m Q
TERRITORIAL DIVISIONS.—Victoria lias been divided into 87
counties ; these vary in size and fovm, according to the positiou and
direction of the natural feat area which, iu most cases, have been
selected as the boundaries. On the plains of the north-west portion
of the colony, whore mountains and rivers are scarcely represented,
meridians of longitude and parallels of latitude have heen adopted, in
order to facilitate subdivision. The smallest county is Heyteshiiry,
with nn area of about 922 squares miles, and the largest, Kai-karooc,
containing 5,ii00 square ailes.
The names of the counties and their approximate areas are as
follows ;—
Tlid , Gip
south-east part of the colony, Murray in the north-east, Loddon,
including the basin of the river of the same name, and farther west,
tho Wimmei'a.
In connection with the law relating to local government, an area
embracing about eighteen-nineteenths of the whole colony has been
divided into municipalities. Those which include the chief popnlatFioncentres
are known as cities, towns, or boroughs, whilst the larger
tracts, comprising the settlements of a more scattered nature, have
received the name shires. There are 60 urban municipalities, and
lli) of the rural class.
The division into governing centi-es is of little importance
geogi'aphically.
TOWNS The rapid extension of settlement in connection with
mining, agriculture, and pastoral pursuits, has given rise to numerous
towns, villages, and hamlets, in almost every pai-t of the colony.
Many of these owe their existence, in the first instance, to the
"rushes" which have taken place, daring the past, to the great
gold-bearing centres. Xot ii few have developed, in succeeding
years, through the fertility of the soil, and the settlement on the
land of an industrious rural population. Sandhurst and Ballai'at
are prominent e.xamples of rapid progress resulting fi'om a combination
of circumstances tending in the direction of settlement
and prosperity. On the seaboard, trade has furnished an additional
foctor in the general result. No better example of what is possible
to be achieved by a pei-severing and industrious community, assisted
by the facilities inherent to the position, and the vast natural resources
of the country, can be found iu the histoiy of colonization, than is seen
in the metropolis of Victoiia, which, during the short space of half a
century, has risen from a few scattered huts on tho banks of the
Tai-ra Turra, into a large and beautiful city. The influence of trade
is also apparent in the seaport to-wns of Geelong, Wan-nambool, and
Portland.
ABI:RFI: I >DY.—a mining township, situated on a spur fi'om
the main ch.iin wliich sepai-ates the upper watei-s of the Aberfeldy
and Thomson Rivei-s, and distant about 15 miles in a south-east
direction from Wood's Point. The country is highly auriferous;
quart/, reefs have been traced for several miles around. A large
proportion of the distiict is of a mountainous character, but in many
places it is suitable for agriculture and grazing. Population, 187.
ALBERTON.—Situated on the Albert River, about 3 miles
from its month. Much of the land in the neighbourhood is of a
fertile character, and settlement is becoming gradually extended. The
principal products of the district are wheat, oats, and potatoes. The
soil is suited to the growth of the grape, and a considerable area has
been planted with fruit trees of various kinds. Coal of a very good
quality has been found some distance west from the township. Population,
173.
ALEXANDRA.—Near the Goulbum Rivoi', about 20 miles
east from Yea Railway Station. Much of the land is of a fertile
character, and considerable arena are under cultivation, Wheat,
oats, and potatoes aro among tho ohief products of the district.
The coiuitry generally is of a mountainous nature, being 6i-aversed in
all directions by the numerous spurs which radiate from the Puzzle
Range. Gold is obtained in various part«; quart« reefs, many of
them gold-bearing, are numerous. The diggings give employment
to a large number of persons. Population, .lOO.
ALLAIiT'S FLAT. — A mining township, situated on tho
Yackandandah Creek, about 15 miles fi'om Beechworth. The
suiTOunding country is undulating in character. 'Wljeat, oats, barley
and potatoes, are among tlie principal agricultural products. Fruit
trees, including the vine, are grown extensively. The gold-workings
employ a considerable proportion of the residents, Population, 283.
A L L A N S P O R D . — A to^vnship near tho left bank of the
Hopkins Eivei", about 6 miles east from Warmambool. The surrounding
country is oocnpied principally for agriculture and dairyfarming.
Several manufacturing industries, including a flour-mill,
bani-curiug establishment, cheese factory, and sa^vmill, have arisen
in tho neighbourhood. The waters of the Hopkins, after heavy and
continued I'ains, occasionally overflow their banks, inundating the
town and adjoining country. Population, 300,
AIiMA.—A township on the Timor Creek, a tributary of
McNeO's Creek, and distant about 8 miles in a north-west direction
from Maiyborough. Mining is a prominent industry of the district.
The diggings are alluvial in character. Attention has been turned to
the capabilities of the soil, and settlement is taking place for purposes
of cultivation. Population of township and vicinity, G73.
AMHERST.—Situated on Daisy Hill Creek, the waters of
which flow into Deep Creek, a tributary of the Loddon River, and
distant about 3 miles in a north-west direction from Talbot. The
surrounding countiy is highly auriferous. The alluvial diggings
have been worked to a large extent, and, in former years, yielded
immense quantities of gold. Numerous quartz reefs have been discovered
; recent crushicgs from these have shown very good results.
Over 3 osis. of gold to the ton have been obtained. Some attention
is now being given to farming. Population, 800.
A M P H I T H E A T R E . — A mining township, situated on the
Avoca River near its source, and distant about 13 miles south-sonthwest
from Avoca Railway Station. In close prosdmity to the south,
rise the peaks of the Dividing Chain, and on each side, extending
for some distance north, there is a spur of considei-able elevation.
Geld is obtained in the alluvium resulting from the detrition of the
underlying primary rocks. Quartz veins occur in the mountain
ranges. Population, 244.
A F S L E 7 . — T h i s township derives its importance from the fact
that it is' the centre of a large extent of pastoral country. It is
situated on the north branch of the Mosquito Creek, and is distant
about -'jO miles north-west from the railway station at Casterton.
Naracoorte, in South Australia, lies about 20 miles to the west.
The plains which extend north consist principally of vast sandy
tracts thinly grassed, intersected at intervals ^vith immense belts
of myall and mallee scrubs, and box and honeysuckle forests. They
are occupied chiefly as sheep-runs. Towards the ocean tho rainfall
is generally sufficient, but in the dii-ection of the Murray, it
becomes more uncertain as distance from the seaboard is increased.
During 1884, the rainfall amounted to nearly 24 inches. Population,
81.
ARARAT.—A 111 rat, the capital of the shire bearing the same
name, is a town of considerable importance. It is situated near the
source of tie Hopkins River, and possesses an elevation of over 1,000
feet above tbe level of the sea. A short distance to the north-east are