392 



AUSTRALASIA. 



the colonies with each other, as well as with New Zealand and Java. Two sub- 

 marine lines will soon be laid from Ceylon to West Australia, and from Sydney to 

 Vancouver Island on the Pacific coast of British North America, and thus will be 

 completed the electric circuit of the English colonies round the globe. 



Education being compulsory and free, at least in the Government schools, all 

 children pass a few years in the public schools. The average standard of instruc- 

 tion is even higher in Australia than in England, and as a rule girls attend school 

 longer than boys. The expenditure for educational purposes is very high, amount- 



Fig. 167. — Australian Railways at the End of 1887. 

 Scale 1 : 40,000,000. 



. Lines completed. 



■ Main Lines in progress. 



-i^^.^^ 600 MUes. 



ing in 1885 to £5 for each pupil. The Australian press comprises about 800 

 newspapers and other periodical publications. 



At present Australia constitutes five, and with Tasmania six, separate colonies 

 or states. According to the date of their foundation, their economic interests, and 

 the influence of dominant political parties, these various states frame for them- 

 selves different constitutions ; but all require their fundamental enactments to be 

 ratified by the British Government, and also receive as governor a direct represen- 

 tative of the Crown. Nevertheless a recent controversy between Queensland 

 and the metropolis on the appointment of a governor resulted to the advantage of 

 the colony. In the two states of Victoria and Tasmania the institutions are demo- 



