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TERRITORIAL DIVISIONS—With the establishment of the squatting
industry in Queensland, and the gradual extensión of settlement inland,
it bocame necessary to divide the colony into districts, in order
to deal with matters of rent, and to assist in determining the position,
approximately, of the variovis runs. The boundaries of these divisions,
at first only partly defined, have become established, being made to
follow, for the most part, prominent features, such as mountain ranges,
There are fifteen districts, the names of which are as follows ;—
1. Moroton.
2. Wide Bay. '
S, Burnett.
4. Port Curtis.
5. Darling Downs.
6. Leichhardt.
7. North Kennedy.
8. South Kennedy.
9. Cook.
10. Burke.
n . Mitchell.
12. Maranoa.
13. Warrego.
U. Gregory North.
15. Gregory South.
Moreton includes the country around Brisbane, extending north
from Point Danger along the const to Point Arkwright, and west to
the Dividing Chain. Its northern limits are defined by the Cooyar
and Blackall Ranges, and on the south, it is bounded by the Macphei
son Range. This division embraces tho basins of the Brisbane
and Logan Rivers.
Immediately north of iloreton there is the Wide Bay District
which stretches along the coast beyond the Kolan River, and extendwest
to the Burnett and Bai-ambah Ranges. The valley of the Marv
River, and the lower course of the Burnett River, fall within the limit''
of this division,
The Burnett District lies to the west of Wide Bay, and embrace«
the large tract of country watered by the Hawbelle, Auburn, Boyne
and Barambah Rivers. Its soutkem limits are the Cooyar Range, and
the Dividing Chain, while on the north it is bounded by Dawes Range
Port Curtis includes a strip of coast territory, and extends fi'on
the month of the Kolan River, north to Cape Palraerston. It approximates
a triangular form, the apex being at the northern extremity
Connors Range, the Broad Sound Ranges, and the Boomer Mountain«
form part of its western boundary. It contains a large proportion of
fertile land, well suited to agriculture. The lower course of th'-
Pitaroy River lies within it.
Extending west from Moreton, beyond the 150th meridian, is th^
rich pastoral district knowu as the Darling Downs. The northern
and eastern portions are watered by the Condamine River and itnumerous
tributaries, while on the southern side, the country is intersected
by the streams which fall into the Barwon River.
Leichhardt embraces a large tract of country between Port Curtí-
District and the Dividing Chain. Its limits, on the west, are th-
Drammond and Denham Ranges. It includes the basins of thi-
Isaacs, Nogoa, Comet, and Dawson Rivers.
The districts of North and South Kennedy lie between the Great
Dividing Range and the eastern seaboard, extending north from
Leichhardt to the soui-ces of the Wild River. The southern divisioj.
includes the valley of the Belyajido River, while the northern po>
tion is watei^ed by the Burdekin and Herbert Rivei's.
The immense tract of counti^ bounded on the west by th© Gulf
of Carpentaria, and on part of the south by the Gregory Range, i;
knovv-n as the Cook District. It includes an area of over 28,000
square miles, and is intersected by numerons streams.
Burke occupies a position between the Gregory Range on the east,
and the Northern Territory of South Australia on the west, anc'
extends south from the shores of the Gulf of Carpentaria to th.-
sources of the Norman, Flinders, Cloncurry, Leichhardt, and Gregory
Rivers. Immense plains are found throughout this district.
Mitchell lies between the South Kennedy District on the east,
and Gregory on the west, and inclndes the basins of the Thomson and
Barcoo Rivers,
Extending west from the Darling Downs is the Maranoa District,
which embraces the countiy watered by the Balonne and Marauoa
Rivers. It is bounded on the north by the Dividing Chain, and on
the south by the colony of New South Wales, being almost entirely
pastoral in character.
The districts of North and South Gregoiy include an immense
tract of connti7 in the western part of the colony, extending north
from the New South Wales border to the 2Ist parallel.
As settlement extended and population increased, private ownership
of land began to manifest itself, and claim the attention of the
Government departments which deal with such matters. With
alienation, much greater accuracy of detail in regard to the position
and defined boundaries of the land is necessary. Where demands of
this nature arose, the country was divided into areas of convenient
size, and boundaries were laid down. The division into counties is
still incomplete. In many cases, the limits are features such as mountain
chains and rivers, the positions of which have only been determined
approximately. Much of the work of definition must remain for
future survey. Though counties have been designed thi'oughout the
whole of the colony, so little necessity exists for these divisions in
dealing with the lands in the northern and western districts, that
even the nomenclature, in a large number of instances, is still
undecided. The following are the counties with their approximate
1
I'nkington
Pnlmoreton
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P
milwcr
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PolCa
i ' r i "
i S r .
i:ogc« 4,HIS,200
s n
Roper
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Tiibo7
Tambo
i;:i-naiDea.No.l
6
¡fzr
Coo k
I.08U,82B
3,687.866
3,3^.738
«S i
ii 1»
s i »
• 7H 1
6.46ri.4n
fet
é "
1.467.9«
«'«[.lEgmve
Noraiu,
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QUEENSLAND.
