
A T L A S OF AUSTRALIA—1886.
one and ten aci-es. In projeotiug new townships, due pvov-ision is
inado, by means of resei'ves, for the future pul)lio requirements of
iucrc-ased population-
Section 01 provides for tlie alienation of lands iji cities, towns, and
villages, in consideration of iniprovements, npon application witliin
twelve montlis from date of proclamation of the first sale of town
lands.
Sales, witliout competition, are poruiittcd of areas to which there is
no convenient way of access, where the portion is a residue, or where
buildings, erccted on adjoiiiiug freehold land, have been allowed
inadvertently to encroach. The value of such lands is detenuined by
the Hoard, iiml upou payment of the amounts required, they are
granted in fee simple to the adjacent holders.
Lenses for special purposes, such ss wharfs, storehouses, baths,
mnrket-gardens, &c., are granted upon recommendation of the Land
Board. The area in each case must not exceed twenty-five acres, and
the term of lease is limited to thirty years.
Public lands are reserved from sale and lease by proolamatiou, for
state forests, tramivays, railways, roads, approaches to bridges, canals,
campiug places for ti-avelling stock, reservoirs, aqueducts, the use of
the aborigines, access to water, recreation, anil numerous other purposes
specified in the Act.
Sections 100 and 101 provide for the management of commons in
connection with towns and villages,
Resumption and compensation are fully dealt with, Power is
given by the 102nd clause toi-esmne, upon due notice, the whole or part
of any lease holding, uompensation for loss being determined by the
Land Board.
Among the remaining matters provided for under the present law
are, the reservation of all nuuerals in land held under lease, and the
right of access to search for the same, the reservation of gold in
Crown grants, nnwarnintable destruction of timber, transfers of leases
and Ecenses, penalties for trespassing, appeals to the nearest district
court, and punishment of persons for evading the provisions of the
Act.
GOVERNMENT.—The mode of Goverumeut which obtains in Queensland
does not difier essentially from tlmt of the older colonies. The
supreme power, in all matters i-elatiug to the colony, is vested in the
Governor, who is appointed by the British Crown. The Legislative
Assembly and Legislative Council enact the laws. The constitution
of the former body is based on the sufirage of the people, the franchise
being of the most liberal chni-acter. The Assembly, unless
dissolved by the Governor nnder advice, is elected for five yeai's.
The colony is divided into -l-l electoral districts, each returning one
or two laembers, according to its population, tho total number of
representatives being 59, The Legislative Conncil consists of 83
members; they ai-e nominated by the Governor in Council, and hold
their position for life. Tlie administration of the difierent public
departments is conducted by the mem}>ers of the Government for the
time being. The Ministry is composed of the following members:—
The Colonial Secretary, Colonial Treasurer, Secretary for Public
Lands, Attomey-Geueral, Secretary for Public "Woi'ks and Mines,
Postmaster-General, and Secretary for Public Instruction,
Justice is administered by the Supreme Court, the District Courts,
and the tribunals presided over by Policc Magistrates, and Justices
of the Peace. Matters arising in connection with the land laws »re
dealt mth in the Land Courts.
PRODUCTS AND TRADE,—Queensland, in common with the other
Australian colonies, is a largo pi-odiicer of wool. On the extensive
downs and plains which are found inland from the coast ranges, sheepfarming
and rearing cattle are the principal industries. The agricultural
products are, generally speaking, those of tropical and subtropical
climates. In this respect there is some difference between it
anil the adjoining colony of New South Wales, where the vegetation
is almost entirely that of a temijei-ate clime. Between it and Victoria
the divergence is still more marked. The ordinary fruits, cereals, iind
root-plant* indigenous to countiies situated within the temperate zone,
find conditions favourable to tbeij' gi'owth, however, on the Tableland.
Here the influence of elevation is felt in the rarity of tho atmosphere,
and the diminished tendency towards accumulation of the sun's heat.
On the rich alluvial lands which line the banks of many of the
rivers of the east coast, the soil is well suited to tho growth of sugiircane.
The conditions essential to the successful production of this
plant are fertility of soil, sufficiency of warmth, proximity to the sea,
anil absence of frost. Areas of considerable extent arc found on the
Pacific seaboard combining all these natural facilities. The ofiicial
returns for the year 1884., showed a total urea under Rugni'-cauo of
57,<)87 acres. The quantify of sugar manufactured during the .saoie
period amounted to 32,010 tons. Both climate and soil suit the
growth iif cotton, but its production has not assumed any prominence.
Maize is vory largely grown in the rich alluvial valleys through which
many of the eastern rivers flow in their course to the sea. The area
under this crop, in 1884, was given as 68,659 acres. Tobacco, nrrow-
TOot, pine-apples, and bananas arc also among the products of the
The importance of Queensland in regard to the rearing of stock
and the production of wool, may be gathered from the facts that, in
1884, there were on the various runs and stations scattered over its
surface, 4,266,172 cattle, and ¡1,808,911 sheep. During 1884, the
oxrport of wool amounted to 35,525,077 lbs., representing a value of
£1,889,504. In regard to this industry, it might bo said that it finds
a place in almost overy portion of the colony. The following table,
which shows the distribution of sheep over its surface during 1884,
indicates the districts best suited to tho production of wool:—
ClmrlcviHo
Cnoiiamtiil»
mUli ..
The total value of the exports for the colony tor 1884, was
£4,673,864, while the imports are given as worth i 6,381,076. When
it is remembered that in 1860, the foi-mer only amounted to £52:5,477,
and the latter to £742,028, it will be seen that Queensland has made
considei-able progress in settlement and commerce. Tho trade of the
principal ports on its seaboard for the year 1884, is illustrated in the
following table :—
p.,UT. 1 ,
!\Ur3bümugb
ItuiiUnbcrK
Glwblone ...
Kwliluinpton
Svrdwlf!.,
Triniti Hny
Pnrt Doufliu
Cooktuwii
TliiinaJnv Islni
iow^viiio::: : ::: oe,':»! ¡iS'lowi'i'
Tho shipping which entered the various ))orts in 1884, represented
an aggregate cari-ying ca))acity of 572,124 tons.
In 1884, 11,300 miles of telegraph wire were in use, and 220
stations established for the receipt and despatch of messages.
At the close of 1885, there were 1,434 miles of raiUvay opeu for
traffic, while, in course of construction, there were 365 miles.
On the northeru coast, the peari and hSrhe-de-^iier li.-ihcries engage
a large amount of attention, and provide employment for a consirlorable
number of persous. Those industries yield very large roturns. The
export of pcarl-sholl for 1884, amounted to 14,088 cwt,, and of
béche-de-mer, to •l-,.'J14 tons. The dugong fishery is another enterprise
that finds a place on the (Queensland seaboard, Tlu' oil obtained
from this raai-ine mammal is of a superior kind, ami i» used for
medicinal purposes.
The general progress of Queensland from 1860 tu 1884 is illustrated
by the tables on the following page:—