mania, 750; making a total of 44,207, being nearly 2,000 less than in Victoria alone twenty years ago. The Chinese dwelling in the city of Melbourne are about 500, and in its suburbs 380. Of these, not more than sixty-six can be fairly considered to compete in the labor market with Europeans, and these are employed as waiters and domestic servants. All the rest obtain their livelihood as gardeners, as hucksters, or by employments with which a European would not dream of occupying himself.

The Queensland Government has passed an act authorizing the construction of the Transcontinental Railway, which shall connect the northern with the southern shores of the island continent, and bring the colonies within thirty days of England. A syndicate has already agreed to perform the work, on the condition of receiving, among certain other privileges, an area of 8,000 acres of land for each mile of railway constructed. The railway extending from Brisbane in a northwesterly direction to Roma, a distance of 317 miles, was completed in the course of 1880, and from this point to the nearest part of the Gulf of Carpentaria on the north coast is, in a direct line, barely 850 miles. The line would almost touch on its way the important railway from Rockhampton to Emerald Town, also in Queensland, and the blanks to be filled up in the existing lines between Brisbane and Sydney are no greater than the links required to complete the chain between Adelaide and Sydney. If these latter are completed, there will be on the completion of the now projected line from Roma to the Gulf of Carpentaria, continuous railway communication between the northern and southern coasts of Australia, having the additional advantage of traversing the whole of the most settled districts, and connecting all the principal cities, except those in Western Australia.

The other English possessions in Australia, exclusive of some uninhabited islands, are:

The territory of Queensland was enlarged in 1879 by the annexation of some islands situated in Torres Strait. Letters patent dated October 10, 1878, for the rectification of the maritime boundary of the colony, provide that "all islands included within a line drawn from Sandy Cape northward to the southeastern limit of Great Barrier Reefs, thence following the line of the Great Barrier Reefs to their northeastern extremity near 94° south latitude, thence in a northwesterly direction, embracing East, Anchor, and Bramble Cays, thence from Bramble Cays in a line west by South (south 79° west, true), embracing Warrior Reef, Saibai, and Tuan Islands, thence di

verging in a northwesterly direction, so as to embrace the group known as the Talbot Islands, thence to and embracing the Deliverance Islands, and onward in a west-by-south direction (true) to 138° east longitude, should be annexed to and form part of the colony of Queensland." The law authorizing this annexation came into operation on August 1, 1879.

The "Melbourne Argus" estimates the yield of gold in the colony of Victoria in the year 1879 at a little over 715,000 ounces, being nearly 39,000 ounces less than in 1878, and being also less than half the quantity obtained in 1868. The "Argus" adds: "It is well known that the yields of gold during the latter half of 1879 were much superior to those of the first half, and, if mining should continue as healthy during 1880 as it has recently been, it is probable that the yield for it will exceed that of the year just closed." The amount of gold coin issued from the Melbourne mint in 1879 was 703,709 ounces, the value of which was £2,740,000. The discovery of the Temora gold-field near Sydney in 1880 created great excitement in Australia.

Victoria.-The Parliament of Victoria adjourned on December 20, 1879. As the Parliament had refused to pass the Reform Bill, which embodied a scheme for the introduction of the plébiscite and the substitution of a Council nominated by the Ministry of the day for an elective Upper Chamber, the Ministry proposed to the Governor to dissolve Parliament. The request was acceded to, and new elections took place in February, which placed the Ministry in a minority of twelve in the Legislative Assembly. Accordingly, the Hon. Graham Berry and the members of his Cabinet tendered their resignations. The Governor accepted the resignations, and formed a new Cabinet, which was composed as follows: Colonial Treasurer, Mr. James Service; Chief Secretary and Minister of Public Instruction, Mr. Robert Ramsay; Attorney-General, Mr. George Kerferd; Minister of Lands, the Hon. J. G. Duffy; PostmasterGeneral and Commissioner of Trade and Customs, Mr. Henry Cuthbert; Commissioner of Railways and Roads, Mr. Duncan Gillies; Commissioner of Public Works, Mr. Thomas Bent; Minister of Mines, Mr. Clark. The new Premier, Mr. James Service, in an address to his constituents on March 10th, explained the programme of his Cabinet. It was proposed to empower the Legislative Council to expunge items involving questions of public policy from the Appropriation Act, and to deal with them in a separate bill. The ministerial programme further announced bills regarding irrigation and mining on private property. The railways would be placed under the control of a commission or board. Reforms would be proposed in the civil service in the direction of reducing the salaries of all classes of public officials, such reduction, however, only to apply to those appointed subsequently to the passing of the bill. Pensions would be totally abolished in the case

