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CHAPTER VII. s 



PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS-ADMINISTRATION Of? 

 JUSTICE — CRIME — HABITS OF THE POPULATION &c. 



The extent and outline of Prince of M ales Island, 

 are both too well known to require a minute Jescrip- 

 tian, Tlie bulk of (he area is a mass of hills and 

 forest and the shores are slightly indented by many 

 small ereeks. Province Wtllesley, by outflanking the 

 Maud to the north and south, secures it from any seri- 

 ous afunn anr< s from t lie main laud ; while seaward, 

 pirates are the enly external disturbers of its mn.41.il- 

 lily, and these very rarely land to depredate. 



The jiorthern boundary of Province Wellesley is 

 well defined by the Muda i iver, the source of which 

 lies in the central range of mountains — and conside- 

 rably to the northward of ihe latitude of the river's 

 mouth— so that it has a pretty long course. These 

 mountains may have an elevation of from five to 

 six thousand feet above the level of the sea. They 

 are not however continuous ; for several large 

 gaps appear at wide intervals. They abound 

 in tin ; and gold is also found at their base,* 

 The IMtnla river winds very much ; so that, al- 

 though the direct distance from its mouth to 

 the brick pillar which marks the British and Sia- 

 mese boundary on the N. E. is only thirteen miles — 

 that hy the course of the stream is twenty-one rciles. 



* The wriur, about a year ago, passed beyond these mounlain*, to inspect 

 tlie Tin mines. lift l^s some intention of de»ciibiqg the geological features 

 of this part of tin lYuiosulj, hereafter,. 



