pigs, 200,083; horses, 162,000; goats, 11,223; and century, and in 1777 by Captain Cook. The first settlement of Europeans was made in 1814, but no colonization took place until 1839. In 1841 New Zealand was, by letters patent, erected into a separate colony distinct from New South Wales. The entire area is stated at 104,403 square miles, or 66,818,160 acres (being a little smaller than Great Britain and Ireland), of which two-thirds are fitted for agriculture and grazing. The North Island comprises about 45,687 square miles; Middle Island. 57,313; Stewart's Island, 760, with only 209 inhabitants; and an adjacent group, named the Chatham Islands, containing 377 square miles. The population of New Zealand, as ascertained by census, March, 1886, was reckoned to be 578,482. The native population (Maoris) in 1886 was estimated at 41,432 in addition, chiefly in the Northern Island. In 1840 a treaty was concluded at Waitangi with the native chiefs, whereby the sovereignty of the islands was ceded to Great Britain, while the chiefs were guaranteed the possession of their lands, forests, &c., so long as they desired to retain them; the right of pre-emption was, however, reserved to the Crown if they wished to alienate any portion. This right has since been abolished by legislation in the colony, and large areas have been sold to private individuals by the natives. Thus New Zealand became a regular colony, aided by a Ministry, a Legislative Council apand the seat of government was fixed at Auck-pointed by the Crown for life, at present consisting land, but was removed to Wellington in 1865. New Zealand in many parts is very mountainous; a mountain chain traverses the west side of the South Island, culminating in Mount Cook, 12,349 feet in height. The geographical position and physical features of these islands tend naturally to render the climate greatly varied; yet it is remarkable for its salubrity, and resembles in many respects that of Great Britain, though its atmosphere is drier and more elastic. The extremes of daily temperature vary throughout the year only by an average of 20: London is 75 colder than the North Island and 4° colder than the South Island. The mean annual temperature of the whole colony for the different seasons is:Spring, 55; Summer, 63; Autumn, 57°; and Winter, 48. The climate, in short, is admirably adapted for raising every fruit, flower, and edible that flourishes in Great Britain. Amongst the productions most peculiar to New Zealand are the Kauri pine (found only at the northern extremity of the islands), much valued for ship. building, from its lightness and elasticity, the resin of this tree forming also one of its most valuable exports, Kauri gum; and the native flax, considerable quantities of which are transmitted to the United Kingdom for the manufacture of ropes. Wool is largely produced, and tallow and timber are also among the principal exports of the colony. Gold has been discovered in many districts, and a rich iron ore, in the form of ironsand, has been found in Taranaki, Coal is widely distributed, and copper is met with in several localities. The total extent of land under all kinds of crop, and of land broken up but not under crop is 3,284,057 acres, while there are 2,666,342 acres of land in sown grass not previously ploughed. The value of the principal articles of export for the year 1884 is as follows:-Wool, £3,267,527; produce, £1,891,887; gold, £988,953; Kauri gum, £342,151; tallow, 6234,829; and timber, £152,471. In the same year, the live stock was estimated at:-Sheep, 14,056,265; horned cattle, 700,coo; Imports from United Kingdom, 1885 Exports to United Kingdom, 1885 3,217,930 7,479,921 5,227,551 6,819,939 4,906,907 The General Government consists of a Governor, of 54 members, and a House of Representatives, consisting of 94 members, elected for three years. Four members are Maories elected by the natives. secular. There are 987 district schools, with The State system of education is free and also 265 private schools, with 12,203 scholars, 2,447 teachers and 97,238 scholars; there are and, in addition, 71 village schools for the Maories. The higher education of boys and girls in the cities and large towns is carried on in 25 endowed colleges and grammar schools. The University of New Zealand has power to confer degrees. The annual postal circulation of the colony amounts to 25,000,000 letters, 14,000,000 newspapers, 1,000,000 post-cards, and