V. WEST AUSTRALIA.' PHYSICAL FACTS. Latitule. Between 13° 44' and 35° S. Longitude. Between 113° and 129° E. Obs. This colony comprises all Australia W. of the 129th meridian; it is some 1250 m. long from N. to S., and about 800 m. broad. The settled part is confined to the S. W. corner, and is about 320 m. long by 160 m. wide, with an extension of settlements along the coast to the mining districts of Victoria, and to the Murchison river. West Australia is bounded on the N. by the Timor Sea; on the W. and S. by the Indian Ocean; and on the E. by the colony of S. Australia. The shores are considerably indented with small inlets of the ocean. They are of a bold and rocky character in the W. and S. W., and fringed by numerous islands. The coast-line is about 2000 m. long. The chief capes are Hood Point, Howe, Chatham, Entrecasteaux, and Leeuwin, on the S.; Naturaliste, Steep Point, Cuvier, North W., and Lévêque, on the W.; Bougainville, and Londonderry, on the N. The principal inlets are the Great Australian Bight, Doubtful Island Bay, King George Sound, and Flinders Bay, on the S.; Geographe Bay, Freycinet Bay, Gantheaume Bay, Hamelin Harbour, Sharks Bay, Exmouth Gulf, Nickol Bay, King Sound, Collier Bay, Brunswick Bay, and Admiralty Gulf, on the W.; Cambridge Gulf, on the N. The chief islands are the Recherche Archipelago off the S. coast: the Houtman rocks, Dirk Hartog, Dorre, Bernier, Barrow, Dampier Archipelago, and the Buccaneer Archipelago off the W. coast. The straits to be noted are the Geelvink Channel, between the mainland and the Houtman rocks, Naturaliste Channel, between the islands Dirk Hartog and Dorre, and Geographe Channel, which forms the N. entrance to Sharks Bay. The surface of the settled or S. W. portion of this colony is generally level, often undulating, and sometimes hilly. Speaking of the whole colony, it may be described as a vast forest, interspersed with occasional sandy plains. The chief mountains are close to the S.W. coast: they are the Darling Range, which contains Mt. William (3,600 ft.), the Herschel Range, and the Victoria Range. Further N., stretching from the Murchison to the Grey River, is a highland region, embracing several well-defined transverse ranges, of which the chief are Lockyer, Barbe, and Hamersley ranges. This region includes several summits of upwards of 3,000 ft. high, and Mt. Bruce, which reaches 3,800 ft. Most of the rivers are dry during portions of the year, and very few of them when full are navigable, even for small boats. The largest of them are the Blackwood, which runs S.W. and S. into Flinders Bay; the Swan River with its tributary the Avon, the Murchison, Gascoyne with its affluent the Lyons, Ashburton, Fortescue, Yule, and De Grey, all of which flow W. into the Indian Ocean. There are no lakes of any importance, but there are many shallow lagoons in various parts, of which the chief are Lefroy, Moore, and Austin. The climate is considered to be one of the finest and most salubrious climates in the world, the heat being greatly modified by cool sea-breezes. The soil is of all qualities: the fertile land occurs in patches, and some of it is of a very rich character. The animals are much the same as those in the other colonies, being chiefly of the Marsupial Orders. The vegetable productions include valuable hard woods, especially the eucalypti, jarrah, tuart, and kari, and sandal-wood. The mineral resources are, as yet, almost unknown; but they have been ascertained to include gold, copper, lead, and iron. The colony also possesses valuable pearl-fisheries. The population numbers 27,321, and consists mainly of people of British descent. The language is English. 1 This colony was settled in 1829. POLITICAL FACTS. The settled portion of the colony is divided into 12 Electoral Districts, and has for its capital Perth (7,000) on the Swan river, 12 m. from its mouth, an Episcopal see. Other towns are Fremantle, at the mouth of the Swan river, the port of Perth and the chief port of the colony; it is connected both by road and river with the capital; and Albany, on King George Sound, which has a splendid harbour and is the coaling port of the mail steamers. Agriculture and grazing are the staple industries of the colony: mining, pearl-fishing, and timber-cutting, employ a large number of inhabitants also. The chief exports are wool, copper, sandal-wood, and