456 AUSTRALASIA. 



lislied by the British Government. The other two smaller islands are also of 

 eruptive origin, and have collectively an area of about 20 square miles. Formerly 

 the Kermadec group was probably a station for Polynesian emigrants, as they now 

 form a connecting link between the British colonies of New Zealand and Fiji. 

 They lie within the New Zealand vegetable zone. 



Since the year 1853 New Zealand has ceased to be a Crown colony, and is now 

 self- governed by a Parliament of two Chambers and a minister, besides the Governor 

 appointed by the Queen. The Legislative Council, that is the Upper Chamber, 

 consists of forty-seven members also appointed by the Queen ; amongst them are 

 two Maori. The Chamber of Representatives comprises ninety-four elected members, 

 of whom four are Maori. All resident citizens twenty-one years of age and 

 upwards are electors and eligible. The members of Parliament receive a grant of 

 £200 for travelling expenses. 



The department of jjublic instruction is one of the most liberally endowed 

 branches of the public service. According to the law of 1877 education is at once 

 obligatory, gratuitous, and secular, and comprises the rudiments of the sciences, 

 besides drawing, vocal music, domestic economy, and military exercises. Secondary 

 and university instruction are provided for by a large number of colleges, of which 

 those of Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin are affiliated to the University. 

 These high schools are richly endowed with public grants of many hundred thou- 

 sand acres of land. The body of examiners constituting the University confers 

 the same degrees as Cambridge and Oxford. But despite the large sums voted for 

 educational purposes about one-fifth of the population is still illiterate. 



In 1886 the defensive forces numbered over 8,000, all volunteers, besides a 

 corps of 1,667 cadets. A division of the Australian fleet comprising two men-of- 

 war and a few torpedoes protects the seaboard, while the approaches to the four 

 chief towns — Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin — are defended 

 by fortifications. 



The New Zealand budget is enormous compared with the population, and the 

 public debt is relatively heavier than that of all other civilised states, France not 

 excepted. The Government undertakes the charge of life insurances and the 

 administration of the public domains. 



In the Appendix will be found a table of the provinces, formerly little autono- 

 mous and confederate states, now simple electoral and administrative districts. 



