able at the rate of 15s., 10s., and 5s. an acre respectively, payable in ten equal annual instalments in addition to survey fees. The utmost extent to be so acquired by any one "conditional purchase" is, of agricultural land from 40 to 640 acres, of first class pastoral land from 80 to 2560 acres, and of second class pastoral land from 80 to 7680 acres. Where however the land has not been surveyed, applications for it are to be received conditionally only till there has been an opportunity of ascertaining its quality. Lands selected under this system are to be held on lease till the purchase money is paid, on condition, among other things, that the lessee shall enclose the land with a substantial fence, and that he shall reside on the land continuously during the period of the lease. But if within two years in the case of pastoral lands, or three years in the case of agricultural, the lessee can show that he or his bailiff has resided on the land for two years, and has made certain improvements, a grant in fee may be issued on payment of the balance of the 10 years rent. Sugar and Coffee Lands.-Any person intending to cultivate sugar or coffee is to be allowed to select a block containing not less than 320 nor more than 1280 acres; and on proof, within three years that he has brought one tenth of his land into cultivation, he is relieved of the obligation of residence. Existing lessees of sugar or coffee lands are to be entitled to the same privileges. Homesteads.-Heads of families and persons of 21 years of age are allowed to select as "Homesteads " lots not exceeding 80 acres of agricultural, or 160 acres of pastoral land, on payment of an annual quitrent of 9d. per acre for the former, and 6d. per acre for the latter during five years, the grant not to issue till the expiration of that period and proof of continuous residence and cultivation of one tenth of the land, or the erection round it of a substantial fence. No person is to be allowed to acquire more than one "Homestead" allotment. Gold Field and Township Commonage. The Governor is authorized to proclaim "Commons" on the application of a certain number of freeholders of an adjoining township, such commons to be proportioned to the number of freeholders resident in the adjoining township, but in no case to exceed 20 square miles. The commonage rights are to be restricted to residents in the adjoining township. Sheep, except under special circumstances, are to be excluded, and cattle are to be paid for at the rate of 2s. a head per annum. Absolute Sales by Auction. Besides the above modes of conditional sale, it is provided that unconditional sales may be made by auction of Town, Suburban, Country lands, or Forfeited leased lands, at such prices as the Governor shall fix, not less than for The time of sale and the price of the lands are to be duly advertised beforehand. The sales are to be conducted by an auctioneer or land agent appointed by the Governor, and the purchase money is to be paid, one fifth at the time of sale, and the remainder, with the deed and survey fees, within one month. Country lands not sold at auction may be afterwards sold by private contract at their respective upset prices. In case of the sale above the upset price of forfeited improved leased lands, the Governor may pay the value of the improvements to the lessee. Grants to Volunteers. - Every member of the Volunteer Force of the Colony is to be entitled after five years service from the date of the Act, to a free grant of 10 acres of Suburban or 50 acres of Country land, subject to regulations to be made from time to time by the Governor and laid before the Legislature. Timber Licences.-Licences may be issued under regulations to be made by the Government for the cutting of timber, and the digging of gravel, brick, earth, &c., on Crown Lands, and lands held under pastoral lease. But in respect to Pastoral lands any reasonable objection on the part of the lessee is to be considered by the Government. Lastly, provision is made for the settlement of disputed matters by arbitration, for the punishment of trespassers and of frauds, for the preservation of boundary works, and for other similar purposes. Land Orders.-The Immigration Act, No. 9, of 1869, entitles a person who has paid the full cost of his passage, or of any member of his family, including his domestic servants, to a land order for the selection of 40 acres for each person of 12 years and upwards, and 20 acres for each child between the ages of 1 and 12. The land to be selected under the order must be country land open for selection, and it must be for the selector's exclusive use and benefit. Upon delivery of the land order to the land agent for the district, the holder receives a licence to occupy the land for five years. At the end of that time the selector, provided he has resided upon the land continuously for three years, and has cultivated one-tenth or has fenced the whole of it, is entitled to a Crown grant of the land selected (sects. 