; and by Mr.

Andrew Brown at Coerwale. Besides these a com-pany is in progress of formation for work-ing the seam on the southern side of the valley. The advantage which this position has is proximity to the railway line, whereby on the completion of the line to Bathurst supplies of coal may be sent there at a cheap rate, whilst copper ore may be brought back to the mines to be smelted on the spot. An agitation is now going on in the West to obtain such a reduction of the rate of carriage per railway as will allow of the introduction of this coal into Sydney.

In connection with the coal measures of this district, mention may be made of the splendid seam of cannel coal now working in what has been named Petrolea Vale, a long valley running down on the northern side of Mount York. The chief of these mines is at the present time that of the Western Kerosene Company on the northern side of the valley ; the mine of the Hartley Kerosene Company being situated on the southern side. Both companies are working on the same seam, which is, on an average, six feet wide, eight inches on the top and four inches at the bottom being common kerosene shale, whilst the remaining five feet consist of fine cannel coal, giving an average of

about 150 gallons of crude oil to the ton of coal. The Hartley Company are merely raising coal for the supply of the gas companies of Sydney and Mel-bourne, the cannel giving greatly increased illuminat-

ing power to the gas. The Western Company are manufacturing oil from their coal at their works on the Botany Road, a full description of which was given in our last monthly summary. They have forty retorts at work, and are producing near 6000 gallons of pure oil per week. The oil has been tested by scientific gentlemen, and has been pronounced superior to the best American, one great advantage being that it will not ignite at a tempera-ture ten degrees higher than the igniting point of the

purest American.

The Pioneer Kerosene Works, at the American Creek, near Wollongong, were the first to produce it from the colonial shale. The seam is worked by an adit on the outcrop, and the quantity of oil dis-tilled weekly is about 1200 gallons.

The quantity of coal raised at the different collieries during the year 1869 was as follows :— Hartley : Blackman's Gap, 150 tons ; Lithgow Valley, 1210 tons. Maitland : Stony Creek, 900 tons ; Four-mile Creek, 19,607 tons 15 cwt. ; Rathluba, 624 tons ; Anvil Creek, 11,000 tons. Newcastle : Waratah,

128,869 tons ; Old Lambton, 166,112 tons : New

Lambton 109,850 tons ; Minmi 13,808 tons ; Co-operative, 41,243 tons ; Burwood, 3930 tons ; Aus-

tralian Agricultural Company's, 164,032 tons ; Walls-

end, 156,490 tons. Patrick's Plains : Rix's Creeek, 1900 tons. Wollongong : Osborne, Wallsend, 17,014 tons ; Mount Pleasant, 17,014 tons ; Bulli, 65,320, tons ; American Creek, 700 tons. Total 919,773

tons 15 cwt.

The following return shows the number of mines which have been working during the last ten years, with the quantity raised and its value :—In 1860—17, 368,862 tons, £226,493 19s. 6d. ; in 1861—18,342,067¾ tons, £218,820 10s. 6d. ; in 1862—33, 476,522 tons, £305,234 13s. 6d. ; in 1863—20, 433,889¼ tons, £236,230 10s. 7d. ; in 1864—25, 549,012½ tons, £270,171 11s. ; in 1865—24, 585,525½ tons, £274,303 13s. 9d. ; in 1866—25, 774,238 tons, £324,049 6s. 7d. ; in 1867— 26, 770,012½ tons, £342,655 7s. 8d. ; in 1868—28, 954,230¾ tons, £417,809 6s. 1d. ; in 1869—33, 919,773¾ tons, £346,145 16s. 5d.

Of kerosene shale the quantity raised during the year 1869 was :—Western Petrolia Vale, 3000 tons— £9000 ; Hartley Petrolia Vale, 2000 tons—£6000 ; Wollongong—American Creek, 2500 tons—£3750.

Manufactures.

PRIOR to the discovery of gold in the colony in 1851, we had but few manufactures here, and these few were confined to Sydney. Boots and shoes were made at a very early period of our history, and of a very superior description, but they were not then produced at a price to compete with the imported article, and they were consequently not in general use except amongst the more wealthy. Articles of furniture from the beautiful cedar and other indigenous woods of the country, had been manufactured long prior to the above date, and there had been for some years a small export of these articles to the neighbouring

colony. The weaving of woollen fabrics was also commenced, some thirty years before the gold dis-covery, first at Parramatta, from which town the well remembered Parramatta cloth derived its designation. Then followed the tweed factory of Sir John Jamison, at Regentville, the produce of which obtained con-siderable favour in this and the adjacent colonies. Afterwards the Stockton factory, near Newcastle, was started by Messrs. Fisher and Donaldson, and tweeds and doeskins were there made of a quality quite equal to anything that has since been produced, though cer-tanly not to the some extent, nor at the same cheap rate that we have them now. Almost up to the time of the gold discovery, the iron trade was only of very small dimensions. Almost the only really engineering firm in Sydney was that of Mr. Struth, afterwards carried on by Mr. Napier, but this was engaged almost exclusively on marine work. Dawson and P. N. Russell and Co. were little more than iron founders, doing only the fitting connected with the work they cast. The greatest efforts at production were the manufacture of cooking stores and other domestic articles, mill work and marine work. Machinery was not then so generally used in every department of trade as it now is, and our engineering firms had need of few of those splendid masses of machinery known as " tools" to carry on their work. This, with the manufacture of soap and candles and the refining of sugar formed the bulk of our colonial industries.

But such few manufactures as we had, were gra-dually establishing themselves : some had grown already into importance, and gave every promise of prominence at no very distant day ; when the gold discovery in California, in 1848, gave the first blow to them, and by inducing hundreds of our sturdiest mechanics to leave our shores entirely prostrated for a time every colonial industry. Three years later came the discovery of gold in New South Wales, and the large majority of our population deserted the city for a visit to the gold-fields. Though some few months after the discovery was followed by an immense influx of population, the new arrivals were too madly intent upon gathering gold to think of the more certain path to wealth that was under their feet in the city. Not only did the clerk desert his desk and the professional man his office, but the mechanic and the tradesman threw down the tools to which they were accustomed to take up others which were foreign to them, and in the use of which they soon found, from sad experience, that they were not adepts. All were too intently engaged in the wild scramble for gold, which it was thought was to be had only for the gathering, to think of regular and well-paid employment in mere production. Closely following up the influx of population came immense consignments of goods ; and with the exor-

bitant wages demanded by those who had even the slightest claim to be denominated working, manufac-ture in the face of these importations became an impossibility.

As time went on, numbers of these would-be-

miners found the gold less plentiful than they had anticipated, whilst the unaccustomed work was much harder than they expected. Here and there large finds were made, to be spent in riot and debau-chery going as lightly as it had come ; or, if hus-

banded, to gradually melt away before a long spell of ill luck. With regret they began to look back at the steady work to which they had been accustomed from then youth, to which they were inured, and in which they took an honest and legitimate pride. One by one, the tradesmen and mechanics found their way back to Sydney, to suffer considerably at first, for every thing was unhinged and manufacture was not. With the arrival of the workmen the employers began to take heart, and one after the other iudustries were revived. In the face of the heavy importations however, manufacture had a very up-hill work of it. Gradually however a footing was established and then came the introduction of labour saving machi-nery of various kinds, and in almost every branch of manufacture, lessening the cost of production so materially as to put the manufacturer on a more equal footing with the importer, especially in those articles which had to be manufactured from products

of the colony.

This general introduction of machinery into large establishments of every kind gave an impetus to an-other branch of manufacture, the iron trade. It at once started into prominence, and has at present grown into an importance far above that of any manufacturing industry in the colony. With this preliminary sketch of the history of our manufactures we shall proceed briefly to review the several trades separately. It must be borne in mind, however, that our limits will not permit more than a mere cursory glance at each ; and we may also mention that some two years ago some very lengthy articles on the manufactures of the Metropolis appeared in the columns of this journal.

THE IRON TRADES.

The machinists and engineering establishments in the colony numbered 64 at the end of last year (1869), of these 34 were in the Metropolitan district, 14 at Maitland, 4 in Parramatta, 2 each in Carcoar, Goulburn, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, and Yass, and one at the Manning. Of iron, brass, and copper foundries there were 33, of which 19 were in the metropolis, 5 at Maitland, 2 each in Bathurst, Goul-burn, and Newcastle, and one each in Berrima, Mudgee, and Orange. A brief description will give some idea of the more important of these establish-ments. The works of the A. S. N. Company at Pyrmont employs 350 hands. It was originally established for the purpose of doing the necessary repairs to the machinery, &c., of the large steam fleet of this company. The convenience offered by the fine slip of this company made other shipowners anxious to avail themselves of it as well as of the workmen of the company, and by degrees the company became engineers and ship builders. Nearly all the work done here is marine work, and there is a magnificent plant of all the best engineer-ing tools. Mort and Co. of the Dry Dock, Waterview Bay, employ about 450 hands. They are engaged in general engineering work ; but, having a dry dock and a patent slip in connection with their works, do also a large amount of marine work generally. They have recently been manufacturing locomotives for the New South Wales Government railways, and have turned out sugar machinery, quartz batteries, and other general work. This firm has only been started within the last three years, and is provided with a very superior and complete engineering plant. P. N. Russell and Co. are the oldest engineering firm in Sydney. They have been engaged upon almost every kind of engineering work that has been required in the colony. They have fitted up flour mills, provided sheep-washing machinery with centrifugal pumps ;

have built the largest and most effective quartz batteries we have in the colony ; have constructed a turret ship for New Zealand ; have executed marine work of every description ; have made and put together iron bridges for the Yass River at Yass and the Murray at Hay, and are now mainly engaged in

executing a large contract for railway trucks and carriages for the New South Wales Government. They employ at present about three hundred hands, and have the most complete and extensive engineering plant in the colony.

Vale and Lacey, of Druitt-street employ about a hundred and fifty hands. This firm has only been brought into existence within the last three years, but during that time it has taken a very high stand in the trade. It has principally been employed in

the manufacture of locomotive and other engines,

and has now a contract with the New South Wales Government for the manufacture of locomotives.

The firm was first brought into notice through the

very superior tank engines it turned out for the use of contractors on our railway lines.

It has also executed a large contract for railway trucks. Dawson's foundry in George-street is the oldest established foundry in Sydney, and has through-out maintained a reputation for soundness of work ; an engineering plant has been added to the foundry within the last few years, and the establishment now employs about seventy hands. About ten tons of metal are weekly cast here. Bubb's Victoria Foundry, off George-street, employs sixty-five hands, and casts about twelve tons of pig metal per week. This also is a very old established foundry. No fitting is done here, excepted as much as is necessary in connection with the castings, and this principally for contractors' work. Mr. J. Mather, of Bathurst-street, employs about sixty hands. He is employed in boiler and marine work, though other work is executed as it offers. The approaches to the West Maitland bridge were made by this firm. Chapman, Brothers, of George-street, employ fifty hands, and execute a very extensive range of work. They originally started in business as agricultural implement and machine makers, but their business very soon took a wider range, and they now construct engines of various kinds, and some of the best engines about Sydney have been made by them. They have turned out several flour mills, and also many of the labour-saving machines used in the various trades, not the least noteworthy being the brick-making machine in use

at Fowler's pottery. The City Iron Works at John-son's Bay employs sixty men. There is a very heavy and complete rolling battery at this establishment. Scrap iron is worked up here for the more import-ant kinds of work, and pig iron is puddled for ordinary work. About 100 tons per month is rolled here, and they have here made railway wheels and tires for contractors' locomotives, or tank engines.

At the Government railway works, at Redfern, there is a very fine plant of engineering tools, including three very superior steam hammers. The work here is exclusively confined to repairs required for the car-riages and locomotives on the line ; but recently they have turned out a very powerful locomotive from drawings made by Mr. Whitton, the Engineer-in-Chief for Railways. The number of men employed here is 41 in engineer's and 26 in the carriage shop. A similar Government establishment is carried on at Newcastle, for the engines and carriages on the Northern line. In this, 22 men are employed in the engineer's and 6 in the carriage shop. Halliday and Co., of Erskine-street, employ about 20 hands, and are employed in general engineering. Besides these there are the foundries of Mr. Hargraves, at Pyr-mont, employing 18 hands, and running through seven tons of iron per week, and that of Taylor and

Wearne, of Redfern.

Galvanizing work has now become very general in Sydney, and almost everything of this kind is now done in the colony. Mr. S. Zollner, of Dixon-street, first commenced this branch of business, and has now an extensive establishment, employing 52 hands, and working up from fifteen to eighteen tons of black sheet iron per week. Mr. Foy, of Hunter-street, has also entered hugely into this blanch of the business, and now employs a great number of men. Besides these enumerated, there are 20 iron and tin makers, of whom 13 carry on business in the metropolis.

LEATHER.

Amongst the most flourishing branches of trade carried on in the colony, the work in leather is second only to that in iron. Producing in the colony not only the hide from which the leather is made, but also all the articles required in the process of conver-sion, it would seem but natural that working in leather should become one of the staple industries of the colony. Ox and horse hides, calf, kangaroo, and sheepskins, are procurable in large quantities, though some of our tanners, who look beyond the present, begin to fear that our leather trade is extending so rapidly that in a few years we shall have to resort to some foreign source of supply to meet our require-ments. The lime, the bark, the oil, and the tallow necessary to convert the hide into leather are all here, though in the matter of bark it has been questiioned

whether the wattle trees of the colony will stand out for many years longer sufficiently to furnish the large amount of tanning now annually required. It is well known that the districts round Sydney have been for years completely deduded of the wattle, and even within the short space of time that our railway line has been opened to Picton, the Sutton Forest, Bong Bong, and Berrima district have equally been stripped of this beautiful tree. The greater part of the bark now used is brought from the Southern Coast dis-tricts ; but these in their turn must soon become exhausted, especially as no attempt is made to perpetuate the tree, and it is left entirely to nature to compensate for the havoc made by man. Several experiments have been tried upon our indigenous barks, but, with the exception of the wattle, they contain only so small a proportion of tannic acid as

to make them valueless.

Thus, up to the moment we produce the leather, we are able to do so without outside help ; but, from the very first moment that we attempt to convert the leather into an article of use, we find ourselves de-pendent upon others. Even in the lowest class of work—the common kip boot—we require to import hemp and flax ; and, as we reach the higher classes of work, these requisites become more and more numerous. Thus it comes to this—that the more eather and the less work there is in the goods, the better are we able to compete with importations. ln fact, it is only in leather goods that we can do so ; for in ladies' boots, jean, satinette, &c., we have to depend on England. The introduction of pegged bootmaking, and afterwards of riveting, by reducing the cost of production, plated our colonial leather trade upon a more equal footing than it before occu-pied with that of Britain. Then the application of machinery, and especially of the sewing-machine, soon put us upon even more advantageous ground.

Turning now to the statistics of the colony, we find that the Registrar-General reports that there were at the end of 1869 twenty-nine boot manufactories in the colony. Of these, twelve are in the Metropolitan district, four each are in Maitland and Wollongong, three each are in Goulburn and Windsor, and one each in Bathurst, Braidwood, and Yass.

Messrs. Alderson and Sons, of Elizabeth-street and of Bourke-street, Surry-hills, are engaged in all the branches of the leather trade. They are ex-tensive tanners, employing forty tanners, and thirty-seven curriers, and putting through an average of about 1300 hides per month. In the boot and har-ness making they give employment to one hundred and eighty hands, and produce about 120,000 pairs of boots of all kinds during the twelve months, besides harness of every description. This firm does a very large export trade with New Zealand and Queens-land ; and has the Government contract for boots and saddlery here and in Queensland. Mr. J. Vickery, of Barrack-street, has his tannery and factory at Glen-rock, Waverley. He was the first to commence the manufacture of boots by machinery, and though he started under the disadvantage of having to compete with the large stocks then on hand, and continuous importations, he has gradually made his way, until now he finds employment to 150 hands in the tannery and the boot and harness shops, and pro-duces on an average 1500 pairs of boots, of all kinds, per week, besides saddlery and harness. Both Mr. Vickery and Mr. Alderson have been exhibitors at the different exhibitions at London, Dublin, and Paris, and have received medals from each. Mr. C. Vickery, of Pitt-street, carries the oldest establish-ment in Sydney in this branch of trade, the business having been established by the father of the present proprietor as far back as 1833. Mr. Vickery came into the business several years prior to the gold discovery, and was then the largest maker of boots in the colony. When manufactures were thrown out of gear by the gold discovery, Mr. E. Vickery became a large importer of boots and shoes. When machinery began to be employed in Sydney, Mr. E. Vickery was the largest importer in this branch in the city, but, as the manufacture began to make headway, he had to enter into it, in order to keep his trade connection in his hands. He has by far the finest and most complete set of boot making machinery in the colony, but as he manufactures only for his trade connection, his production is not so large as that of the two firms above mentioned. He employs fifty-three hands, and produces annually 36,000 pairs of boots, principally heavy. Besides this, he takes in from small masters about 1000 pairs per month. Wright, Davenport, and Co., of Brickfield-hill, have their tannery at Marrickville. The boot-closing firm of Hibbert and Wright was merged into this business about twelve months, since at which time it was producing about 3000 pairs of uppers weekly. The present firm have gone very extensively into every branch of the trade, and now gives employment to nearly 300 hands. In their tannery they work in

weekly about 150 hides, besides skin ; and their production of boots of all kinds is about 3000 pairs, per week. Besides their country trade, they do a large export business with Melbourne. Mr. Ellison, of the Botany-road, employs about eighty hands, and produces about 1500 pairs of all kinds every week. His business is more particularly confined to the sup-plying of sorts to retail shops, thus enabling small shopkeepers to carry on business without keeping on hand the large stocks heretofore required. Mr. Dads-well, of King-street, employs seventy hands, and pro-

duces about 1000 pairs of boots, per week principally of the heavier kind for country use. He does a large trade with the interior, and also with Melbourne. Mr. Tebbatt, of Woolloomooloo, is engaged in boot manufacture only, and employs about 10 hands, pro-ducing about 800 pairs per week. Mr. Griffiths, of Waterloo, employs some 30 hands, and manufactures on an average 600 pairs per week. Mr. Dryhurst, also of Waterloo, adds some 400 pairs a week to our production, and employs 20 hands. Mr. Forsyth, of Parramatta-street, manufactures weekly some 800 pairs, principally women and children's, and employs 20 hands. Besides these there are some few smaller manufacturers, and several firms engaged in the single business of boot-closing. The latter employ from 10 to 20 hands, and turn out from 500 to 1000 pairs of uppers per week. The weekly production of boots from the Sydney factories is roughly estimated at about 15,000 pairs.

The tannery of Saddington and Sons, at South Creek, is the most extensive establishment of the kind in the colony. It employs 48 hands, and works in on the average about 350 hides per week, exclusive of skins ; but could easily work 100 a week more if they were procurable. This firm does not enter into the manufacture of leather, but it takes in from the small masters about 30,000 pairs during the year, Though it does no work in the way of manufacture, it has been instrumental in extending it throughout the colony. It has imported and disposed of several complete riveting plants, nearly the whole of which have gone into the interior. Mr. Beg, of the Glen-more tannery, South Head Road, works in about 150 hides per week, principally of the heavier kinds, and employs 17 hands. The total number of tanneries in

the colony at the end of 1869 is given by the Registrar-General at 116. Of these 16 are in the metropolitan district, 14 in the pastoral districts, 10 at Windsor, 7 each at Bathurst and Goulburn, 5

each at Berrima, Camden, Liverpool, and Penrith ; 4 each at Braidwood and Mudgee, 3 each at Campell-town, Dungog, Kiama, Parramatta, and Wollongong ; 2 each at Hartley, Maitland, Port Macquarie, Quean-beyan, Shoalhaven, and Yass ; and 1 each at Burrowa, Dowling, Manning River, Newcastle, Orange, Patrick's Plains, and Port Stephens.