pearl-shells: the imports are manufactured goods, &c. There are a few fairly good macadamised roads between the chief towns, and some of the rivers are navigable for small craft to short distances from their mouths; there are also 40 m. of railways, and 1,570 m. of telegraphic lines. The administration of the colony is under a Governor appointed by the Crown, who is assisted by an Executive Council. There is also a Legislative Council. The colony has an Education Act in operation, and the schools are divided into elementary and assisted schools. The elementary schools are maintained at the cost of the colony, the assisted schools are private, and can receive capitation grants on submitting to government examination. The religion is Christian, the whole colony constituting a Church of England diocese. TASMANIA.' PHYSICAL FACTS. Latitude. Between 40° 33′ and 43° 39′ S. Longitude. Between 144° 39' and 148° 23′ E. Obs. This insular colony originated as a convict settlement in 1804, was a dependency of the crown until 1825, and ceased to be a penal settlement in 1853. Tasmania is bounded on the N. by Bass Strait; on the E. and S. by the Pacific; and on the W. by the Indian Ocean. The coasts are about 800 m. long, and rich in harbours and excellent anchorages; their chief features are the capes Grim, N. Point, and Portland, on the N.; Eddystone Point, St. Helen's Point, St. Patrick's Head, and Pillar, on the E.; Raoul, Tasman Head (on S. Bruny island), South-East, South, and South-West, on the S.; Rocky Cape, Point Hibbs, Sorell, Sandy Cape, and West Point, on the W.; the inlets, Anderson, and Ringaroma Bays, on the N.; George, Oyster, Prosser, and Marion Bays, on the E.; Port Arthur, Storm Bay, Adventure Bay, and Cloudy Bay (in Bruny Island), D'Entrecasteaux Channel, South Cape Bay, and Cox Bay, on the S.; Port Davey, Elliot Cove, and Macquarie Harbour, on the W. There are 55 Tasmanian islands, the chief of which are Hunter, Three Hummock, and Robbins, on the N.W.; Flinders, Barren, and Clark islands, on the N.E.; Schouten, and Maria islands, on the E.; and Bruny island, on the S. The surface is almost everywhere mountainous; but the two main chains are the Eastern Tier, or Dividing Range, which runs generally N. and S., has an average elevation of upwards of 3,000 ft., and culminates in Ben Lomond (5,010 ft.); and the Great Western Mts., separated from the Eastern Tier by the central district through which lie the communications between the N. and S. They form an elevated tableland which has a mean height of 3,000 ft., and from which ranges diverge in various directions. 1 Or "Van Diemen's Land," so called after the Governor of Batavia. It was discovered by Abel Tasman in 1642. It was taken possession of by the British as a subsidiary penal settlement in 1803. They embrace numerous peaks of 4,000 ft. high and upwards, and culminate in Mt. Humboldt (5,520 ft.). The island is well watered, abounding in fastflowing rivers and streams. The chief rivers are, Forth, Mersey, Tamar, (formed by the union of the S. Esk, Macquarie, Esk, and Quamby); and the Boobyalla, or Ringaroma, which flow N. into Bass Strait; the Coal River, Jordan, and Derwent, which flow S.E. into Storm Bay, Heron, which flows into D'Entrecasteaux Channel, and Spring River which falls into Port Davey; the Gordon, King, Pieman, and Arthur rivers, which all flow W. into the Indian Ocean. The chief lakes are among the W. Highlands, and are, Great, Arthur, Sorell, Crescent, and St. Clair lakes, all of which lie about the middle of the island. The climate is remarkable for its mildness and salubrity. The mean annual temperature is about 50° Fahrt. The soil is especially rich and fertile. The animals are of the same genera and species as those of Australia. The vegetable productions include all sorts of food-grain known to us in Europe; fruits of all European climes, and most valuable timbers, especially black wood, and Huon pine. The mineral wealth of the island has not been much explored, but it is known to include gold, iron, lead, manganese, copper, and limestone. The people number 105,484, and are mainly of British descent. The language is English. POLITICAL FACTS. The colony is divided into 18 Counties, and has for its capital Hobart Town (20,000), on the Derwent, about 12 m. from its mouth. It is an important port, a Bishop's