6-9.) Persons obtaining free or assisted passages through the agent general in England of the Colony, and repaying the cost of their passages within two years of their arrival, and persons resident in Queensland nominating friends or relatives, and within 12 months of their arrival repaying the cost of their passages, are entitled to the preceding advantages in the acquisition of land (sects. 16 to 22.) These advantages are extended to employers paying the balance of the passage money of immigrants under contracts for service for two years who omit to pay it themselves (sect. 22.) Leases of Crown land with right of purchase are granted under "The Leasing Act of 1866," 30 Vict. No. 12. Lands situated more than two miles from any town, and remaining unsold after having been put up to auction, and lands in agricultural reserves remaining open for more than one month after proclamation, are open to lease by the first applicant to G to the land agent for the district, who shall pay in cash or land orders a year's rent in advance, at the rate of 2s. 6d. an acre, for land open to purchase by selection at 20s. an acre, and proportionately higher for land purchasable at a higher price. The term of lease is eight years; and as soon as the lessee has made the eighth payment he is entitled to a grant in fee simple. The quantity of land to be held by one lessee is not to exceed 2,560 acres. The lease cannot be transferred or encumbered without registration by the Surveyor General, the fee for which is 10s. Leases of Pasture Lands. The law relating to the Regulation of Crown Lands for PASTORAL PURPOSES is contained in the "Pastoral Leases Act of 1869 " (33 Vict. No. 10), and the "Pastoral Assessment Act of 1864," 28 Vict. No. 20. The former Act repeals, consolidates, and amends all previous Laws, Orders in Council, and Regulations respecting the Waste Lands of the Crown, so far as they are reThe followpugnant to any provision of the Act. ing is an abstract of its principal provisions: The Act applies to the unsettled districts only. The Governor is empowered to appoint and define the duties of Commissioners of Crown Lands. Leases of runs in the unsettled districts may be obtained by existing lessees on the surrender of their leases. The substituted leases are to be for 21 years from the 1st of July 1869, at rents varying in amount. according as the surrendered leases were held under the Order in Council of the 7th March 1847, or under the Colonial Acts, 24 Vict. Nos. 12 and 15, 27 Vict. No. 17, and 28 Vict. No. 20. Leases in "Unsettled Districts."-Pastoral leases in the unsettled districts may be granted for any term not exceeding 21 years. To obtain such leases, an application must be made in writing, to the Commissioner of the district, for a licence to occupy the run for a year, accompanied by a declaration that the applicant has duly stocked the run to one-fourth of the number of sheep or cattle it is capable of carrying. Fee for licence to be at the rate of 5s. per square mile.-Secs. 8 and 9. Clear descriptions of runs applied for, with boundaries, must be given at time of application.— Sec. 10. Each run is to consist of not less than 25 nor more than 100 square miles; and to be of rectangular form. The extreme length in no case to exceed three times the mean width, subject to the exclusion of water necessary to the beneficial occupation of adjoining lands and of land unavailable for pastoral purposes.-Sec. 11. Applications to be entered in a book and signed by applicants. Such book to be open for inspection on demand on payment of fee of 2s. 6d.-Sec. 12. Applications for runs to be made between ten and four on such days as Governor shall declare by regulation.-Sec. 13. case of plurality of applicants, licence to be granted to first who has occupied the block with stock; or, if two or more have occupied with stock at the same time, the land to be divided fairly between them. Should the blocks be insufficient for all parties, and none be willing to withdraw, each block to be submitted to competition, among applicants only, at an upset price of 5s. per square mile.-Secs. 14 and 16 In Any Licence Holder may, not less than three months before the expiration of his year's licence, apply for a lease for 21 years.-Sec. 19. The annual rent for the first seven years is to be 5s. per square mile; for the next seven years to be at the rate of 10s. per square mile, and for the remaining 7 years at the rate of 15s. per square mile; but during the cur rency of the 7th or 14th year of the term, the rent for the ensuing seven years may, at the option of the Governor or the lessee, be determined by appraisement within certain limits.