nary labourers were getting from 3s. to 5s. a day. Grooms 21. and cooks 1l. 4s. per month. A similar increase, though not to quite so great an extent, had taken place in the other islands.

"Turks Islands.-In former reports we have explained the arrangement sanctioned by the Duke of Newcastle for the conversion into freehold of the leases of salt ponds in the Turks Islands. That arrangement applied in the first instance to leases on Grand Turk and Salt Cay islands only. In the course of last year opportunities arose of extending it also to the East and West Caico islands. The system is now, therefore, universal throughout the group. It appears by a recent report from the president of the colony that the export of salt in 1864 was less than that in 1863 to the extent of 182,044 bushels. Nevertheless the increase of price, which had risen from 6 to 15 cents. per bushel, had more than compensated the producers. The president shows, by an estimate enclosed in his dispatch, that the net profit on 1,000 bushels at 15 cents. amounts to 86.25 dollars, while the net profit on 7,000 bushels at 6 cents. is only 79.62 dollars. The amount of the export duty in lieu of rent in 1864 was 2,7021. 17s. 6d. ; the Crown revenue from other sources 2,9311. 1s. 8d. The balance in hand at the end of the year was 532l. 11s. 4d.

"New South Wales.-The land revenue in New South Wales during 1863 (the latest year for which we have returns) was as follows:Total receipt under Lands Alienation Act, 180,2261. 7s. 11d.; total receipt under Lands Occupation Act, 205,8061. 6s. 4d.; total receipt under Gold Fields Act, 44,129i. 14s. 6d. ; total receipt miscellaneous, 7,121l. 15s. 7d.; grand total, 437,2841. 4s. 4d. The population had increased from 367,495 in 1862 to 378,934 in 1863; and the number of births during the year was 15,679, and of deaths 6,653. The increase was, therefore, nearly accounted for by the difference between the births and deaths, without assistance from immigration. The export of wool was 14,791,849 lbs. as against 13,482,189 lbs. in 1862; but the larger quantity was valued at 21,5447. less than the smaller export of the previous year, and at 134,152. less than the export of 1861, which was more than 2,000,000 lbs. less in quantity. The great rise that took place in the value of wool in 1861 and 1862 was no doubt the con

sequence of the deficiency in the quantity of cotton. The value of the gold exported in 1863 was 2,361,9491., being less than the value of the export of 1862 by 353,0881. The number of horned cattle in the colony was 2,032,522, and of sheep 7,790,969, being a reduction of 10,835 in the former, and an increase of 1,645,318 in the latter, over the numbers in 1862. The total emigration from this country to New South Wales in 1864 was, as has been stated, 4,689. Of these, 3,681 were holders of remittance certificates issued in the colony, and 58 were persons who were allowed by us to accompany their friends. These were despatched in ships chartered by The remainder were passengers in private ships who paid the expense of their own passages. The mortality in our ships, so far as we have returns, amounted to 30 out of 3,337 or 89 per cent. Of the mortality in private ships we have no return. The average price paid for the ships taken up by us was 131. 3s. 4d. per statute adult.

us.

"Queensland. The quantity of land sold in this colony in 1863 was 62,948 acres. The amount realized 108,8281. The total quantity of land alienated in fee between the foundation of the colony in December 1859 and 31st December 1363 was 213,123 acres. The progress of the colony had been very satisfactory. The land under cultivation had increased from 6,086 acres in 1862 to 11,262 acres in 1863, and the number of cattle and sheep from 637,296 and 4,553,353 respectively to 880,392 and 5,672,400. The imports had risen from 1,323,509. to 1,713,2637. and the exports from 793,2361. to 888,3811. The revenue had increased from 330,3251. to 390,8231., and the population from 40,593 to 53,970.* The ratio of the customs revenue to the population has been extraordinarily steady, the average having been per head-In 1861, 2l. 5s. 7d.; in 1862, 21. 7s. 44d.; in 1863, 21. 6s. 42d.

"From a census taken on 1st January 1864, it appears that the population had then increased to 61,467; that of these there were employed in agriculture 2,878, in pastoral pursuits, 7,693, and in domestic duties, 14,919; while the number returned as ' under tuition' is 17,893. Of the latter, however, only 5,079

* These numbers are to 31st July 1863.

were under tuition at schools, the remaining 12,814 being under tuition at home.' The whole number of paupers or persons receiving public support was only 222. The origin of the inhabitants is thus given:-Born in Queensland, 9,592; born in other Australian colonies and New Zealand, 7,205; Great Britain and other British dominions, 38,185; foreign countries, 6,485 total, 61,467.