The division into municipal areas and shires is of a limited
character, and only of importance in connection with local requirements,
The Divisional Boards Act of 1869 deals with the means of
communication, and provides for the maintenance of roads and bridges,
the several divisions being governed by local boards,
TOWNS,—The concentration of population in large towns, which
forms so conspicuous a feature in many of the older countries of the
northei tsbut few examples in Queensland, Itsco
parativsly recent oiigin n d t h e .
are among the ca.nses to which, in a large
The piincipal towns are found, either on the eastern seaboard, or
within the narrow sti'ip of country between the Dividing Chain and
the Pacific coast. Brisbane, the capita], Rockhampton, ToAvnsville,
Maryborough, and Cooktown, the importance of which, in regard to
? and trade, is rapidly increasing, may be referred to as
I townships of the interior have arisen, either in
connection with the great pastoral industry, or mining enterprise.
The extension towards the interior of the three principal railway
lines from Bi-isbane, Rockhampton, and Townsville, has also assisted
in the aggregation of population at different points. The immense
extent of its surface, the untold wealth of its gold, silver, copper,
coal, and other mines, the fertility of its soil, and its suitability to s.
varied production, the facilities for trade in its numerous commodious
harbours, aud the healthy character of its climate, point undoubtedly
to the conclusion, that the prosperity of Queensland will increase even
more i-apidly in the future than it has done in the past.
ADA V A L E—A towuslup at the junction of Blackwater and
Gumbni-do Creeks, both tributaries of the Bulloo River, about 120
miles west-north-west from Charleville, This portion of the Warrego
District is well grassed, and devoted almost entirely to pastoral
purposes. The runs vary in size according to the capability of the
soil. Some distance to the west, are the low chains known as the
Gi-ey and Cheviot Ranges. The extension of the railway line to the
banks of the Bulloo River, will tend towards the more rapid development
of a prosperous district. Communication with Brisbane is at
present by way of Dulbydilla Railway Station. Population, 156.
ALBERTON.—A small township near the mouth of the Logan
River, at the junction with it of the Albert River, about 24 miles
south-east from Brisbane. There is communication with the metropolis
by steamer, and also, by railway from Beenleigh Station.
The district is an agricultural one, the chief products being sugar,
maize, potatoes, and arrowi-oot. Population, 88.
A L P R E D . — N e a r the left bank of Franklinvale Creek, a
tributary of the Brisbane River, about 30 miles west-south-west from
Brisbane. The settlers in the neighbourhood are, for the most part,
engaged in cultivation of the soil, and rearing stock. The Western
Railway Line provides easy communication with the sea-coast-
Population, 2,^.
A L L O B A . - O n the left bant of the Dalrymple Creek, a
tributary of the Condamine River, about 14 miles north from
Warwick, The railway line from Brisbane to Stanthoi'pe and the
Now South Wales border passes about 4 miles to the west of it.
The soil throughout the district is of a vei^ fertile character. The
settlers are chiefly engaged in growing wheat and other cereals.
Allora is situated at an elevation of over 1,500 feet above the level of
the sea, and possesses a pleasant and healthy climate. About 5 miles
to the north is the Table Top, a conspic.
altitude of 2,054 feet. Population, 758.
A R A M A C . - i i r , tho upper watei-s of A
of the Thomson River, about 80 wiles northsurrouuding
downs are well grassed, and a
purposes. Some distance to the east, ris.
spreads out into a broad plateau, ending
from tho (
peak, attainin,
ic Creek, a tributary
from Jericho. The
are occupied for pastoral
the Aramac Range, which
^ cliffs on the side fartkest
ud known as the Alice Tableland. On the banks of the
found patches of brigalow and boree. Communicaby
means of the railway line extending west
le climate is dry and healthy. The rainfall
is annually. Wool and stock are the staple
With the exception of gardening, there is
tho soil. Population, 249.
3 Auburn River, a tributary of the Burnett,
tiou with the
fi-om Rockhampton.
seldom exceeds 15 in
products of the distr
little or no cultivation
A U B U R N On
ibout 130 miles west-south-west from Maryborough. The district is
I pastoral one.
A T I G A T H E L L A , - A pos
Wan-ego River, about 55 mile.
Tho country around is occupied,
and cattle. The town is of som.
township on the left bank of the
orth-north-east from Chai-Ieville.
Jxtensive tracts, as runs for sheep
iportance, forming, as it does, the
.rcial centre of a very large district. Population, 1-58.