WOOLLEN. In remarking upon the woollen manufacture of the colony, we cannot help adverting to the loss which this particular branch of manufacture has suffered by the death of Mr. O. B. Ebsworth. That lamented gentleman, with the energy and enterprise which so strongly characterised him, had brought his tweed mills, in the course of the four or five years they were in his hands, to a most remarkable state of excellence and efficiency, and had gathered there some of the finest cloth-making machinery that was to be ob-tained in England. It is to be hoped that the splendid manufacturing edifice which he has reared will fall into hands equally as active and energetic, and that this establishment, of which Sydney may fairly be proud, will be carried on with as steady an advance as heretofore. In our opening remarks we have alluded to the progress which woollen manufactures had made in the colony when the gold discovery came down upon us and upset everything. Since things have assumed a more orderly shape, the production of cloth and tweed has gone on steadily increasing from year to year. The return of the Registrar-General of the cloth manufactured during the last five years is :—1865, with 4 factories work-ing, 145,707 yards ; 1866, with 4 factories, 172,720 yards ; 1867, with 5 factories, 175,348 yards ; 1868, with 5 factories, 227,464 yards ; and 1869, with 7 factories, 233,904 yards.

Ebsworth Tweed Factory, in Sussex-street, pos-sesses, as we have above remarked, the finest plant of yarn-making and weaving machinery out of Eng-land. This has only been brought fully into work during the last five or six months, and its product has not yet been taken into account. It is estimated, however, that the production of tweed will be, at the very least, 3000 yards per week, or, in round num-bers, 150,000 yards per annum. The number of hands employed is about 104, and the production of this establishment for the last three years has been :—

1867, 73,776 yards ; 1868, 91,630 yards ; 1869, 90,822 yards, the falling off being attributable to the altera-tions then going on for the purpose of making avail-able the then newly-imported machinery. This beau-

tiful machinery was very fully described in our issue of the 2nd June last.

The tweed mills of the Messrs. Byrnes, at Parra-matta, give employment to 62 hands, and produce weekly about 1500 yards. The mills of the Messrs. French, also at Parramatta, have only been started within the last twelve months, and are very complete in every respect, Mr. French, sen., being one of the oldest tweed makers in the colony. Mr. Rayner, of Emu Plains, has been long connected with the tweed manufacture of the colony, and started the Regentville factory somewhere about 1836, in conjunction with the late Sir John Jamieson. He employs 30 hands, and produces weekly an average of 500 yards of tweed. The tweed factory of Mr. Andrew Brown, at Coerwall, near Bowenfels, is conducted by Mr. French, jun., gives employment to 19 hands, and produces 300 yards per week. A second factory on the Hartley district, and the old Regentville factory on the banks of the Nepean, near Penrith, constitute the whole of our woollen manufactories.

TALLOW.

The manufacture of soap and candles has long been carried on in the colony ; but it has not grown with the increase of our population. This has been owing to the facility with which soap can now be made by the use of caustic soda—thus depriving the trade of the greater part of the export it once enjoyed. As regards candles, the general use of kerosene, and the cheap price at which sperm and stearine candles are imported, have reduced the de-mand for ordinary tallow candles to a minimum, and the trade has consequently fallen off to less than a fourth of what it was ten years ago.

The total number of soap and candle manufactories in the colony at the end of 1869 is given in the Statistical Register at 27. Of these, 12 are in the metropolitan and 6 in the pastoral districts, with 2 at Newcastle, and 1 each at Bathurst, Goulburn, Maitland, Mudgee, Orange, Parramatta, and Port Mac-quarie. The produce from these during 1869 was— Soap, 73,943 cwt., and candles 15,568 cwt. In 1860, the quantity produced during the year from 36 factories was :—Soap, 57,080 cwt. ; and candles, 35,485 cwt. In 1865, from 27 factories, there were produced 71,869 cwt. of soap and 23,909 cwt. of candles.

The factory of Cowan and Israel, at Johnstone's Bay, employs 12 hands, and turns out an average of 15 tons of soap weekly. Two of the hands are engaged in the manufacture of scented soap, which is turned

out from this establishment in a very superior man-ner. Caraher's soap and candle works at Camper-down employs 6 hands upon the soap, and 4 upon the candle making. The average weekly manufacture of soap is about 12 tons, and of candles 2 tons. Allen, Brothers, of Waverley, turn out about six tons of soap weekly, and a small quantity of candles, whenever the market is open for them. S. Dickson, of Waverley, is the representative of the oldest soap-boiling establishment in Sydney, and at present turns out weekly four tons of soap and 26 cwt. of candles, by the aid of four men. Mr. Mulcahey, of the Botany Road, employs a similar number of hands, and sends into the market, weekly, four tons of soap, and 20 cwt. of candles.

BUILDING, &c.

The Statistical Register for 1869 gives the total number of brickyards in the colony at 222, of these 171 are in the settled, and 51 in the pastoral districts. Of the former 57 are in the metropolitan, and 22 in the Bathurst district. Amongst the metropolitan brickyards, there are several which manufacture bricks by machinery, and give them additional

solidity by the application of pressure. Very many of them employ pugmills.

The number of potteries is given at 17. Of these 7 are in the metropolitan district, 3 in the pastoral dis-tricts ; 2 each at Bathurst, Newcastle, and Parramatta ; and 1 at Orange. Ten years ago, the total number in the colony was only 6, and these were situated exclusively in Sydney. The principal pottery and drain pipe factory in Sydney is that of Mr. Fowler, at Camperdown. It employs sixty hands has seven kilns constantly at work, with three others newly com-pleted, and employs machinery as far as possible, worked by a twelve horse-power engine. The chief articles produced are drain pipes and fireclay bricks. For the former there is a large demand, not only in the colony but for exportation. Goodlet and Smith's pottery works at Surry Hills employ twenty-four hands, and keep three large kilns going, others being in course of construction in connection with a fine plant of drain-pipe making machinery upon the latest principle adopted in England. The building for the reception of this plant is only just completed, and will be worked by a 20-horse power engine, recently constructed by Chapman, Brothers. These works are solely confined to the production of drain-pipes and articles required in the building trade. Field's pottery in George-street South has been established since 1838, and produces a large assortment of almost every article of pottery-ware, though perhaps the bulk of the business is taken up by drain-pipe making. It employs thirteen hands, has one kiln, and employs no steam power. Mr. Holroyd's Sher-

wood pottery, near Parramatta, in strictly an agri-

cultural pottery establishment. The main article produced is agricultural drain-pipes, though tiles, pan, flat, and flooring, are manufactured. It employs nine hands, and has a deman for its productions sufficient to justify an increase in the amount of labour employed.

Of tile works there were four at the end of 1869, all in the metropolitan district. The chief of these is the Australian Patent Tile Company, at Enmore, where the handsome grooved Italian tiles are manu-factured. These have come much into use within the last two or three years. The company employ about twenty-four hands—twelve in the manufacture, and twelve in the roofing.

There are 83 saw-mills given in the Statistical Register as working in the colony in 1869. Of these 26 are in the metropolitan districts, 22 in the pastoral, districts ; 5 at Port Stephens ; 4 each at Bathurst and Braidwood ; 2 each at Brisbane Water, Broulee, New-castle, Orange, and Shoalhaven ; and one each at Berrima, Camden, Kiama, Liverpool, Maitland, Manning River, Mudgee, Parramatta, Wellington, and Wollongong. Of the Metropolitan Saw Mills that of Mr. Chadwick, in Liverpool-street, employs seventy hinds, and cuts about 100,000 feet of timber per week ; it has also a splendid plant of machinery for the manufacture of doors, sashes, &c., as well as for fencing, tonguing and grooving, &c. That of Goodlet and Smith, of George and Erskine streets, employs fifty-one hands, and cuts about 50,000 feet per week. This establishment also has a complete plant for making doors and sashes as well as for performing the other work of the mills. Seamer and Robertson, of Dowling-street and Bathurst-street, cut about 50,000 feet a week, have also a com-plete plant for door and sash making, &c. Hudson, Brothers, of the Botany Road, employ about sixty hands, and possess all the most recent machinery for the manufacture of house work of every kind, having

recently imported one or two of the latest American patents. Mr. Booth, of Sussex-street and Balmain, employs sixty hands, and cuts about 60,000 feet a week, and turns out also a very large amount of turnery for upholstery work. He has also an establishment on the Manning River, where about 30,000 feet are cut per week. The prin-cipal timber cut is the cedar, from the Manning, Mac-leay, and other Northern rivers ; blue gum, mainly produced from Brisbane Water ; black butt, from Brisbane Water, Port Stephens, and the Northern rivers ; grey ironbark chiefly from Brisbane Water ; and pine, from the Clarence, Richmond, and Tweed rivers, and Wide Bay. The whole of the mills above enumerated are worked by steam power, which is applied also to the joinery and other machinery. It may be mentioned also that the use of the pine from the Northern rivers has now become very general ; and that it has almost entirely superseded the

American in our market.

COACHES, &c.

The number of coach and waggon manufactories in the colony at the close of 1869 is given in the Statistical Register at 83. Of these, 27 are in the Metropolitan district ; 12 in Maitland ; 7 in the Pas-toral Districts ; 5 in Parramatta ; 4 in Bathurst ; 3 each in Braidwood, Goulburn, Muswellbrook, Orange, and Port Stephens ; 2 each in Kiama, Penrith, Wind-sor, and Wollongong ; and 1 each in Carcoar, Liverpool, Mudgee, Newcastle, and Raymond Terrace. The chief coach and carriage factories in Sydney, are those of Mr. Robertson, which employs about 40 hands ; O'Brien, Kerridge, and McKay, employing 20 hands ; Halley and Clyde, 16 hands ; Vial employing 15 hands ; Angus employing 15 hands ; and Moore em-ploying 14 hands. The principal timber used is cut to order specially for the trade, and con-sists of mountain ash, beefwood, beech, lightwood, spotted gum, blue gum, ironbark, cedar, and pine. All the above are colonial woods, but besides these, American woods, hickory, &c., are imported for work orders for persons who may prefer them to the colo-nial, though this is not often the case, our mountain ash and beech having all the lightness and toughness

of the best American woods.

MlSCELLANEOUS.

The Registrar-General gives the number of tobacco factories in the colony at the end of 1869 at 36. Of these, 9 are at the Paterson, 7 each in Maitland and Dungog, 6 in the metropolis, 4 at the Manning, and one each at Brisbane Water, Port Macquarie, and Port Stephens. The total quantity manufactured was 8927 cwt., nearly the whole of which was of colonial production. Of the total quantity, 2752 cwt. were manufactured in Sydney, and this is the only locality in which the imported leaf is taken into manufacture, although even here a large proportion is colonial leaf. In 1860, the total number of estab-lisments was only 8, whilst the quantity manufactured

was 1697 cwt.

Of wine presses, there were at the end of 1869 a total of 154, of which 99 were in the settled, and 55 in the pastoral districts. Of those in the settled dis-tricts, Maitland possesses 15 ; Camden, 14 ; Broulee and Penrith, 10 each ; Raymond Terrace, 7 ; Parramatta and Port Macquarie, 6 each ; Windsor, 5 ; Liver-pool and Muswellbrook, 3 each ; Bathurst, Camp-belltown, the Manning, Mudgee, and Murrurrundi, 2 each ; and Berrima and Wellington, 1 each. In the pastoral districts, the largest number 51, are in the Murrumbidgee district, 44 of that number being at Albury. In 1864, the number was given at 1 only ; in 1865 it was 96 ; in 1866 it was 116 ; in 1867 it was 122 ; and in 1868 it was 149.

The number of Sugar Factories at the end of 1869 are given in the Statistical Register at 21, 12 being in the settled and 9 in the pastoral districts. In the former 5 are at Port Macquarie, 4 at the Manning, 2 at Brisbane Water, and 1 at Kiama ; in the latter 4 are in the Clarence, and 5 in the Macleay district.

The first mention of sugar factories is made in 1864,

when the number is given at one only.

The number of boiling-down establishments in

the colony was, at the end of 1869, 48, 10 being in the pastoral, and 38 in the settled districts. Of the latter 25 were in the Metropolitan, and 5 in the Maitland

districts.

Of distilleries there are 30 in the colony,—28 being in the settled, and 2 being in the pastoral districts ; and of sugar refineries there are 2, both working in the metropolis. The total number of mills for grain at the end of 1869 was 183, of which 151 were worked by steam, 14 by water, 10 by wind and 8 by horse power. Of the total number, 140 were in the settled, and 13 in the pastoral districts. There were 21 breweries at the end of last year, 14 being in the settled, and 7 being in the pastoral districts ; 5 of the former number being carried on in the metropolis. There were also 2 glass, and 8 hat manufactories carried on in the metropolis.

Indigenous Woods.

THE colony is rich in its resources of indigenous timbers. Not only along the coast districts, but in the far interior, there are extensive bush forests ; and vast tracts of country yet remain to be explored by the botanist. The supply obtained from the coast districts has been so ample, that there has been no necessity to penetrate into the interior for timber of a serviceable character. Some of the woods now used possess a hardness and durableness unsurpassed by any in the world. Whilst many are remarkable for the extraordinary beauty of their colour and grain, others are remarkable for their foliage or their fibre-producing qualities. The number of species, and the size to which many of the trees attain is astonishing. The differences of climate to be met with in the colony are, of course, conducíve to the growth of a large variety of species. Whether required for ship-building, house-carpentering, or cabinetwork, timber of all kinds is to be had in great profusion. " The stems of the trees, rarely cylindrical, but of the most picturesquely irregular forms, covered with mosses and orchids, and loaded aloft with huge masses of epiphytical ferns of exquisite beauty—all these vege-table wonders, viewed in the transparent green and almost sunless light which even on the brightest days pervades their recesses, combined with a delicious fragrance, and an agreeable temperature, astonish and gratify the lovers of sylvan scenery." One characte-ristic of the hardwoods is deserving of notice. Al-though many of them make excellent fuel, and are valuable on account of the comparative quantity of steam they are capable of generating, the majority are slow to kindle, and a few of them will hardly burn at all. To this circumstance probably is to be attributed the small number of houses burst, in a climate and amongst a population likely to afford an unusual pro-portion of such accidents. Upwards of three hun-dred specimens of our indigenous timbers were sent to the Universal Exhibition of Natural and Industrial Products held in London in 1862 ; and they were also exhibited at the exhibition of Industry at Paris in 1867. As regards the lightness and strength of our timbers, experiments that were made with them a few years ago, showed that whilst some of the strongest timbers averaged but the weight of water, they required a weight of from one to two tons to break a stick only four feet long, and two inches square ; and they required from four to six tons to crush one cubic inch against its fibre. It would be impossible with the limited space at our command to enumerate all the known timbers which are suitable for useful or ornamental purposes. But below will be found a detailed list of a few of the most important trees found in the coast districts. A great deal of the information contained in this article has been extracted from a valuable paper read by

Mr. Charles Moore (director of the Botanic Gardens) before the Philosophical Society ; and some of it has

been taken from a catalogue published by

Government.

Cedrela Australis (red cedar).—The timber of this best known, and perhaps the most valuable tree the colony possesses, is used very largely for all kinds of purposes ; it is easily worked, and in dry situations very durable. A good specimen of this wood is equal in quality to the best mahogany, to which it is very similar in appearance. The tree grows to an enormous size on the tableland of the Richmond, from which, and the adjoining district of the Tweed, the principal supply is now obtained. A tree of cedar cut down near Lismore, measured ten feet in diameter at the base, and was calculated to yield 30,000 feet of

salable timber.

Sophostemon Australis (brush, bastard, or white box).—This tree attains a height of about 100 feet, and from 4 to 5 feet in diameter. It is one of the most valuable timbers in the colony, on account of its durability. It is averred on credible authority that instances are known of this timber remaining per-fectly sound after being nearly thirty years worked up as ribs of vessels. It is plentiful within the coast range, in open forests, as well as in brushes. Another variety of the species, called forest mahogany, grows to a large size, and is very plentiful near Grafton ; its timber is found to be very durable near wet situations, and is therefore useful for posts or sleepers.

Araucaria Cunninghamii (Moreton Bay Pine).— This noble tree bears the same aboriginal name as the cypress pine (coorong). It grows in the greatest pro-fusion in all the brush forests on the Richmond. The timber from the indland or mountain brushes is pre-ferred to that from the coast. Some trees will yield as much as 10,000 feet of salable timber. Spars for ships may be obtained in any quantity, from 80 to 100 feet in length ; in some instances the tree attains a height of at least 150 feet, and from 4 to 5 feet in

diameter.

Callistemon Species (Water Gum).—This tree is found on the banks of fresh-water creeks in the Clarence district. It is a small-sized tree ; the timber is very tough, and is used for boat's knees and braces, axe and chisel handles. Shavings of this wood will

bind like a ribbon.

Fagus Caronii.—A true beech ; similar to the English beech, except that it is evergreen. It was found at the head of the Bellinger, between the Clarence and Macleay Rivers. The trees vary in size, from about two to three feet in diameter, and from 30 to 40 feet high. It has recently been dis-covered by Mr. Carron, Collector of the Botanic Gar-dens, and has not as yet been used for any purpose.

Flindersia Australis. — Ash, Beech, Flindosa of settlers. A large tree, of very general occurrence in the bush forest on the banks of rivers in the northern districts, attaining a height of upwards of 100 feet :

stem, 24 to 30 inches in diameter,—generally straight, but marked at intervals by joint-like swellings or internodes ; bark, smooth ash coloured ; wood, white in colour, splits easily and is extensively used for staves for tallow casks. There are several species of Flindersias, which grow to large size, and the timber of which is very useful. The dark yellow wood, generally known to botanists under the name of oxleya xanthoxylon, is a wood of great beauty, and

suitable for the finest cabinet work. The Flindersias are not only valuable timber trees, but are well suited for planting out for ornamental purposes, affording shade and beauty of appearance. They are, botanically speaking, true cedars, i.e., having characters in common with the red cedar.

Rhus Rhodopha.—the light yellow wood of the settlers, a kind of sumach as the name indicates, is fine grained, and will take a good polish ; its pale straw colour should render it a desideratum to the

cabinetmaker. It can be obtained in quantity from the neighbourhood of the Richmond River.

Castanospernum Australe— generally called the Moreton Bay chestnut, but better known in some districts as the bean tree because of its bean like fruit—is similar in colour and appearance to the walnut, which is so highly valued ; it is well suited as a substitute for that wood ; it grows to a very large size, from three to four feet in diameter, in the Clarence district, and still larger upon the table-land of the Richmond, and may be obtained in greater quantity and with more ease than any other timber of the description in the Northern districts. As an ornamental tree it is said to be unequalled by any in this hemisphere. The seed is eaten, after being bruised and baked into cakes, by the aborogines, but not until it has been steeped for five or six days in its bruised state in fresh water, otherwise it is said to be

poisonous.

Rosewood of the Clarence—a saponaceous tree, found in almost all the brushes both on the Clarence and Richmond. The wood is very durable, prettily grained, and of a red colour, and will take a good polish. This has been cut on the Clarence for plank-ing the sides of vessels, and found to be very suitable for this purpose. It is a large tree, with rather a handsome appearance ; stem of the largest specimens from three to four feet in diameter. The name rose-

wood has been given because of the similarity of the odour of the wood to the scent of that well-known flower the rose.

Ficus macrophylla, generally known as the More-ton Bay Fig—This tree is the monarch of every forest in which it grows, and produces a handsomely grained wood of some value for the inside lining of houses. Of five species of the genus common to the brushes, three become huge trees. The largest actually measured girthed about 87 feet, its very irregular form preventing any approach to accuracy.

