Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/421

 1899.] Western Australia. — Tasmania. [413

The revenue to June 30, was 2,478,811*. against 2,754, 746Z. in the previous year.

Mr. Wainscott, late senior official assignee, was found guilty after trial of malversation and taking bribes.

Two justices of peace were removed from the bench for cruelty to natives on April 1.

The Legislative Assembly rejected One Man One Vote by a majority of 17 to 10.

Sir John Forrest delivered his Budget speech on September 27. He declared the colony to be recovering from the temporary depression. The depression he attributed to the over-capitali- sation of companies, laying the blame on British promoters. He estimated the revenue for the coming year at 2,795,490/. Among the public works to be undertaken was one for the harbour of Fremantle, which was intended to be the port of arrival and departure for the steamers in place of Albany.

A great convention of miners was held at Coolgardie on December 14, between sixty and seventy delegates being present, at which the resolutions were in favour of the separation of the south-eastern district from the colony.

The cats released in the interior for the purpose of keeping down the rabbit plague were reported to have eaten the rabbits, but the native dogs were eating the cats.

The estimated population of the colony on June 30 was 168,461.

Tasmania. — The Federal Enabling Bill passed through both Houses of Parliament on July 7. The popular vote on the bill, 13,021 in favour and 750 against, shows that Tasmania was almost unanimous in support of the unionist cause.

The Hare system of voting, by which minorities are repre- sented, which had been in use in the two large towns of Hooart and Launceston, was, after a lengthened discussion, extended to the whole colony on September 24.

The Parliament was opened on May 30.

A resolution in favour of female suffrage was carried in the Assembly.

A Ministerial crisis took place over the affair of Captain Miles, the Minister of Lands, who was reported (Oct 3) by a select committee as having been interested in tenders which it was his duty to examine and receive. Mr Bird, leader of the Opposition, moved a vote of censure on the Government, which was carried by one vote (Oct. 6). This led to the resignation of Sir Edward Braddon and his colleagues.

A new Ministry was formed on October 8 with Mr. B. S. Bird as Premier and Treasurer ; Mr. N. E. Lewis, Attorney- General and Minister of Defence ; Mr. Collins, Chief Secretary ; and Mr Mulcahy, Minister of Lands and Mines.

New Zealand. — The federation movement, from which New Zealand had stood apart, began to spread in this colony. A meeting was held at Auckland in the beginning of the year,