"The number of ships despatched by us to Queensland in 1863 was only four, carrying 1,144 souls, among whom there were seventeen deaths, or in the proportion of 1.48 per cent., and sixteen births. The number of private ships was twenty-six, carrying 10,728 souls, among whom there were 224 deaths, or in the proportion of 2-17 per cent., and seventy-nine births. In our ships the proportion of females was 84.05 to every 100 males; in private ships the proportion was 61.71 to 100 males. In 1864 the number of ships despatched by us was seven, carrying 2,279 souls. We have received intelligence of the arrival of six of these vessels which carried 1,902 souls. In these there occurred thirty deaths, equal to a mortality of 1.57 per cent. We have no return of the mortality in private ships during 1864.

"Victoria.-The sales of land in Victoria during the year 1863 (the latest for which we have complete returns), were,-182,339a. 1r. 15p. for 323,4791. 5s. 1d. Besides this, there was a revenue of about 200,000l. a year arising from rents of land held under lease for purposes of pasture. For 1864 we have not received detailed accounts, but we learn from the general statements of revenue for that year which have reached us, that the land revenue amounted to 796,2207. 16s. 3d., exclusive of 8,5531. 198. 4d. derived from leases of auriferous lands. We have received the returns from the gold fields in Victoria for the year 1864. They show so extraordinary a steadiness in the numbers on the gold fields that, if correct, the gold digging population, so far from being a migratory and excitable class as has been supposed, must be singularly constant and stationary. The numbers are,-Europeans, first quarter, 210,781; second quarter, 209,413; third quarter, 211,245; fourth quarter, 214,844. Chinese, first quarter, 31,996; second quarter, 32,327; third quar

ter, 29,987; fourth quarter, 80,119. The number of mining leases sanctioned, and the amount of capital and number of men to be employed in working them was,-Leases, 223; area, 2,925a. 1r. 22p; rent, 7,313l. 14s. 8.; capital, 531,1961.; workmen, 3,148.

South Australia.-The sales of land in South Australia in the year 1863 were,159,791a. 2r. 30p. at an average price per acre. Of town lots, 31. 18s. 4d.; special country lots, 11. 1s. 7d.; country sections, 11. 3s. 1d., and country lands, 11. Os. Od. The amount realized by these sales was 181,0841. 9s. The quantity of land leased for depasturage purposes was 4,074 square miles; and the quantity of mineral land leased was 6,808 acres. The whole revenue received from land during the year was : - from sales, 184,414l. 17s. 9d. ; pasturage leases, 63,2971. 16s. 8d.; mineral leases, gold and timber licences, &c., 15,418l. 4s. 4d. Total, 263,1307. 18s. 9d. The quantity of enclosed land under cultivation was 555,968 acres. The quantity enclosed, but not cultivated, 2,344,323 acres. The quantity of land sold in 1864 was 224,193 acres for the sum of 265,4921. 5s. We have, however, no details as to these last sales. The total extent of land alienated up to 31st December 1864 was 2,894,299 acres. The extent remaining is estimated at 545,587,407 acres. The quantity surveyed and open for settlement was 150,000 acres. The population on 31st December, 1863, was calculated at 140,416, being an increase of 5,087 as compared with 1862. The increase by excess of immigration over emigration was only 1,342, the remainder being due to an excess of births over deaths. There is greater equality between the sexes in South Australia than in any other of the Australian colonies, the numbers being males, 72,109; females, 68,307.

"In our report of last year we recapitulated the measures which had been taken by the Government and Legislature of South Australia for commencing the settlement of the vast tract of country lying between the 129th and 138th meridians of east longitude, which had been annexed to the colony by the Royal Letters Patent of 6th July, 1863. It was decided, that out of this territory 500,000 acres of country land, and 1,562 town lots of half an acre each, should be disposed of by private contract, one

