Samuel, G.C.M.G., C.B. SECRETARY-S. Yardley, C.M.G., J.P., 9, Victoria Street, London, S.W.

NEW ZEALAND.-Discovered by Tasman in 1642, and circumnavigated by Cook, 17691770, was formed into a separate colony in 1841. First settlement made in 1814; two thirds of the land are considered fit for agriculture and grazing. GOVERNMENT.--In 1852 the colony was divided into six provinces, afterwards increased to nine. In 1875 this division was abolished, and the EXECUTIVE is now vested in a GOVERNOR appointed by the Crown, and a responsible ministry. LEGISLATURE is vested in the Governor and a GENERAL ASSEMBLY of two Houses. The LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL consists at present of 46 members, nominated by the Crown. Those appointed prior to 1891 hold their appointments for life; all appointments since are for 7 years, although they may be renewed. The HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES consists of 75 members, elected for three years, including four Maori representatives. Every male Maori 21 years of age, who is a ratepayer or possesses freehold of the value of £25, and every European 21 years of age who has resided in the electoral district for six months immediately preceding registration, can vote. In 1893 the franchise was extended to women. EDUCATION. There is a university which has full power to confer degrees; it has three affiliated colleges, at Dunedin, Christchurch, and Auckland. There are over 1,000 primary schools under the Education Department of the Government, and 25 secondary schools. CHIEF EXPORTS.-Wool, grain, flax, butter and cheese, gum, tallow, mutton, gold. CHIEF IMPORTS.-Iron, sugar, drapery, cotton piece goods, apparel, hardware, and machinery. There are 1,993 miles of RAILWAY. Wellington, the chief town, stands upon the north island, near the western entrance of Cook's Straits, which separate the north from the south island. Auckland, the old capital, is upon the east coast of the north island, 100 miles south of the northern extremity, at the bottom of the Hauraki Gulf. Near the entrance of the Hauraki Gulf, 30 miles from Auckland, and under the shelter of a large Barier Island, is Sir George Grey's island of Kawau. about 38 days. The KERMADEC islands, area 21 sq. ms., which were ceded to Great Britain in 1886 were annexed to New Zealand early in 1887. AREA-104,027 sq. ms. (Chatham Islands, 377 sq. ms.) POPULATION (est. 1896)-703,000, exclusive of 41,000 Maoris. GOVERNOR -The Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., £5,000. AgentGENERAL IN LONDON-Hon. W. Pember Reeves, 13, Victoria Street, S.W. SECRETARY-W. Kennaway, C.M.G.

Transit

Old Calabar is the seat of government, and the chief trading centres are Opobo, Bonny, Brass, Bennin, Warri, Degana, and Sapele. The chief merchants have formed themselves into an "African Association," with headquarters at Liverpool. H.M. COMMISSIONER AND CONSULGENERAL-Ralph D. R. Moor, C.M.G., £2,500.

roons.

The Royal Niger Company. In 1834 an arrangement was made between England and Germany, by which England assumed a protectorate over the Niger territories, extending from the Rio del Rey, in 9o E. long., to the Benin River on the west. This was confirmed by the Anglo-French Agreement of August, 1890, by which a line was agreed upon, drawn from Say, on the Niger, to Barua, on Lake Chad, separating the French and British spheres. The protectorate inland extends up to the Great Conventions Sahara, in about 14° N. lat. made in 1886 and 1893 settled the boundary separating the British sphere from the CameThe boundary intersects Adamawa, a dependency of Sokoto, and terminates at a point on the south shore of Lake Chad, 35' east of Kuka, the capital of Bornu, which is within the British sphere. GOVERNMENT is vested in the Royal Niger Company (under the control of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs), which received a charter in 1886, and which has made treaties with the Sultans of Sokoto, Gando, and Borgu, and with about 400 other states and tribes, by which it claims a large extension of country westward. The area of the Company's territories is estimated at from 400,000 to 500,000 square miles. CHIEF EXPORTS.-Palm oil, gums, pepper, fibres, kernels, ebony, india-rubber, ivory, and benni-seed. CHIEF IMPORTS.-Cotton goods, hardware, salt, tobacco, earthenware. Importation of rifles, &c., prohibited, and spirits heavily taxed, except in a portion of the coastline over which the Company has no jurisdiction, and which is supervised by British Consuls. The Company maintains 42 stations. Among the most important of these are Asaba, the headquarters of administration; Lokoja, the headquarters of the military force; and Akassa, at the Nun mouth of the Niger. Office of the Company. Surrey House, Victoria Embankment, W.C.

