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 The Producers ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 137 high that the squatters raised a great outcry, and denounced them as exorbitant and unjust. A Commission was appointed, and the valuations were confirnied. Tlie dispute was very warm ; but, a drought intervening, caused severe losses to the scjuatters, and discounted the arguments of their opponents. A compromise was arranged, under which longer tenure was granted, while an increased revenue was obtained. Several intercolonial conferences were held to discuss such subjects as federation, transportation, immigration, uniform tariffs, border Customs duties, the postal (juestion, coast lights, an intercolonial Court of Appeal, and uniform weights and measures. The difficulty then, as now, was to obtain the consent of the several Parliaments to the agreements arrived at by the conferences. The residents of the city, from the merchant to the laborer, had, of course, a large share of the good things which arose from responsible government and the increase of agricultural, pastoral, mineral, and general activity. The population was dependent on the city merchant, whose trade expanded, and who had to employ more hands and build larger premises. Adelaide was the central depot, as well of the necessaries of life as of the governing institutions, the railways, and telegraphs. Perhaps, to the disadvantage of the Province, it was, and has continued to be, the only pretentious city, and the posses.sor of an undue percentage of the population. It has, therefore, a more than usual direct interest in country development, and in the absence of large manufacturing industries, is immediately affected by a diminution in the wheat or wool yield. It is here that the jjulse of the Province must be felt. Mr. Sinnett gives an interesting description of Adelaide as it was in 1861. Hindley Street was no longer the chief centre of trade ; the current had flowed eastwards, and the corner of Rundle and King William .Streets was now the heart of the business portion. P'rom this point for a short distance along Rundle .Street, Hindley Street, King William Street, North Terrace, Currie Street, and Grenfell Street, the rows of houses, shops, and warehouses were continuous, and the land was of high value. Towards the south of the town there were also several important business houses, but the streets .south of P'ranklin Street and Flinders Street contained many vacant acres. Of 700 acres in South Adelaide 479 were built upon. North Adelaide, with its pretty slopes, had become the favorite place of residence of the wealthier people. The princijial streets there were metalled and drained, and contained a few shops to supply the immediate wants of the neighborhood. Cars and omnibuses passed to and from North Adelaide night and day. Rundle Street and Hindley Street were mainly used by the retailers, and King William Street was devoted to quieter pursuits. In the latter were the PLxchange, the Bank of Australasia, the National Bank, the Imperial Insurance Office, the Savings Bank, the South Australian Insurance Office, mining companies' offices, architects' and lawyers' offices, and, adjoining Victoria Square, Government Offices, the Post-Office, and the Police Court. In Grenfell Street and Currie Street were most of the warehouses and counting-houses, but