Page:The Condition and Resources of New South Wales.djvu/5

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THE CONDITION AND RESOURCES

of

NEW SOUTH WALES.




The following paper on the resources of New South Wales was read by Christopher Rolleston, Esq., Auditor General and formerly Registrar General of the Colony, before the Royal Society of New South Wales, on Wednesday, 12th December, 1866.




CONDITION AND RESOURCES OF NEW SOUTH WALES.

At a time when we are suffering from a depression which has paralyzed trade and destroyed confidence, it may not be inopportune to review our position, and to endeavour, by means of ascertained facts, to reassure ourselves as to the solidity of our resources.

We are enabled to do this by means of the data supplied in the Statistical Register for the year 1805, lately presented to Parliament. I think, if we carefully look at the results which that volume places before us, we shall find reason to acknowledge that the panic which has seized the community (let people attribute it to what cause they may) is not justified by the failure of any one of our main sources of wealth. I do not purpose to

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