moiety in the colony and the other moiety in this country. The first portion put up to sale in this country, consisting of 125,000 acres of country land and 781 town lots, has been disposed of, while the applications in the colony on the first day were for nearly 60,000 acres, and almost the whole of the first portion has been disposed of there also. We have no information as to the further progress of the sale, nor whether any of the second portion has been sold in the colony; only a few lots have been sold here. The next step was to despatch the necessary officers to examine the country, to decide on the site of the principal town, and to make the necessary surveys. For this purpose Commander Hutchinson, R.N., was despatched in the Beatrice vid Torres Straits on 9th April, 1864, to commence the survey, and on the 24th April, Mr. Finniss sailed in the Henry Ellis for the same destination, vid Cape Leuwin, with a party of 40 persons, to assume the duties of Government resident. The point at which, from information previously obtained, it was decided to land was in Adams' Bay, which forms the estuary of the Adelaide River. Here Commander Hutchinson arrived at the end of May, and at once commenced his survey. Mr. Finniss and his expedition did not arrive till the 21st June, having been delayed by adverse winds. But in other respects the expedition had been without casualty. The information since received from the expedition comes down to the 8th December last. At that date Mr. Finniss had decided to fix the site of the town at the spot (Escape Cliffs,) where, on first arrival, he had established his depôt, and in accordance with instructions previously received from the Colonial Government, he had named the town Palmerston. The strength of the current in the Adelaide River would, he said, make it inexpedient to place the town higher up that river, as vessels could not ascend without the assistance of a steam-tug. The same objection he said would apply with greater force to the district on the Victoria River. At Escape Cliffs he had found ample supplies of excellent water at a depth of 24 feet close to the proposed town; and he states that water is obtainable at the driest season of the year over the whole surface of the peninsula on which the town is to be placed at depths varying from 4 to 24 feet. In consequence, however, of

contrary opinions having been expressed the question as to the site of the chief town was still open.

"Western Australia.-The quantity of land sold in Western Australia in 1864 was-town lands, 84a. 1r. 8p.; suburban lands, 96a. 2r. 24p.; country lands, 6,406a. 1r.

"The amount realized was :-town lands, 1,0361. 18s.; suburban lands, 115l. 6s. ; country lands, 2,6831. 8s. 9d.

"The revenue arising from pastoral and tillage leases was 10,475l. 19s. 8d., and from timber licences 410l. 10s.; making a total land revenue of 14,7221. 2s. 5d. The extent of land remaining for alienation is estimated at 975,748 square miles, equal to 624,478,720

acres.

"The number of persons who arrived in Western Australia in 1864 was 1,173, of whom 775 were convicts with their pensioner guard and warders, and 172 were emigrants sent out by us. The remaining 226 were principally cabin passengers from the neighbouring Australian colonies, Singapore, &c. The deaths on the voyage were in the convict ships 9 out of 775 souls, equal to 1.14 per cent. In the ships despatched by us 1 out of 211, equal to 47 per cent. The departures from the colony during the year were 916.

"New Zealand.-During 1864 the mining for gold continued to be carried on with great success in Otago and Nelson, and some gold was also procured in the province of Auckland. We have no information as to the numbers employed at each gold field; but by a return furnished from the Treasury at Auckland it appears that in the third quarter of 1864 there was exported the produce of gold fields in

"Auckland, 641 oz., 2,042l. value; Nelson and Marlborough, 14,086 oz., 58,6211. value; Otago, 87,178 oz., 837,7951. value. Total value, 393,4581.

"The total amount exported from the first discovery of gold to the 30th September last, had been from gold fields in

"Auckland, 9,242 oz., 28,9817. value; Nelson and Marlborough, 89,187 oz., 344,4077. value; Otago, 1,557,577 oz., 6,035,6091. value. Total, 1,655,956 oz., 6,408,9971. value.

"Canada. The number of immigrants who arrived in Canada in 1864 by the St. Lawrence was Cabin passengers, 1,210; steerage,

examination), since the commencement of our proceedings in May, 1855, amounts to 29,763. The annual average* has been 3,185; those received in 1864 were 4,151. Including the nominations for preliminary test examination. the total number has been 32,820; the annual average, 8,468; and the number received during the last year, 4,541. We shall divide, as in a previous report, into two classes the situations to which these nominations refer; viz. (1.) superior situations, clerkships, &c.; (2.) inferior situations, such as that of outdoor officer, letter carrier, warder, &c.