effected by a total of 967 post-offices. The teleabove 3,000,000 book-packets, and the work is graph wires in operation extend to 13,294 miles. The administration of the law is carried out by a Supreme Court, having a chief justice and four puisne judges, also by district judges, resi dent or stipendiary magistrates, and justices of the peace. CAPITAL, Wellington, in the North Island. The estimated population of the chief cities and towns in March, 1886, was as follows:Wellington (and suburbs), 27,833; Auckland (and suburbs), 57,048; Dunedin (and suburbs), 45,518; Christchurch (and suburbs), 44.688; Invercargill, 6.974; Nelson, 6,764; Oamaru, 5,791; and Napier, 5,756. Governor and Comm.-in-Chief, Lt.-Gen. £7,500 1,750 700 Treasurer, Postmaster-Gen., and Comm. of British Possessions in Australasia-Tasmania. Lands, Hon. John Ballance Justice, Hon. Joseph Augustus Tole. .£1,250 Without Portfolio, Hon. W. H. Reynolds 800 1,250 419 temperature being 62°, and that of winter $79. The thermometer rarely rises as high as 100 or falls below 292. The average rainfall for 1884 was 24 inches. The surface of the island is mountainous and covered with forests. The chief products of the colony are wool, gold, tin, and fruit; the wool is much esteemed, and commands a high price in the English markets. Tasmanian 1,000 stud sheep are in great request in the other 550 colonies, and bring high prices. The live stock 700 of the colony is celebrated for its general supe800 riority, and great attention is paid to its im650 provement; the estimated totals on March 31, 1,000 1885, were as follows:-Sheep (and lambs), 600 1,720,027; cattle, 128,834; horses, 27,188; and 900 pigs, 57,393. The wheat ranks high for its 400 quality; the yield per acre is large, and the 1,700 sample heavy. The woods of Tasmania are 1,500 scarcely yet fully appreciated; the sources of 1,500 supply are practically inexhaustible, abound1,500 ing in the most beautiful cabinet woods and the 1,500 largest-size timbers, adapted for every variety of purpose. The fauna of the colony are of special interest, and include the Tasmanian devil and native tiger, and the curious duckbilled platypus; while the wombat, the wallaby, and the opossum supply valuable skins. The mineral kingdom is also well represented, and of late great attention has been directed to its development. Mines of both lode and stream tin, of great richness, are being worked in the north-western and north-eastern portions of the colony. The value of tin exported in 1885 was £357,587. Iron-ore exists in nearly every district. Gold has been found in many places; the amount raised in 1885 was £141,319. Coal, of a good quality, and in easily accessible positions, is very generally distributed over the Under Sec. Native Affairs, T. W. Lewis TASMANIA 6 £164,986 were exported in 1885. There are in all about 257 miles of railway open, the main line running from Hobart to Launceston, through the island, and 185 miles are in course of construction. There are 135 telegraph stations, with 2,071 miles of wire; a submarine cable communicating with the Universal Telegraph System: 246 post stations, and 2,465 miles of post roads. The shipping of Tasmania is considerable, in spite of the falling off in the whaling trade. On Dec. 31, 1884, the total registered shipping for the year was 27 steamers and 175 sailing vessels, with a total tonnage of 18,284. The inward entries during 1884 were 676 (tonnage, 304,574); and the outward entries 664 (tonnage, 309,624). The present military defence is purely composed of volunteers, who number 1,016 of all ranks. On the Derwent and the Tamar batteries have been constructed, and the colony possesses one or more torpedo-boats. is an Island in the South Pacific Ocean, off the southern extremity of Australia, from which it is separated by Bass' Straits, in which are situated the Furneaux Group and King Island, included within the colony. It lies between 39° 35-43° 41' S. lat. and 143° 48'-148° 30' E. long., and contains an area of 26,215 square miles, or 16.778,000 acres of land, of which, on 31st March, 1886, 417,777 were under cultivation: wheat 30,266, barley 6,833, oats 29,247, potatoes 53,521, hay 41,693. The statistics for 1885 show that 1997.384 acres were leased from the Crown prin-island. Jams and green fruit to the value of cipally for pastoral purposes, besides numerous islands. Agricultural land in a state of nature can be selected for purchase at £1 an