votes against forty-one, which clearly showed that Mr. Berry in his attacks upon the Government was joined by six or seven members who had been elected as his opponents. The debate on the address showed that the nominal majority for Ministers, or rather against Mr. Berry, was weakened from the beginning by internal jealousies. The "Corner party," consisting of Independent Liberals who had parted company with Mr. Berry, were dissatisfied at the composition of the Cabinet, in which doubtless they supposed they had themselves a claim to be considered. Irritation on the same ground was more openly expressed by Sir John O'Shanassy, the leader of the Roman Catholics, who stoutly asserted the right of his following to a share in the distribution of official places, and condemned the absence in the ministerial programme of any concession to the Roman Catholic demands for separate educational grants. In compliance with Mr. Service's proposal, the Governor dissolved the Parliament. New elections took place on July 14th, when fortyfour opposition candidates were elected and only thirty-five ministerialists. Besides, there were seven members who declared themselves neutral. The Catholic vote was cast against Mr. Service, and the leaders of the party declared that they would not support any government until the country would consent to make separate educational provision in the public schools for Catholic children. The defeated Service Government resolved to meet the House and encounter a deliberate vote of want of confidence. The new Assembly was opened on July 22d. In his opening speech the Governor, after alluding to the deficit in the revenue for the year, expressed a hope that Parliament would pass a satisfactory measure for the reform of the Constitution. Mr. Berry subsequently moved a vote of want of confidence in the Cabinet of Mr. Service, which was passed by forty-eight to thirty-five votes. In consequence of this, the Cabinet resigned, and Mr. Berry, after failing in an attempt to form a coalition Ministry, formed a Cabinet entirely constituted of men of his own party. The fol lowing are the members of his Cabinet: Chief Secretary and Colonial Treasurer, Mr. Berry; Attorney-General, Mr. Vale; Minister of Lands, Mr. Richardson; Minister of Public Instruction, Mr. W. C. Smith; Commissioner of Railways and Roads, Mr. Patterson; Minister of Mines, Mr. Langridge; Commissioner of Trade and Customs, Mr. Williams; Minister of Justice, Mr. A. T. Clark.

of civilians, who would be required to insure their lives. Government officials would be prohibited from taking any part in politics. The Government, while endeavoring to relieve the farmers and miners, did not propose to make any change in the policy of protection, neither would it interfere with the present system of education. All the members of the new Cabinet were reelected unopposed. The new Parliament was opened on May 12th by the Governor, the Marquis of Normanby, who referred to the question of the construction of colonial defenses, and stated that commissioners had been appointed to report on the subject. After dwelling on the necessity of irrigation works and an extension of the railway system, the Governor said that the depression in trade was passing away and confidence was being restored. Bills would be introduced for a reform of the Constitution, and the settlement of land; and a scheme of reforms relative to rail. way management and the civil service would also be submitted to Parliament. The Reform Bill was soon after introduced. It provided in the first place for the introduction of the socalled" Norwegian system." When any bill has been passed by the Assembly and rejected by the Council in two consecutive sessions, the Governor, according to Mr. Service's plan, will have power to dissolve both Houses at the same time; if, after the elections, the Assembly and the Council continue to differ, the Governor may summon them to meet as a single legislative body for the purpose of discussing and deciding upon the contested matter, an absolute majority of the whole number of members being required for the enactment of the bill in dispute. As the Assembly is composed of eighty-six members and the Council of thirty-to be increased gradually to fortytwo-these provisions insure the ultimate victory of the popular branch of the Legislature, when the preponderant opinion in favor of any measure is unmistakable. Mr. Service's Reform Bill dealt also with the constitution of the Council, providing for an addition to the numbers of that body and a very large reduction in the qualifications of members and of electors. With respect to the Appropriation Bill and to the practice of "tacking," Mr. Service proposed that the Council should in no case be allowed to throw out the bill, as has more than once been done, to the injury of the whole community, but that where two thirds of the Council decide that any particular vote is not "a grant of money for the ordinary service of the year," the Assembly shall be bound to deal with the matter in question by a separate bill. Although at the last general election the constituencies had emphatically refused to give any support to Mr. Berry's policy, the new Assembly rejected the only alternative scheme which was before the colony, and upon which the Ministry of Mr. Service had staked their political credit. Early in June the second reading of the bill was thrown out by forty-three

The Melbourne International Exhibition was formally opened on Friday, October 1st, by the Governor of Victoria, the Marquis of Normanby, in the presence of the Duke of Manchester and the Governors of South Australia, New South Wales, and Western Australia. The Marquis of Normanby, in reply to an address, said the undertaking had been carried out in a most creditable manner, and that the display was one of which any country might be proud.

