728 KEPORT— 1903. 



5. Queensland} By J. P. Thomson. 



After a brief allusion to some of the main laiidmarlrs in the history of Queens- 

 land the paper proceeds to give a general sketch of the physical features of the 

 State, describing its mountain and river systems and the three gre'at natural 

 regions into which it may be subdivided" on physical and climatic grounds. 

 These are (1) the eastern division, lying tetveeen tha coast and the great dividing 

 range, consisting of well-watered fertile lands clothed in the northern part with 

 vegetation of unsurpassed luxuriance ; (2) the watershed of the Gulf of Carpentaria, 

 wholly tropical, but mainly adapted rather for pastoral than agricultural purposes ; 

 and (3) the vast western district, embracing the famous downs country, unsurpassed 

 for richness of soil aad magnificence of climate, the only drawback being the 

 uncertain and scanty rainfall, the want of which is, however, to some extent 

 supplied by its artesian resources. The geological structure, in regard to which 

 an entire difference is noticeable between the east and the west of the State, is 

 next comprehensively described, attention being paid to the influence of geological 

 facts on the possibilities of artesian development. The mineral wealth — consisting 

 primarily of gold, but including copper, silver, antimony, and tin ores ; coal, opal, 

 gems, bismuth, wolfram, manganese, and lead— is described as practically inex- 

 haustible, and an account is given of the most valuable deposits yet exploited. 

 The main characters of the flora and fauna are next described, special attention 

 being paid to the products of most economic importance. In describing the 

 climate of Queensland the author points out the special advantages possessed by 

 the southern districts and the curative properties of the dry and buoyant air of 

 the western plains. The distribution of the rainfall is discussed, and details are 

 given of the artesian water supply which supplements this in the interior districts. 

 Possibilities of storage of river water for irrigation are also touched upon. Coming 

 next to the industrial resources of Queensland, the author points out the unrivalled 

 advantages given by its position with regard to the great commercial highways of 

 the East, its fine natural harbours and its coast protected from the ocean by the 

 Great Barrier reef. The present population is but a fraction of that needed for its 

 satisfactory development, and ihe immigration of Polynesians is a necessity for 

 the cultivation of the tropical portion. At present the pastoral industry is "more 

 fully developed than either mining or agriculture, the sheep, cattle, and horses 

 numbering some scores of millions when not handicapped by droughts. The 

 agricultural industry is at present limited to the eastern settled district from 

 Cookstown south, but with irrigation the rich western region might produce 

 immense quantities of grain. In addition to sugar the coast region produces 

 maize, tobacco, coffee, cotton, arrowroot, &c.. and Iruit-growing might be taken up 

 with profit. The great need is an enormously larger population to settle on the 

 land and develop its vast resources, 



' The scientific matter will be published in the Geograpldcal Journal, 



