SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 403 



Banjuwangi, in Java, were broken by a volcanic eruption in the year 1888. They 

 were supplemented in 1889 by a third cable laid between the same Javanese port 

 and Roebuck Bay on the coast of West Australia. This line, which is about 

 1,000 miles long, serves not only for the local communications of West and 

 South Australia, but also, in case of interruption, for those of the eastern 

 colonies. 



Palmerston, the future terminus of the trans-continental railway, already 

 enjoys a considerable trade. Since 1875 Port Darivin, on the east side of which 

 Palmerston has been founded, has been thrown open to the commerce of all 

 nations. This extensive inlet forms one of the largest, most convenient, and 

 best sheltered harbours frequented by seafarers in the eastern seas. The popu- 

 lation of the Northern Territory, as this region is officially called, has considerably 

 increased since 1881, when it contained only 4,550 inhabitants. Over four-fifths 

 of the residents are Chinese, occupied in discharging cargoes, in clearing the land 

 for plantations, constructing highways, and working the southern gold-mines of 

 Burrundie and other districts. Here the employers of labour are vigorously 

 opposed to the laws restricting Chinese immigration. Being unable to employ 

 white labour in these torrid lands, they naturally look to China for the hands 

 required to cultivate their plantations. 



A little traffic has already been developed between Palmerston and the Javanese 

 city of Surabaya, which lies on the future highway of inter-continental trade 

 between Australia and Europe. The essays at colonisation made so early as 1824 

 on Apsley Strait between Melville and Bathurst Islands, as well as subsequent 

 attempts of the same kind made farther east on the Coburg Peninsula, all proved 

 failures owing to the isolated position of the British settlers in a torrid climate 

 and on an unproductive soil, covered with an almost ferruginous latérite. The 

 station of Victoria, founded on the fine harbour of Essington, has never risen to 

 the rank of a town. 



The colony of South Australia is autonomous. The governor, appointed by the 

 Queen, is assisted by six responsible ministers chosen by the Parliament, which 

 itself consists of members elected by the citizens. The Legislative Council, or 

 Upper House, comprises twenty-four members, and the House of Assembly, or 

 Lower House, is formed of fifty-two deputies, chosen for three years. The 

 franchise for electors of the Council is limited to about two-fifths of the adult 

 male population, holders of property, or paying a certain annual rent ; but all 

 citizens settled not less than six months in the country have a right to vote at 

 the elections for the House of Assembly. Some thirty municipalities enjoy the 

 privileges of communal autonomy. The armed forces comprise over three thou- 

 sand volunteers and the crew of a small man-of-war. 



Queensland. 



Its very name is an indication of the recent creation of this colony. Originally 

 it formed part of New South Wales, from which it was not separated till the year 



