Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1871.djvu/752

 Constitution and Government.

form of government of the colony of Queensland was established December 10, 1859, on its separation from New South Wales. The power of making laws, and imposing taxes, is vested in a Parliament of two Houses, the Legislative Council, and the Legislative Assembly. The former consists of twenty-three members, ten nominated by the Crown for five years, and thirteen nominated for life. The House of Assembly comprises twenty-six deputies, elected for five years by all natural-born or naturalised citizens, who pay taxes, and have undergone no condemnation for any criminal act. The executive is vested in a governor appointed by the Crown.

Governor of Queensland.—Major Samuel Wensley Blackall, formerly in the 85th Light Infantry, and commandant of the Longford Militia; represented the county of Longford in Parliament from 1847 to 1851; Lieutenant-governor of Dominica from 1851 to 1857; Governor of Sierra Leone, 1862—67; appointed Governor of Queensland, November 1867.

The governor is commander-in-chief of the troops, and also bears the title of vice-admiral. He has a salary of 4,000l. per annum, 'and allowances.' In the exercise of the executive authority he is assisted by an Executive Council, consisting of four members, the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney-General, the Colonial Treasurer, and the Secretary for Public Lands and Works. Each of these ministers has a salary of 1,000l. per annum. They are jointly and individually responsible for their acts.

The public income and expenditure of Queensland, during the first nine years of its existence as a colony, were as follows:—