-Sec. 20. Leases not applied for within the prescribed time, or forfeited leases, to be dealt with as vacant Crown lands.-Sec. 22. Each run is to be deemed capable of carrying 100 sheep or 20 head of cattle per square mile. If less than a quarter of this number be kept on any run, lease to be forfeited.-Secs. 23 and 26. Forfeited and vacated runs are to be put up to auction at upset price of 5s. per square mile, for the first and second times; if not then sold, upset price may be reduced by the Governor. The purchaser must, within six months, stock the run to the extent of one-fourth its grazing capacity.-Secs. 27, 28, and 30. Unwatered Runs.-Where no part of a run is within five miles of permanent water, a licence for one year may be granted, without the condition of compulsory stocking, on payment of an occupation fee of 3s. per square mile. The licence may be renewed for a second year on payment of another fee of 38.-Secs. 31 and 33. Renewal of Leases in Unsettled Districts.-Current leases may be renewed for 14 years at an increasing rent for the first four years of one-tenth of the rent payable in the last year of the expiring lease, and of further increases of one-tenth of the augmented rent for the periods commencing with the fifth and ninth years; but the Governor or the lessee may, in the last year of the expiring lease, or in the currency of the 4th or 9th year of the renewed lease, require the rent to be fixed by arbitrators, to be appointed by the Crown and the lessee and their umpire. In no at less than 11. or more than 41. per square mile of case, however, is the rent to be fixed by arbitration the available area of the run.-Secs. 40 to 46. of General Conditions of Leases.-Nonpayment rent to forfeit lease, unless paid within 90 days with an addition of 25 per cent.-Sec. 50. Licences and leases may be transferred on payment of a fee of one guinea-Sec. 52. For securing permanent improvements the Government may sell without competition, at 10s. per acre, to the lessee, not less than four square miles of his run in one block as nearly rectangular and equilateral as may be.-Sec. 53. Leases and licences not to be void for want of certainty in the description of the lands contained therein; and defective descriptions may be amended by the Governor, and a new lease then issued.Secs. 59 and 60. Cost of any Government surveys, not exceeding 6s. per square mile, to be paid by Lessee.-Sec. 61. Horses or cattle driven along any road may be depastured on unenclosed Crown lands (whether leased or not) within half a mile from such road. The cattle, however, must be moved eight miles, and sheep six, within every 24 hours.-Sec. 62. Lessees may continue to depasture their stock, notwithstanding their run, or any part of it, has been proclaimed a Gold Field, in which event the rent is to be proportionately reduced.-Sec. 64. Licences to cut Timber, &c.-Licences may be granted for not exceeding one year, for entering Crown lands (whether leased or licensed) to cut timber, or remove gravel, stone, or other material, but not within two miles of a head station. Lessees may appeal to the Governor againt the issue of such licences. Lessees may use timber on their several lands for building and other tenantable purposes.-Secs. 65 and 66. Cases of disputed boundary to be settled by arbitration.-Sec. 69. The Governor may make regulations, not inconsistent with the Act, respecting all matters necessary to give effect to the Act. Such regulations to be laid before the Colonial Parliament.-Secs. 77 and 78. Regulations have accordingly been issued, bearing date the 12th of June 1870, fixing the licence fee at 121. for each square mile, to be paid by the applicant at the time of lodging the application for a " Special Timber Licence.' The issue of ordinary timber licences is governed by regulations of the 17th November 1869 and 12th June 1870. An Act (28 Vict. No. 20, assented to 12 Sept. 1864) styled "The Pastoral Assessment Act of 1864," has been framed "to facilitate the assessment of rent of Crown lands leased for pastoral purposes in the Unsettled Districts." The 1st clause repeals the 24th and 25th secs. of the "Pastoral Leases Act of 1863," so far as they affect or are affected by the 3rd clause of this Act. Clause 2.-Lessees of runs to pay 51. per block of 25 square miles, and 4s. for every additional square mile, to meet the cost of appraisement of rents. Payment to be made not less than 3 months prior to 6th and 9th years of term of lease. Clause 3.-In default-fixed rate, from 5th to 9th year, of 277. 10s. per 25 square miles, and 11. 28. for each additional square mile; from 10th to 14th year 351. per 25 square miles, and 17. 