acre, to be paid off in yearly instalments extending over fourteen years. The estimated population, 31st December, 1885, was 133,791, and contains representatives of all the principal religious bodies; half of them are believed to belong to the Church of England, and are under a bishop and 58 clergymen. The Roman Catholic church, to which 22 per cent, of the population belong, has also a bishop in the island; and the various Nonconforming bodies have their synods, presbyteries, and conferences as in Great Britain. The aboriginals have become quite extinct, the last, a female, "Truganini," having died in 1876. This island was first discovered by Tasman, in December, 1642, and named by him ** Van Diemen's" Land, in honour of his patron, the then governor of the Dutch possessions in India. It was subsequently partially explored by Captain Cook. In 1803 Lieut. Bowen wa s despatched from Sydney with a few soldiers and convicts to form a penal settlement, and finally fixed upon the spot where Hobart now stauds. In 1825 it was severed from New South Wales and formed into a distinct colony. Transportation of criminals was abolished in 1853, and the name officially changed from Van Diemen's Land to Tasmania. The climate is fine and salubrious, and well suited to European constitutions; it is, in fact, the healthiest of the whole Australasian group. The hot winds of Australia rarely reach the island, and are never cf long duration. At Hobart Town the mean #nual temperature is 54'5°, the mean summer Education.-Primary education is adminis tered by a Department, under which are 204 state schools. There are 68 Exhibitions from the Primary Schools and Council of Education, tenable at superior schools: four minor scholarships of £40 a year, tenable by the senior associates of arts of the year; and eight scholarships of £200 a year each, tenable by associates of arts at some British University. scholarships are at the disposal of the Council, for the Universities of London, Sydney, and Several other who also conduct matriculation examinations Melbourne. Amount of public revenue, 1883-86 £582,825 586.755 .... Public debt, 31st December, 1885 £3,357,000 luxuriant, the chief productions being the breadTotal imports, 1885, £1,757,480; exports 1,313,693 fruit tree, banana, plaintain, cocoanut, sugarImports from United Kingdom, 1885 491,374 cane, and arrowroot. Cotton, sugar, pearl-shells, Exports to United Kingdom, 1885. 304,493 maize, bêche-de-mer, and copra and cocoanut oil The Constitution of Tasmania was settled by chiefs to the British crown, and the islands were are the chief exports. Fiji was ceded by its Local Act (18 Vict., No. 17). By this Act the formally annexed by Sir Hercules Robinson, on Legislative Council and House of Assembly are constituted "The Parliament." The former conOct. 10, 1874. Sir Arthur Gordon, the first sists of 18 members, elected for six years; and the Governor, landed in the colony in June, 1875latter of 36 members, elected for five years. The The Governor is appointed by the Crown, and is assisted by an Executive Council, consisting Governor, who is appointed by the Crown, is aided by a Cabinet of responsible Ministers. For local Receiver-General. Laws are passed by a Legisof the Colonial Secretary, Attorney-General, and purposes the island is divided into municipal, lative Council, of which the Governor is presipolice, and road districts, which elect their own dent, and which contains six official and six uncouncillors and trustees. official members, all nominated by the Crown. chiefs under the Governor's supervision. The Native administration is carried on through the European population at the end of 1884 amounted to 3,513; natives, 114,891; half castes, 791; Rotumans 2,409; East Indian and Polynesian labourers, 5,840. Public income, 1885 Public expenditure, 1885 CAPITAL, City of Hobart. Population, 29,823. The other chief town is Launceston, pop.18,530. Gov., Maj. Sir G. Cumine Strahan, K.C.M.G.£5,000 Private Secretary, Hon. John F. Wallop Premier& Chief Secretary, Hon. Jas. Wilson Agnew, M.D... 250 1,100 900 900 900 1,500 Attorney-Gen., Hon. John Stokell Dodds.. 1,200 a group of 225 islands in the South Pacific Ocean, 1,100 miles north of New Zealand, situated in 15° 45'-21° 10' S. lat. and 176° E.