IC Poi)iiktions fi frum 11
BALLANBEAN.—On Accommodation Creek, a tributary of
the Severn River, about 15 miles Bouth-south-west fro;n Stanthorpo.
Many of the settlers in the neighbourhood are engaged in rearing
stock. Agricultural farming is followed » somo extent, much of the
produce being sent over the border into the mining districts around
Teaterfiold. Mining for tin is an important industry in the locality.
Gold and silver are also known to exist. With the completion of the
line connecting the raUway systems of Queensland and New South
Wales, Ballandean will increase in importance. Population, 108.
B A L T I N G I . A S S . - N e a r the right bank of Yuleba Creek, a
tributary of the Condamine River, about 280 miles west from Brisbane.
The settlers in the district are chiefly engaged in grazing and agriculture.
JIany of the runs are stocked with sheep. Population, !l3.
BANANA.—On Sandy Creek, a tributary of the Dawson
River, about 80 miles south-south-west from Rockhampton, The
itry around is well suited to the pasturing of sheep and cattle,
and is divided for that into r lonsiderable extent. To
1 extension of a spur from the Dividing
iierous small streams, which add their
ion River. The rainfall varies between
Population, 116.
latcd near the loot of Mount Mallard, on
road from Toowoomba to Goondiwindi, about 26 miles south-
•est from the former. The district is a pastoral one. Population, 86.
BEATIDESERT.—A postal township on the Logan River,
The land is settled upon for
Chain. From it issue ni
watei-s to those of the Dai
20 and 30 inches anunally.
BEAUARABA.—Si
till
about 3
arrowroot,
agj'icultural purposes. Population, 188.
BEENLEIGH.—Beenleigh, the capital of the Logan District,
is situated near the left bank of the Albert River, a tributary of the
Logan, about 24 miles south fi-om Brisbane, with which it is connected
by railway line. This town is the centre of an extensive settlement.
The land is fertile, and suited to the growth of the sugar-cane, the
climate being wavTn, aud subject to the influence of sea-breezes,
conditions necessaiy for the successful production of the cane-
General agriculture, rearing stock, and dairy-farming, also receive
attention, the pi-incipal crops being ai'rowroot, maiae, hay, and
potatoes. The manufacture of sugar, i
is carried on extensively throughout the district. The climat
to be very healthy, though, during summer, a very high temperature
is frequently expei-ienced. Population, 589.
BLACKALL.—Uii the right bank of the Barcoo River, about 75
miles south-west from Jericho Railway Station. Extensive plains occur
on every band, well grassed, and suited to sheep-farming and rearing
stock. Settlement is gi'adually becoming extended in various parts of
the district. Among the public institutions of the town are a gaol and
hospital. The rainfall varies bebveen 10 and 20 inches annually.
This district, like other parts of Queensland, is occasionally visited by
severe droughts, which are often disastrous in theii' effect on stock of
all kinds, and cause much loss to run-holders. Population, (360.
BLACK SNAKE.—A mining township, near the source of
Pat Hen Creek, a tributary of the Mary River, about 55 miles southsouth
west from Maryborough, and 25 miles west from Gympie.
Several quartz reefs are known to exist in the vicinity, some of
which yield a high percentage of gold. Copper is also found in
the neighbonrhood. The country around is mountainous, being
traversed by spurs from the Coast Range some distance to the west.
The mim'ng industry has becu somewhat retarded, owing to the
difficulty attending carriage to aud from the coast. The extension of
the railway line to the Kilkivan Gold-field will do much to remove
this oljstacle to progi'ess. Population, 38.
ELACKWATER.—Near the right bank of Blackwater Creek,
a tributary of the Mackenzie River, on the railway line from Rockhampton
west towards the interior, and distant from that town about
118 miles. Much of the surrounding country consists of well-grassed
do\vns; these afford pasture to numerous flocks and herds. A few
miles to the east may be seen the low outline of the Expedition
Range, in the southern portion of which are found the sources of the
Comet River, Population, 35.
BOGANTUNGAN.—A postal township, near the source of
the Medway Creek, a tributary of the Nogoa River, about 227
miles west from Rockhampton, being on the railway line from ihat
town to Jericho and tho plains of the interior. The Clermont Goldfield
lies about 60 miles to the north; in one portion of it are ent«nsive
deposits of copper. To the west rises the Drnmmond Range, a spur
from the maiu chain, tho railway line passing through a break in it,
known as Haunam's Gap. Tho cuttings in connection with the railway
have revealed tiie existence of an extensive fossil plant formation in
these mountains. Among the species recognised, are fragments of the
stems of Calamito - , LcpiiMitidron, and Sligmaria. The district is a
pastoral one. Population, 806.