15s. for each additional square mile. Failure to make payment during fourth year of lease not to debar from claims to be assessed from 10th to 14th years upon payment as required by 2nd clause. Clause 4.-Lessee of runs not yet assessed to pay minimum rents required by secs. 24 and 25 of "Pastoral Leases Act, 1863," and balance (if any) when ascertained. Clause 5.-On transfer of a licence or lease, fee of 17. 18. to be paid. Clause 6.-Act to be incorporated into and read in connection with the "Pastoral Leases Act of 1863." GOLD. The first important gold discovery was at Canoona, which is about 30 or 40 miles from Rockhampton. In the year 1867 the Colonial Government offered rewards, varying from 200l. to 1,000l., for the discovery of new and paying gold fields in Queensland. This, according to the report of the Commissioner for the Rockhampton District, led to the discovery early in the year of several gold fields, and in September of Gympie Creek, where a nugget weighing nearly 100 lbs. was found near the surface. It is stated that the gold-bearing quartz at Gympie is very rich. Gold mining in Queensland is regulated by the Act of the Parliament of New South Wales, 20 Vict. No. 29. The Emigration Commissioners have, however, no information respecting the gold mining regulations in Queensland. By the "Gold Fields Homestead Act of 1870," 34 Vict. No. 15, the Governor is empowered to grant to holders of miners' rights, and other authorized adult residents in any proclaimed gold fields, leases of land in the gold fields (not being within any township) for other than mining purposes, notwithstanding the provisions of the "Pastoral Leases Act of 1869." The lease is not to include more than 40 acres, and one year's rent; or, if the application is made after the 1st of July, half a year's rent is to be paid, with the survey fee, varying in amount with the size of the lot, from 12s. to 31. The rent is to be 5s. for all lots containing less than five acres, and at the rate of 1s. an acre for larger lots, and to be paid annually in advance on the 1st day of January. The lease is to continue in force so long as the rent is punctually paid. If not paid within 60 days of the stipulated date with an increase of 25 per cent. by way of penalty, the lease is to be ipso facto forfeited. A right of purchase is reserved to the lessee at the ordinary upset price of the same class of lands, if the Government should decide on selling the land. The leases are transferable on payment of a fee of 10s. Miners may search or work for gold on any land leased under the Act, and, with the consent of the lessee, may mark off and register the mining claim to which they are entitled under the Gold Mining Regulations, but for any damage to improvements compensation is to be made to the lessee. The Executive may resume the whole or any portion of the land leased for purposes of public utility or convenience. In which case, however, compensation to be awarded by arbitration is to be made, but only for improvements destroyed or rendered useless. The rents are to be expended in the construction of roads and other public works on the gold fields where they are raised. The quantity of gold exported from Queensland ozs. dwts. grs. 166,000 7 23 138,220 9 15 was in 1868 and in 1869 In 1869 there were issued at the several gold fields of this Colony 60,916 miners' rights, 330 business licences; and 30 leases for auriferous tracts. The estimated population at the several gold fields was 10,951 European and 1,654 Chinese, making a total of 12,605. Of the Europeans, 2,268 were women and children; and the rest were occupied, 3,093 in mining for quartz, 2,322 in alluvial mining, 539 as carters, woodcutters, &c., and 829 as merchants and tradesmen. Of the Chinese 1,342 were employed as miners, and 312 in other pursuits. VICTORIA. The disposal of Crown lands in Victoria is regu- This Act, which is to expire on the 31st Decem- Reserves.-The Governor may, after public notice, reserve from sale, either temporarily or permanently, Crown lands required for public purposes. Land temporarily reserved cannot be sold until the temporary reservation has been revoked; but land permanently reserved can only be alienated for the purpose for which the reservation was originally made (sects. 6, 7, 8, and 9.) All lands alienated under this Act are liable to be resumed for mining purposes by the Government, upon payment of full compensation, to be ascertained, in case of difference, by arbitration (sect. 99.) Part II. Alienation of Crown lands. Licences and Leases.-Unoccupied lands, whether surveyed or not surveyed, if they are not specifically exempted, and are not included in any city, town, or borough, may be alienated by licence and lease (sects. 14, 16, and 32.) Mode of application.