The day was observed in Melbourne as a public holiday. A dispatch from Sir Herbert Sandford, the official representative of the Royal Commission for the Australian Exhibition, stated that the exhibition had opened most successfully, nearly all the courts being very complete, especially the British court, thanks to the exertions of the exhibitors and of the Great Britain committee, who respectfully desire to congratulate his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and her Majesty's commissioners on the splendid display of British fine arts and manufactures.

New South Wales.-The Governor's speech, in proroguing Parliament in August, 1880, refers to some signs of progress. Among the most important acts passed by the Legislature is the act to amend the Land Acts of 1861 and 1875, the aim of which is to afford additional facilities and securities for industrial settlement upon the soil; the Public Instruction Act, for carrying out a system of primary instruction, open alike to all classes and all creeds, and which provides the means for improving the methods of teaching to the highest degree, and places the teacher within reach of the remotest child in the land; the Electoral Act, which reduces the anomalies in the representation to a principle of virtual equality, and enlarges the representative branch of the Legislature. As regards the material progress of the colony, it is stated that during the current year two hundred and twenty-three miles of new railway lines will be opened to the public, while provision is made for new extensions, which will when completed add more than a thousand miles to the railway system of the colony. The revenue from the working railways is steadily increasing, and at the present time is fifty thousand pounds in advance of that for the corresponding period of 1879. Other large public works have been completed or are in course of construction, including the fortification of the harbors of Sydney and Newcastle, lighthouses on various parts of the coast, Government offices and public buildings. It is confidently expected that the International Exhibition of Art and Industrial skill recently closed at Sydney will have given a stimulus to enterprise and invention, and amply justify the grants for its inaugura

tion.

The International Exhibition at Sydney was closed in April. At the closing ceremonial the Governor, Ministers, Judges, both Houses of Parliament, and a vast concourse of the public attended. Seven thousand awards were declared officially, and an address and gold medal were presented to the Governor. The whole ceremony was very successful. Three cheers were given for the Queen, Governor, Lady Augustus Loftus, and the Executive Commission.

Queensland.-Parliament was opened in July. The Governor, in his speech on the occasion, referred to the return of the Premier, Mr. Mellwraith, from England, and the proposals

which he had submitted to the Home Government for the establishment of an improved mail service and the transport of immigrants via Suez and Torres Straits. The Governor proceeded to state that the last Queensland loan issued had been completely successful. The settlement of land, and especially for the cultivation of sugar, was increasing. The discovery of tin in the northern rivers showed that the settlement of the country was progressing very favorably. The revenue of the colony for the year showed an increase of £20,000. The financial statement of the Treasurer, which was submitted on the 18th of August, estimates the revenue at £1,700,000 and the expenditure at £1,670,000. The debit balance on June 30th was £190,000. The deficit is to be covered by transferring under the new statute to the consolidated revenue the receipts of the land department previously applied to railway construction. There is to be no increase of taxation except in the excise duties upon colonial spirits. The Treasurer considered that it would be unjust to augment the public burdens in order to push forward the construction of railways in the interior, when the sale of a portion of the land made accessible would suffice to pay interest on the capital required. British capitalists were offering to complete the railway system in consideration of a Government grant of land, and a bill to sanction that course would be introduced. The depressed state of trade was passing away, and there was a gradual increase of the revenue. Nothing was wanting for the restoration of the full prosperity of the colony but means for placing its surplus food and products within the reach of the British consumer. In the sitting on the 19th a vote of want of confidence in the Government on account of the budget was moved by the leader of the opposition, but was rejected by twenty-seven votes to eighteen.

New Zealand.-In July, Sir Hercules Robinson, the Governor of New Zealand, delivered a speech, in which he condemned the New Zealand educational system as too expensive, too secular in character, and in advance of the requirements of the colony; also deprecated the absence of religious teaching in the public schools.

