_Colonial Secretary's Office, Brisbane, 10th December, 1859._ HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR has been pleased to appoint ABRAM ORPEN MORIARTY, ESQUIRE, to be His Excellency's Acting Private Secretary. _By His Excellency's Command_, R. G. W. HERBERT. _Colonial Secretary's Office, Brisbane, 10th December, 1859._ HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR has been pleased to appoint COMMANDER CHARLES EGERTON HARCOURT VERNON, R. N., to be His Excellency's Acting Aide-de-Camp. _By His Excellency's Command_, ROBERT G. W. HERBERT. _Colonial Secretary's Office, Brisbane, December 10, 1859._ HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR has been pleased to appoint RATCLIFFE PRING, ESQUIRE, of the Inner Temple, Barrister-at-Law, to be Attorney-General of Queensland. _By His Excellency's Command_, ROBERT G. W. HERBERT. BRISBANE: By Command: T. P. PUGH, Printer, George Street. INTRODUCTION. Terra Australis: The Fifth Continent.--Dampier lands on North-west Coast.--Cook lands at Botany Bay.--Annexes entire Eastern Coast North of 38 deg. S.--Phillip annexes whole of Eastern Coast and part of Southern Coast, including Tasmania.--Fremantle annexes all the rest of the Continent. --Erroneous Impressions of Early Explorers regarding Australia.--Discovery of Bass Strait.--Completion of Coast Map of Australia.--Six Colonies constituted.--Queensland's Natal Day.--Proclamation of Commonwealth.--Inland Exploration.