-Application for a licence may be made to the Land Officer of the district by any one who deposits the fee for one half year's occupation; and the Governor is authorized to issue a licence for the occupation of any Crown lands not exceeding 320 acres for a period of three years, at a fee of 2s. per annum for each acre, subject to the following conditions: (1), that the fee is paid halfyearly in advance; (2), that the licensee shall not assign, except by will (sect. 28), or sublet the land; (3), that he will enclose it with a substantial fence within two years, and cultivate every year at least one acre out of ten; (4), that the licence shall be annulled in case of nonpayment of fees or of breach of conditions, or in case the licensee shall not, within six months after the issue of the licence enter upon and thenceforward continuously occupy the allotment by personal residence thereon; or in case he shall not make substantial improvements to the value of 17. per acre, before the end of the third year from the commencement of the licence. Crown Grant or Lease.-If the licensee fulfil the above conditions he is entitled, within 30 days after three years from the commencement of the licence, to obtain a Crown grant upon payment of 14s. an acre; or, if he prefer it, a lease of the allotment for seven years, at a rental of 2s. an acre, payable half-yearly in advance with the usual covenants for the payment of rent and for re-entry on nonpayment. Upon payment of the last sum due as rent, or at any time upon payment of the difference be tween the amount of rent actually paid and 17. per Licences obtained or held in violation of the Act are to be deemed fraudulent and void. The licence or lease does not confer the right to search for or take minerals (sects. 17 to 22.) If a licence is required of unsurveyed lands, thei applicant must mark out and describe the boun daries of the allotment. Such boundaries are liable to adjustment by the authorities at any time during the contiuuauce of the licence (sect. 32.) Auction Country Lands. All the Crown lands may be sold in fee simple by public auction not exceeding 200,000 acres in any one year, at an upset price of not less than 20s. an acre to take place at least once in every quarter of the year. The sales are Purchasers are required to pay at the auction 25 per cent. of the price, and the remainder, on pain of forfeiting the deposit, within a month. Renewed Auctions.-Land put up to auction at more than 17. per acre, and not sold, may, provided it is not situated within the boundaries of any town or village, be put up again at reduced prices not less than 17. per acre, and until they are directed to be so put up, may be purchased by any one at the upset price, or at the highest price bid at the previous auction (sect. 34-7.) Town and Village Lots.-Town and village lands are to be sold by auction (sect. 38.) Part III. relates to leases and licences for other than agricultural or pastoral purposes. Leases are granted of Crown lands not exceeding three acres (except for guano) for terms not exceeding 21 years, at a yearly rent of not less than 51. for any of the following purposes : For obtaining and removing guano or other ma nure, or stone or earth; for the sites of inns, stores, smithies, bakeries, or other similar buildings, in thinly populated districts; for bathing houses, bathing places, bridges, ferries, toll or punt houses, tanneries, factories, saw or paper mills, quays, landing places, and for sites for ship and boat building; also for the working of mineral springs, the manu facture of salt, and the construction of canals. But no lease for a canal can be granted until the con ditions have been laid before the Houses of Legislature for four weeks (sects. 45 and 46.) Licences may be issued for any of the foregoing and for the following purposes: To cut, dig, and take away timber, gravel, stone, limestone, salt, guano, shell, sea weed, ballast, sand, loam, brick or other earth. of fishermen's residences or drying grounds, fellTo occupy the site mongers' establishments, slaughterhouses, brick or lime kilns, and for the erection of pumps. To enter with sheep, cattle, horses, or other animals for the purpose of pasturage upon park lands, reserves, or other Crown lands not forming part of any run or common. Licences to use auriferous land may be issued for a period not exceeding one year, and to an extent not exceeding 20 acres, subject to the payment of titled to ag held in Hulent and does not come =rals (sects. ed of us ut and dat Such be horities ence (se -All the e by pot anyone an acte in every ed to par and the with A put up Ot sold a undarie educed are difere TO 2% at the pre and licences ds not less the sites lar be purs & плать ther such fee and to such conditions as may be approved by the Governor (sect. 49.) Part IV. relates to Commons; Part V. relates to Pastoral licences; Part VI. relates to Trespasses and Penalties; and Part VII. to Miscellaneous details, which are interesting chiefly to persons in the Colony. The Governor by sect. 110 is empowered to make regulations (to be signed by the minister, and published in the Government Gazette) on matters of detail for more effectually carrying out the provisions of the Act. The Government has accordingly published regulations, dated Melbourne, 1st February 1870. Leases of Pasture Lands.