QUEENSLAND, which was separated from New South Wales in 1859, includes the whole north-eastern portion of the continent of Australia. The first settlement was formed on the River Brisbane, in Moreton Bay, in 1823, by Oxley. GOVERNMENT. EXECUTIVE, vested in a GOVERNOR appointed by the Crown, and a responsible Ministry. LEGISLATURE vested in an Assembly of two Houses. The LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL of 37 life members appointed by the Crown, and the LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY of 72 members, elected for three years by every adult male who has resided in the colony for six months. JUSTICE. The judicial establishment consists of a chief justice, four puisne judges, and three district court judges. EDUCATION is compulsory, but the law is not strictly carried out. There are 691 public elementary schools under the control of the Department of Public Instruction, 148 private schools, and 10 middle class schools. CHIEF EXPORTS.-Wool, gold, hides, sugar, tin, frozen meat, pearl shell. CHIEF IMPORTS.-Clothing, textiles, metal goods, grain, flour. Capital, Brisbane. Transit, about 40 days. AREA-668,497 sq. ms. POPULATION (1894)-445,155. GOVERNOR-The Lord Lamington, K.C.M.G., £5,000. AGENT-GENERAL IN LONDON-Sir James Garrick, K.C.M.G., Q.C., 1, Victoria Street, S.W. Proverb-All is not lost that's in peril.

NIGER COAST PROTECTORATE.-The protectorate includes the maritime region or coast line between Lagos and the Cameroons, excepting the mouth of the Niger assigned to the Royal Niger Company. The region was placed under British protection by treaties made in 1884, and the protectorate was inaugurated in 1891. The maritime districts forming the Niger Coast Protectorate are administered separately from the rest of the country assigned to the Royal Niger Company. GOVERNMENT is vested in an Imperial Commissioner and Consul-General, with administrative and judicial powers, and powers of taxation. There are also Consular Courts. CHIEF EXPORTS.-Palm oil, palm kernels, india-rubber, ivory, ebony, camwood, gums, and benni-seed. CHIEF IMPORTS.-Cloth, calico, hardware, spirits, tobacco.

GOVER

on

ST. HELENA. The island of St. Helena, in the South Atlantic, of volcanic origin, is about 8co miles from Ascension Island. It was discovered by the Portuguese on 21st May, 1501, but was uninhabited till the Dutch took possession of it in 1645, from whom it was taken by England in 1673. Till 1833 it was governed by the East India Company; it is now a Crown Colony. GOVERNMENT is vested in a Governor and a Council of four. EDUCATION. There are 11 schools, four of which are in receipt of government grants. The trade of the island has decreased very considerably since the opening of the Suez Canal, and is now chiefly confined to furnishing provisions and water to passing ships. The number of vessels which called in 1894 was 416, including 221 boarded by island boatmen when passing. Capital, Jamestown. Transit, 17 days. AREA47 sq. ms. POPULATION (1891)--4,116. NOR-W. Grey-Wilson, C.M.G., £500. SARAWAK.-BRITISH PROTECTORATE, the north-west coast of the island of Borneo. It is intersected by many rivers navigable for a considerable distance inland, and commands about 400 miles of coast line. The government of the district from Tanjong Datu to the entrance of the Samarahan River was obtained from the Sultan of Brunei in the year 1842 by Sir James Brooke, who became well-known as Rajah Brooke, of Sarawak. In 1861 a second cession was obtained from the Sultan of Brunei of all the rivers and lands from the Samarahan River to Kadurong point; in 1882 a third cession was obtained of 1 hundred miles of coast line and all the country and rivers that lie between Kadurong point and the Baram River, including about 3 miles of coast on the north-east side of the latter. In 1885 another cession was obtained of the Trusan River, situated on the north of the mouth of the Brunei River; and the Limbang River was acquired in 1889. The country produces gold, silver, diamonds, antimony, quicksilver, coal, gutta-percha, indiarubber, canes, rattans, camphor, bees'-wax, birds' nests, sago, tapioca, pepper, gambier, tea, coffee, cutch, and tobacco. Chief town, Kuching. Transit, about 30 days. AREA(estd.)-50,000 sq. ms. (Brunei, 3,000 sq. ms.). POPULATION-300,000. RULER-Sir C. J. Brooke, .G.C.M.G., b. 1829, s. 1868. HEIR-Rajah Muda Charles Vyner Brooke, b. 1874. BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER-Sir Charles B. H. Mitchell, G.C.M.G. CONSUL-N. P. Trevenen, Labuan.

