It must be admitted that this record of work done by a new Parliament, in a colony that had no existence as a self-governing entity twelve months before, deserved much of the approbation expressed of its proceedings by the Governor. Indeed, the "Courier" of the day, in commenting upon the work of the session, gave honourable members of both Houses hearty credit for the assiduity with which they had attended to public duty, even to the neglect in many cases of their own personal and business affairs. There was then no payment of members in any form. And there were other matters than legislation which deserve notice. The Estimates had been passed, totalling L220,808 for the service of the year; and the Governor had congratulated the Assembly upon having appropriated one-fourth of the total estimated revenue to roads, bridges, and other public works, besides ample sums to hospitals, libraries, botanic gardens, and schools of arts. No less than L31,261 was voted for police, of which L13,516 was absorbed for the native troopers then necessary for the protection of the adventurous pioneers who were conducting what may be termed exploratory settlement in the remote interior. [Footnote a: "Sydney Morning Herald," September, 1860.] CHAPTER V. QUEENSLAND IN 1860. Rush of Population.--High Prices for Stock for occupying New Country.--Sparse Population.--Rockhampton most Northerly Port of Entry.--Navigation inside Barrier Reef unknown.--Tropical Queensland Unexplored.--Ignorance of Climate, Resources, and Conditions.--Primary Industries in 1860.--Primitive Means of Communication.--Public Revenue, Bank Deposits, and Institutions.