The Netherlands Indies are by far the most important colonial possessions
of the Netherlands. They cover all the Dutch possessions in the East
Indies, and include Java, Madura, Banca, Sumatra, Bingtang, Billiton,
Celebes, the Moluccas, Lombok Bali, and many smaller islands and parts of
New Guinea, Borneo and Timor. Area of the colonies estimated at 636,329
square miles; population, 27,784,959. The superior administration is in the
hands of a Governor General, assisted by a Council of 5 members.
The most important colony is Java, which politically includes the
neighboring island of Madura. Total area, 50,848 square miles; population,
20,259,450. Java is governed under what is termed the culture system, which
was established in 1832.
The strength of the total army in 1883 was 30,421 men, of whom 15,032 were
Europeans, and 15,389 natives. There is a military academy near Batavia,
and attached to every battalion is a school for soldiers. The navy, royal
and colonial, consisted of 79 vessels and 5,029 men.
By far the larger part of the commerce of Dutch India is with the
Netherlands. The average value of the total imports for three years was
$62,500,000: exports, $75,000,000. About two-thirds of the imports were
from the Netherlands, and three-fourths of the exports were sent to that
country. The principal exports are sugar, coffee, rice, indigo and tobacco.
Latest reports give value of coffee exported, $13,086,790; sugar,
$19,625,470; indigo, $1,245,170; spices, $1,021,720; tobacco, $6,457,680.
The Netherlands Indies had, in 1882, 3,682 miles of telegraph, with 84
offices. Number of postoffices, 221. Java has now about 750 miles of
railway.
HAWAII (SANDWICH ISLANDS). Ha-wi'ee.
A kingdom of Oceania, consisting of a group of 15 islands, of which 8 are
inhabited. The government is a limited monarchy. Hawaii is the largest
island; but Honolulu, the capital, is situated on the island of Oahu.
Population of Honolulu, 7,000. Area of the islands, 6,667 square miles. At
the last census, the population numbered 57,985: male, 34,103; female,
23,882; native, 44,088; Chinese, 5,916; white, 4,561, of whom 1,276 were
Americans, 883 English, 436 Portuguese, 272 Germans, 81 French; half-caste,
3,420.
To a great extent the islands are mountainous, and there are numerous
volcanoes, several of which are active. The volcano of Mauna Loa, on the
Island of Hawaii, is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. The
soil is exceedingly fertile and productive. Chief products, sugar and rice;
but coffee, hides, bone, whale oil and wool are exported in considerable
quantities. Value of exports, 1883, $8,121,200; imports, $5,624,240.
In 1883, 267 vessels, of 183,316 tons, entered, and 263 vessels, of 189,494
tons, cleared the ports. Of the former, 195 vessels were American. The
islands own 64 vessels, of 15,588 tons. The islands of Hawaii and Maui are
provided with telegraphs, and have about 32 miles of railway. Almost every
house in Honolulu has its telephone.
There are numerous schools in the islands; the annual sum devoted to public
instruction is $95,850. The King is a member of the Church of England; but
all forms of religion are permitted and protected. {62}
AUSTRALASIA. Aws-tral-[=a]'she-a.
Under this bead are grouped all the Australian colonies belonging to Great
Britain. They are seven in number, and geographically are comprised in the
continent of Australia and the islands of Tasmania and New Zealand and part
of New Guinea. Total area, 3,075,135 square miles. Population, 1883,
3,091,897.
Each colony has a Governor, appointed by the Crown, in whom is vested the
executive power. The legislative power of each is vested in a Parliament of
two houses.
Minerals abound in all the colonies. The most extensive coal mines are
those of New South Wales, the product of which in 1884 was 2,521,457 tons;
value, $6,009,705. Gold product of the colony, 1883, 122,256 ounces; value,
$1,705,620. Coal product of New Zealand, 1883, 421,764 tons. Gold
discovered 1857. Value of total exports to March, 1884, $203,535,370. In
Queensland, tin, copper, lead and coal are mined. Value of tin raised,
1883, $2,940,060. Gold discovered 1858. Product, 1882, 230,090 oz.; value,
$4,148,275. The chief mineral of South Australia is copper, but valuable
iron ores also exist. Value of copper and copper ore, 1883, $1,876,625.
Tasmania is rich in iron, tin and coal. Value of tin exported, 1883,
$1,882,230. Amount of gold produced, 46,577 oz.; value, $882,210. In 1851
gold was discovered in Victoria. Total product to 1883, 52,214,150 oz.;
value, $1,044,283,000. Principal minerals of Western Australia are copper,
lead and coal.
Principal agricultural products of the colonies: Wheat product of New South
Wales, 1884, 4,345,437 bushels; corn, 4,538,604 bushels; sugar, 35,220,640
lbs.; wine, 589,604 gallons. New Zealand--Wheat, 9,827,136 bushels; oats,
9,231,339 bushels. Leading grain crop of Queensland, corn. Yield of sugar,
1883, 73,534,000 lbs.; cotton, 70,020 lbs. South Australia--Wheat,
14,649,230 bushels; wine, 430,520 gallons. Principal products of Tasmania,
grain, hops and fruit; value of green and preserved fruits exported 1883,
$881,120. Wheat product of Victoria, 1884, 15,570,245 bushels; oats,
4,717,624 bushels; barley, 1,069,803 bushels; potatoes, 161,088 tons; hay,
433,143 tons.
The following table shows the number of farm animals in the colonies in
1884:
------------------+------------+-----------+----------+---------------
Colonies. | Sheep. | Cattle. | Horses. | Pigs.
------------------+------------+-----------+----------+---------------
New South Wales | 34,000,000 | 1,646,753 | 326,964 | 189,050
New Zealand | 14,056,266 | 698,637 | 161,736 | 200,083
Queensland | 9,308,911 | 4,266,172 | 253,116 | 51,796
South Australia | 6,677,067 | 319,620 | 184,360 |
Tasmania | 1,831,069 | 130,525 | 26,840 | 55,774
Victoria | 10,739,021 | 1,297,546 | 286,779 | 233,525
Western Australia | 1,547,061 | 71,102 | 37,111 |
------------------+------------+-----------+----------+---------------
Value of total exports and imports of the colonies, 1883: New South
Wales--Exports, $99,430,090; imports, $104,800,785. New Zealand--Exports,
$35,479,995; imports, $39,870,190. Queensland--Exports, $26,383,040;
imports, $31,166,755. South Australia--Exports, $24,417,305; imports,
$31,550,275. Tasmania--Exports, $8,657,995; imports, $9,163,185.
Victoria--Exports, $81,994,315; imports, $88,719,230. Western
Australia--Exports, $2,235,050; imports, $2,584,230.
In 1883, New South Wales had 1,320 miles of railway, and 597 under
construction; New Zealand, 1,486 miles; Queensland, 1,038 miles, and 454
under construction; South Australia, 990.75 miles, and 225 under
construction; Tasmania, 167 miles, and 207 under construction; Victoria,
1,562 miles, and 130 under construction; Western Australia, 55 miles, and
68 under construction. {63}
[Illustration]
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