III. FRENCH POSSESSIONS.-Tahiti, or Otaheiti, with its adjacent islands, which hitherto had been under French protectorate, was on June 29, 1880, formally annexed to France. It is reported that the King, Pomaré V, accomplished the act of his own free will, that it was accepted by the commissary of the French Government, and hailed with enthusiasm by the Tahitian population. Pomaré V will retain the honorary title of King. He had been the nominal ruler of the islands since 1877, when he succeeded, as the nearest relation of royal blood, Queen Pomaré, who in 1842 signed the convention with the French Admiral Dupetit Thouars about the establishment of a French

protectorate over the islands. Up to 1846 a sinall portion of the natives struggled against this protectorate, but since the population have caused no embarrassment to France, and virtually it has been a French possession since that year.

Tahiti is about one hundred and eight miles in circumference and thirty-two miles long, and is described as an elongated range of highland, which, being interrupted in one part, forms an isthmus (submerged at low water) about three miles broad, which connects the two peninsulas. The larger of these is Tahiti proper, while the smaller is named Tairaboo, and both are surrounded by coral reefs. The highest summit in the island is a mountain in the northern part, 8,500 feet above sea-level; another attaining 6,979 feet. From these two peaks ridges diverge to all parts of the coast, throwing off spurs as they descend. The fertile portion of the island lies in the valleys, which are of small extent, and in the plain, which stretches from the seashore to the spurs of the mountains. These produce tropical plants in great abundance and luxuriance. The climate is agreeable, being warm, but not enervating. The natives are a good-humored, gay, happy, and cheerful people, and are further described as honest, well-behaved, and obliging. They have been converted to Christianity by the labors of missionaries, and there are few of them who can not both read and write. The island is divided into seven districts, and is the seat of a Supreme Court, consisting of seven Judges, two of whom reside in Eimeo. Several vessels of about one hundred and thirty tons burden have been built there, which have been employed in the trade to New South Wales, whither they carry sugar, cocoanut-oil, and arrowroot, the principal productions of the island, and whence they bring back in return hardware, cloths, calicoes, etc. Most of the vessels that visit Tahiti are whalers, though until lately they only averaged less than one hundred annually. Its principal town and port is Papiete, and its estimated population is somewhat over nine thousand.

The French now have the following possessions in Occania:

March 7, 1880, to Stéphanie Clotilde, second daughter of the King of Belgium, born May 21, 1864. The marriage was fixed to take place in February, 1881.

The Ministry for the Common Affairs of the Empire consisted, toward the close of the year 1880, of Karl Heinrich Baron von Haymerle, Minister of Foreign Affairs and of the Imperial House (appointed October 9, 1879); Joseph von Szlavy, Minister of the Finances of the Empire (appointed April 8, 1880); and Court Arthur Bylandt-Rheidt, Minister of War (appointed 1876).

The Ministry of Cisleithan Austria, at the close of 1880, was composed of Count Eduard Taaffe, President (appointed August 14, 1879); Baron Moritz von Streit, Justice (1880); Baron Sigmund von Conrad von Eybesfeldt, Public Worship and Instruction (1880); Count Zeno von Welsersheimb, Defense of the Country (1880); Count Julius von Falkenhayn (August 14, 1879), Agriculture; Alfred von Kremer von Auenrode (1880), Commerce; Dr. Julian Dunajewski (1880), Finance; Florian Ziemialkowski (April, 1873), and Dr. Alois Prajak (August 14, 1879), Minister without portfolio.

The area of the entire monarchy is 622,837 square kilometres*; population, according to the last census of 1869, 35,901,435; according to an official estimate, in 1880, about 38,000,000. The area of Cisleithan Austria, or Austria Proper, is 300,209 square miles; the civil population at the end of 1879 was officially estimated at 22,176,745, to which must be added the army, numbering about 177,500 persons, making a total population of 22,354,245. The official estimate is based upon the census of 1869, by adding the average percentage of increase. The civil population was distributed among the different crown-lands as follows:

Moravia..

17.080 2,743

41.694

Silesia. Galicia

13,174

Bukowina.

Marquesas Islands

1,274

5,754

Clipperton Island.

Tahiti, Morea, and adjacent islands.
Tubuai, Vavitao, Oparo...
Tuamotu Archipelago, with Gambier
Islands.

564,973 478,556

22,176,745 21,970,649

From some observations made in the "Statistical Monthly" ("Statistische Monatsschrift ") of Vienna by Herr Schimmer, one of the bestknown statistical writers of Austria, we learn that the movements of the population in Austria show, in a marked degree, the influence of the bad times through which all European states have been passing. The following table

* One square kilometre = 0.886 English square mile.