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TASMANIA. Constitution and Government.

The constitution of Tasmania was settled by the local Act of 18 Vict. No. 17. By this Act a Legislative Council and a House of Assembly are constituted, called the ' Parliament of Van Diemen's Land.' The Legislative Council is composed of fifteen members, elected by all natural born or naturalised subjects of the Crown who possess either a 50/. freehold, or hold a commission in the army or navy, or have a degree of some university, or are in holy orders. The House of Assembly consists of thirty members, elected by 10/. householders, or freeholders, and all subjects holding a commission, or possessing a degree, or in holy orders. The legislative authority rests in both Houses united ; while the executive power is vested in a governor appointed by the Crown.

Governor of Tasmania. — Charles Du Cane, born 1825, the eldest son of Captain C. Du Cane, P.N., educated at the Charterhouse and at Exeter College, Oxford, where he graduated B.A. 1847; M.P. for Maldon, 1852-53 ; M.P. for Essex, 1857-68 ; Civil Lord of the Admiralty, 1866-68. Appointed Governor of Tasmania, Sept. 1868.

The governor is, by virtue of his office, commander-in-chief of the troops in the colony ; he has a salary of 4,000/. per annum. He is aided in the exercise of the executive by a cabinet of responsible ministers, consisting at present of three members, the Colonial Secretary, the Colonial Treasurer, and the Attorney-General. It is in contemplation to create a fourth executive officer, in a Minister of Lands and Public Works. The members of the cabinet must have a seat in either of the two Houses of Parliament.

Revenue and Expenditure.

The public revenue is chiefly derived from customs duties, and the sale and rent of State lands. The subjoined statement shows the revenue and expenditure during the years 1862 to 1868 : —

Years

Revenue

Expenditure

£

&

1862

371,594

355,864

1863

328,670

329,760

1864

334,862

318,763

I860

338,076

353,456

I860

313,832

342,326

1867

374,917

355,443

1868

378,66o

348.564

The receipts arising from the sale and lease of public lands formed about one-fourth of the revenue of 1868. The total grants of land

amounted to 100,115 acres in 1861, to 78,080 acres in 1863, and to