It would be difficult by description to convey an adequate idea of the grand, yet wild, character of these singular trees. Originating from seed deposited by birds, high up among the branches of the tallest trees, the plant commences its growth by extending its rope like roots directly downwards. Getting firm possession of the soil, it then gradually embraces the parent stem, until the latter wholly disappears under the successive ligneous layers deposited by the fig, and becomes the centre of an enormous fluted column's generally of very irregular form, but always sup-ported by huge buttresses which extend to a great

circumference at the base. The tree has an immense

cupola-shaped head. An instance was observed in which, supposing the tree to be standing alone upon a plain, a hundred men might be placed, sitting, or lying down between the roots, perfectly concealed

from view at a short distance.

Cupania Australis (Native Tamarind).—This tree, remarkable for its large and singular foliage, attains a considerable size on the Clarence, from sixty to eighty feet in height, and as much as three feet in diameter. It is valued by the settlers on account of its subacid fruit, which it yields in great abundance, and of which a very good jam is made. The timber, although compact and durable, is seldom used.

Pencil Cedar or Turnip Wood.—This wood par-takes much of the character of the last ; it also re-sembles the red cedar. It is used for building pul-poses, works easrily, aud is durable. In very old specimens the wood has a beautiful wavy appearance, and suitable for the finest of cabinet purposes. In colour and quality it is not unlike the juniper wood used for blacklead pencils ; hence the name. The bark, when fresh cut, smells exactly like a Swedish turnip ; from this cause it is often called turnip

wood.

Black Myrtle.—An Ebenaceous tree very abundant in all the brushes in the Clarence and Richmond dis-tricts, and of a size averaging from twenty-four to thirty-six inches in diameter. The wood of this is easily worked durable, and the toughest wood known in the district in which it is found. Small fibres of this wood may be twisted into a rope without break- ing.

Idundamlire of the aborigines—a Tiliaceous tree, frequent in the Clarence scrubs. This is one of the most beautiful trees in the northern districts, to which it appears to be confined. The wood is a light orange colour tinged with green, when fresh changing to a lighter shade ; when exposed it has a fine gum, and will take a polish suitable for cabinet work.

Acmena Species—a large growing myrtaceous tree, very general on the banks of the north arm of the Richmond. This singular wood is worthy of being noticed, if it were only for its appearance, which is that of a light mouse colour. It is very fine grained, hard, and by the sawyers said to be durable, as it will lie on the ground for years without rotting ; suitable for some kinds of furniture, and easily obtained. Hickory, lignum vitæ of Clarence and Richmond settlers, known by other names in various other places. This tree, which is of small size, is well-known for the extreme hardness and toughness of its wood. This last quality would render it particu-larly valuable to the coachmaker for shafts and many other purposes. It is found all along the eastern

coast of this colony.

Eucalyptus species ; natural order, Myrtaceæ.— White or pale ironbark : Obtained from Illawarra, the most valuable perhaps of all the ironbarks ; remark-able for its smooth uniform outer bark, and its very hard, tough, inlocked, strong wood. Broad-leaved rough ironbark : Common in the county of Cumber-

land, one of the strongest and most durable of timbers, grows from 2 to 4 feet in diameter, and from 80 to 120 feet high. Ironbark : Distinguishable by its very rough bark, in broad, deep, longitudinal furrows, its very broad leaves, and the different grain of its wood ; grows from 2 to 4 feet in diameter, and from 80 to 120 feet high. Narrow-leaved,

smooth, or red ironbark : This is of smaller and more tortuous growth than either of the above varieties ; its timber (which is highly valued) is redder, closer, softer, and more easily worked. Box, of Illawarra : A tree with magnificent timber, of first-rate quality for size, hardness, toughness, and durability ; grows from 4 to 6 feet in diameter, and from 120 to 180 feet in height. Bastard box : An excellent timber, but a tree of most unsightly appearance, and almost invariably hollow or decayed at heart before attaining full stature ; the wood is greatly prized for plough-beams, poles and shafts of drays and carts, spokes of wheels, &c. ; grows from 2 to 4 feet in diameter, and from 60 to 100 feet in height. Flooded Gum : A famous timber for ship building and for house carpentering, it is often seven feet in diameter, with a stem without knot or flaw, of from 70 to 80 feet in length ; it is procurable from many parts of the colony. Blue gum of coast districts : A magnificent timber for ship building and a favourite wood for house carpentry ; not nearly so hard or heavy, and scarcely so durable as the ironbarks ; grows from 3 to 6 feet in d ameter, 100 to 160 feet high. Blue Gum of Camden ; A timber of very hard, close, and inlocked grain ; excellent for naves and felloes of wheels. and for work underground. Woolly Butt of Illawarra : A magnificent timber tree, in very high repute for wheelwright's work ; grows from 3 to 6 feet in diameter, and from 100 to 150 feet high. Spotted or Mottled Gum : A good timber tree, with lofty straight bole ; in increasing reputation for ship-building. Black Butt Gum : One of the very largest of the Eucalypti ; the timber of excellent quality tor house carpentry or other purposes where strength and durability are objects ; a specimen was lately measured at Bulli, Illawarra, still in full vigour and with no external symptoms of decay, 41 feet in circumference, with the bole of immense height. Mountain Ash, Willow, or White Top : Much valued for rough purposes, where the better sorts of timber are not produced ; it seems to form a link between the division of ironbarks and that of the gums. Swamp Mahogany : A crooked growing tree, the timber much valued for knees and crooked timbers of coasting vessels ; grows to about 3 feet in diameter, and from 60 to 100 feet in height. Mahogany : A noble timber tree, the timber much prized for its strength and durability ; grows from 3 to 5 feet in diameter, and from 60 to 130 feet in height. Iron Bark of the Clarence : This well known tree attains a very large size in the northem districts, upwards of 100 feet in height, and as much as 5 feet in diameter, the timber is very highly valued for its unequalled strength and dura-bility ; it is used for all kinds of fencing, shingles, beams, draypoles, plough beams, and various other purposes ; when properly seasoned it will not shrink ; it is apparently distinct from the iron bark of the

south.

Angophora species—Apple Tree of coast : Useful for naves of wheels and boards, but generally much deteriorated by gum veins ; grows from 2 to 4 feet in diameter, and from 40 to 60 feet in height. Apple Tree : A handsome tree, occupying rich flats, deep loams, and sandy soils inland ; the timber much duse by wheelwrights ; grows from 2 to 4 feet in diameter, and from 40 to 60 feet in height.

Tristadia laurina—Water Gum of the streams in Cumberland and Camden.—A tree of crooked growth, and very difficult to season ; but when dry the wood is of singular closeness and toughness, and in such state is believed to be unmatched for cogs of wheels

in machinery.

Melaleuca Styphelioides (Prickly Tea Tree).— This tree grows from 18 inches to 3 feet in diameter, and from 40 to 80 feet high. The wood is hard, close, and rends very much in seasoning, but is said to be almost imperishable underground. The outer bark can be easily detached in innumerable thin layers, very soft to the touch. The leaves of the soft-leaved tea tree, yield an essential oil, which, when extracted by distillation is only distinguishable by the colour from the " cajeput."

Acacia Pendula (Myall).—This is a species of

wood well known for its violet scented wood. It is common on the open sheep pastures of the interior. It is much used for fancy work, such as presentation mallets and trowel handles. It grows from 9 to 18 inches in diameter, and to about 30 feet in height. There are several species of acacia ; the bark of two of them (the Black Wattle and Green Wattle) is much prized for tanning. The Sallow is one of the largest of the genus ; in some of the brushes attain-ing the stature of a fine timber tree, remarkable for its narrow sparse phyllodia and rugged bark ; wood very handsome, tough, and light, and excellent for axe helves and bullock yokes.

Urtica Gigas (Nettle Tree, the Goo mas mah of the aborigines).—This is a tree remarkable for its great stature and beauty. It is common in the brush, and occasionally attains very noble proportions. The leaves of the young vigorous plants often exceed 12 to 15 inches in diameter, and are always con-spicuous for size ; their sting is most formidable. Two specimens growing near each other measured respectively 40 and 42 feet in circumference at 4 feet from the ground. The smaller one rises from its base by a series of buttresses of singularly regular outline, gradually tapering upwards without a branch to the height of 100 or 120 feet ; the trunk then divided into a regularly formed wide-spreading head. The wood is too soft to be of use as timber. But the fibre, which in the hands of the aborigines is readily worked up into cordage, is of good, strong quality. The bark is thick, and nearly one-half of it is pure fibre.

Achras Australis (Brush Apple or Wild Plum).— A beautiful small tree, the rich milky sap of which resembles cream in taste ; the fruit like a very large plum, but of coarse insipid flavour ; the wood is close grain, firm, and prettily veined, and is good for cabinet work. Common at Illawarra and Brisbane Water. The largest tree seen measured 10 feet 6

inches in circumference.

Commersonia sp. (Brown Kurrajong.)—Plentiful in the Clarence brush forests. It is a small sized tree ; valuable chiefly for its bark, which yields a very strong fibre, of which fishing nets and bags for various purposes are made by the aborigines. If properly prepared this fibre might become of great commercial value, as it can be readily obtained in large quantities.

Geijera salicifolia (Balsam Capivi tree.)—A tree of moderate size ; the bark tasting strongly of the drug from which it receives its local name. Timber not used. Ink, of a good quality, has been made from the bark of this tree. It is generally to be found in the brush forests of the northern districts.

Owenia Venosa (Tulip Wood).—This is a very handsome foliaged tree, which occurs in most of the northern brush forests ; it is well worthy of attention on account of its timber, which is exceedingly strong and very highly coloured with different shades from black to yellow ; it takes a good polish, and is used

for cabinet work.

Vitex species (Beech-tree of Illawarra and the Richmond).—This is a valuable but comparatively little known timber ; white in colour, of great dura-bleness, and does not shrink when exposed ; used in the northern districts for planking vessels, as well as for their decks, and for flooring boards.

The Port and City of Sydney.

SYDNEY—once the capital of all Australia, as the chief city of the parent settlement when it included the off-shoots, Victoria, Queensland, &c.—remains the me-tropolis of New South Wales. Fitted in every way to become a great city, and being the main emporium of a country profusely endowed with mineral wealth, and rich in pastoral and agricultural resources, she has increased in importance so largely that at the present time she is entitled to rank among the princi-pal titles of the world. To the poetic designation, " Queen of the Pacific," certainly no city on the western shores of the great waters has higher claims, and the liberal gifts of nature used to full advantage

will leave her without a rival on either side of this broad ocean. Situate not far from the antipodes of Great Britain, the voyage to Sydney at a period not very remote was viewed as an undertaking so extra-ordinary as to form a great feature in the career even of navigators. Now it is reduced to a kind of plea-sure trip—the passage to and fro being practicable in little more than two months ; and the visits of Britain's " Sailor Prince " and the Flying Squadron being regarded as no more remarkable achievements than a cruise in the Adriatic or West Indies at the beginning of this century. So much having been said as to the facility of intercourse with her most distant but most distinguished kindred in the mother country ; next take Sydney as the centre of European civilisation in the south-eastern quarter of the earth. Besides being within easy sail and in constant steam communication with the sister colonies on each side of her, she has also a regular intercourse with California, the French settlement of New Cale-donia, the Fiji Islands now rising into commercial significance ; she has a trade with other of the Poly-nesian Groups, with the numerous islands of Malay-sia, as well as with Southern India. Her ships also

have an established traffic with China and Mauritius ; her immense trade in coal extends far north, westward to the American shores of the Pacific, and her European mail service is earned on by lines of steamers that jointly make a circuit of the earth. Her maritime enterprise is aided by the vast advantages afforded by the noble haven on the southern banks of which Sydney is built. Port Jackson, if equalled as

a natural harbour, is not surpassed, never being brought into comparison with any but the magnificent one of Rio Janeiro, over which it has several advan-tages, and though inferior to area, is capacious enough for the navies of the world. A bold coast fronting the Pacific for many miles north and south, is broken where the giant cliffs form a portal to this great estuary, which is about a mile wide at the entrance. A few moments' sail brings a vessel out of the long swell of the ocean into calm, deep water, protected on every side by high lands. Passing the first harbour light in the daytime a splendid vista is presented to the arriving voyager, the elevated shore being broken into innumerable bays and inlets, and the central expanse of water g med with green islets. The rocky strand on each side stretches from heights of two hundred and two hundred and fifty feet right down to the water's edge, no beach being seen except when passing one of the many promontories the head of a bay shows its snow-white sands in the distance. The tree-covered hills clothed in the bright green of spring, or in the russet of summer, and bathed in the glorious light of an Australian atmosphere, form a charming margin to the bright blue waters they enclose. Its dimensions are great enough to give ample room for the ships of the world, yet not so large as to remove a spectator too far from the picture around. As the city is approached pretty villas and palace-like man-sions crown the heights or extend along the shore, begirt with gardens and orchards, where the orange, pomegranate, palm, banana, and numerous other semi-tropical plants luxuriate, associated with the choicest shrubs and flowers of less genial climes. The pride and delight of the citizens whose yachts and smaller craft may constantly be seen bounding over its surface, this harbour is equally the admira-

tion of all who see it for the first time.

About four miles from the entrance to the port, and at a point where the southern shore presents several prominent headlands that give form to fine land-locked basins, the city rises into view. It is in latitude 32 degrees 52 minutes south, longitude 151 degrees 11 minutes east. The city proper occu-pies an area of something more than two thousand acres, and is bounded on the north and west by water. Its greatest length is three and three-eighths miles, north and south ; and its greatest breadth two miles and seven-eighths, east and west. It has about a hundred and fifteen miles of streets, irrespective of minor thoroughfares, and numbers fourteen thousand five hundred houses. The population (including the suburbs) is about 140,000, and the funds dispensed by the Corporation last year amounted to about £200,000. The original settlement was fixed at the head of the bay called Sydney Cove and in the neighbourhood there are still traces of the primitive architecture of the early period. In a right line extending from this point to the south the land is the lowest, rising gently to the south and more decidedly on each sidee —to the east by easy acclivities, to the west more abruptly, the highest point in that direction being occu-pied by the Observatory and Signal Station. Towards the south the variations of level are less strongly marked but eastward the gradual ascent reaches to the heights of Darlinghurst and the still more elevated suburbs of Paddington, Woollahra, and Waverley.

The city is flanked on the west by a large arm of the estuary, called Darling Harbour, which extends nearly its whole length. The streets of the main part of the city have been laid out to the cardinal points of the compass, and, therefore, intersect each other at right angles. A breadth consistent with modern ideas of proper dimensions for city streets recommended by the authorities during the adminis-tration of Sir Richard Bourke was not given in Sydney, though adopted afterwards in laying out the then provincial town of Melbourne. So that as Sydney extended itself, and its structures have attained loftier proportions the six chains of width in the thoroughfares must ap-pear somewhat contracted to those who have been accustomed to recently built towns in Europe or America. Architecturally Sydney has taken rapid strides within the last ten or fifteen years, and its fine banking houses, mercantile establishments, and hand-some public edifices give it an aspect bespeaking sub-stantial wealth, advanced cultivation, and growing enterprise. The portion convenient to, though not close to the quays, which as usual in other great sea-

ports is the most frequented, contains many of the best buildings for commercial purposes, the banks and most of the warehouses being constructed of freestone, in the modern style of Italian composite, and displaying in their facades much of the rich ornamentation belonging to the classic and gothic types. Most of these are situated in the main thoroughfares, George and Pitt streets. The larger number of the banks are on the west side of George-street and together with the extensive blocks of spacious and handsome warehouses in then neigh-bourhood give a distinctive character to that section of the city. The most noticeable for their dimensions and architecture are the London Chartered Bank of Australia, the Bank of New South Wales, the Commercial Bank, the English, Scottish, Bank, the Australian Joint Stock Bank, and the Bank of Australasia. Those in Pitt-street are the

new City Bank, the Oriental Bank, and the Union

Bank. Here also is the Exchange, a large stone-

built edifice, with columned front, of the Corin-thian order. All of these are substantial structures, externally imposing, and within displaying much taste and elegance in fresco decorations and fittings. The offices of the Australian Mutual Provident Society, also in Pitt-street, are equally observable for the beauty of their Italianised Corinthian front, and the general effect of the carved stonework. Other extensive edifices in this locality are the Sydney Morning Herald Office, a massive building occupying a prominent site at the junction of three streets ; Vickery's Buildings, a splendid pile of stone warehouses, besides a great number of insurance offices and mercantile establishments, ornamental in character and of important dimensions. But by far the grandest edifice of which Sydney can boast is her University, which is situated at the southern side, a little beyond the city boundary, on an eminence that sets off its fine form to advan-tage. It is a noble mass of stone, in the style usually denominated Perpendicular English, extend-ing 410 feet in length. Its great hall stands at the western end, its style is of an earlier period than that of the rest of the range. For dimensions, construc-tive art, and decoration, it is favourably compared by competent judges with Westminster Hall. The aspect of the great northern front is exceedingly grand. The two affiliated colleges, St. Paul's (Anglican) and St. John's (Roman Catholic), are also extensive stone structures, Gothic in style, and stand within the do-main of 150 acres that surrounds the University. The new Post Office, near the centre of the city, is an elaborate piece of work, both as to extent and de-coration, and is so far advanced as to show how great an adornment it will eventually prove. It occupies a space between George and Pitt streets, and is to have a front to each, that facing the first-named thorough-fare being now nearly complete. It will also have a front to a new street on its northern side, the whole

frontage extending over 504 feet. The style is Italian, combining the astyalar of the Florentine palaces with the arcaded facades of Venice. One of its most remarkable features is the native granite used in the pillars of the arcade and in the columination of the facades. It is highly polished, of a grey tint, and without interfering with the harmony of other details, relieves effectually the otherwise uniform colour of the structure. The building throughout is profusely enriched with carved ornament. Another great public edifice now being raised is the Town Hall, the foundation-stone of

which was laid by Prince Alfred during one of his Royal Highness's visits. The site is near the present centre of the city, and the elevation renders it con-spicuous. East and west, the length is about 230 feet ; north and south, the principal front, 153. The architecture is of the Renaissance period of the Italian, in combination with Venetian details. The clock tower will stand 161 feet high, and the main body of the building have an elevation of 57 feet. The Museum, on the eastern side of the city, is an imposing structure, with a bold Grecian front, whose leading features are strongly marked so as to present deep recesses—a provision well suited to relieve the eye accustomed to the brightness of the Australian day. The principal Courts of Justice are in King-street and at Darlinghurst. The first-mentioned, where the Civil business is transacted, is a large rec-tangular building of fine brisk-work, with arcaded front, decorated with Doric entablature. The Court-house at Darlinghurst, for Criminal trials, is a fine stone building in pure Doric. In the rear is the great gaol, occupying a large area, and built of stone, with spacious words radiating from the centre. Of the Government offices, the Treasury, at the eastern extremity of Bridge-street, is the ony one having any noteworthy characteristics as a public edifice ; and, further than that it is a huge well-pro-portioned structure of freestone, with rusticated quoins and handsome entablature, nothing need be said. The other Government offices in the same street have little in their appearance to make them objects of interest or ornament. The same may be said of the Parliament buildings in Macquarie-street. They are conspicuous as occupying a large site, but in design there are no features worthy of attention. The handsomest chamber is the dining hall, which has fine dimensions, is well finished, and possesses in

its masterpieces magnificent samples of the exquisitely beautiful marbles of the country. As far as the absence of architectural ornament is concerned, the like remarks will apply to other large public build-ings in the same street, the Infirmary, the Mint, and the Immigration Depot. The private residences, however, are of a superior character, and, being in the vicinity of beautiful recreation grounds, it is one of the aristocratic parts of the city. The fashionable quarter par excellence, however (contrary to the case of London), is the east end of the city, and the suburban localities stretching beyond along the shore. Here are most of the splendid mansions, glimpses of which are caught from the harbour which they overlook. Many of them have been erected at enormous cost, and for extent, internal grandeur, and magnificent grounds, are not equalled by any private residences on this side of the Equator. There are up-wards of one hundred and twenty churches and other places of worship in the city and suburbs. Architectually the edifices of the English and Roman Churches are the most prominent, although the chief place of worship of the Congregational body, in Pitt-street, and those of the Wesleyan Methodists in York-street and at Chippendale are fine spacious buildings, imposing in structure and with finely finished interiors. The Anglican Cathedral Church of St. Andrew, in George-street, has occupied many years in erection, and although not thoroughly finished, has been for some time used for public worship. It has a remark-ably fine site in the most elevated part of the central district of the city, and therefore appears to advan-tage. But it is of comparatively small dimensions, being within the walls 160 feet long by 62 feet in breadth. The transept is 110 feet by only 14 feet. It is a Gothic building, in what is usually known as the later Decorated Style, approaching in some of its ex-terior details to the Perpendicular. It has stained glass windows in the highest form of modern art, nearly all being the gifts of private individuals. Elaborate marble and encaustic tile work covers the floor of the choir and the steps leading thereto. The Roman Catholic community are proceeding with the erection of what is to be a highly decorated and very large Gothic Cathedral, near the site of one burnt down a few years ago. This also is in an excellent situation, between the main part of the city and one ornamental details appropriate to the general of its most populous sections. Government House, the official residence of her Majesty's representative, is a splendid building, in the Tudor style, on a slight eminence, near to and overlooking the harbour, and surrounded by gardens and ornamental grounds. Its length is 152 feet, width 82 feet. It was erected at a cost of about £50,000, and is a magnificent establish-

ment.

