The system of free grants of land to persons paying their own full passages has had the intended effect of attracting a large number of small and larger capitalists; while a system of assisted and free passages, established by a wise adoption of the same land. order system, has freely supplied a class of industrious mechanics, farm-laborers, and general servants. Notwithstanding this the demand for labor of all kinds is still on the increase.
The agricultural capabilities of Queensland arc not confined to the elevated table lands before alluded to as " the garden of the colony." On the lower lands, on the rivers and bays, and on the fertile valleys and sunny slopes of the eastern side of the range, there are many millions of acres of land immediately available for settlement, and admirably stilted fortillage. In this portion of the colony settlement is advancing by a class of small proprietory farmers. The is described as very productive, yielding two crops in the year, and capable of producing almost everything that can be grown in any part of the world. Oranges, pine-apples, figs, bananas, grapes, mulberries, peaches, nectarines, granadillas, alligator pears, guavas, flourish in great perfection and abun dance, and are seen growing up side by side with wheat, maize, potatoes, and all the fruits, flowers, and vegetables of northern Europe.
Great and rapid progress has of late been made in the cultivation of cotton. The cotton-plant is said to be indigenous in this part of Australia, and in consequence of the absence of severe frosts it is also perennial. In the reports drawn up by the most com petent judges on the samples of cotton from all parts of the world at the international exhibition, we find it stated, "The samples of Sea islands' cotton from the Australian colonies are far superior to cotton from any other part of the world." The New Orleans variety from Queensland is also spoken of in the report as "particularly good." Seven medals were awarded to Queensland growers, and the distinction of honorable mention was conferred on live more. The average yield per acre was estimated at 400 lbs. of Sea islands, and from 600 lbs. to 700 lbs. of Orleans; being two-thirds in excess of the average yield of the two sorts taken together in America, which is 300 lbs. per acre. The culti vation of the sugar-cane is also rapidly extending, and is proving to be one of the most remunerative products of the colony. The yield varies from one to three tons to the acre. The development of this branch of agriculture led to the introduction of South sea islanders as laborers; the employment of whom is carefully regulated by the " Poly nesian laborers act" of 1868, but is nevertheless regarded by many with great suspicion, Its involving something akin to the slave-trade.
In the year 1875 the total extent of land under crops and grass was 77,347 acres.
The live-stock consisted of 121,997 horses, 1,812,576 cattle, 7,227,774 sheep and lambs, and 46,447 pigs. 'The sugar crop produced 12,108 tons of sugar, and 651,259 gallons of molasses.
The mineral resources of Queensland are large. 1877 the gold sent from the diggings was 373,266 oz., valued at £1,306,431; from Jan., 1860, to the end of 1874, £5,441,273 worth of gold was exported. Recently tin has been found in immense quan tities, £353.550 worth being exported in 1874, besides £149,696 worth of copper. During 1874-.75, 43,443 tons of coal were raised. Pearl-fishing is also carried on with encour aging results.
" The chief exports are wool, tallow, gold, copper, cotton, live stock, hides, timber, and provisions. In 1874 the vessels which entered the ports of Queensland numbered 713, of an aggregate tonnage of 302,825; and 657, of 269,925 tons, cleared out. In 1875 the wool exports were 20,145,914 lbs., valued at f..,'1,360,080; cotton, 314,454 lbs., at £8,162; preserved meat bad a value of £53,198. The gross revenue was £1,261.464; expenditures. £1,404,193: The imports were £3,328,009, and the exports £3,857,576. At Jan. 1, 1377, there were 327 m. of railway and 4,708 m. of telegraph open. Taxa tion per head, £3 lls. 30. Import and export trade per head, £45 lls. Gd.
Queensland is a great pastoral country. It was an idea generally received until within the last few years, that the quality of Australian wool would degenerate as the sheep were driven toward .the north. The reverse of this, however, proves to be the case. The Queensland wool is remarkable for the fineness of its quality; and this seems to be increasingly the case as the pastoral occupation of the country extends northward toward the plains of Promise on the gulf of Carpentaria. The wool diminishes a little in quantity, the fleeces being lighter, hut the increased fineness of the wool more than makes up for.& little diminution in its quantity.
Queensland was erected into a separate and independent colony in Dec., 1359. The government is vested in a governor (the queen's representative), an executive council, and two houses of parliament. The legislative council consists of 30 members, nomi nated by the crown for life, under a president elected by themselves. The house of assembly comprises 55 deputies elected for five years. The number of registered electors is 35,197. The suffrage is not universal, Mit within the reach of everyindustrious man after a twelvemonth's residence. Voting is by ballot. State aid to religion was abolished by one of the first acts of the parliament. An excellent system of primary education, which since 1870 has been made free, is in successful and vigorous operation through• out the colony. The population in the beginning of 1871 was 120,306, which had been augmented on May 1, 1876, to 173,283.