"Class 1.-Superior Situations, Clerkships, dc.-Of 2,094 nominations disposed of under this class, 122 were either cancelled or, for The reother reasons, not proceeded with. maining 1,972 may be classified as follows :Nominations for preliminary test examinations, 370; nominations to compete, 812; absolute nominations, 790. Of the candidates nominated for preliminary test examination, 204 passed the test, and 160 failed. The number of competitive examinations has been 131, in which 784 candidates have competed for 251 places, making an average of 3.1 competitor for each vacancy. Out of these 784 candidates, 290 who contended for 98 situations had already passed a preliminary test examination; the remaining 494 competitors for 153 situations had undergone no previous test. Of this latter group 231 failed to show a qualifying knowledge of the prescribed subjects; so that in reality not more than 263 qualified candidates contended for 153 vacancies; or, on an average, 1.7 qualified competitors for each In six cases we were compelled to vacancy. withhold our certificate from candidates who had been successful in the literary competition, one having failed to satisfy us that he was eligible in respect of age, two in respect of health, three in respect of character. With regard to unsuccessful competitors full inquiries are not made on these points.

"The number of situations belonging to this class offered for competition during the year 1864 having been, as before stated, 251, the number filled by absolute nomination has been 517. The whole number of such nominations dealt with (excluding thirty-six which were

* Omitting the year 1855, which was a broken year.

not proceeded with) was 790. Deducting from these the 517 cases in which the persons thus nominated obtained appointments, there remain 273 in which they failed so to do. In 241 of these cases the candidates fell below the standard of competence; nineteen failed to satisfy the commissioners in respect of age, five in respect of health, and eight in respect of character.

"Class II.-Inferior Situations, such as that of Out-door Officer, Letter Carrier, Warder, &c. -The principle of competition was not applied, during the year 1864, to any situations belonging to this class. The whole number of nominations dealt with was 2,384; and the results were as follows:-Candidates did not appear, 144; certificates granted, 1,931; certificates refused on age, 45; certificates refused on health, 17; certificates refused on character, 69; certificates refused on knowledge and ability, 178: total, 2,384. In our report for the year 1863 we described at some length that part of our proceedings which has reference to the age, health, and character of the candidates. The facts of the past year, as above set forth, are not calculated to diminish our sense of the importance of this portion of our duties, more especially as regards situations of the second or inferior class.

"The total number of cases in which candidates of both classes have failed to show competent knowledge and ability' during the year 1864 has been 589, including 160 nominated for preliminary test examination, 419 examined on absolute nominations, and ten competitors who, being otherwise successful, would have received appointments but for such failure. If the subjects of examination be divided into two classes, one including spelling, arithmetic, handwriting, and, in the case of cach department, the subjects specially connected with the practical work of that office, the other comprising those which are only prescribed as tests of general intelligence and cultivation, the number of failures in these two classes of subjects has been respectively 583 and 6. Out of 771 persons who on different grounds have been pronounced disqualified during the year recently ended, only six can be said to owe their rejection to requirements of a scholastic' or educational character.

"Examinations for the Civil Service of India. "The principles on which the present system of selecting and training civil servants for India is based, are set forth with great clearness in the report of the committee of 1854 which recommended its adoption. Briefly stated, they are these to select by competitive examination, open to all natural-born subjects of her Majesty, of sound health and good character and within certain limits of age, the ablest young men who present themselves; and then to require these young men, before proceeding to India, to pass a further examination in subjects having a direct bearing on their future duties.

"In the open competition, that every candidate, whatever may have been the place and manner of his education, may have an equal opportunity of displaying his ability, the examination embraces every subject which young Englishmen are likely to have studied; a preponderance being given in the distribution of marks to those which form the staple of an ordinary English education, namely, English, classics, and mathematics. With the view of discouraging the superficial study of many subjects, it is provided that no credit at all should be allowed for a mere smattering in any branch; and in each subject there is a vivâ voce examination to which we attach great importance, introduced for the express purpose of fully testing the genuine character of a candidate's knowledge, in addition to calling into play those qualities which are little, if at all, elicited in an examination by written papers, viz., his readiness, self-reliance, and moral courage.

"For the valuable prizes thus held out candidates of ability have presented themselves, not only from the great English universities and public schools, but from the Scottish and Irish universities, from numerous schools and colleges scattered over the three kingdoms, and even from the most distant parts of the empire; from the college of Benares and the university of Melbourne. Among others a Brahmin of high caste, though unacquainted, as might be expected, with the classical languages of Europe, passed such an examination in the classical languages of his own country, viz., Sanskrit and Arabic, together with English and other subjects, that he obtained a place among the successful competitors, and is now a covenanted servant of the Crown.