The public traffic of the city and suburbs is carried on by about six hundred omnibuses and hackney car-riages, and the water communication between the city and its transmarine suburbs by steam ferry boats, which number about thirty. The streets are lighted with gas at a cost of upwards of £7000 per annum to the Corporation. Sydney has spacious markets in its main thoroughfare, and they are usually well stocked with fruits and vegetables of every kind—peaches, apricots, oranges, pineapples, together with apples, pears, plums, &c., being in profusion during their respective seasons. There are two theatres as well as a fine opera house, and, notwithstanding the distance from the great centres of high civilisation in the North, Sydney is not only well supplied with star tragedians and comedians but with English and Italian opera singers.

Although Sydney has few reserves answering to the shrubberied squares of most of the large towns of Great Britain, it has excellent park lands and gardens within its boundaries easily accessible to the citizens. Hyde Park is a beautiful plateau of forty acres, nearly in the centre of the city. It has a fine avenue about half a mile long, and is nearly surrounded by planta-tions, and clumps of trees afford a grateful shade in various parts so as to make it an agreeable resort. At the northern end of the avenue is the fine bronze statue erected in memory of Prince Albert, and on the south-eastern side a monument of Captain Cook is being erected in a position that will admit of its being seen from the harbour. The Domain, a charming expanse of park land of 138 acres, planted for land-scape effect, is on the north-eastern side of Sydney, surrounding the pretty inlet called Farm Cove. The grounds—irregular in form and level—present every variety requisite to produce picturesque views, and the artistic disposition of the groups and avenues of trees is fast developing the beauties of which this favourite promenade is capable. Near the main en-trance is an excellent bronze statue of Sir Richard Bourke, by Westmacott, in a situation from which is obtained one of the most beautiful landscape views to be seen in any country. From the Outer Domain the Botanic Gardens are approached. They embrace thirty-eight acres. These are the finest in the colonies, as in addition to the immense collection of exotics from every clime, the locality is one that strikes every beholder with admiration. The gardens slope gently down to the waters of a circular bay, and while the upper or older portion is rather stiff in the geometrical style of its arrangement, the lower section is adapted to the natural landscape with winding walks, grassy glades, gracefully formed beds, and borders of flowers, secluded haunts, rockeries, ponds and ferneries. Round the water's edge there is a pleasant promenade. Other parts of the Domain to the east of the bay are almost in a wild state, and contrast with the artistic beauties of the rest, being a rocky primitive shrubbery overlooking the water on each of its sides. More recently formed reserves are Prince Alfred Park and Belmore Park, in the south, and a tract of five hundred acres on the south-east side, named Moore Park. Adjoining the latter ground is the Metropolitan Racecourse, a large and excellent arena of sports, in which large fields of horses, of the finest breeds, compete at the two half-yearly meetings for stakes that amount to £14,000 or £15,000 in the year.

The Harbour of Port Jackson proper has an area of 9 square miles, Middle Harbour, one of its arms, 3 square miles ; and the coast line of the whole is 54 miles. From the Heads to the city the distance is four miles, beyond which the waters extend eight miles into what is called the Parramatta River, giving 15 miles as the length of navigation. The average breadth of the navigable waters is three-quarters of a mile, though they at some points widen to 2 miles or more. The shallowest part is between Middle Head and George's Head, which is really the bar ; but here there is 23 feet at low water. Beyond this the depth ranges between 5 and 18 fathoms. There are three miles of wharf frontage in use, and about 25 miles of deep water frontage in sheltered places that may be made available for a like purpose. The chief light-house is 76 feet high, erected on cliffs 268 feet above the sea level. It is a white revolving light visible at 25 miles to seaward. On a rocky point 60 feet high, and

within the South Head, stands a second light-house 30 feet high from the base ; it has a bright fixed light visible at 15 miles within the entrance there is a lightship with two fixed white lights, and at Fort Denison nearer the city there is a red harbour light beyond which ships are forbidden to proceed until they are boarded by the

Health Officer and other authorities.

The Circular Quay at the head of Sydney Cove has a length of 3100 feet available for the largest vessels. Woolloomooloo Wharf to the east is 1200 feet long, and was constructed at a cost of £26,000.

The eastern shore of Darling Harbour which skirts the western side of the city, has its frontage entirely occupied with wharfs and quays. Here all the Intercolonial Steam Companies have their stations, and the Gas Company its large works. On the north from Miller's Point to Dawes' Point (which includes all one end of the city), and from thence round the largest headland of the port, the waterside is also fully taken up by commercial premises with the exception of the site at Dawes' Point on which there is a battery. An extensive shipbuilding establishment was commenced by Mr. Cuthbert some fourteen years ago at Miller's Point, and is capable of building vessels up to 500 tons. It has turned out, besides a large number of sailing vessels, many screw and paddle steamers, gunboats, and dredges. The native timber used is—for beams : the ironbark, blackbutt, and the flooded blue, red, and spotted gums ; and for fittings : the teatree, iron-bark, blackbutt, and bangally. Mr. Booth's estab-lishment at Johnstone's Bay is also large, occupying an area of 24 acres, with a water frontage. It embraces the largest sawmills in the country, and has capabilities for shipbuilding up to 200 or 300 tons. The works of Messrs. Hely and Harpur, associated with their floating dock, are important. The dock offers every facility for the smaller class of vessels up to 250 tons burden, which can be docked in little more than two hours. A considerable number of men have for years been employed at this establish-ment. We now come to works of greater extent and capabilities. The Fitzroy Dry Dock at Cockatoo Island, some few miles to the west of the city, is a Government establishment, and originally intended for the repair and overhauling of vessels of the Royal Navy. No vessel has yet entered the port that was too large for its capacity. H.M.S. Galatea was taken in without the slightest difficulty. The Govern-ment have taken care to provide the establishment with the largest, most powerful, and recently im-proved kinds of machinery. The workshops are con-tained in an extensive and substantial stone building

on the eastern side of the island. In front of these a sea wall has been built into deep water, giving very spacious wharfage accommodation. The dock is 400 feet long, with 20 feet depth of water over the sill. Situated as it is within easy approach, having an ample depth of water, and well behind any defences that may be erected for the protection of the city, this place is evidently destined to become the naval arsenal of the colony. Other great dock works are those of Messrs. Mort and Co., at Waterview Bay, westward from the city, but not so far removed as the Fitzroy Dock. Here are very extensive appliances for the repair of the largest ships. The premises occupy the entire head of the bay, the workshops being very spacious, with a length of 500 feet, and a minimum width of 40 feet. Castings up to 12 tons can be undertaken here, and the turning department, which occupies a space of 200 feet by 40 feet, is filled with all the machinery which engineering art has supplied to aid the work of man's hand. The dock is 365 feet long, with an entrance 70 feet wide, and a depth of water over the sill of 20 feet It is partly cut out of the rock and partly built up very compactly with stone in masonry. At this esta-blishment are effected all the repairs required by the large steamers of the Peninsular and Oriental Royal Mail Company. Not only are the largest steamers repaired, but several of a size suited for intercolonial traffic have been constructed. The capabilities of the works have recently been augmented by the addition of a large patent slip, and are at present equal to any demand which may be made upon them in shipbuild-ing and marine engineering. The Australasian Steam Navigation Company have very extensive means for shipbuilding and repairing, their establishment being situate on the western shore of Darling Harbour. It contains vast mechanical appliances, and in its work-shops are employed at times some 400 persons. All that is required to equip a first-class engineering es-tablishment is to be found here, and there is a patent slip capable of raising steamers of the largest size The works are employed not only in repairing the vessels of the company's powerful fleet, but in repair-ing and building for private owners.

Along the seaboard of the colony there are numerous other establishments for building vessels from 30 to 350 tons, and employing together about 150 hands. To the north, Scott's at the Tweed River ; Lawson's and Stewart's at the Macleay River ; Newton's, at the Manning River ; Yabsley's at the Richmond River ; Peates and Phegin's, at Cape Hawke ; McPherson's at the Williams River ; King's at the Paterson River ; Scott's at Newcastle ; Thos. and R. Davis's at Brisbane Water ; Macdonnell's at Port Stephens. To the south there are Storey's and West's at the Clyde ; Gardiner's at Shoalhaven ; Wood's and Dent's at Jervis Bay. The timber is plentiful in these localities, close at hand, and con-sists of the colonial hardwoods, blue gum, black butt, and ironbark. There are many yacht builders on various parts of Port Jackson, and some handsome vessels have been turned out. The boat builders too are numerous and skilful.

The steam fleet of the colony is comprised of the following vessels :—

A. S. N. Company.—Alexandra, screw, 140-horse power, 559 tons. Auckland, screw, 150-horse power, 698 tons. Balclutha, screw, 100-horse power, 432 tons. Bee, screw, 12-horse power, 43 tons. Black Swan, screw, 60-horse power, 275 tons. Bolwarra, stern wheel, 30-horse power, 109 tons. Boomerang, screw, 106-horse power, 655 tons. Brisbane, screw, 40-horse power, 102 tons. City of Adelaide, screw, 200-horse power, 838 tons. City of Brisbane, paddle, 220-horse power, 633 tons. City of Mel-bourne, screw, 200-horse power, 837 tons. Clarence, paddle, 120 horse-power, 357 tons. Collaroy, screw, 140 horse-power, 384 tons. Coonanbara, screw, 240-horse power, 900 tons. Egmont, screw, 80-horse power, 400 tons. Emu, paddle, 70-horse power, 269 tons. Florence Irving, paddle, 140-horse power, 458 tons. Havilah, screw, 55-horse power, 301 tons. Ipswich, paddle, 60-horse power, 89 tons.James Paterson, screw, 60-horse power, 388 tons. Lady Bowen, paddle, 150-horse power, 527 tons. Lady Young, paddle, 150-horse power, 523 tons. Leichardt, paddle, 100 horse power, 368 tons. Queensland, paddle, 120-horse power, 372 tons. Rangatira, screw, 130-horse power, 670 tons. Tinonee, twin screw, 30-horse power, 297 tons. Williams, paddle, 120 horse-power, 326 tons. Wonga Wonga, screw, 270-horse power, 1002 tons. Yaamba, stern wheel, 24 horse power, 97 tons. Yarra Yarra, paddle, 200-horse power, 555 tons. Total vessels, 30. Total horse power, 3517. Total tonnage, 13,479.

Clarence and Richmond River Company.—Agnes Irving, paddle, 140-horse power, 439 tons. Ballina, paddle, 120-horse power, 400 tons. Cygnet, paddle, 30-horse power, 30 tons. Diamantina, padd.e, 60-horse power, 285 tons. Grafton, paddle, 100-horse power, 315 tons. Fire King, paddle, 80-horse power, 221 tuns. Nautilus, paddle, 25-horse power, 35 tons. Platypus, screw, 50-horse power, 217 tons. Ramorney, stern-wheel, 30-horse power, 86 tons. Ulmarra, paddle, 12-horse power, 50 tons. Uloom, stern-wheel, 25-horse power,115 tons. Total vessels. 11. Total horse power, 672. Total tonnage, 2193.

Illawarra Steam Navigation Company.—Coolangatta, stern-wheeel, 24-horse power, 87 tons. Hunter, paddle, 120-horse power, 309 tons. Illalong, paddle, 120-horse power, 294 tons. Kembla, paddle, 165-horse-dower, 324 tons. Kiama, paddle, 60-horse power, 144 tons. Total vessels, 5. Total horse power, 489. Total tonnage, 1158.

Hunter River New Steam Company.—Anna Maria, stern wheel, 25-horse power, 84 tons. City of Newcastle, paddle, 150 horse-power, 893 tons. Morpeth, paddle, 185-horse power, 526 tons. Paterson, paddle, 120-horse power, 326 tons. Total vessels, 4. Total horse power, 480. Total tonnage, 1329.

Clarence and Richmond River Company.—Helen Macgregor, screw, 50-horse power, 171 tons. New England, screw, 80 horse-power, 180 tons. Susannah Cuthbert, screw, 50-horse power, 193 tons. Settler's Friend, stern wheel, 12-horse power, 49 tons. Total vessels, 4. Total horse power, 192. Total tonnage, 593.

Parramatta River Company.—Adelaide, paddle, 35-horse power, 131 tons. Emu, paddle, 45-horse power, 72 tons. Pelican, paddle, 35-horse power, 12 tons. Platypus, paddle, 35-horse power, 287 tons. Total vessels, 4. Total horse power, 150. Total tonnage,

287.

Bulli Coal Company.—Barwon, screw, 40-horse power, 419 tons.

Woniora, screw, 40-horse power, 325 tons. Total vessels, 2. Total horse power, 80. Total tonnage, 744.

Tug Boats.—Aquarius. Beadalbane, paddle, 80-horse power, 161 tons. Bungaree, paddle, 150-horse power, 163 tons. Cobra, paddle, 45-horse power, 91 tons. Goolwa, paddle, 90 horse-power, 191 tons. Herald, paddle, 20-horse power, 41 tons. Hunter, paddle, 30-horse power, 60 tons. Lotus, paddle, 30-horse power, 54 tons. Prince Alfred, paddle, 80-horse power, 149 tons. Rapid, paddle, 40-horse power, 96 tons. Southland, paddle, 80-horse power, 180 tons. Tamar, paddle, 60-horse power, 200 tons. Vesta, paddle, 40-horse power, 68 tons. Total vessels, 13. Total horse power, 755. Total tonnage 1454.

Colonial Sugar Company.—Chatsworth, paddle, 52-horse power, 42 tons. Darkwater, paddle, 52-horse power, 42 tons. May Queen, paddle, 30-horse power, 52 tons. Total vessels, 3. Total horse power, 134. Total tonnage, 136.

Private Owned Steamers.—Alchymist, paddle, 25-horse power, 51 tons. Cullodon, paddle, 60-horse power, 151 tons. Commis-sary, stern wheel, 4-horse power, 44 tons. Eagle, screw, 80-horse power, 227 tons. Saxonia, screw, 80-horse power, 357 tons. Total vessels, 5. Total horse power, 249. Total tons, 830.

Passenger and Ferry Boats, 18, paddle, 336-horse power, 481

tons.

Number of Sailing Vessels of all Classes, registered in New South Wales, 518 ; tonnage, 65,971.

Free Trade.

THE position of New South Wales in the Aus-tralasian group of colonies is one of special im-portance in relation to the policy of free trade. Sydney, the metropolis of the colony, is situated on the waters of Port Jackson—a harbour which, for ease and safety of access, for capacity, for depth of water, for shelter, and for all the conveniences in which shipping rejoices, may rank with the finest harbours in the world. In its commercial advantages it enjoys an undisputed and indisputable pre-

eminence in these seas. There are two or three other

fine harbours on the coast, but they are not available as affording sites for great cities. Sydney alone com-bines the double functions of a great metropolis and a great seaport. It therefore draws to itself, as to a centre, most of the coasting trade of the eastern shore of Australia, and is also the rendezvous of the trade of Southern Polynesia, in addition to possessing a share of the trade of New Zealand. The shipowners of Sydney possess about 600 vessels, and employ about 3500 men. The extensive coal-fields which are already opened to a large extent to the north and to the south of Sydney furnish an article of export to vessels bound to foreign parts, so that few now go away in ballast ; and it is to the interest of the coal proprietors that the port should be as free as possible, in order that there may be the maximum demand for their particular product. For the more attractive the port the more vessels are likely to come here seeking, and there is little else but coal to take abroad. All the pastoral products of the country—wool, tallow, hides, horns, &c.—go to England as the best market ; but Australian coal can go any where, as its excellent quality, both for gas and steam purposes, is now well recognised. Shipments are made to the Mauritius, Bombay, Ceylon, Calcutta, Singapore, Batavia, Manila, Chinese ports, California, Panama, and Val-paraiso. This export of coal gives to the exter-nal trade of New South Wales a peculiarity which attaches to that of none of the other colonies, and gives to us a special inducement to preserve our commercial freedom, in order that by so doing we may give a natural and healthy development to a most important local in-dustry. Any policy that would restrict free-trade would inevitably check the foreign export of our coal ; and even, therefore, if protection could be shown in some respects to be a gain, it would have to be counterbalanced by this very serious loss.

The shipping that frequents the port gives large employment to many persons in and about the city. The shipyards find work in repairing. The pro-vision merchants distribute orders amongst the farmers, the market gardeners, the meat preservers, while demands are also made on the ropemakers, the sailmakers, the boatbuilders, the timber-cutters, &c. The miscellaneous expenditure on ships' account, and the payment of wages to the various crews, is also an item of no inconsiderable importance, while the importers who carry on a large re-export trade, have proportionate stocks to meet the demand, and the abundant supply in all the warehouses tends to keep commodities cheap, and to that extent to reduce the cost of living to the whole body of consumers. The interests of the colony in the maintenance of free trade are, therefore, sufficiently apparent, although it is impossible to trace them in all their ramifications.

Notwithstanding this, however, there is in the colony a Protectionist party, which is very vigorous and indefatigable, and winch loses no opportunity of preaching the doctrine of encouragement to local industry. This party appeals constantly to local pre-judíces, advocates caring for our own people before we benefit the foreigner, the retention of our own money within our own frontiers, the investment of our profits in local manufactures, and the multiplication of industries as being more important than cheapen-ing the cost of living. But these arguments have made comparatively small headway because their advocates are fighting against nature. There are so many men living by free trade that it is difficult to convince them of the advantage that would accrue from dissipating our external com-merce. Many even among the artisan class, who a few years ago were somewhat bewitched by the pro-tectionist theories, have been silently converted by the operation of the ad valorem duties, for it has been found by experience that these duties not only embarrass the importers, but diminish employment for the labouring classes without creating any sub-

stitute.

In the other colonies, however the protectionist theory has found more favour, because it is not so visibly refuted by considerations of immediate interest. In Victoria, the protectionists have for some years had the upper hand, and the Govern-ment dare not risk its popularity by retracing its steps. In all the other colonies, there are either ad valorem duties or its less objectionable substitute, measurement duties ; but there is a loud and earnest cry for their repeal, and the Government, as well as the Opposition both stand pledged to effect this repeal.