See, and a well-built town. Other chief towns are Launceston, (10,688), on the Tamar, 40 m. from its mouth, the principal town near the N. coast; George Town, a small watering-place at the mouth of the Tamar; Longford, 18 m. S. of Launceston, and connected with it by railway, the centre of an important agricultural district; and Stanley, a large and important seaport on the N. coast, whence is shipped much of the agricultural produce of the district. Agriculture is the principal branch of the industry of this colony; grazing comes next in importance. There are also large numbers of people employed in fruit-preserving, and commerce; the exports are wool, timber, corn, oil, and fruit. The colony possesses some excellent coach roads, many navigable rivers and streams. Railways have been opened since 1871, and the system of telegraphic communication is being daily extended. The Parliament consists of a House of Assembly, comprising 32 members elected for 5 years, and a Legislative Council, consisting of 16 members, elected for 6 years. The legislative authority rests in both houses united, while the executive power is vested in a Governor appointed by the Crown. Education is warmly fostered by government. The system at work comprises elementary schools, at which the attendance is compulsory; middle schools; and high schools. The school registers contain about a tenth part of the population. NEW ZEALAND.' PHYSICAL FACTS. Latitude. Between 34° 12′ and 47° 50' S. Longitude. Between 166° 36′ and 178° 36′ E. The estimated area is 104,272 sq. m. New Zealand comprises two large islands, viz.: North and South Islands, and a number of smaller ones, of which Stewart Island, to the S., is the chief. They lie in the S. Pacific Ocean, 12,000 m. from, and nearly at the antipodes of, Great Britain, and 1,200 m. 1 Tasman discovered New Zealand in 1642; the land was not colonised till 1838. S. E. of Australia. The islands form an extended line of nearly 1,200 m. long, and 120 m. broad, and trend generally towards the S. W. The whole of New Zealand is of volcanic origin. Obs. In addition to the above islands and the islets adjacent to their coasts, there are several distant islands which are usually regarded as belonging to the New Zealand group, viz., Auckland, Campbell, and Macquarie to the S.; Antipodes Island, Bounty Island, and Chatham or Warekauri Islands on the E.; Kermadec Islands on the N.E.; and Lord Howe Islands on the N.W. North Island1 lies between 34°12′ and 41°20′ S. lat. ; and between 172° 20′ and 178°36′ E. long. It is 500 m. long, has an extreme breadth of 250 m. and an area of 44,736 sq. m. In form it is very irregular, being characterised by its long peninsulas. It is separated from South Island by Cook Strait which is 13 m. across. The chief capes are Reinga, and North Cape, on the N.; Brett, Colville, Runaway, East Cape, Table Cape, Kidnapper's Cape, and Turnagain, on the E.; Palliser, and Terawitt, on the S.; Oaoha Point, Egmont Cape, Albatross Point, Reef Point, and Cape Maria Van Diemen, on the W. Of the numerous inlets the chief are the Bay of Islands, Hauraki Gulf, Bay of Plenty, and Hawke Bay, on the E.; Palliser Bay, and Port Nicholson, on the S.; S. and N. Taranaki Bays, Manukau Harbour, Kaipara Harbour, Hokianga Bay, and Ahaipara Bay, on the W. The chief neighbouring islands are the Three Kings, off the N. W. coast, Great and Little Barrier islands at the entrance to Hauraki Gulf, and Karewha, in the Bay of Plenty, off the E. coast. The surface is mountainous in the centre, S. E., and S.W.; and is covered with dense forests of valuable timber. The chief ranges in the centre are Whanga with Aroha (2,000 ft.), for its chief summit, Whaiti, and Kaimanawa; W. of these is a volcanic group, embracing the peaks Tongariro (6,500 ft.), and Ruapehu (9,195 ft.) the loftiest point in North island; in the South East, the Ruahine, Tararua, and Puketoi ranges; the mountainous promontory in the South West is occupied by the gigantic Mt. Egmont (8,270 ft.), whose conical peak is clad with perpetual snow. The island is well watered, having for its chief rivers the Waikato which rises near the centre and flows N.W. to Manukau Harbour, Piako, and Waihou or Thames, which also rise in the centre and flow N. to the Firth of Thames at the head of Hauraki Gulf, Mohaka which flows E. into Hawke Bay, Manawater, and Wanganui