-The occupation of land for pastoral purposes is regulated by the Land Act, 1869, Part V. Old Runs. As to existing runs yearly licences are to be issued at a rent, to be fixed according to their grazing capabilities, at the rate of 8d. for every sheep, and 4s. for every head of cattle, subject to re-adjustment by Parliament after the expiration of five years.-Secs. 63 and 64. New Runs.-New runs in unoccupied Crown lands and forfeited runs are to be exposed to auction. The extent of runs is not to exceed what is sufficient to carry all the year round 4,000 sheep or 1,000 cattle. The land comprised in a run, however, may at any time be sold, leased, proclaimed a common, or licensed for other than pastoral purposes, under the authority of the Act. The rent of the run is to be fixed by the Land Board, and the person who bids the highest sum by way of premium is entitled to receive a licence to occupy the run for pastoral purposes for any period not exceeding 14 years. If there is no bidder the rent is to be reduced, and the run put up to auction again and again, until sold.-Secs. 67-9 and 70. The interest in a run is transferable on payment of a fee of 11. The licensee may not, under a penalty from 101. to 50%., cultivate the run to a greater extent than is necessary for the supply of his family and establish ment. The rent is in all cases payable half-yearly on the 30th of June and 31st of December, under a penalty of 21. for every day in arrear; and if the rent and penalties are not paid within a month, the Governor may declare the run forfeited.-Secs. 81, 83, and 84. The number of runs existing at the end of December 1870 was 1,067, and the extent of land under pastoral occupation was 27,703,314 acres. Gold Fields.-The Victoria Land Act, 1869, 33 Vict. No. 360, sec. 49, provides that licences may be granted for any period not exceeding one year, and to an extent not exceeding 20 acres, entitling the holders to reside on or cultivate lands on any gold field, provided that not more than one such licence shall be granted to or held by the same person. These licences are to be subject to the payment of such fees and to such conditions as may be approved by the Governor.-Sect. 49. Under the " Mining Statute, 1865," 29 Vict. No. 291 (passed 28th November 1865), "Miners Rights" are issued for any number of years not exceeding fifteen, at the rate of 5s. for every year. Consolidated "Miners' Rights" are issued for the like period on the application of the Manager, or any trustee or trustees of any Company of persons, who shall have agreed to work in partnership any claims registered under the Act, on payment of a sum at the prescribed rate, multiplied by the number of "Miners' Rights" which the same is to repre sent. The "Miners' Rights" entitle the Holders to take possession for gold mining purposes, and for residence of so much of the Crown lands as may be prescribed by the byelaws of the Local Mining Board of the district within which the land is situated. From the 1st June 1855 to 31st December 1867, the number of Miners' Rights issued was 541,630, exclusive of 459 Consolidated Miners Rights, representing 13,136 single rights. From the 1st January to 31st December 1868 the number of Miners' Rights issued was as follows:For 1 year For 6 years 53,368 23 1 2 From the 1st January to the 31st December 1869 the amount received for Business Licences was 3,9157. Leases of auriferous lands are granted under the provisions of the "Mining Statute, 1865," for any term not exceeding 15 years. For ordinary Leases the area is not to exceed 30 acres, nor be less than one acre. For Quartz Leases the area is not to exceed 600 yards in length, nor to be less than 100 yards along the line of the lode, and the width is not to be more than 200 yards, nor less than 50 yards, measured across the lode. - Rent. The rent fixed is at 17. per acre per annum. In special cases the areas or rents may be altered, subject to the provisions of the Act, and such covenants inserted in the leases as the Governor may direct. Leases to Discoverers of new gold fields.-Any holder of a "Miner's Right" desirous to prospect for gold in any place where sinking through basalt will be necessary, and to which no part of any gold workings shall be nearer than five miles, may mark off at such place an area of one square mile for the pur |