The attempted negotiations at the late Intercolo-nial Conference at Melbourne, developed very clearly the relative attachment of the different colonies to the doctrine of free trade. At this Conference neither New Zealand nor Queensland was repre-sented, but the correspondence from the former colony indicates a very decided leaning towards protectionist theories, while the latter has 10 per cent.

ad valorem duties, and shews no inclination to part with them. But the representatives of the four colonies of New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia met and freely discussed the question of a common tariff. The result shewed that Victoria would not, even for the sake of intercolonial free trade, make any concession of its protectionist policy ; and that Tasmania and South Australia were

so anxious to find a market in Victoria for their local agricultural produce that they were both willing to sacrifice somewhat of free trade with the outer world to secure a Customs' Union among themselves. There was manifested a clear tendency to a rapproche-ment between these three colonies, the terms of union being a tariff which should contain distinctly the elements of protection as against the non-Australian world. Although the tendency to such a combina-tion was clearly marked, nothing came of the nego-tiation because Victoria insisted too roughly on its pre-eminence, and claimed a degree of submission from its smaller satellites that offended their pride. The negotiation, however, was rather suspended than abandoned, and the Government of Victoria intimated its willingness to correspond on the subject, with a view of seeing if the differences cannot be adjusted. The delegates of New South Wales stood alone in ad-vocating the principles of free-trade. Absolutely free trade, indeed, is in our present financial condition impracticable, but they laid down the doctrine that our tariff should approach as near to that ideal as a necessary regard for our fiscal condition would allow.

They were quite willing to consider the adoption of a common tariff and even the formation of a Customs' Union, but they did not wish to make such an arrange-ment either the excuse or the occasion for the aban-donment of a free trade policy.

It is not altogether impossible that this divergence of interest, prompting as it does a divergence of policy, may lead to the establishment in Australia of a partial Zollverein. Some of the colonies associating themselves together to establish mutual free-trade inter se with common protection against the " foreigner," while New South Wales stands aloof and pursues alone the experiment of a steadfast adherence of the policy of so much free-trade as its financial necessities will allow to be possible.

To the mother country, identified as it now is with a free-trade policy, and anxious to see that policy adopted by all the rest of the world, and especially by its own colonies, this proclivity to protection in some parts of Australia, and this greater amount of resistance to it in Sydney than elsewhere, may be matter of interest, and may perhaps lead to a better appreciation of New South Wales.

Trade and Commerce.

ONE of the first results of the Border Customs treaty

made between the colonies of New South Wales and

Victoria was, that orders were issued by our Govern-ment in January, 1867, to stop the collection of statistics connected with the intercolonial trade carried on with our southern and south-western

districts. Insignificant as this step may appear at first sight, it has, in reality, perpetrated a serious injustice to New South Wales, and given unwarranted importance to neighbouring colonies, by allowing them to appropriate the credit of having produced what, in fact, belonged to us. In estimating the material wealth and prosperity of a country,' the annual value of its products whether exported or retained for home consumption, as well as its imports, forms a basis of calculation much referred to by statis-

ticians. Judged in the light of these figures this colony has, for the two years ending 1868, pre-

sented a most unfavourable appearance. No more admirable Government publication is to be found in any country than the " Statistical Register of New South Wales," which is compiled with strict regard to truthfulness. Its figures represent facts as far as official research can obtain them. But

from the reasons already stated the registers for 1867 and 1868 have as regards our trade and commerce been perfectly worthless. We have vainly searched the official records of Victoria to discover how much of our wool found its way into that colony for ship-ment to England. We did find some figures so re-markable that we deem them worthy of mention. According to returns compiled for 1868, by the Registrar General of Victoria, that colony possessing 9,756,819 sheep, is represented to have exported 68,010,591 lbs of wool, valued at £4,254,511, of which £312,671 is said to be the value of all other than Victorian produce. The Statistical Register of New South Wales states that in the same year we possessed 13,909,574 sheep, but only exported 21,708,902 lbs. of wool. What became of at least 20,000,000 lbs raised in that portion of the colony contiguous to the highways to Victoria formed by the rivers Murray and Darling ? If it reached Melbourne, its value must have been five times the amount at which our neighbours have valued their imports of wool. We have no wish to institute comparisons with any other portion of Aus-

tralia, still less are we disposed to create a reputation, fictitious or otherwise, at the expense of the sister colonies. Our object is, simply to do justice to the natural resources, material wealth, and commercial relations of New South Wales.

It is a fortunate circumstance that when Mr. Samuel resumed office as Colonial Treasurer, he directed that records should be kept of the imports and exports of the various towns along the Murray,

and that these documents are now available. By their aid, we hope to be able to prove that the trade and commerce of New South Wales is more extensive than is generally supposed, and that our position deserves more favourable recognition from the English Press than it is wont to receive. In taking a retro-spective glance at our trade and commerce during two decennial periods we start from a date well suited for the purpose. 1850 was the year preceding the dis-

covery of gold in Australia, and the separation of Victoria from New South Wales. The wealth of the colony was then entirely pastoral, and upon it mainly depended the welfare of 265,503 persons, by whom, what now forms three colonies was then populated. The production of wool increasing with unprecedented

rapidity, had trebled itself in about seven years, and in 1850, 32,361,829 lbs., representing the clip of 13,059,324 sheep, was shipped to England 10,893 tons of tallow and oil to the value of £29,368 also formed large items in our exports, the total value of which was estimated at £2,399,580, against imports worth

£2,078,338. The Government returns for the year following show that by the establishment of the dis-

trict of Port Phillip into a separate colony the popu-lation of New South Wales was reduced to 197,168 ; and as there is a reduction of some five millions in the number of sheep belonging to this colony, it is only reasonable to suppose that they were located beyond the Murray, leaving over seven millions in this colony and what is now known as Queensland. Gold now appears as an item of produce, and 144,120 oz., together with coal, valued at £12,027, help to swell our exports to £1,796,912, or £233,000 in excess of the imports. In 1853, the value of our gold exports alone reached £2,660,946 and resulted in intense quantities of goods being shipped here, so that the imports for the twelve months more than trebled those of the preceding year. It was not a wish for any unhealthy expansion of trade on the part of our merchants that caused their value to rise from £9

4s. per head in 1852 to £27 10s. per head in 1853. Then

as well as now shipments were recklessly made to the Australian markets without any regard to actual trade requirements. For a short time nothing was thought of but the gold diggings, to the injury of all other industries. In wool alone there was a decrease of over four million pounds, and the aggregate ex-ports fell short of the value of the imports by £1,819,051. The sudden falling-off which took place in the yield of our gold-fields during 1854 tended to divert attention to more permanent sources of wealth. Large purchases of land were made from the Crown, and the production of the staff of life was engaged in on a more extensive scale than at any previous period of the history of the colony. Our coal deposits also attracted more attention, and for the first time ever one hundred thousand tons were raised in the year. During 1855 and 1856, the pro-duction of gold steadily decreased, and the agricul-tural and pastoral interests profited by the reaction. In the latter year the total value of exports was £1,430,880, of which gold represented only £138,007. The improvement which took place in the gold-fields in 1857, and following year, again had an unsettling effect, and during that time there was a marked falling off in the export value of other products, and a corresponding increase in our import trade. We received goods to the extent of £6,059,366, against exports representing £4,186,277. The separation of Queensland in 1859 does not seem to have had much effect upon our foreign trade. The interests of the new colony were as yet too closely allied to New South Wales to be severed at a moment's notice by political changes, and for some years after, the trade of Queens-land was entirely in the hands of Sydney merchants. The first decennial period closed with the following results irrespective of any changes caused by the dis-memberment of the colony. There was an increase in population of 71,069, in the production of coal, of 226,999 tons ; in gold, of 435,995 oz. ; in wool, an appa-rent decrease of 15,373,813 lbs.—owing to the absence of reliable statistics showing how much left the colony. During the second decennial period no change has taken place in the boundaries of the colony, and it is to New South Wales, since 1860, that we wish to refer more particularly. In that year, the results of our trading with the mother country left a debit balance of £2,677,590, as we received goods to the amount of £4,160,307, and returned produce valued at £1,482,717. The imports from British colonies were valued at £1,994,947, against exports worth £3,066,021, an excess of £1,071,074. From foreign countries the imports were to the extent of £1,364,031, and exports thence £523,282. With a population of 348,546, we im-ported £7,519,285 worth of merchandise, and exported goods valued at £5,072,020. What was then called our foreign export trade, aggregating £523,282, was for the most part a fiction, inasmuch as £331,729 repre-sented gold, &c., shipped to Suez and Aden en route for England about £100,000 more was for exports to New Caledonia, South Sea Islands, and California. China and other countries largely indebted to the colonies as opening a new market for the disposal of produce, took nothing in exchange save cash, and Australian coal was as yet unheard of in Eastern ports. In 1862 the production of gold improved very much, and a remarkable increase took place in our import trade, the total value being three millions sterling in excess of those of the preceding year. Up to 1863 the collection of statistics connected with our border trade was not kept up very accurately ; but during the three subsequent years great care was displayed in their compilation on account of the collection of border Customs from Victoria and South Australia. It was found that in 1865, the population being 411,388, our im-ports amounted to £10,635,507, or £26 8s. per head, and our exports to £9,563,818, or a fraction over £23 15s. per head. Then followed the crisis which afected the commerce of the old world during 1866, and extended its influence to Australia, causing a decrease in our import trade to the amount of £1,232,315, while our exports rose to £9,913,839, an increase of £350,000 on the preceding year. Without taking into account any other produce than that of New South Wales, the export of wool aggregated 26,980,685 lbs. ; tallow, 27,726 cwt. ; gold, 2,921,891 oz. ; coal, 540,905 tons. The effects of the crisis were chiefly exhibited by the stoppages of retail houses, and no stronger proof can be adduced of the stability of the larger mercantile firms of this city than that none of them succumbed to the pressure of the time. They made losses and heavy ones, such as a community trading upon the mere profits of the day could not have stood against. Reference has been already made to the reason why nothing can be adduced from the returns of 1867-8, as they merely exhibit a portion of the statistics of trade. It is, however, satisfactory to be able to state, from personal knowledge, that the lessons taught by the previous crisis were not lost ; greater caution was exhibited, speculative transac-tions carefully avoided, and confidence speedily restored. In reviewing the present posi-tion of the trade and commerce, we have to assume that it is now neither better nor worse than at the close of 1869, and to that date the statements given can be verified to by official documents. Within the year ending 31st December last, there were imported into New South Wales goods to the value of £8,392,753, of which £3,544,285 was for imports from the United Kingdom, £1,076,014 from Victoria (£581,159 being in overland trade), £523,344 from South Australia, £1,473,008 from Queens-land, and sundry shipments from other British colonies swelled the amount to £3,919,092. From foreign States the imports were £929,376. In ex-change for these, we exported to Great Britain pro-duce, &c., valued at £3,267,019 ; to Victoria, £2,825,393 ; South Australia, £286,868 ; other British possessions, £3,245,290 ; foreign States, £308,872 ;— making a total of £9,933,442, or £1,540,689 in excess of the amount of imports received. Amongst the exports wool assumes the highest place. 63,000,000 lbs. were exported ; but as about 12,000,000 lbs. was the produce of Queensland, credit is only taken for 51,269,672 lbs. ; of this 29,938,837 lbs., valued at £1,762,912, was shipped from this port ; and 21,330,835 lbs., worth £1,399,610, left the colony overland chiefly for Victoria. The total export of gold consisted of coin to the amount of £2,184,612 ; bars, £416,570 ; dust, £161,690 : total, £2,762,672 ;—towards which New South Wales contributed £2,489,145, From the port of Sydney alone there was shipped to London during last year 118,381 bales 84 pockets of wool, 56,829 hides, 19,314 casks tallow, 6737 casks oil, 3183 bales of cotton, 39,609 cwt. copper, 2365 cwt. copper ore, 2011 packages unmanufactured leather, 794 tons molasses, 5600 lbs. pearl shell, 2856 lbs. tortoiseshell, 9779 packages preserved meat, 11¾ tons preserved beef and sundries. Our carboniferous deposits are being steadily developed, and, as an article of commerce Australian coal has already established a favourable character in India, China, and along the west coast of North and South America,

thereby enabling ships which otherwise would have to leave Australia in ballast, to earn handsome freights. Seventeen years ago the total quantity of coal raised in Australia was only 96,809 tons. Last year 919,774 tons were raised, and 535,046 exported. San Francisco alone took 68,653 tons ; Shanghai, 55,917 ; Calcutta, 13,290 ; Hongkong, 12,655 ; while smaller quantities found their way to Mauritius, Bombay, Galle, Singapore, Java, Manilla, Foochow, Petropaulovski, Japan, Mexico, Callao, Valparaiso, &c. In other respects our commercial relations with foreign ports are yearly assuming larger proportions. The total value of exports to Hong Kong during 1869, was £45,543 ; to Mauritius, £47,499 ; to Calcutta, £11,894 ; to the South Sea Islands, £102,053 ; to New Caledonia, £46,493 ; and to destinations concealed under the name of Petropaulovski, £43,437. These few items alone will serve to show that New South Wales is not altogether unheard of in other places than the mother country, of articles actually produced or manufactured in the colony. The value of last year's exports was £5,519,859, the balance between that sum and the total value of exports as already given, was for

goods previously imported here of our own products. Te following exports are worthy of mention ; Maize 1,096,373 bushels ; barley and oats, 22,127 bushels

flour and bran, 5,034,800 lbs ; butter and cheese, 1,066,240 lbs., value £40,844 ; timber, £23,159 ; salt meat, £47,002. Irrespective of the numerous steamers and sailing vessels en-gaged in the coasting trade, 2022 vessels, aggregating

741,369 tons, entered inwards during 1869. Of these, 1169 brought cargoes, the remainder were in ballast. The entries outwards shew that of 2236 vessels— 8,332,848 tons—which cleared outwards ; only 98 vessels—30,147 tons—left without cargoes. Though a large portion of the foreign carrying trade is done by vessels not owned in the colony, a fair share is done by vessels belonging to New South Wales. Some twenty full-rigged ships are registered in this port, besides a large number of barques and smaller vessels, many of which are engaged in foreign trade. Since 1860, 280 vessels, and 22,108 tons aggregate, were built, and 785 vessels, of 120,557 tons, were registered in this colony. Our steam fleet maintains an un-broken mail service extending along the coast from King's George's Sound, in Western Australia, on the one hand, to Cardwell, in Northern Queensland, on the other—a distance of some 3500 miles. Besides this, they have recently opened the trans-Pacific mail route, and perform two-thirds of the service, the remaining third being done by

American-owned steamers, whose performance, so far, are not equal in point of speed to the colonial boats One result of this line has been the establishment of commercial relations with the Sandwich Islands, from, which produce in the shape of sugar, rice, coffee, and pulu, has been forwarded to this market. There are good hopes that the day is not far distant when the large sums of money annually sent to foreign countries for sugar will be retained here, and that the sugar planters in the northern districts will be handsomely rewarded for the capital they are expending in this new industry. This is not the only direction from which a reduction in the value of our imports may be ex-pected. Local manufacturers are daily becoming more numerous, and will help to bring about a like result. Transactions with Queensland are becoming more limited every day, that colony now receiving the greater portion of her supplies direct from England, and shipping produce back, instead of both imports and exports passing through the hands of

Sydney houses.

The only Branch of the Royal Mint at present in existence is that of Sydney. The heaviest operations carried on there since its establisment occurred in 1866, when 739,362.930 oz. gold were received for coinage ; in 1867 the receipts were 629,721.990 oz. ;

in 1868, 603,866.840 oz. During the year large quantities of bullion were received from New Zealand. and after coinage were exported to England or returned to the place from whence it came. These imports having almost ceased will account for the apparent decrease which occurred during last year. The amount received for coinage in that period was only 346,003.940 oz., valued at £1,323,487 8s. 3d. The quantity of coin issued, 1,202,000 sovereigns, 154,000 half-sovereigns ; total value, £1,279,000. Of the receipts 179,549 oz. were the produce of our own gold-fields, 97,469 oz. were from Queensland, 64,698

oz. from New Zealand, and 203 oz. from Victoria. The balance consisted of foreign coins which were received in the shape of English currency.

With reference to financial affairs we find by the sworn returns which by law have to be made every quarter, that on 30th June ten banking institu-tions, doing business in this city, held deposits to the amount of over seven millions sterling, and the Savings' Bank returns swells the aggregate to £8,000,000, or more than £16 per head for all our population. This, in itself, is a pretty strong proof of the wealth of the colony ; but, irrespective of this, there is another fact worthy of mention, namely, the colonies of Queensland and New Zealand have both negotiated loans in this market within the past year, thereby withdrawing another half a million from the local banks. If as is sometimes alleged by persons representing fast communities. the mercantile firms of New South Wales are slow, they can also boast of being sure, and of having in foreign markets as good commercial credit as can be afforded to any merchants in the world. They may be averse to rash specula-tions, but they can point to the fate of those who indulged in such an unwise course of business as their reasons for not adopting a similar policy.

Railways.

THE rapid progress which the colony has made during the past fifteen years is perhaps nowhere more apparent than in the improvement which has taken place in the means of transit between the interior and the seaboard. It is impossible to traverse any of our principal lines of communication without observing works which challenge admiration for their magnitude and beauty, and which tell of the energy, wealth, and civilisation of our people, Our railways especially may be regarded as some proof of the enterprise of the colonists, and they in-dicate the existence of resources capable of furnishing employment and wealth to millions. In order to connect the seaboard with the fertile lands of the interior, wide rivers have been spanned by massive bridges, while to get to the western district, mountain slopes have been climbed, and for fifty or sixty miles the rocky peaks of the Blue Mountains have been cut down to form the only practicable highway.

The railway to Goulburn was projected as early as January, 1846, and a few years later a company was started with a capital of £100,000 to construct it. The first sod was turned on the 3rd of July, 1850, but the discovery of gold in the following year enhanced the price of labour, and interposed obstacles which proved insurmountable. In 1855 the com-pany's property passed by purchase to the Govern-ment, as also did the property of a second company, which, starting in 1853, had commenced the forma-tion of a railway between Newcastle and West Maitland. The first length of railway opened for traffic in the colony was that from Sydney to Parra-matta (fourteen miles). It was opened in September 1855. Its construction cost more than six times as much as the shareholders estimated would be suffi-cient to complete the whole 134 miles to Goulburn ; and it was moreover so badly formed, that after repeated attempts to patch it, the whole of the line has since had to be relaid at further cost of from sixty to seventy thousand pounds, the total cost per mile certainly not being less than £50,000.

The line from Sydney to Parramatta is a double line ; but while on all the other railways land has been taken for a double way, a single line only has been constructed. The gauge is 4 feet 8½ inches, and the double-headed 75-lbs. rail is used throughout.

The Great Southern line to Picton (fifty-three miles from Sydney) passes through country which has long been under cultivation, and in which most of the pursuits of agriculture and horticulture are successfully carried on. At Mittagong (77 miles) rich and extensive deposits of iron and coal exist in close proximity to the railway, and the soil of the district is singularly fertile. Indeed, it may be said that good arable land occurs nearly all the way to Marulan (114 miles), where marble of peerless beauty has been quarried. Goulburn, and much of the coun-try through which the line runs, possesses a mild and salubrious climate—in which English fruits, vege-tables, wheat, and other cereals thrive luxuriantly. The principal traffic from Goulburn to Sydney con-sists of grain and live stock, but when the line is ex-tended to Yass (50 miles farther south), the copper, lead, and other ores which abound in that district, will be brought by rail to the capital.

The cost of our railways has been largely increased by the enormous viaducts which have been con-structed over the flooded streams of the country. In times of heavy rain the rivers are swollen to a height of from forty to fifty feet above the ordinary level of the water, and the current, bearing on its surface masses of drift timber, sweeps down to the sea with terrific force. These floods necessitate the con-struction of bridges having great solidity and strength. Bridges of this character are very numerous, and two of them, which take the Southern and Western lines across the Nepean, have cost more than £200,000. That at Menangle is 1909 feet long, and includes 5909 cubic yards of masonry, 1089 cubic yards of brick, and 936 tons of iron. There are some very heavy cuttings on this (the Southern line) through sandstone rock, besides the Gibraltar tunnel, which is 572 yards long. As the line approaches Goulburn—Barber's, Boxer's, and Mul-warree Creeks, as well as the Wollondilly River, are crossed by five bridges, having stone or brick piers and abutments and superstructures of wrought iron. Their aggregate length is 2637 feet. The summit of the line is 2240 feet above high water at Sydney, and for three miles of its length the gradients are as steep as 1 in 30. The total expenditure on the Southern line from Parramatta junction to Goulburn, exclusive of rolling stock, up to the 30th June, 1870, was

£1,691,671.

