A somewhat singular course adopted by the Home Government was the authorisation of the Governor-General of New South Wales to appoint the first members of the Queensland Legislative Council, with a term of five years, although subsequent appointments were to be made by the Governor of Queensland for the term of the members' natural lives. Sir William Denison was also empowered to summon and call together the first Legislative Assembly of Queensland; to fix by proclamation the number of members; to divide the colony into convenient electoral districts; to prepare the electoral rolls; to issue the writs of election; and to make all necessary provision for the conduct of the first elections. It was required, moreover, that the Parliament should be called together for a date not more than six months after the proclamation of the colony, and should remain in existence, unless previously dissolved by the Governor, for a period of five years. Yet there was practically no limitation of popular authority except in respect of the preliminary arrangements, for the Queensland consolidating and amending Constitution Act of 1867 reaffirmed all rights and privileges conferred by the New South Wales Constitution Act. [Footnote a: These powers were given in the New South Wales Constitution Act, 1855, Sect. 2.] [Illustration: HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, BRISBANE] CHAPTER II. INITIATION OF RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT. Arrival of Sir George Bowen in Brisbane.--The First Responsible Ministry.--Injunctions to Governor by Secretary of State in regard to choice of Ministers.--Ex-members of New South Wales Legislature take Umbrage.--The Governor on the Characteristics of Various Classes of Colonists.--The Governor a Dictator.--The Microscopic Treasury Balance.--Gladstone as Site of Capital.--Mr. Herbert as a Parliamentary Leader.