There was a problem when proofreading this page.
346
THE BRITISH EMPIRE:—TASMANIA


Revenue and Expenditure.

The revenue is derived chiefly from duties, licences, railways, and other public services, and from the rental and sale of Crown lands. The customs, postal and telegraph, and defence services are now in the hands of the Commonwealth, and an amount equal to 25s. per head of population is returned to the State.

Revenue Expenditure 1908-09 £ 934,405 960,237 1909-10 1,008,932 997,321 1910-11 £ 970,092 1,016,963 1911-12 £ 1,084,663 1,064,703 1912-131 £ 1,081,357 1,079,789 1 Estimates.

Included in the receipts and disbursements for 1907-08 are certain sums raised and expended for 'redemption of loans,' under the name of 'Territorial Revenue.'

The public debt of Tasmania amounted June 30, 1912, to 11,302,411l.; the debt, except 3,721,050l. at 4 per cent., consists principally of 3½ per cent. debentures, redeemable from 1912 to 1940, and the whole was raised for the construction of public works.

The total Local Government revenue, for 1911-12 was 286,312l. (including 41,419l. from Government), and the expenditure 312,595l. Local debt, 1910-11, 1,280,414l.

For defence, see under Commonwealth of Australia. There are four batteries on the river Derwent, and one on the Tamar.


Production and Industry.

The total area of the colony is 16,778,000 acres, including 1,206,500 acres islands and lakes. Unalienated land, principally heavily timbered or mineral-bearing, 8,967,645 acres. The quantity of timber cut in 1911 was about 66,060,957 feet, value 201,928l. including value of box timber. In 1911 12,473 (exclusive of 2,859 dairy) persons were directly engaged in agriculture, and 2,067 in pastoral pursuits. In 1911 there were 270,000 acres under crop, and 505,940 acres under permanent artificially sown grasses. Of the total area, 6,240,268 acres were sold or granted to settlers by the Crown up to the end of 1911; while 1,534,331 acres were leased as sheep runs, and for mining purposes. In 1911-12 the total area under fallow, 34,311; 31,041 acres were devoted to horticulture. Acreage and produce of the chief crops:—

1907 32,808 1908 1909 1910 1911 Wheat, acres 30,794 37,078, 5-2,242 37,208 ,, bushels . 651,407 644,235 793,660 1,120,744 659,615 ,, bushels per acre 19-86 20-92 21-40 21-45 17-73 Oats, acres 58,320 54,625 71,293' 63,887 57,583 ,, bushels 1,979,574 1,526,002 2,347,548 2,063,303 1,504,633 , , bushels per acre . 34-11 27-93 32-92 32-29 26-13 Potatoes, acres . 34,305 54,625 21,375 26,230 21,818 ,, tons 182,323 145,483 73,862 70,090 62,164 ,, tons per acre 5-31 3-76 3-39 2-67 2-85 Hay, acres . 64,965 73,859 77,804 72,992 77,466 ,, tons . 104,797 98,406 118,746 115,190 107,684 ,, tons per acre 1-61 1-33 1-7 1-58 1-39 I