The Great Northern was the next line which was projected. It starts from Newcastle, a commodious harbour, fifty miles north of Sydney. In the first portion of its course it passes over coal-fields of great extent and value, the produce of which is taken by rail to the port of shipment. Before the formation of the railway there were only two coal mines worked, the coal being brought to Newcastle in the one case on a horse tramway, and in the other by carts and wheelbarrows. Now, however, there is a large num-ber of mines at work, and the coal trade of the colony has been developed by means of this railway with extraordinary rapidity. The quantity of coal brought to Newcastle by the railway in 1861 was 44,913 tons, and the quantity carried last year (1869) was 546,939 tons, showing an increase of more than 500,000 tons in eight years. For nearly its whole length the Great Norhern Railway íntersects a country rich in agri-cultural and grazing capabilities. Coal, wine, maize, lucerne, and barley are among the chief productions of the district. The pasturage also is very luxuriant, and some of our finest horned cattle and horses come from that district. Population chiefly gathers round Maitland, Singleton, and Musclebrook, which are large towns in the centre of agricultural districts, and which are 30, 50, and 80 miles from the seaboard re-spectively. The line runs up the valley of the Hunter for the first 80 miles, and the principal engineering work on this railway is the bridge which carries the rails and the Great Northern Road over that river at Singleton. It has five openings of 80 feet each, and two of 15 feet each. The piers and abutments are built in ashlar masonry set in Portland cement. It has a laminated timber arch superstructure. The length of the bridge is 523 feet, the maximum height from foundations to rail level is 80 feet, and the width between the parapets is 27 feet 6 inches. It cost

£51,300. Another large bridge is now being built over the Hunter at Aberdeen (37 miles). This struc-ture is of iron throughout, and the cylinders forming the piers are now being filled with concrete. The cost of the Northern line to Musclebrook (80 miles) was £1,046,534, or £13,081 per mile, The line is completed to Aberdeen, and the construction of 32 miles more (to Murrurundi) is now in hand.

The Great Western line is finished to Rydal (111 miles from Sydney) and it will probably be completed to within four miles of Bathurst by the end of 1871.

From Parramatta Junction to Penrith, the line passes by orangeries, vineyards, and homesteads ; but from a mile or two westward of Penrith, the country is almost useless for agricultural purposes until the Bathurst Plains are reached. The railway and the Great Western Road are taken over the Nepean at Penrith by a viaduct consisting of three openings, each 186 feet in the clear, and the piers, four in num-ber, are built in ashlar masonry, set in Portland cement, carried down six feet below the ordinary bed of the river, where they rest on foundations of hard shale. The bridge is 612 feet long, exclusive of the iron and timber approaches on each side of the river, which also are of considerable length. The height from the foundations to the level of the rails is 65 feet, and the width between the main girders is 25 feet 6 inches. The Blue Mountains, which rise ab-ruptly on the west side of the valley of the Nepean, are ascended by a zigzag, on gradients the steepest of which is 1 in 30. Knapsack Gully viaduct, which occurs before the first reversing station of the Zigzag is reached, has five spans of 50 feet and two of 20 feet. Its total length is 388 feet, and the greatest height from the founda-tion to the level of the rails is 126 feet. It contains 6713 cubic yards of masonry, and cost £22,724. After the line reaches the summit of Lapstone Hill it follows the winding course of the main range, which divides the tributaries of the Nepean and the Cox from those of the Grose, to Mount Victoria. It then runs over the ranges which divide the watershed of the Lett and the Colo from the sources of the Grose. Thus for sixty miles it pursues its tortuous way

along the top of mountain ridges, the rails being laid on gradients which ascend from a level of 87 feet at the base of Lapstone Hill above high water of Spring tide at Sydney until an elevation of 3758 feet is gained near the Clarence Tunnel. On each side of the railway the traveller may look over a vast field of mountain peaks whose slopes are commonly clothed with forest timber from the summit to the base. Sometimes, however, rocky cliffs rise like a wall from the ravines, or their rugged weather beaten heads overhang the gloomy abysses many thousand feet below. The scenery is wild and grand beyond des-cription. The route which the railway takes is the only passable track over the mountains. The timber in this part of the colony consists chiefly of varieties of Eucalypti which are little valued, and it is also rich in indigenous flowers. The land, however, is unsuited for cultivation, and nearly the whole of this extensive region may possibly for ever remain a wilderness. The air on the mountains is

dry and pure, although there is generally a bluish pellucid vapour floating over the ravines ; and the mountains are much resorted to by invalids and tourists. In the neighbourhood of Hartley extensive sive coal and kerosene shale beds occur, and the open-

ing of the railway has greatly assited the development of the latter. This industry, however, is yet in its infancy, and in the course of a few years it is likely that it will assume vast proportions. The coal mines are also about to be worked ; but it is thought that the distance from Sydney will prevent the Hartley coal from entering into com-petition with the mines which lie within a mile or two of the seaboard. On the com-pletion of the Great Western line to Bathurst, the Hartley mines will at once be brought into profitable working for the supply of Bathurst and the mining and agricultural townships of the Western district ;

and on the extension of the line to Orange, where valuable copper mines exist, smelting operations will probably be commenced, so that, in addition to the coal trade, a large return traffic in copper ore may be looked for. After leaving the Lapstone Hill Zigzag (thirty-seven miles), the cuttings are almost exclusively through hard sandstone rock, and when the line arrives at a point about ninety miles from Sydney it passes through the Clarence tunnel, which penetrates the range between Dargan's Creek and Brown's River. The length of the tunnel, which is through rock, is 539 yards, and it is lined throughout with masonry. Following the Clarence tunnel is the Lithgow Valley Zigzag, by which the line is taken along the face of a pre-cipitous mountain, and thus descends into Lithgow Valley. This Zigzag is the greatest achievement of railway engineering in Australia, and it challenges admiration for its handsome appearance as well as for the stupendous character of the undertaking. This portion of the line has cost from £20,000 to £25,000 per mile. After an elaborate survey, this point was fixed upon as the least difficult for making the descent ; but so rugged was the place then that those engaged upon the survey had to be lowered down from the cliffs with ropes to enable them to measure and peg out the line. The jagged front of the mountain was blasted partly by means of elec-tricity. The contractor had to carry up the waggons and other plant, bit by bit, on the backs of his navvies, and then to put them together again. Two or three gorges on the zigzag are spanned by viaducts of white freestone, and one projecting rock is pierced by a tunnel.

The first viaduct is thirty chains from the Parramatta Junction. It consists of five spans of thirty feet each and two of fifteen feet. All the arches are semi-circular, and the greatest depth from the arches is about forty-six feet. After leaving the first reversing station, two other viaducts on the middle length are met with, each consisting of eight arches of thirty feet span. The tunnel is situated half-way down the descent, and is seventy-five yards long. The length of the middle descent is sixty-five chains, or with the wings, eighty-eight chains. The zigzag is con-structed on a gradient of one in forty-two ; and the fall from the Clarence tunnel at Bowenfels is 700 feet, the elevation of the former above high-water mark at Sydney being 3758 feet, and of the latter 3058 feet. Several viaducts occur on the length between Bowenfels and the Mudgee Road station. The first is at eighty miles sixty-two chains, and consists of four semicircular stone arches, of ten feet span ; a second occurs about two miles further on, and has three semicircular arches, each of twenty feet span, a third crosses Farmer's Creek, at eighty-three miles sixty-eighty chains, by seven semicircular arches, each of thirty feet span, the height from the level of the rails to the bed of the creek being forty feet ; a fourth viaduct spans the Middle River, and is in all respects similar to the last. The Morangaroo tunnel passes under the Mudgee Road, at eighty-seven miles thirty chains from the Junction. The length of this tunnel is 264 yards, and about half a mile further on it is followed by another short tunnel of about forty-four yards. The cuttings in this neighbourhood are very heavy, and are for the most part through sand-stone rock. The line is laid on a gradient of one in forty for about two miles on the Sydney side of the River Cox, which is crossed by a splendid stone viaduct, of fourteen segmental arches of twenty-five feet span, with a rise of six feet six. The central arch over the river is eliptical, of fifty-four feet span, with fourteen feet rise. The foundations are down to the rock, and the work is massive and well proportioned. At 105 miles from Sydney the Wallerawang Station occurs, and this is the outlet for the traffic from Mudgee and the North-western interior. Sheep farming is there earned on with great success, and the wool from the Mudgee flocks commonly fetches a higher price in the London market than any other Australian clips. The country also is rich in minerals, and possesses sources of wealth which will we hope ere long give profitable employment to a large

population.

The extension now in progress between Rydal and Bathurst is 35 miles, and the first length of it follows the valley of Solitary Creek. Some heavy works have been required, for within a distance of ten miles the line crosses and recrosses Solitary Creek seven-teen times. The creek, in periods of heavy rain, be-

comes a wide and rapid river, and it is thus necessary that the bridges should be very sub-stantial structures. The piers are of brick, and several of the superstructures will be of iron. The line then runs north of Solitary Creek and the Fish River, until it reaches the Macquarie River.

The serpentine course of Solitary Creek and the numerous spurs from the range of hills on each side, have necessitated very heavy works in excavations as well as bridges. On reaching the Fish River, and to avoid crossing it, the line is taken along the side of Mount Tarana, at a considerable height above the river. The mountain is so steep that the cutting is upwards of 90 feet deep on one side, and from 4 to 6 feet deep on the other. In the middle of the mountain is a gorge, where a retaining wall is to be built on the side next the river, about 40 feet in height, whereas on the upper side the em-bankment will be only a few feet high. Taking into consideration the nature of the country through which the line passes, the curves and gradients are very easy, the sharpest curve being 12 chains radius, and the steepest gradient 1 in 55 ; a considerable portion has a gradient of 1 in 600. Tenders are

under consideration for the construction of a short length of 3 miles 36 chains, so as to bring the line into the township of Bathurst. This will require a large viaduct over the Macquarie River at Bathurst, and will make the total length of the line 148 miles 36 chains. The cost of constructing the Great Western line to Penrith was £293,979 ; and the estimated cost of the extension from Penrith to Bathurst is £1,600,000, making the total expense £1,893,978. This estimate, however, will probably

be exceeded.

The railways already constructed in New South Wales are considerably longer than those of any other Australian colony ; and while the engineering difficulties in the way of making railways in this colony have been incomparably greater, the cost has been considerably less. Indeed, considering the con-figuration of the country through which the lines have been taken, we may congratulate ourselves upon having obtained railway which may be classed among the cheapest as well as the best in the world. The number of miles of railway now completed in New South Wales is 340, and to these must be added 67 miles which will be completed during the next two years, if not before. A proposition will be sub-mitted during the present session of Parliament for the extension of the Southern line from Goulburn to Yass (50 miles), of the Western line from Bathurst to Orange (44½ miles), and of the Northern line from Murrurundi to Tamworth (52½ or 59 miles via Curra-bubula or Wallabadah respectively). The Southern line has been surveyed to Wagga (168 miles beyond Goulburn), and the Government have directed sur-veys to be made between Wagga and Albury on the Murray, to which point Victoria also proposes to con-struct a line. These surveys shew that these exten-sions can be constructed at the rate of £8,000 per

mile.

To the 31st of December, 1869, the total amount expended in the construction of the lines was £5,678,954. In November of last year the Engineer-in-Chief estimated that the average cost of the Southern line, from Parramatta Junction to Goulburn (121 miles), will be £13,000 per mile ; from Parra-matta to Bathurst (132 miles), £14,000 ; and from Newcastle to Murrurundi (120 miles), £11,884 per mile, including bridges and stations, but exclusive of rolling-stock. The Victorian and Queensland lines have been constructed in a tolerably flat country, and have involved few if any engineering works of great size. For a double line Victoria has paid £37,000 per mile, while Queensland has paid £15,000 a mile for a single line (3 feet 6 inch gauge, with a 40 lbs. rail,) from Ipswich to Twoomba.

From the opening of the first portion of the railway there has been a steady increase in the traffic. The number of passengers carried last year was 983,063, and the goods traffic amounted to 714,113 tons, the value of which was £155,548. The earnings for 1869 was £264,974, and the working expenses £176,362. The first half of this year (1870) showed an increase on the railway revenue as compared with the corres-ponding period of 1869 of £25,372, and this result obtained notwithstanding an unprecedented succes-sion of heavy floods in all the districts through which the lines run. Those disastrous inundations had a very depressing influence on the trade of the colony, but such is the expansive character of our resources, that calamities of even so great magnitude have been unable to interpose more than a temporary check to the general prosperity. The receipts for the first half of 1869 were £116,198, and for the like period of this year they amounted to £141,570. Our passenger-rates are nearly as low as those commonly charged in England, while the tariff for goods is in some instances even much lower. In the foregoing remarks we have cursorily alluded to some industries which have re-ceived as impetus from railway extension, but the full benefit which must almost inevitably result from the stimulus which the railway will give to our latent resources, will probably transcend the expectations of the most sanguine. We know of no better proof of what the railway has already accomplished for civili-sation and commerce in this colony than the simple fact that the time of transit between Sydney and Goulburn (134 miles) in 1857, when the railway was only open to Liverpool, occupied from fourteen to twenty-one days, and the cost of carrying a ton of goods ranged from £8 10s. to £16. The time of transit in 1870 is seven hours, and the cost of carrying a ton of goods is as low as 17s. 11d. But perhaps we ought to add that, while during fair weather it was possible to travel the road in the time named, yet, in the wet season, teams were as often three months as three weeks upon the road. The number of men permanently em-ployed upon the railways of the colony is 1043. It is computed that the traffic now pays a dividend of from. two to three per cent. on a capitol of six millions sterling ; but by economical management, and with rates equal to those charged in Victoria or Queens-land, even the present amount of traffic would yield an interest of from six to ten per cent. The rolling stock on the 31st December, 1869, consisted of 47 locomotives, 218 passenger and other carriages, and 717 waggons, &c., for the goods traffic. Passengers travel with as much comfort as on British lines, the carriages for their accommodation having been built on the best English models.

Until about a year ago all the rolling stock re-quired was imported from England ; now with a few trifling exceptions everything is made, and well made, in the colony. The establishments connected with the Government railways have from the beginning executed the repairs which in the case of some of the locomotives, have been equivalent to the substitution of entirely new engines. Similar transformations have gradually taken place with regard to the other rolling stock. Several contractors' engines have been made in this city, but the first locomotive for passenger and goods traffic produced in this colony was built in connection with the railway department. Of the fifty locomotives now in the colony this is the largest and most powerful, and we believe that its working during the last three months shows it to be equal in all respects to the best of those imported, and to possess some points of superiority over them. Last year the Government accepted tenders for the construction of all the rolling stock which might be required, on an estimate of £60,000 a year for five years. The contractors entered into the business with great spirit, and the results already obtained will it is thought effectually prevent any further im-portations from the mother country. Messrs. Russell and Co. in March last opened a factory (268 feet x 75 feet, having upper as well as ground floor), which they built expressly for the manufacture of rolling stock other than locomotives. The factory is replete with every description of machinery requisite, the whole being worked by steam power. The factory, &c., cost £10,000, but we understand that, since it was opened, there have been subsequent im-portations of machinery, possessing all the latest improvements specially adapted for the work. Since the opening of their new building, they have manu-factured the following articles :—150 trucks, 11 cattle waggons, 10 covered goods vans, 10 carriage trucks' 10 break vans, 10 horse boxes, 1 first-class carriage, and 2 second-class carriages. 295,000 superficial feet of timber (principally colonial), and about 150 tons of iron, also chiefly manufactured in the colony, have been used in their construction, and £9250 have been paid in wages to the workmen since March last. About £2500 have also been expended in the purchase of other material, a large portion of which is of colonial production. Messrs. Mort and Co. and Messrs. Vale and Lacey were the contractors for the locomotives, and those firms have expended many thousands of pounds in the importation and local manufacture of machinery to enable them to carry out their contract with the Government. The first locomotive has been com-pleted by Messrs. Mort and Co., and was started on the 13th of last month. The new engine has been thoroughly well built in every part, and is certainly not inferior to any of those imported from the old country. It is expected that by the end of the year eight Sydney-made locomotives will be running on

our lines.

Roads.

WE have between seven and eight thousand miles of road under the control of the Government and trustees, as well as several miles of bridges. The Parliamentary grants for roads amounted last year to

£191,678.

Telegraphs.

OUR telegraphic system may be said to date from May, 1857, when a contract was entered into for the construction of the line from Liverpool to Albury, to connect with the Victorian line to Melbourne. The line was completed in October of the following years, and communication was thus established between New South Wales and the south-western colonies. The value of the telegraph was quickly appreciated, for in the first half of 1859 there were no less than 17,509 messages transmitted, yielding a revenue of £3876, or more than 16 per cent. on the capital of £25,000 invested. The through line to Brisbane was completed in November, 1861, but in the meantime our lines had been ex-tended to Newcastle, Bathurst, and other large towns of the colony. At the present time the wires ramify over the whole of our vast territory ; and, by con-nection with the lines of the neighbouring colonies, we obtain communication with every settlement of any importance on the Australian continent and the island of Tasmania. We have two distinct circuits to

rent being deadened by running over this shallow, the bar at the clearance to the harbour had a disppsi-tion to increase. With the view of improving the entrance the Engineer-in-Chief for Harbours and Rivers proposed the construction of a breakwater along the spit and for some distance into the deep

water in an easterly direction.

The tendency of this work up to present time has been to deepen the water considerably on the northern side owing to the increased scour, and fur-

thermore the bar at the entrance has, to a great extent, been improved owing to the current which the break-water has turned in a more easterly direction.

The breakwater was commenced in 1861, and is formed of ship's ballast, chiefly blue metal brought from Melbourne by colliers, and delivered at a jetty on the northern side of the harbour, from whence the stone is conveyed along a tramway and tipped from the end of the breakwater. The stone being spread out by the action of the waves will form an excellent foundation for the large stone with which it is in-tended ultimately to construct this work. The break-water up to the present time is 495 yards long, and contains about 75,200 tons of stone.

The Government coal wharf at Newcastle is 2400 feet long, 22 feet wide. Eight cranes (five made in Sydney) are used for shipping coal. Each crane has a full and empty line of railway, and lifts the coal waggons, and, slewing round, discharges their con-tents into the hold of the ship. They lift ten tons at a time, and the total quantity of coal shipped by them in a week averages 20,000 tons. The cost of the wharf, stone dyke, and cranes was about £50,000.

The coal staiths are now completed, and will at once be open for traffic. The existing facilities for shipping coal will be much increased, for it is expected that 12,000 tons a day can be put on board ship by means of the staiths alone. The coal trucks will be taken up by locomotives to a sufficient level to allow them to run down by gravity to shoots projecting over the vessels, and when emptied they will descend by a separate line to the Great Northern Railway. The works are constructed principally of timber, over 2000 feet of viaduct being used. The shoots, hoppers, regulating gear, and river piers are of iron, and the cost of lines complete has been about £27,000.

One of the greatest difficulties that had to be con-tended with in the Hunter River was its tendency to silt up in some places. For the purpose of prevent-ing this in some measure, dykes have been formed of ships ballast at Wyndurs Island, near Raymond Terrace, and at the flats near Fullerton Cove, so as to keep the river to its natural channel, and to pre-vent the waters from spreading over the flats. An-other dyke is at present in course of construction at the upper end of the harbour, cutting off a large flat nearly dry at low water ; and by thus confining the river to the channel, and directing the current into the so-called coal channel in front of the present wharf, the increased action of the tide causes a greater scour, tending to deepen and equalise

the natural channel.