-178° W. long., extending 300 miles from east to west, and 300 north to south, 80 of which are said to be inhabited. The gross area is calculated at 4,751,360 acres. They are of volcanic origin, with lofty mountains, and well wooded. The principal are Viti Levu (Great Fiji), and Vanua Levu (Great Land), Viti Levu about 300 miles of outline, and Vanua Levu about 400. The island of Rotumah was annexed in 1881. Vegetation is remarkably •£76,669 92,209 Debt, Grant in aid from United Kingdom 115,000 15,000 Total imports, 1884 (from U. K. £129,836) 434,522 294.585 326,750 CAPITAL, Suva, in the island of Viti Levu. 1,500 Att.-Gen., Hon. Henry S. Berkeley (acting) 750 British Possessions in the lest Indies. 500 500 450 400 THE West Indies are an immense number of Islands and islets, some of them mere rocks, extending from 10° to 27° North, and from 59° 30' to 85° West. They belong chiefly to this country, Spain, France, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, and Venezuela, the main possessions of each country being as follows:-British: Jamaica, Turks and Caicos Is., Trinidad, Antigua, Montserrat, Nevis, St. Christopher, Dominica, and the Virgin Isles (in the Leeward Islands), Grenada, St. Vincent, Tobago, St. Lucia (in the Windward Islands), Barbados, Bermuda; all the Bahamas, and the islands off the coast of Central America. Spanish: Cuba, Isle de Pinos, Porto Rico, Bicque, and Culebra. French: Martinique, Guadaloupe, Deseada, Marie Galanta, Les Saintes, and St. Martin (the last partly Dutch). Dutch St. Eustatius, Saba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Aruba. Danish Santa Cruz, St. Thomas, St. John. Swedish: St. Bartholomew. Venezuelan : Coche, Cuagua, Tortuga, and Margarita. The whole of the West Indies are divided by geographers into (1) the Bahamas, (2) the Greater Antilles, and (3) the Lesser Antilles, of which the last named is subdivided into (1) the Windward Islands, (2) the Leeward Islands, and (3) the Virgin Islands. The islands lying off the coasts of South America and Central America respectively form two separate groups in addition to those already mentioned. The total area of the West Indies is probably about 95,000 square miles, of which the Greater Antilles occupy not less than 83,000 square miles. Some of the Lesser Antilles are flat, but the prevalent character of the islands is bold and mountainous. In Cuba and Hayti the highest points are more than 8,oco feet above the sealevel, and in Jamaica there are hills almost as high. Others, too, among the smaller British Possessions in the West Indies-Jamaica. 421 islands rise to between 4,000 and 5,000 feet in height, and several of them contain active volcanoes, while nearly all of them show signs of volcanic action. The climate is strictly tropical, but the surrounding seas tend to counteract the otherwise intense heats of the torrid zone. The mean yearly temperature of the larger islands is about 78°, and that of the smaller islands a little higher. Slight frosts occasionally occur in the higher regions of Cuba, but snow is never known to fall. The seasons alternate from drought to moisture, and in most parts of the archipelago there are two wet and two dry seasons. On the whole it may be said that the climate is generally healthy between the months of November and June; during the great rains, however, many diseases, in particular various fevers, are of frequent prevalence. The vegetable productions of the West Indies are both varied and abundant, the principal articles of commerce including sugar, coffee, cotton, pimento, indigo, cocoa, medicinal drugs, tobacco, maize, and guava, ginger, arnotto, aloes, sassafras, and the castor-oil tree. Of the more common fruits there are the pineapple, pomegranate, cocoa-nut, cabbage-tree, oranges, lemons, limes, citrons, the mango, shaddock, papaw, banana, and plantain. Yams, potatoes, and manioc also grow freely. The mountains in the greater islands furnish a varied abundance of timber adapted for cabinet-work, shipbuilding, and other arts, such as mahogany, cedar, lignum-vitæ, iron-wood, Indian fig, calabash, &c. The grains of England are not grown, as a rule, in the West Indies. Indian corn yields abundant crops almost everywhere, while rice, as a profitable investment, is all but confined to the Island of Trinidad. The total population of the West Indies is nearly 4,000,000, of whom above half are negroes, while the remainder are chiefly mulattoes. The southern islands of the archipelago, at the time of their discovery, were inhabited by the Caribs, a fierce and warlike race; the northern islands, by a less savage race known