SIERRA LEONE-Includes Sherbro Island, annexed in 1862, and territory on the sea coast as far as the Republic of Liberia, acquired in 1883. The peninsula of Sierra Leone, which is now the headquarters of the British forces in West Africa, was ceded to England by the natives in 1787. GOVERNMENT is vested in a Governor and Executive and Legislative Councils nominated by the Crown. EDUCATION. Over 80 elementary schools are in receipt of government grants. There is a good training college at Fourah Bay affiliated to Durham University. CHIEF EXPORTS.-Cocoanuts, benni-seed, ginger, ground nuts, gum copal, hides, palm oil, palm kernels, bees'-wax. CHIEF IMPORTS.-Beer, clothing, cotton and woollen goods, cutlery, beads, earthenware, hardware, provisions. Chief Town-Freetown. Transit, about 15 days. AREA-4,000 sq. ms. POPULATION-126,835. GOVERNOR--Colonel

Frederic Cardew, C.M.G., £2,500.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA. First colonised
in 1836. GOVERNMENT (1856). EXECUTIVE in a

GOVERNOR appointed by the Crown, and a re-
sponsible ministry. LEGISLATURE in a Parlia-
ment of 2 Houses. The LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
of 24 members, elected by natural born or
naturalised subjects of the Queen, 21 years of
age, who have been on the electoral roll for 6
months, and occupy a dwelling house £25
annual value, or have a freehold valued at £50,
or a leasehold at £20 annual value; every
3 years the first 2 members on the roll of
the council for each Division (4) retire. The
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY consists of 54 members
elected for 3 years, who as well as their electors
must be 21 years of age, and have been for 6
months on the electoral roll. JUSTICE.-There
are a Supreme Court with a chief justice, and
2 puisne judges, five circuit courts, local courts
with civil jurisdiction in the chief towns pre-
sided over by stipendiary magistrates, one of
whom also presides over the court of insolvency.
EDUCATION IS Compulsory. There are 609 state
CHIEF
free schools, and 254 private schools.
EXPORTS. Wool, wheat, flour, copper, wine,
fruit, and dairy produce. CHIEF IMPORTS.-Tex-
tile manufactures, drapery, and British colonial
produce. 1,722 miles of railway were open
June, 1895. Capital-Adelaide. Transit,
about 35 days. AREA-903,690 sq. ms. POPU-
LATION (1895)-352,653. GOVERNOR Sir T.
Fowell Buxton, Bart., K.C.M.G., £1,000.
AGENT-GENERAL IN LONDON Hon. Thomas
Playford, 1, Crosby Square, E.C.

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.-The Straits Settlements in the Straits of Malacca comprise the islands of Singapore and Penang; Malacca, on the west coast of the Peninsula; Province Wellesley, on the mainland opposite Penang, a strip of coast about 45 miles long; and the Dindings, consisting of the small island of Pulau Pangkor, and a small piece of the mainland opposite. Between Malacca and Province Wellesley are the native protected States of Perak, Selangor, Sungei Ujong, Negri Sembilan, and Pahang, at each of which there is a British Resident. GOVERNMENT. EXECUTIVE is vested in a Governor and Council. LEGISLATURE in a Legislative Council, consisting of the members of the Executive Council and 7 unofficial nominated members, over which the Governor presides. Singapore is the seat of government. JUSTICE.-There is a Supreme Court, consisting of the chief justice and 2 puisne judges, which is a court of appeal, and from which there is a final appeal to the Privy Council. There are magistrates' courts in each settlement. EDUCATION has lately advanced, and there are now several schools in receipt of government grants, 203 schools, with 7,710 pupils, were inspected in 1895, and the average attendance of pupils was 10,508. CHIEF EXPORTS.Tin, pepper, sugar, nutmegs, sago, tapioca, rice, india-rubber, gambier, gums. CHIEF IMPORTS.-Cotton goods, opium, tea, coffee, tobacco, hardware. The settlements, formerly under the Indian Government, were created a separate colony in 1867, in which the Cocos Islands were included in 1886. Christmas Island, in the Indian Ocean, annexed in 1888, was attached to the Straits Settlements early in 1889. Transit, about 28 days. AREA-1,500 sq. ms. POPULATION (1891)-512,342. GOVERNOR-Lt. Col. Sir C. B. H. Mitchell, G.C.M.G., 28,800 dols., and 5,000 dols. table allowance.

