at a cost of £50,000, to commemorate the jubilee of the colony in 1887. In the building there is now an interesting museum, and a spacious, well-lighted art gallery, in which is housed a well-selected collection of valuable pictures. The residence of the Governor also fronts North Terrace, and stands in spacious grounds. The beautiful Botanic and Zoological Gardens are close to the city. To this charming retreat I was attracted early, and frequently returned. The area is about 130 acres; and it has been very tastefully laid out, local and tropical plants being grown in profusion. It is a very popular resort for the inhabitants, and I need not say is highly appreciated in summer. For nine months in the year the climate of Adelaide is very pleasant, but in summer there is no blinking the fact that it is decidedly hot. The temperature ranges up to 110 degrees in the shade, and on rare occasions runs several degrees higher. The air is, however, very dry, so that this great heat is not oppressive as might be expected. There is an excellent and abundant water supply, obtained from the Mount Lofty ranges before mentioned. These latter also form an agreeable summer retreat, and many of the well-to-do citizens have residences there.
Passing to political topics, the traveller finds in South Australia one of the most democratic constitutions in the world. The colony boasts that it leads the way in Australia in radical legislation, and runs a dead heat, in most matters, with New Zealand itself. The boast is probably justified. Politics, at all events, with churchgoing, seem to be the principal recreation of the Adelaide man, as gambling in Kalgoorlie mining shares is his business. There are two Houses of Parliament, known respectively as the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly. For the latter, which is the popular chamber,
