British Colonies, 
J + r 
BRITISH COLONIES. 
VICTORIA. 
Victoria is situated at the south-east of the continent of Australia, and is bounded 
on the west by the Colony of South Australia. On the north and north-east by the 
Colony of New South Wales, and on the south and south-east by the Southern Ocean. 
The area of Victoria is 86,831 square miles, or 55,571,840 acres. The whole continent of 
Australia is estimated to contain about 3,000,000 of square miles, and Victoria conseqently 
occupies barely a thirty-fourth part of its surface. Great Britain, exclusive of the islands 
in the British seas, contains 89,644 square miles, and is therefore slightly larger than 
Victoria. Wheat produced in Victoria, in 1870, was 5,697,056 busheis; horned cattle, 
721,096; 76,334,480 lbs. of wool was exported in 1871. From its geographical position, 
Victoria enjoys a climate far more genial to Europeans than any other colony within the 
continent of Australia. In regard to heat, the weather is never severely oppressive except 
during the prevalence of hot northerly winds, and these occur only at intervals during the 
summer months. 
The quantity of gold raised from the date of the first discovery (1851) to 31 st Dec., 
1871, is estimated at 40,749,848 ozs., which at 4/. per oz. gives the value as 162,699,392/. 
There are 330 miles of railway completed in Victoria, and in full Operation. 
A large extension of the various lines is now being carried out. 
Stage-coaches run to all parts of the Colony, except those for which railway com- 
munication is available. 
Rates of Labour on Farms.—The average rate of wages on farms, which varies 
considerably in different districts, is, ploughmen, per week, 26s.; farm labourers, per 
week, 17J. ; married couples, per annum, 57/. jos ; females, per week, ioj. 8d. ; mowers 
per week, 29s. bd., per acre, bs.; reapers, per week, 31^., per acre, 15^.' threshers, per 
bushel, bd. 
Rates of Labour on Stations.—The average rate of wages on squatting stations 
is :—Stockmen, per annum, 45/. bs. bd.; shepherds, per annum, 35/.; hutkeepers, per 
annum, 28/. 3s. 6d.\ married couples, per annum 51/.; females, per annum, 26/. 14J. ; 
Station labourers, per week, 1 bs.; sheepwashers, per week, i8j. ; shearers, per 100 sheep 
shorn, 13^. 5d. This is also subject to Variation in different districts. 
Live Stock on Farms and Stations.—The number of live stock on farms and 
stations in 1870 was estimated at—horses, 161,830; milch cows, 179,661 ; cattle, 512,857 ; 
sheep, 9,923,663 ; pigs, 111,464; total, 10,889,475. 
Extent and Value of Gold Workings.—A return made during the year 1869 
gave—number of distinct quartz reefs proved to be auriferous, 2,881 ; extent in square 
miles of auriferous alluvial and quartz ground worked upon, 905! ; estimated value of 
gold mining Claims, 8,539,241/. 
A full and classified catalogue of the contributions 
from Victoria has been printed by Order of the 
Commissioners. 
ACCLIMATIS ATION SOCIETY, 
Melbourne.—Silk Cocoons, and Ostrich Plumes. 
AJAX GOLD MINING COMPANY, Castle 
maine.—Quartz, with Statistics. 
AU STR ALI AN MEAT PRESERVING 
COMPANY, Market Buildings, Melbourne.—Pre- 
served Meats, Poultry, Soups, &c. 
BAND OF HOPE & ALBION CONSOLS 
COMPANY, Ballarat.—Quartz and Washdirt, witli 
Statistics. 
B ARD WELL, W., Ballarat.—Photographie 
Views.