TASMANIA.-At first known as Van Diemen's Land, called after the Governor of the Dutch Indian possessions at the time of its discovery in 1642 by Tasman. A penal settlement Proverb-Slow help is no help.

was formed upon it by Lieut. Bowen in 1804.
It was separated from New South Wales in
1825. In 1853 the transportation of convicts
was discontinued, and the name was changed
from Van Dieman's Land to Tasmania.
GOVERNMENT.-EXECUTIVE in a GOVERNOR ap-
pointed by the Crown, and a responsible
ministry. LEGISLATURE in a Parl ament of two
Houses. The LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL of 18 mem-
bers elected for 6 years, by all natural born or
naturalised subjects of the Crown, possessing
a freehold of the annual value of £20, or lease-
hold of £80, or being duly qualified medical
practitioners, or barristers, or solicitors on the
roll, or holding a commission or degree. The
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY of 37 members elected for
three years, by all who have an income of £60
a year for 6 months prior to Nov. 1 in any year,
or whose names are on the valuation rolls as
owners or occupiers of property, and have re-
sided in the colony continuously for over 12
months. The constitution was established in
1855, altered in 1884, and modified in 1885.
EDUCATION is compulsory. There are over 250
public elementary schools, and several colleges.
The primary education is under the Minister of
Education, the higher under a university, and
there are several exhibitions from the prim-
ary schools to higher schools. JUSTICE. The
Supreme Court is presided over by the chief
justice and 2 puisne judges; there are courts of
bankruptcy, general sessions, and requests at
Hobart and Launceston. CHIEF EXPORTS.-
Wool, gold, silver, timber, tin, fruit, hops,
grain, stud sheep, bark, hides. CHIEF IM-
PORTS.-Clothing, iron, cottons, woollens,
Capital-Hobart. Transit, 36 to
40 days. AREA-26,215 sq. ms.
POPULATION (31st Dec., 1894)
estd.-157,456. GOVERNOR-Vis-
count Gormanston, K.C.M.G.,
£3,500. PRIVATE SECRETARY AND
AIDE-DE-CAMP-J. F. Alexander
Rawlinson, £250. AGENT-GEN-
ERAL- Sir Robert G. W. Herbert,
G.C.B., D.C.L., LL.D., F.R.S.,
5, Victoria Street, London.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO. Trinidad lying between the north coast of South America and the island of Tobago, was discovered by Columbus in 1498, colonised by the Spaniards in 1588, and surrendered to the British in 1797.

GOVERNMENT.-EXECUTIVE in a Governor and Council. LEGISLATURE in a Legislative Council nominated by the Crown. EDUCATION.-There are 187 primary schools, a few secondary ones, and several private schools. JUSTICE.There is a Supreme Court presided over by a chief justice and 2 puisne judges. There are 10 stipendiary justices. 181 cases were tried in the Supreme Court in 1895. COMMERCE. - The largest importers next to Great Britain are Venezuela, the United States, and France. 54 miles of railway were open at the close of 1895, and 30 miles are in course of construction. CHIEF EXPORTS.-Sugar, cocoa, molasses, cocoanuts, asphalte. CHIEF IMPORTS.-Flour, rice, cotton, meat. The union of Trinidad and Tobago was completed at the close of 1888. Transit, about 13 days. AREA-1,754 square miles. POPULATION (1895)-237,934. GOVERNOR -Sir F. Napier Broome, K.C.M.G., £5,000. COMMISSIONER OF TOBAGO-William Low.

VIEW OF MELBOURNE.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL of 48 members, one-third of whom retire every two years, and the LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY of 95 members elected by universal suffrage for three years. Clergy of any denomination and convicted felons excluded from both. Members of the Legislative Council must have property of the yearly value of £100, and electors must have or occupy property rated at £10 a year if freehold, or at £25 if leasehold. JUSTICE.-There is a Supreme Court presided over by a chief justice and five puisne judges, a court of insolvency, courts of assize and general sessions, county courts and courts of mines. EDUCATION is compulsory, and free for children between the ages of 6 and 13. There are nearly 1,996 free primary schools, from which there are 11 exhibitions (£35 a year each), tenable for 6 years; numerous private schools; and a university at Melbourne with 3 affiliated colleges. CHIEF EXPORTS.-Wool, gold, wheat, dairy produce, flour, wine, live stock. CHIEF IMPORTS.-Sugar, cottons, woollens, iron, steel. Capital-Melbourne. Transit, 32 to 37 days. AREA 87,884 square miles. Proverb No joy without alloy.

UGANDA. This territory, formerly within the sphere of the British East Africa Company, on the northern and western shores of Lake

Proverb-None so blind as they who won't see.

CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR FOREIGN POST.

THE following table shows the approximate time occupied in transmission to various places, and will be found useful in deciding date for despatching greeting cards for Christmas, New Year, &c., by quickest route. One extra day must be allowed if posted in the Provinces. (Where blanks are left there is either no Parcel Post or no sufficiently reliable information.

Proverb-Out of debt, out of danger.