Queen's Pigeon
a magnificent about 5,400 feet. The principal rivers are the Brisbane, the Burnett, the Pi- ground pigeon inhabiting the islands of the Indian Ocean, named after Queen , the Piground pigeon inhabiting the islands of oneer, the Fitzroy, and the Burdekin Victoria. , and the Burdekin the Indian Ocean, named after Queen Victoria.
QUEEN'S or KING'S SPEECH, a flowing into the the Pacific, and the Flinders and Mitchell into the Gulf of Carpentaria. In the N. part the climate is tropical. The rainfall in the interior is taria. In the N. part the climate is document prepared by the advisers (i. e., the cabinet) of the sovereign and in the interior is document prepared by the advisers (i. the cabinet) of the sovereign and scanty and variable; the mean at Brismean at Bris- e., bane is about 35 inches. The indige- read by him or her from the throne in the House of Lords, or in his or her inches. The indigeread by him or her from the throne in the House of Lords, or in his or her nous animals and plants are similar to those of the rest of Australia. Croco- nous animals and plants are similar to absence by the lord chancellor, at the opening and closing of each session of of Australia. Crocoabsence by the lord chancellor, at the opening and closing of each session of diles inhabit some of the N. rivers.
Parliament, in which are set forth the general relations of the empire and the Productions. There are many kinds of valuable timber trees, and a rare thing in Australia, a few good indigenous fruits. Sheep farming is the chief industry, but agriculture (including sugargrowing), cattle rearing, and mining are also important. The soil and climate are well suited for the production of all the ordinary cereals, as well as maize, tobacco, coffee, sugar, cotton, etc. The chief products are sugar, maize, English and sweet potatoes, arrow root, and semi-tropical fruits. Sugar growing is becoming a very important industry. important industry .
Gold, tin, lead, and copper are the principal minerals. In the N. pearl fishing is actively carried on. The manufacturers are unimon. The manufacturers are unimportant. The principal manufactories, or works that may be classed as such, as such , are sugar mills, steam sawmills, soap works, agricultural implement works, and distilleries. The staple articles of export to the United Kingdom are wool, are wool , tallow, and preserved meats .
Education and Religion.-Education is free and secular in the public schools, and is under a special department controlled by the minister for education. A university was established at Brisbane in 1911.
History. The first settlement of Queensland took place in 1825, when the territory was used as a place of transportation for convicts, who continued to be sent there till 1839. In 1842 the country was opened to free settlers. It was originally a part of New South Wales , and was organized as a separate colony in 1859. The government of the colony is vested in a governor, who is the crown's representative, and a Parliament of two houses, the legislative council and the legislative assembly. The capital of the colony is Brisbane; pop. about 180,000. In January, 1896, a disastrous flood caused great loss of life and property in Brisbane and northern Queensland .