Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1913.djvu/471

 FINANCE — PRODUCTION AND INDUSTRY — COMMERCE 349

Of the Census total 562 were females. Of the total at the end of 1911, 586 were females. ...

The aborigines are estimated to number about 20,000, but it is possible this is an under-estimate.

The tribes inhabiting the Northern Territory are Larakayaand Worgait at Port Darwin, Melville Island Tribe, Port Essington Tribe, Djanan Tribe at Katherine Creek, Yangman Tribe round Elsey Creek, Mungarai Tribe along the upper part of the Eoper River, Nullakun Tribe middle part of the Roper River, and the Mara Tribe south of the Roper River.

Finance.

the

The revenue derived by the Commonwealth in 1910-11 was 25,578?. expenditure, 66,080Z.

The revenue is derived mainly from Customs and Excise, Posts and Telegraphs, railways and Crown lands. The main heads of expenditure are interest, postal department, gold-helds and mining, works and buildings, police, and railways.

Production and Industry.

The soils of the Territory differ greatly, but it is stated that most products known to the tropical and temperate zones can be grown successfully. At present, however, agriculture is insignificant. In most parts the natural •n'asses are extremely rich in nutriment, and provide food for cattle, horses, sheep, and other stock. The numbers of stock at the end of 1911 were :— cattle, 460,000 ; horses, 21,400 ; sheep, 51,000 ; pigs, 1,500.

The Territory is rich in mhieral resources, though these are very little developed. The total value of the production of metals and minerals up to the end of December, 1910, and in 1911, is given as follows :—

—

Total to 1910

1911

-

Total to 1910

& 69,000 123,000

1911

Gold Copper.

£ 2,102,000 148,000 304,000

£ 30,910 1,470 22,900 !

Silver Other Metals

Total

£ 4,070

Tin

2,746,000

59,350

The number of miners in 1911 was 676, of whom 101 were Europeans and 575 Chinese.

Commerce.

The imports and exports are given as follows : —

Year.

Impoi'ts.

Exports.

Year.

Imports

Exports.

1900 1907 1908

£

74.659 78,996 68,905

£

254,222 345,721 241,028

1909 1910 1911 1

£

57,994 52,398 16,020

£

278,555

269,063

48,468

1 Trade oversea only. The trade with the States of the Commonwealth is not now tabulated.

The principal exports in 1910 were:. Cattle, value 161,605Z. ; Horses 14,070Z. ; Gold Bullion, 21,632Z. ; Tin ore, 34,308?. ; Pearlshell, 10,030Z. ; Hides and Horns, 3,816?. ; Wool, 5,915Z.