The length of the dyke, when finished, will be 2830 yards, more than three-quarters of which is already completed.

This dyke forms the commencement of extensive works projected for the enlargement of improvement of the port of Newcastle, which cannot extend in any other direction. It is contemplated to make up the ever-increasing demand for wharfage by extending the present wharf along the dyke, reclaiming the flat at the back, and subsequently erecting cranes, coal-

shoots, or such appliances as may appear most advan-tageous, and connecting it with the main line of rail-

way, of which there is little doubt it will become the

terminus.

Dredging operations have been extensively carried on, and there are at present two dredges at work in the harbour, though provision has been made by Par-liament for a third. The dredges were designed by the Engineer-in-Chief ; they were built in Sydney, and each of them is capable of dredging 1000 tons per day. The cost of the two, with barges, tugs, &c.,

was about £42,000.

Screw moorings have been laid down in the har-bour for vessels of the largest tonnage, which can now lie in safety in the port, although it is much exposed to the easterly gales.

The navigation of the Hunter as far as Morpeth, 29 miles from Newcastle, is available for ocean steamers drawing ten feet, the flats having been dredged by one of the Newcastle dredges.

A coal shoot has been elected at Morpeth in con-nection with the railway, at a cost of £4300, and the Queen's wharf there has also been reconstructed at a cost of £600. Several fine bridges have been built across the Hunter. The Pitnacree Bridge is of iron, cast iron screw pile piers, and wrought iron lattice superstructure. It is 300 feet long, in four spans of 75 feet, the height of girders above low water line is 24 feet, and the width 20 feet between the centres of the piles. It cost £8500, and the approaches about

£3000 more.

Another of these bridges is that at Dunmore. It is constructed of timber, and has an iron telescope opening of 45 feet clear for vessels to pass through ; the spans are 39 feet, braced with iron tension bars ; the length is 450 feet ; the width between the hand-

rails 25 feet, and the height above the low water line 26 feet. The cost of the bridge and approaches was £6800. The largest and

most handsome viaduct in this district is the Belmore Bridge, at West Maitland. It is an iron structure 598 feet long, in two spans of 68 feet, three of 105 feet, and three of 49 feet. The height of the underside of the girders above low water is 37 feet, and the distance between the centres of the cylinders 23 feet. Piers are of cast and wrought iron cylinders and the lattice girders are continuous over the piers. The cost of the bridge was £21,500, and the approaches about £1200.

The following is the export of coal from the port of Newcastle to foreign and intercolonial ports from 1st August, 1869, to 31st August, 1870 :—Copang, 500 ; Hongkong, 30,002 ; Java, 18,021 ; Manila, 1608 ; Sagon, 1460 ; San Francisco, 90,856 ; Singapore, 2270 ; Batavia, 4006 ; Shanghai, 18,226 ; Petropaulovski, 3591 ; Calcutta, 1020 ; Callao, 1480 ; Foo Chow. 851 ; Ningpo, 360 ; Galle, 866 ; Bombay, 4216 ; Mauritius, 1090 ; Yokohama, 926 : total, 181,349. Victoria, 179,766, New Zealand, 76,473 ; South Australia, 43,241 ; Tasmania, 12,126 ; Queensland, 1525 : total, 313,131. Grand total, 494,480 tons.

BROKEN BAY.

This is a harbour of refuge at the mouth of the Hawkesbury River ; it is very capacious, situated about twenty miles from Sydney, on the North. There is a Customs station ; and recently two light-houses have been placed at the southern entrance. Brisbane Water is situated on the north side.

WOLLONGONG HARBOUR.

Large works have also been carried on in the harbour of Wollongong, forty-five miles south of Sydney. It is constructed in a small bay open to the north-east, having a rather high headland on the south, and a long sandy beach on the north.

The Belmore Basin, as the new part of the Wol-longong Harbour is called, consists of a large rectan-gular excavation in hard rock. It is 440 feet in length and 150 feet in breadth, with an average depth at low water of fourteen feet ; under the coal staiths, however, it is eighteen feet, so that vessels drawing that depth can enter at high water and load under

the staiths without hindrance. Along the edge of the basin there is a strong wall built of sandstone from Sydney, filling up the irregularities of the exca-

vated portions of rock. The rock was taken out of the basin in large blocks to suit the breakwater, which was constructed at the same time. The old or outer basin has been deepened to the same depth as the new one. A single-planked coffer-dam of 460 feet long had to be constructed, with a pressure of twenty feet water at the deepest place, the traffic of the port being carried on in the meantime by means of a temporary jetty outside, and the full length of the coffer-dam. The dredge, after the rock was blasted under the water, cleared and completed the channel and entrance to the port. The quantity of stone excavated in both basins is about 80,000 cubic yards. The area of both basins is about equal to three acres, and the total wharfage accommodation is 1700 feet.

The breakwater, which starts from near the north-east corner of the " Belmore Basin," and runs in a north-westerly direction for about 450 feet, is com-posed of very large stones roughly thrown in and packed by the sea ; it is near the outer end of this breakwater that the lighthouse is being built. On the south-east side are three coal staiths connected to the tramways from the coal mines ; they are built of squared framed ironbark, and of sufficient height to discharge the coal direct from the waggons into the vessels holds, and at the same time allow nninter

rupted passage for the traffic on the roadway under-neath leading all round the wharf. The expenditure on the whole of the work, exclusive of the lighthouse, was £47,700. The Wollongong lighthouse is similar in construction to the one in course of erection at Ulladulla. The towers are of wrought iron, circular in section, 13 feet 6 inches at the base, and curving up to 8 feet at top ; the height of the local plane above the base of structure will be about 40 feet, and above low water 52 feet. The tower will be placed on the outer end of the breakwater ; the foundation is now nearly completed, it consists of a mass of con-crete, 30 feet square by 12 feet deep, strong holding down bolts being bedded in it for securing the iron work.

Victoria and South Australia, and the aggregate number of miles of wire now opened is nearly 5500.

The lines have been constructed with a view to ensure durability, but, at the same time, with a due regard to economy. The posts are heavy saplings, 12 inches at the base, tapering to 5 or 6 inches at the top. The conducting wire is that known as No. 6, which weighs 560 lbs, to the mile. The iunsulators are of the best German porcelain. The height of the poles (28 feet) allows of others being re-set in the ground when they decay at the base. Tubular iron poles, of elegant pattern, are erected along the southern and western lines of railway. The cost of con-struction has averaged, according to the locality, from £29 10s. to £34 per mile, which is cheaper than the cost of similar lines in England, France, or America. The telegraphic instruments employed on the main circuits are the Morse recording instruments of the best construction made by Messrs. Siemens and Halskes, of Berlin ; and they possess all the latest improvements patented by Digney Freres, of Paris, for marking the tapes with ink. They are as perfectly finished as skilled workmen can make them, and experience has, we believe, proved that these in-struments are capable of being worked more ex-peditiously than any others ; while they are at the same time less liable to get out of order.

The practice of insisting on a guarantee of interest from the inhabitants of the more sparsely populated districts who desire the extension of the telegraph has worked well, and has been the means of prevent-

ing the reckless expenditure of public money on lines which never would be self-supporting. The gua-rantee of 5 per cent. on the cost for construction, and working tends also to induce business which other-

wise would not be obtained from the residents who are individually responsible to the Government.

There are eighty-five telegraph stations in the colony, 142 Morse instruments, and 97 alphabetical instruments, the latter being in use on the railway and private lines. The officers, clerks, and messengers employed number 138, and the number of messages at the present time (August, 1870) shows on average of more than 150,000 per annum. The receipts of the department have every year excepting the first, shown a surplus over working expenses. In 1859 there were 470 miles of ware, the cost of construction was £23,816 19s. 9d., the number of messages trans-mitted 36,867, and the net revenue £3179. At the end of 1869 we had 5053 miles of line, and the cost of construction was £189,145 ; the number of messages transmitted was 145,370, and the net revenue £4646. Latterly a great reduction has been made in the rates, and a telegraphic message not exceeding ten words can now be sent to a distance of seven or eight hun-dred miles, and indeed to any part of the colony,

for 2s.

The system of constructing branch lines to connect with the nearest Government telegraph station, at an annual rental, has been taken advant-

age of by several coal companies in the north and south. All the lighthouses along the sea coast are connected with the metropolis, with the exception of that on Gabo Island. The line, however, has been stretched over the main land, and the whole will very shortly be completed. Stations are also established at Clarence Heads, Port Mac-quarie, Moruya, and Twofold Bay ; at each of which a complete system of telegraphic storm signals has been provided for, upon a plan arranged by the Superintendent of Telegraphs and the Superintendent of Pilots and Lights, which will be brought into operation without delay.

Shipping intelligence is transmitted by telegraph free of charge, and is posted daily in Sydney and other places of importance in each of the Australian colonies. Arrangements have also been made to enable steamships, by hoisting their signals as they pass the coast stations, to be reported in Sydney, and their arrival in the port can thus be calculated within an

hour.

Meteorological observations are transmitted from all the most important stations throughout the Australian colonies, and are posted daily at the chief telegraph offices of each colony. The state of the weather can now be ascertained every morning along the eastern and southern coasts of the continent—from Cardwell in Northern Queensland to Port Augusta in South Australia—a distance in round numbers of nearly three thousand miles. Most

of the telegraph stations in this colony have been supplied with sets of instruments, including rain gauges, so that more complete meteorological infor-

mation will in future be obtained. When the arrangement which the British Aus-tralian Company have entered into with the Govern-ment of South Australia is completed for a cable from Singapore to Batavia, and from East Java to Port Darwin, touching at Coepang, we shall have a double line across the Australian continent connect-ing us with the Anglo-Indian system. Our own line connects with that of Queensland at Maryland, and the Queensland line is already open to Cardwell—a coast settlement on about the 18th parallel of latitude. The Queensland Government are now extending it to Normantown, Gulf of Carpentaria. From Norman-

town a submarine line of about 300 knots will be

taken to the Roper River, on the western side of the Gulf ; and four hundred miles farther westward from that point will perfect our communication with the cable across the East Indian Archipelago. The Queensland line will be completed to the Gulf of Carpentaria in 1871. The line by which we have communication with Cardwell is working regularly, is not liable to prolonged interruptions, and is sup-plied with repairing stations at easy distances, which are self supporting. Another important advantage which the lines of this colony and Queensland will have over the proposed South Australian line from Port Darwin to Port Augusta is that they follow generally the direction of the eastern coast of the continent, along which settlement has chiefly taken place, and, connecting with the several northern ports, the stations can be easily and cheaply supplied with stores. The Queensland line is self-supporting ; it can be worked at a much less expense than the South Australian line, and the public, therefore, will be able to transmit their messages at a far lower rate than by the proposed line via Port Augusta, which will have no intermediate or way business, but must depend entirely on the revenue derivable from the through cable despatches. It is proposed to estab-lish only four stations between Port Darwin and Port Augusta, and these, on the estimated distance of sixteen hundred miles, will give four hundred miles for each line repairer to take charge of. It is thus not unlikely that their line may be rendered useless for a considerable period during the prevalence of floods or drought.

Harbours on the Coast.

WHILE the colony has been lavish in its expenditure for purposes of internal communication, it has been scarcely less liberal in the provision which it has made for the shipping which trades to the numerous har-bours along the seaboard, and in the improvement of the navigation of our principal rivers. The works to which we allude, have been carried out by the Department for Harbours and Rivers, but want of space precludes us from doing more than cursorily noticing some of the principal works which have been completed, or are now in progress.

NEWCASTLE.

Newcastle, whose trade is second only to that of Sydney, owes its commercial importance, if not its existence at a large shipping port in no small measure to the works which have been completed

there.

There are at present two breakwaters in course of construction at Newcastle, one about 2000 feet long, connecting the main land with Nobby's Island, a high rock at the southern entrance to the port and the site of the lighthouse, called the Southern Break-water. The other the Northern breakwater, extends from the North Head, in the direction of the River Hunter, out into the ocean. The Southern Break-water was constructed in olden times by prison labour, the stone procured by blasting the rocks on the beach within a short distance. The works were much damaged by the sea in consequence of the stone not being sufficiently hard to resist the action of the waves ; the Government, therefore, in the year 1866, commenced to repair the breakwater with stones of a much harder description, and weighing, on an average, not less than 10 tons ; in order to procure this stone a new quarry was opened at Waratah, a few miles from Newcastle, from whence the stone is conveyed in trucks by railway and tipped from the end of the breakwater ; the inner side is afterwards hand packed. Up to the present date 350 yards of the breakwater have been repaired, and it contains 90,000 tons of stone. It will probably be completed as far as Nobby's in the course of a year or so. The work has been tested by heavy gales, but as yet not a single stone has been displaced. A further extension of the breakwater to Big Ben (a reef of rocks some distance off Nobby's) is contemplated ; this will be a work occupying some considerable time, owing to the depth of water between Nobby's and the reef and to the heavy seas which will often pre-vent the work from being Proceeded with.

At the northern entrance to the harbour of New-castle there was formerly a sand spit with an exten- sive bank outside, known as the " Oyster Bank." The ebb side taking its course northerly has a great tendency to draw vessels on to the bank when enter- ng or leaving the port. Further, the force of the cur-

The Ulladulla tower will be erected on the pier

on a mass of concrete filled in between the massive walls of the pier, and the whole bolted down in the most substantial manner. Twenty fruí miles south fiom Wollongong is the small inlet on^iutilly open to the cast and noith east, known as Kinma Holborn Ilk excavation of a basin in the solid basalt h is been commented and up to the piesent time 66,000 cubit y aids have been taken out Hie large stones have bein used m the coiistruition of a substantial breaks» ater, and the smaller ones m the forming of inner pieis to the basm, and m the general levelling and forming oi the approaches to the future whtiifs Hie breakwater now extends 370 feet from the low watormaik, mid vessels aie perfectly safe in appioaihiti the tem poinry wooden jetty which has been built tor then accommodation on the end ot the western piei

"\\ hen the basm is completed, vessels will bo able to entei in all wentheis, and Kiama will become a har hour of refuge, as Wollongong has alieady pioved to bt The basin is ill be 110 feet in length, by an aierage width of 280 feet, and will cover an extent of ntaily 3 acies, with a depth of 13 ftet at low water, ollcrmg a frontage of 1200 feet of wlnuf Hie expen-diture on tlie woiks up to tlie piesent time amounts

to £36,000

SHOALHAVEN

A few miles farther south and ive come to the Shoalhaven Rivei, the navigation of which nver is earned on through the Crookhaven River-on arm of the Shoalhaven-opening to the ocean titree miles «outh of that laver, and having th» odiontago of being piotected from the frequent south easteily gales by a rocky headland The counhy near the mouth is flat, and numerous shallow channels have therefore been fonned by the flow of the tides lo improve the mam or nangable channel a d)ke of stone, nearly half a mile in length, has been con stiucted, at the cost of £2700 to guide and confine the action of the current There is also on tlus rivera single dredger, of 16 horse possei, lifting on an av erage 600 tons of silt per day

Jtnvis BAI

About twenty five miles south of the loige ond safe haibour of refuge, Jervis Bay (which, how ever con-tains no avouable land of which it could form the outlet), is situated "Ulladulla Bay, which was an open inlet of the sea until, in 1861 5, a pier was con stiucted, at a cost of nearly £11,000 Hie pier itself i» 200 feet m length, formed of massiv c masonry -walls set m from 9 to l8 feet of water at low tide, and filled m between with stone ballast, part of ivhith nul be taken up again, to construct the concicte foundation lor the iron lighthouse which is shortly to be erected on the pier head An embankment of rubble stone, 500 leet long, forms the appro ich to the pier, and cimes a tramroad for the moie tonvenient carriage of goods to and from the piei

Hie outer angle which is fonned bv the pier and the approach is directed against the sea and there fore has been piotected by heavy stone pitching Hie shape ol the pier head is fonned in such o manner as to throw the waves away fiom the entnntc to the basin The strength of the pier has been scveiely tested by enormous seas which have oiertopped the whole of the woiks (lining eo-rterly gales, leaving nothing to be seen loi some seconds at

a time

THE MonuiA

At the mouth of the Moray a Riv ei is the principal port of county Dampier, it is about sixty-hi e miles south of tlie Jervis Bay lighthouse On tin north of tlie cntiance to tins nier is a sand spit, and on the south is a rocky pomt called Toragy The port is open to the noith east

There is a rocky foreshore at the south head, which formerly destroy ed the force of the current so much that the entrance was m danger of being blocked up with sand lo preient this, a bieakwater or dike was foimed, extending from these rocks at the north is est portion of the pomt nearly m an easterly dircc

tion tor a dist ince of oiei 1300 feet, skuhng tlie rocky ledges

Hie breakwater is constiucted with stone obtained fiom a quariv close at hand, consuming 31,000 tons of stone, at a cost ol £9500

Since this werk hos been completed the traffic Ins only been stopped once, which was dunng the di ought of last i eai, when also the tides vseie loss

It is m contemplation to build a breakwater on the north side, but for the present operations will be confined to blasting out a dangerous lock obstructing naiigation at the entrance

Inn CiAiiENCr

The Clarence R«cr is the mam poit ot the New England district, and two steam naiigation companies carry on an extensile communication between tint port and Svdney Hie bar of the nvei has been of an exceedingly shifting nature, owing io reefs of roc! s which diiert and deaden the tidal currents lo counteract tins state of uncertainty, a stone dy ke vs as built on the south side, stietthing m an even gentle cm ve along the edge of the channel for a distance of 3000 feet inland, and projecting, in the shape ol a bieakwater, to seaward for an additional distance ol 570 leet, thus guiding the tidal currents always ovti the same part ot the bar, and presei ung the depth and position ot the channel lhe effect of this in

creased scour hos also been to cut away the sand spit on the north side oi the entrance, and therefore to mci ease the waterway, allowing more water to flow in and out at every tide, Hie £20,000 voted for the improi ement oi tlie nai lgation has been expended in this and on some minor matters, such as beacons, ÍLc Another lote of £30,000 remains available to wards constructing a breakwater on the north side tlie effect of which is expected to be identical with the northern breakwater at Newcastle, where the beneficial action on the bai and the " oy ster bank is already fully established

OTUBH POUTS

Sei eral thousand pounds baie been spent in re moiing obstructions to the navigation of the Murrav, Muirumbidgee and Dalling, and dredging will, m all probability, soon be commenced on the Clarence and the Macleay

Miscellaneous w orks-such as floodgates far Cook s River dam, water reservoir, Cootamundry, Liverpool dam, and Campbelltown reservón-have been con stiucted at a cost of £o500 About a score of fern punts hav c also been built undei the supervision of the Harbouis and Rivers Department-the cost of them being £11,000

"Wharfs and jetties have been erected at Bate mons Boy, Chele River, lathra, lvsofold Bay, Monly i, Hinton, Shoalhaien Riler, Gosford, Kemp sey, Ficdenckton, Cismo, Port Macquarie, and Kiama They aie adapted for coasters ond coosting steamers, and then oggiegate cost has been about £12,000

The Climate, &c.