as the Arrowauks. Both these native Indian races, however, have been exterminated, with the exception of a few scattered families. By far the most important of the West Indies in the possession of other countries are Cuba and Hayti. Cuba is known as the "Queen of the Antilles :" it is 750 miles from east to west, from 60 to 70 miles in average breadth, and has an area of 45,870 square miles, of which about one-seventh is under cultivation or in pasture. The population is reckoned at about 1,000,000. Hayti or San Domingo is about 400 miles long from east to west, and has an extreme breadth of 150 miles. The total area of the island is about 28,250 square miles, and the official estimate of the population-probably too highis 800,000. The republic of San Domingo occupies the eastern part of the island, and the republic of Hayti the western part. Those of the West Indies belonging to Great Britain have an area of about 13,750 square miles, and a population of nearly 1,250,000. In the early part of this century slavery existed in all the islands. Fostered by highly protective duties, they reached a very flourishing condition, and large fortunes were made. This condition was completely artificial; and when slavery was abolished, and the protective duties repealed, an entire collapse took place, and many hitherto wealthy persons were ruined. Up to that time they had been regarded as the choicest possessions of the British Crown, and a grand outlet for commerce. Even so recently as 1845, when the total value of British and Irish produce exported to India and all the other colonies amounted to but 16,857,394, the West Indies took £2,789,211, or nearly one-fifth of the whole. In 1884 the corresponding amounts were 3,394,736 and £95,812,911, or little more than one-twenty-eighth. Since their decline they have received less attention in every way than they deserve, but are now again resuming their proper position, and it may be hoped that they will once more become prosperous. Much attention is being paid to improvements in machinery, to education, and in each of the islands to the development of its natural resources. JAMAICA, aboriginally Xaymaca, or Land of Wood and Water an island situate in the Caribbean Sea, about go miles to the south of Cuba, within 17 43-18° 32 North lat. and 76° 11'-78° 21' W. long. It is the largest and the most valuable of the British West Indian Islands, being 144 miles in length and 49 in extreme breadth, containing an area of 4,193 square miles, and a population, in April, 1881, of 580,804, showing an increase during the previous decade of 73,650, and including whites, 14,432; coloured, 109,946; blacks, 444,186, and a number of Coolies and Chinese. The climate is healthy, in spite of the unenviable reputation it enjoys: there are two rainy seasons and two dry, and, in the plateaux, which re semble generally the South of Europe, the thermometrical readings are confined between 60° and 90°. It was discovered in May, 1494, by Columbus, who called it St. Jago. It was taken possession of by the Spaniards in 1509; but in 1655 a British expedition, sent out by Oliver Cromwell, under Penn and Venables, attacked the island, which capitulated after a trifling resistance. In 1670 it was formally ceded to England by the Treaty of Madrid. From the sea-level on all sides of Jamaica a series of ridges gradually ascend towards the central ranges, from which they radiate, dividing the large rivers, and attaining, in the culminating Western Peak of the Blue Mountains, an elevation of 7,360 feet. From these mountains at least 70 streams descend to the north and south shores, but with the ex ception of one (the Black River, and that only for small craft) they are not navigable. There are several excellent harbours, and the island is intersected by good roads. There are 67 miles of railway open. Telegraph stations and postoffices are established in every town and village, The number of accounts open in the savings' banks is about 14,000. Most of the staple products of tropical climates are raised, and in this direction great improvement has taken place during the last few years. Maize and Indian corn grow luxuriantly. The Guinea grass, from five to six feet in height, grows wild, and is superior to any other for pasturage, while the woods furnish an abundance of rich dye-stuffs, drugs, and spices, and the forests abound in the rarest of cabinet woods. Gold, silver, platinum, cobalt, copper, tin, and