which both flow S.W. to S. Taranaki Bay. The principal lakes are Taupo, Terawera, and Roto-iti, all in the central parts of the island. South Island2 lies between 40° 30′ and 46° 40′ S. lat. and between 166° 30' and 174° 20′ E. long. It is 500 m. long, 200 m. broad, and has an area of 55,224 sq. m. Its form is much more compact than that of North Island. It is separated from North Island by Cook Strait, and from Stewart Island by Foveaux Strait. Its coasts are remarkably even and unbroken, and in the W. bold and rocky. The chief capes are Farewell, and Bush End Point, on the N.; Campbell, Pompey's Pillar (on Banks' Peninsula), and Cape Saunders, on the E.; Cape Providence, and West Cape, at the S.W. corner; Cascade Point, and Cape Foulwind, on the W. The most important inlets are Massacre Bay, and Tasman or Blind Bay, on the N.; Cloudy Bay, Pegasus Bay, Canterbury Bight, Otago Harbour, and Molyneux Bay, on the E.; Howell, and Tewaewae Bays, on the S.; Preservation, and Chalky Inlets, Dusky Bay, and Doubtful Inlet, on the S.W. Four fifths of the surface is mountainous; but there are extensive plains on the E. side. The mountains are known by the general name of the Southern Alps, which traverse the W. side of the island from N. to S., and send numerous 1 North Island, formerly New Ulster, is called by the natives, Te ika a Mani ("The bird of the Mani"). 2 South Island, Middle Island, or New Munster, has for its native name, Te wahi Punamu ("The place of Greenstone")." transverse ranges to the Eastern plains: they rise beyond the limits of perpetual snow, and embrace some magnificent glaciers. The highest summits are Franklin (10,000 ft.), Una (8,000 ft.), Mt. Cook (13,200 ft.), the culminating point of New Zealand, and Mt. Aspiring (9,919 ft.). The largest plain is the Canterbury Plain, which borders the E. coast for about 100 m., and stretches inland to the mountains, a distance of 20 m. The chief rivers are the Wairau, which goes N.E. to Cloudy Bay, Big River or Clarence, Dillon, Hurunui, Courtenay, Cholmondely, Waitaki or Waitangi, and Molyneux or Clutha, which flow E. to the Ocean; the Mataura, Orell, and Waiau, which run S. into Foveaux Strait; the Taramakau, Grey, and Buller, which flow W. There are a good many lakes, the most important of them being Wanaka, Wakatipu, Anau, all in the S.W. Stewart Island lies S. of South Island, and is separated from it by Foveaux Strait. It also partakes of the generally mountainous character of the New Zealand Islands. Climate of New Zealand is on the whole temperate and agreeable, and sometimes like that of the British Isles. But changes of weather and temperature are very sudden and frequent. Strong winds are prevalent throughout the Colony, and are violent in Stewart Island. In North Island the mean annual temperature is 57°, in South Island 52° Fahrt. Productions. There are no indigenous animals except the native dog, and rat. There are several species of birds, which are peculiar to the country. There are no snakes. The vegetable productions include a great variety of tree ferns, many species of which are peculiar to New Zealand, most of the food plants which flourish in England, and excellent timber. Flax, and many other valuable fibrous plants, grow wild. The mineral resources are very valuable, comprising gold, silver, copper, iron, coal, sulphur, petroleum, building stones, &c. Population is 399,075, and is of European extraction, except some 40,000 natives-who are called Maories-found chiefly in N. Island, and about 5,000 Chinese. The language is chiefly English. POLITICAL FACTS, The colony is divided into 9 provinces, which are subdivided into 63 counties. Of the Provinces 4 are in the N. Island and 5 in the S. The provinces and their chief towns are given in the table. Notes on the Towns-Wellington (18,953), the capital of New Zealand, lies on the shores of Port Nicholson, an inlet of Cook's Strait. It was the first and chief settlement of the New Zealand Company. It is an important seaport, and a Bishop's See. Dunedin (22,525), the capital of Otago, is the largest, best built, and most commercial city in New Zealand. It stands at the head of Otago harbour, on the E. coast. Auckland (13,758), the largest city 1 The Tadman Glacier on Mt. Cook surpasses in! dimensions any of the Swiss glaciers. 2 Stewart Island is called by the natives Ra Ikiura. |