The Coming Colony. 421 



being exerted by "Western Australia, whose gold-fielcls seem likely 

 to surpass in richness those of any other part of the world. 



It remains to be seen whether the thirst for growing rich rapidly, 

 will influence a larger body of adventurers to try their fortunes in 

 this colony than have already been drawn to her shores ; certainly 

 opportunities are not lacking to those who can seize upon them 

 at the right moment. 



It is quite evident that Western Australia will always rank as a 

 mining colony. The report of gold recorded by the Customs in 

 1892 amounted to 59,548 ounces, which at £3 16s. per ounce would 

 realize £226,283; being an increase of £111,101 over the year 1891. 

 This gold was obtained as follows, viz. : — 



Much gold, however, was obtained which was never declai-ed to the 

 Customs. 



No better sign of vitality in this colony, which has quite lately 

 obtained its Constitution, can be instanced than the fact of its pro- 

 viding a sum of £71,482 for public works and buildings; this 

 includes the erection of many school-houses and the expenditure of 

 £2000 for the building of a Museum in Perth. 



In his summary of the Geology, Mines, and Minerals of the 

 colony, the author (Mr. Francis Hart) has, by an error, described 

 Mr, H. Y. L. Brown, F.G.S., as the ''late Government Geologist of 

 S. Australia, and noio employed by the N. S. Wales Government " 

 (p. 57), and he repeats this error at p. 69. We are happy to state 

 that Mr. H. Y. L. Brown, F.G.S., is not late, but is still, the Govern- 

 ment Geologist for S. Australia; long maybe continue to occupy 

 that post to the advantage of the colony of South Australia ! 



2. This is the seventh annual issue of the " Western Australian 

 Year-Book," 1892-93, by Malcolm A. C. Fraser, Registrar- General. 

 A most useful book, which gives in a brief summary the discovery 

 of Western Australia, its colonization and early settlement, its con- 

 stitution and government. Much valuable information is also 

 collected bearing upon its mineral, pastoral, agricultural, and forest 

 resources, its population, health, and climate. 



The forests, from which timber for export is obtained, are situated 

 within the parallels of South latitude 31° to 35° and extend over an 

 area of about 30,000 square miles, or equal to the whole territory of 

 Scotland. Over this vast extent of wooded country a species of 

 Eucalyptus (the Jarrah) prevails, which for the durability of its timber 

 is unsurpassed by any kind of tree in any portion of the globe. 