lead abound throughout the island, yet mining is now practically at a standstill, and no advance in this direction has been made since 1856. The Governor is assisted by a Privy Council not exceeding 8 members, and a Legislative Council consisting of 9 elected members, 2 nominated by the Government, and 4 ex-officio. The island is divided into three counties, Surrey in the east, Middlesex in the centre, and Cornwall in the west. The principal cities are Kingston, the largest port and town, pop. (1883), 40,000; Spanish Town, the seat of government, pop. over 8,000; and Port Royal, pop. about 7,000. Public Revenue, 1884-85 £595,156 562,702 204,240 Imports from United Kingdom, 1885 532,971 TURKS AND CAICOS (Cayos or Keys). from which Government they were separated in These islands form part of the Bahama group, 1848, and in 1874 were annexed to that of Jadistant about 200 miles. They have an area of maica; from the north-west of which they are about 223 square miles. The population in 1881 was 4,778, of which the principal island, Grand Cay, contains 2,000. A Commissioner administers the affairs of the settlement, assisted by a Legislative Board. TRINIDAD, .£500 500 the most southerly and one of the most considerable of the smaller West India Islands, lying off the north coast of the continent of S. America, between 10° 3'-10° 50' N. lat. and 61° 39'-62° W. long., is about 55 miles in length by 40 in breadth. It comprises an area of 1,754 square miles, with a population (1881) of 153,128. The climate is healthy, and well suited to Europeans, the mean temperature during the cool season, being 76° F., and during the hot season, 79°. The island was discovered by Columbus in 1498, and was first colonized in 1588 by the Spaniards: it capitulated to the British under of entry, "Port of Spain," is one of the finest Abercromby in 1797. The chief town and port towns in the West Indies, and contains 31,858 inhabitants, the harbour being the finest in the West Indies. Other towns of importance are San Fernando (pop. 6,335), about 30 miles south 1,427,758 of the capital, and Macaripe on the north coast. 761,157 A remarkable phenomenon is the asphalte lake near the village of La Brea, 90 acres in extent, containing an almost inexhaustible supply. In 1885, 35,236 tons, valued at £41,961, were exThe chief articles of export in order of import ported. The soil of the island is rich and proance are: Sugar, £307,826; rum, £234,953; ductive, its most important products being tropical fruits, 181,501; coffee, £157,281; dye-sugar, cocoa, molasses, rum, coffee, cocoa-nuts, woods, 155,526; pimento, £53,867; ginger, £20,168; beeswax and honey, £7.775; and cacao, £6,359. The produce of Jamaica, shipped in1885, was as follows:-United Kingdom, 37'2 per cent.; United States, 42'2; Dominion of Canada, 5'4; other countries, 15'2. and pitch, in addition to various kinds of timber, and also the choicest of West Indian fruits. The chief exports during the year 1885 were as follows:-Sugar, 63,679 tons; rum, 72,525 gals.; asphalte, 35,236 tons; molasses, 2,416,761 gals.; bitters, 32,240 gals.; and cocoa, 6,129 tons. The total extent of land under cultivation is nearly 100,000 acres, or one-eleventh of the whole island, this area being distributed thus according to the assessment of 1884 :-Sugar-cane, 52,150 acres; cocoa and coffee, 21,279; ground ture-land, 6,103. Coal is found in Manzanilla, provisions, 16,986; cocoa-nuts, 2,885; and pasand geologists have favourably noticed the coal supplies of the island, yet no great attempts have hitherto been made to raise this mineral in any 600 quantities. There are 51 miles of railway open. The island is intersected by the telegraph wires 1,200 Twenty steamers from Europe arrive every of the West India and Panama Company. 600 month, and four from the United States and 700 Gov., &c., Gen. Sir H. W. Norman, K.C.B. £6,000 Sup. Medical Officer, C. B. Mosse, c.B., M.D. 800 700 500 900 700 600 £429,307 Treasurer, Henry William Livingston Canada. Amount of public revenue in 1885.. Collector-General, Richard Gillard 1,000 Amount of expenditure in 1885 443.921 Public debt, 1885 580,920 2,500 Imports from United Kingdom, 1835.. 654.704 1,185,420 Total imports, 1885 2,241.473 600 Total exports, 1885 2,246,664 1,000 Registrar Supreme Court, Thomas Hendrick The Government is vested in a Governor, an Executive Council, and a Legislative Council, all of whom are nominated by the Crown. |
