PEOaEESS OP NEW SOUTH WALES, 



[^statistical Revieio of fhe Progress of Neto South Wales in tlie last Ten 

 Years — 1862-1871. By Christopher Eoileston, Esq.] 



The publication of the Statistics of New South Wales for the 

 year 1871 — lately laid before Parliament — offers an interesting 

 subject of inqiiiry with regard to the progress and resources of 

 the Colony. The Eeport of the Eegistrar G-eneral, which accom- 

 panies the volume, conveys a very clear and well-arranged analysis 

 of the tables as they relate to the year under review, but, very 

 naturally, extends no further. I propose, therefore, to embrace 

 in this review a wider range of observation, and to take stock of 

 the resources and progress of the Country during the last ten 

 years — comparing the five years from 1862 to 1866 with the five 

 years from 1867 to 1871. It is by comparison that we arrive at 

 an accurate knowledge of the rate of progress we have attained, 

 and are able to discover where we have receded — if at all, and 

 where we have stood still, and where we have advanced. The 

 period is free from the embarrassment which met the statistician 

 in the earlier period of the Colony's history, I mean with regard 

 to the loss of territory through dismemberment. In 1851, Port 

 Phillip was separated from us : and at the end of 1859 the More- 

 ton Bay districts were taken from us. In 1862 we had well-nigh 

 recovered, and, in some respects, more than recovered, the losses 

 inflicted by the deprivation of so large a slice of our territory as 

 that which now forms the thriving Colony of Queensland. Indeed, 

 it may at this time be said that the loss has, by the enterprise of 

 the people, and by the fillip given to the development of the 

 Country, through its establishment under a separate Government, 

 been converted into a clear gain, through the growth of a vigorous, 

 enterprising community, carrying on friendly and profitable com- 

 mercial relations with us. 



Statistical results are valuable for the right comprehension of 

 the principles which should guide the proceedings of Grovernment ; 

 and I am sure I need not at this time, and before this Society, 