NLVS South "\"\ ules, so nth m natural w ealth of almost eiery kind Ins the fuithei advantage of a climate of rare salubnty, and affording an extensive choice to its inhabitants AVhen m y ears to come t much larger population dev otc themselv es to settled ottupotions, and pastoial and ogncultural pursuits aie tuned on under better conditions, it may be lcosonably assumed that the utal statistics of the coloni will show even moie favourable results than those at piesent exhibited It is a common error to suppose that the people of " New South As ales live m a semi tropical climate, and that the tcmpei i tint of Sydney is the temperature of the colony

lhere is as much difleience m this respect betw een Sy dney and some parts of the interior, as | betw cen the Midland Counties of Lngland and the * Mooi s of Scotland, except that m the colder par s of t this colonv the wmtei is not so long m its duiution

Although tropic üplants glow in the Svdney gardens o five toms jouiney by rail is sufficient toreieha plate vvheie British fruits flourish amid finns laid down with English glasses and scattered over with English wild flowers Considering the fine chínate enjoyed by the people it might be supposed that the vital statistics of New South Wales would be altogether exceptional If allow anoe be made for the numerous contingencies incident to life m new countries, with a large nioimg population, the vital statistics of the colony is ill otford prcsumptiie evidence of some value miegoidto the nature of the climate and the expectations of life which may be based thereon It is neoily ten years since the lost general census was taken, but the population of the colony has been estimated from time to time, and the most recent official estimate of the number of mhabitants shows that on the 31st December, 1869, there were 271 005 males, and 214,301 females, or a total of 185,356 Hie increase during the last half-yen of 1869 was 9706 Hie excess of arnvals oier depaituies by sea was 3013, and the excess of births over deaths 0713 ' ie population ten years ago ivis 318,586, so that there has been an average mercase of more than 11,000 per annum lins is a slow rate of progiess for a colony so nch, and affording so many adiantagcs hirlily esteemed in old corni ti res, but New South Walts h is several offshoots -all of which are careful toset forth to the world their attractions Hie population of New South Wales has been greatly reduced by separations dunng the lost 20 years In 1851, Victoria was separated from the parent colony on the South, »nil the jiopula

ti Iel'l ni Ho (00 ti 197 000, but it soon reen omi i tlf In 1 OS the nunibei of souls wes ¡12,000 M cn it, fell in lfcÔJ to 330 o00 the lcduction being

tu-.ed by the scp nation of Quoenslmd-which hid lieviouvly been pint ot New South AViles, to the Noith bmte that time ti o incitase hos lmpioscd nul that the influx of populitiou fiom othei tountnes has not been gieatu, is no tit iibt owing to the little effoit made bv Ness South W ales, to isseit itssupeiioi claims Since the ictti 1862 die inimbci ol immigrants fiom the United Kingdom at then own expense has been consul« ibly k=s than a thousand a vear, and, for the lost tsso l cars, there has been no Government nnmiLiation Hieimmigiants nitroduted fiom the United Kingdom at the public expense from 1860 to 1808 inclusive nnmbeied 21 254 Ot theo, upwards of 15 000 wetc from Ireland, 4o00 from England and Wales and 1600 from Scotland All these facts show that it would not be fair to judge of the salubntv of the climate of Ness South Wales by a compnrison of the tobies ol mor tality with the population

Hie maniflge rate has gradually piogicssed In 1800 the lrgistercd mamageswcic ¿918 last year thtv nnmbeied 3799 Hie biiths last yeai were 19,243, being 758 moie than the births m 1868 , while the dcnths were only 6691, or 531 less than the deaths in the previous v ear It is also woithy of notice that the death late ofl86Snns considerably in excess of that ol 1867, in which last mentioned year the measles was fatal to a large nunibei of children lhere is m the colony still, an inequality of the sexes-women and female children being in the mino nty by foi ty thousand lliose who piy special attention to ulai statistics wül bo mtcicstcd to know thnt ot 19,243 bntlis last year tiieie was an excess of 60Ö in fav our of the males, and that the deaths shoss ed an excess of 1263 males the numbers being-m iles, 3972, females 2719 Hie steps winch ore now being token to intioducc, from the United Kingdom a con fideioble number ol young unmarried women for domestic service aie likelv to hove a fivourable influence in relation to the colony lhosc of the new corners who do not spcedtlv find husbands will be welcome in numerous pinces vsheie it is saul now that the cider of things is so much changed that mistresses do not engage scivants, but BCivnnts engage (heir mistresses-after examination as to the number of children, the st/e of the house, and the distance from town Statistics i elating to the natural increase of population in Is ess South Wales im nish some facts that oie anti social and some that show the fecunditv of life For ínstame in the ten y cms fiom the 1st Januars, 18)9, to the 31st Deccmbci 18C8 thcie were fifteen cases of triplets,

and 1429 mstonccs ot turns

What aie the diseases mo=t incident to the colony moy be potheied from the result of a classified state

ment which shows that last year the causes of death vieie AS follows zymotic diseases 1506, con stitutional, 746, local, 2570 developmental, 1220, violence, including accidents, homicides suicides, vc , 665 Hie total of nil cases was as previously stated, 6691 HUB estimate was made in nccoidance with the classification of cases, which is uniform through-out the Bntish possessions It is saul that the ex-pectation of life is shortened m jNevs South Wales, when the shadows begin to lengthen It is observa-ble that there is not to bo seen among a given num-ber, so many hale old men, os mav be found m English agncultural districts, but this alleged abbrc viattonofthe decUne of existence, if it be o fact, is much more likely to be due to some vicissitudes of colonial life, than to climatic influence

Parts and Pleasure Grounds.

TEW cities can boost of having more beautiful, or more extensive, pleasure grounds thm the city of Sydney lirst and foicmost we must pi ice the Botanical Gaidens Ihev aie almost surrounded by pictmcsque pink lands, ond arc situatedin a îomantic and beautiful spot m the most retired poitofthe cits Ihey spicad ovei one bundled aeies, and encircle 1 aim Cove, one of the many channing m dents of the magnificent liaibom of Poit Jackson i sheet of w utei like a land locked bay unreined by a pleasuic ground filled suth the v egetahon of es erj clune, and oveilookedbv Government House, a ludoi edifice of ta«tlehke ippeaioiiee, are features that pioduce an eliott smguloily beautiful in itself, and

one thal never foils to command the admiration of the

beholder In one pait of the gardens stands a laige aviary, containing a laluable collection of birds lins anary is enclosed with a trellis work which is covered with elegant climbing plants On either side of the w alk close to the av íary ai e tvs o enclosures a fountain m each, and ponds for aquatic fossls , and studded htie and there umbrageous tiees afford tliem sheltei Hie giandness of the whole picture has been enhanced m no small degree b) artistic adornment Ihe'.lopes, lei els, aud gentle undulations liai e been made to harmonise with the channing aspect of the bay In stiollmg through the tastefully hud out shrubberies, occasional glimpses may be had of the bay between the numerous groups ol rare exotics studding the line lawns which slope towards it Hie prospect of the distant lulls on the noithein side of the haibour comprises scenes of luxurs and splendoui unsuipassod, whilst the passing to and fio of vessels lends an additional charm to the new It would be impossible m a brief description to enume-rate one tithe of the many rare exotics and other plants that aie to be met with in the gardens Arau-canas palms plantains magnolias, bamboos poplars, oiks, olives.-the flowering and other plants of Bn tam, America, Mnda0oscor, Cluna, Japan, Polynesia, and Australia, vie ssith each other m their beauty and magnificence presenting a sight as nov el as it is glorious A shallow part of the bay contiguous to the lawns is now being filled in, and when the woik is finished, and the new made giound added to the already extensive pleasure grounds, their beauty will be much mci cased Tarni Coie, which is three parts suriounded by the gardens, is the anchoiage ol her Majesty s ships when m port Hie extensive park which lies to tlie cost and south of the gardens is know n as the Sv dney Domain It comprises about 138 aeres, nid occupies a site unsuip issed for its magnificence It is of on irregulai shape On the eastern side is an expansiv e sheet of vs ater know n as "Woolloomooloo Bo) , and from the exti erne northei n end, on which stands Macquarie Battery, the gi eater portion of the harbour of Port Jackson may be seen Hie nnprovements which have been eflectcd dmmg the past few years, undei the superintendence of Mr Cholles Moore, the director of the Botanic Gaidens, have gieitly enhanced the natural beauty of the puk, and, in place of the dullu>h-looknig Eucalypti, are now growing up trees of the most exquisite beauty Hie statue of Governor Sir Richard Bourke stands neai the entrance gate at the western end of the Domain llieie is an excellent carnage dnve all round the pork, and it is also intersected with footpaths and carnage dru cs A little further south, and almost ni the heart of the city, stands Hy de Park, a block of land eontauung foi ty two acres Hie length of the paik is about two thuds of a mile Along the centie there is a splendid avenue of trees At the northern entrance of this av enue stands the statue of ' Albert tile Good, which was erected by the citizens ni memory of his late Roy al Highness the Pnnce Con-sort And in the south eastern division of the park has just been erected a granite pedestal, on which is to be placed a statue of Captain Cook Hie park is intersected with numerous vsalks, vihich are used as thoroughf ues for pedestrians going fiom one part of the cit) to the other About a quarter of a mile to the south of H)de Pink is a pleasuic giound of much smaller dimensions - the Belmore Gaidens Ihey eont uti nme acres It is only within the 1 ist y ear or so that any improvements have been made upon this giound A iciy agreeable tiansfonnationis going on, and m a few years hence these gai dens will prove a most delightful place of resort Slül fuithcr south vs u d, occupying a position between the city and the suburbs of Kcdleni, stands the Prince Allred Park, cont mung l8 acies Hie unproi ements have for the most part been c lined out within the past few months A spacious exhibition buüdmg (which wül be found desenbed elsewhere) occupies a site at the northern end Hie contractor for this building was Mr John "ioung, who for some years studied under Sii Joseph Paxton Hie grounds were oil laid out by Mr Young, ond m the course of another year or so it will be one of the most delightful resort» m the city Close to the southern confines of the city, and betwecn the suburbs of Glebe and New-town, we have the Victoria Park It lies just m front of the Umieisity, and is m the vicinity of St John s (Roman Catholic) College and St Paul s (Chm cb of England) College It occupies a lery fine site oierlookmg a great part of the city, and contains tistnty hie acres Improvements have only recently been commenced And lastly, we have to the south cast of the city, Moore Park (named after Mr Ch irles Moore, late Mayor of Sydney) occupy-ing the most extensive area of all It was formerly known as the Sydney Common, and contains five hundred acres It is now in the hands of the Coi poration Ihree years ago it was coitred with sind lulls, and is as almost destitute of i egetable life But since then, last improvements have been made, at an outlay of about £15,000 Several of the sand lulls have been levelled, and a fine well-grassed plateau now extendb oi er about one half the area of the Park Hie road to Randwick runs tlirough it

Amusements.

Tin people of New South Wales arc esscnti nlly te id ot out dom recreation and pkasuie, mid fuiliiie has ufloidcd them eveiy facility for enjoying themselves to the utmost Our harbour is, as a mnttei of eouise, the centre of attraction, and upon holidays c\eiy available steamer and boat is brought into ueruiMtion for eonve)iiig the thousand of excursionists to one or othei of the vanous wateimg places mid scenes of beaut) with whit h Port Jnckson nbouuds Almost countless picnics nie got up and nt sonic of the old established spots Dint me visited pavilions foi dancing and lawns for cricket and other umunments have been provided Along the coast, between Pent Tnclson mid Botnnv Bay, ore several smnll bnvsor uidentntions of the sea, with excellent beaches which are much rcsoited to b) pleasure seekers A good rend, too, nins down the const, fiom S)dney to Botnnv, mid, with the Pacific Ocean on the one hand, mid sccner) of the most picturesque ovchncfs on the othei, it forms one of the most popu lnr and beautiful drives out of S)dney The rulwn) comes m for n good share or patronage, and it is some-times ns much as the rnilw ay nutbonties am do to find accommodation for the multitudes who are bound upon some pleasure trip The railway woiks form great nttiactious, mid for the most part these are situ-ated nmidst scener) of great splendour Yachting and rowing nrever) fnvourite pursuits , mid generally on holidnvs rct.attns take place in some part of the haibour lheie are tvio vncht clubs , and a reccntlv fonned lowing club numbers three hundred members Cricket is the most popular of the gnmes The visits of the English cricketers, some three or four )cnrs ngo, afforded a g)ent stimulus to it, mid now nenrl) even college, school, and some of the business establishments have then cricket club In addition to these, there arc two or tliree clubs of a more national character One of these, the Albert Club, poo-esses an excellent cricket ground of its own Athletic and other contests often take plnce on tlnsgioui d, nnd on these occasions it is frequented bv thousands of people Horse racing is another favourite sport The Australian Jockey Club com-prises amongst its members some of the leading men ni the community Its race meetings take plnce on a fine course at Randwick, m the autumn and spring of each )onr Theie ib also a race meetuig at Homebush, six or seven miks from Sydnev, every New "Vears Du) And every town in the colony of nn) impoitnncc Ins its inccs The principal holidays mc Nevi "iears Dav, the amuversaiy of the foundation of the colonv (Tanuar) 26), Easter Mon dav Queen s Bullida), Punce ot Wales s Birthday, and Boxing dav (December 26) These da)s are given up exclusivel) to pleasure and nre considered close holidnvs The Satin day half holiday movement h is made great jirogrcss in the city, and most of the leading establishments aie closed at 1 o clock on

Satin clay

In Sydney there me three theatres The Prince of Wales Opeia House is capable of beating about 2500 persons Its stage accommodation is considered equal to nny thentre of suinlar size Mr Charles Mathews, the comedian, has lately been attracting well filled houses Hie "\ letona íheatre, although small« in bi/e and less showy, is a building of con sidernble si/e lhe Adelphi lhentie is the smallest of the three Our concert halls are nothing to boast of The Masonic Hall, a squmo looking room, is the largest, but will only seat about 8o0 persons The hall connected with the School of Arts, comeb next, and this will sent about 750 poisons The Itmpernnce Hall vi ill seat nbout 100 persons There is n very good hall connected with the Exchange building, which is capnblc of seating about 500 per sons lhere are nlso halls of smaller dimensions to the above, which aie frequently used for public purposes Music is nn art which has reached a high state of perfection m this colony Sy dney possebses several musical societies Conceits me very frequently given, mid mvaiiably attiact large audiences None of the arts have found so many votanes, nnd certainly not one of them lins been cultivated to such an extent by all classes of the com-munity as that of music

TUL DEPAR1LRE OT THE TROOPS

Ti rsiiAi, August l8, witnessed an event which has not met w ith thopo reilectionsthiit its importance ought tocall forth the depnrtuie of tho (loops fiom New South Wales Tho now policy of the Bntish Government, in leaving the colonies to provide for duties hitherto performed by tho Imperial troops virtually carno into operation m this colonv cn 1 ndny last its consummation was reached with the ciiibiukation of tho 18th nt 3 o clock on Tuesday Tho orcuiii6tnnco is important ns marking an ovont m the history not only of this colony, but of Australia, it ii the inbt step towards nationality, not the result of direful conflicts and voters of Bullering, but tho woll-cousidorod conclusion of men vi ho rulo tho destiny of a groat nation A\ e have, perhaps, looked on the British soldici as a part of our internal defence force for tho last tuno, and now devolves upon us the responsibility of managing our onn military nllnirs Wo hav o seen tw o or thrco regiments of tho Line dvundlo dovin to a couple of companies, for m Australia there arc no internal enemies to copo with In I\ew Zealand, the Capo of Good Hope, and Cannda, thoro have been outbreaks tint required tho presence of British troops to Eupprc«s, hut tho time nmved when cventhoBo colonies vi ere called on to prov ido for their own security against the enemy from within, BO fin they have boen found equal to tho task, and tho Bntish Govern-ment rily upon this fact as a justification of their policy In 1788 tho first representatives of tho naval power of Europe landed m Sydney about 200 nianncB , in 1790 tho first dotacluneut of soldiers arnvod, and in 1870, scarcely eighty y onis of tune, Australia may be Enid to bo the mistress of its own destiny with a bono ficieil adhésion to the great nation to which her founders belonged

Tho embarkation of] tho soldiers was not attended with nny great military display lhere had been no public notice of tho cv ent Nevertheless, it became widely known that tho lust of tho foi co would leiivo their barracks and embark on Tuesday, and somo thousands of our citi/ong

managed to snatch half an hour or moro from their busi-ness to get a last look at the soldiers before they finally disnppemed from our Bhoros

By 12 o clock thero was a largo crowd of persons on tho Circulai Quay awaiting tho embarkation, and oven still earlier m tho day thero vicio numbers at tho barracks dctei mined to celebrate tho occasion by a holiday

Shortly after 2 o clock tho Boyal Artillery loft thoir brtrracks nt Dovies Point, and marched down Goorgo Btreet to the Circular Quay Tho laigo crowd of persons on the quay considerably intorfeied with tho w ork of em bnikation but all eventually got safely on hoard tho Silver Each, the vessel which is to convey them to thoir desti-nation The band of tho Naval Bngado headed this detachment of the force from tho barracks to the ship, and, having taken up a position m the Ordnance yard, played vanous mrs while they were embarking

The other detachment of tho force, comprising two com ] ames of the 18th Regiment of tho Lino, fcU into order at the A letona Ban neks, Paddington, at a quarter past 2 o dook, and commenced their final march on Australian .oil 1 hoy were bended by the hand of tho Syelnoy Batta-lion of A oluntcci Rifles, who played vanous inspiriting mrs at intervals on tho way and during tho embarkation A largo mimboi of persons accompanied tho procession, and tho train vinB swelled every minute On tho South Hoad Hoad lhere vvns a vust coucouieo of spoctutois, the path-way B, elie p doors, and windows being crow dod Tho lino of march vi as along Collego and Mncquane strcots The crow d must hav o numbered soy oral thousands P t this time As tho soldiers passed the ßito of St Mary's Cnfliedral they wero cheeicd by tho woikmen upon tho walls Near tho Legislativo A6«cmbly Chamber his Excolioncy the Euri of Belmore nnd Captain Beresford met tho force, nnd nceoitipimcd it to tho placo of ctrt bnilntion When tho Circular Quay was leached, somo difficulty WOB experienced m getting the men on board, tho crovid lucie being very dense, nnd numbering piobably seven or eip;ht thousand people In loss than on hour, however, all bud embaikeel

Immediately afteni nrda the Rtonm-tug Cobra took tho Silver Etido in low A few scnttcicd cheers from persons

in the crowd, nnd the waving of handkerchiefs on tho part of nonio who viere no doubt personal ftienda of thoso on board, wns nil the feeling shown fiom tho ciowd on Bhone as tho ship moved slowly into tho bfaenni Whilo tho pice-cuco of tho spccUtoi-b declared their înkrcst m tho Btene, the nbsenco of cnlhusinem on their part scorned to sow that their feelings w ero not those of perfect tatisfac tion Tho reprcBentutives of tho British Army would on ey cry Buitnblo occasion be hailed with tho greatest enthu-siasm by nil colonists vi ho cherish tho memory of its deeds of lenown, as warmly as tho inhabitants of nny part of the emmro , and their Bilenco on Tuesday may bo taken, perhaps, as tho expression of their regret that they wero to seo them no moro Among the ciowd several wero heard to express their disgUBt at tho Bntieh Government for taking tho soldiers away, and pro-bably thero wero many moro who gavo utterance to sundín ideas As the Silvei Eagle left the wharf sho dipped her ensign On passing FOV ernl YCBSOIB 1) ina; around tho Quay, then crews cheered heartily The soldiers returned tho compliment with equal warmth, and ßtruck up tho very nppropiiatoan, " Eulo Bl llannia " The Silver Euglo wai tovi ed down the harbovu UB far as Rushcuttcr's Bay, and the thero dropped anchor

Hi» Lxcclleiicy the Earl of Belmore, Captain Beresford, and rev end ladies und gentlemen vi ho were on board, then relumed to the shoio by tho Cobra

Tho detachment of tho 18th Kcgunont included Lieu-tenant Colonel Llholr, Captctn Dawson, Lieutenant and Adjutant Corniph, Lieutenants Pearson and Swindley, En ïifenu Powell and Ginves, Surgeon Young, and Quartoi maBter O Hora, about 110 non-commissioned officers rank and filo, with whom vi ero 24 women and 70 chddren

Tho Artillery included Captain Graham, Lieutenants Eord and North, Dr Fiddes, ßorifonnt-Major Todd, and 76 rank and filo, with whom wero 10 women and 23 I children.