The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-02
One of the Australian States
That Is Developing

these woods outside of the Australian
states but fairly large quantity
finds its way into foreign countries
The principal hardwood timber trees
Of the Western Australia forests are
called .1arrah'' and ''kauri." but OF
superior for general construction pur-
poses A recent Government estimate
gives 5000 600 acres of jarrah forest
and L. zoe, 900 acres Of kaurf forest. and
the latest published records of the
Western Australian. Land Department
indicate an acreage of only s04,2s0 OF
forest land under timber leases ana
licenses These figures show the great
expansion possible for this industry
under fntelfigently directed effort and
its increasing Importance as a source
of state wealth. fair specimen OF
jarrah tree would run about 80 to 100
feet in height and from ga TO 3 n feet
In diameter at the Ease.
The weight OF the jarrah wood when
newly cut Is but little over 20 pounds
per cubic foot. which is reduced TO so
pounds when thoroughly seasoned II
is red in color polishes well. is easily
worked, and it makes the best charcoal
sof any timber In the state. No fo4-
efgn hardwood can hope to compete
with IL in this market. but what could
be done with it in foreign markets
through live. up-tO-date American ex-
port methods is a subject for interest
ing speculation and one which on in
vestigation might prove worthy OF a
trial.
The timber business is practically
controlled by one corporation formed
by combination OF eight originally
separate companies and while IL may
not be described as a trust. for that
word is particularly Objectionable in
Australia. its methods of doing business
are regarded here as not entirely dis
similar to those of other Industries
bearing that unpopular label While
there are few independent timber
companies engaged IN the business. IL
is fair to assume, according to the
business men of Western Australia.
that their enterprises are carried on
by permission of rather than In compe-
tition with the corporation to which
reference has been made.
The railroads are under Government
control, as is the case with all the rail-
ways of the commonwealth. The ad-
vantages or disadvantages OF such
ownership will be more fully discussed
in a future report, after the various
states have been visited and an inves-
tigation has been made of the opera
ton Of the system throughout Austria
liza.
Although Western Australia's rail-
way history begins at date consider
ably later than that OF any OF the east
ern states of the commonwealth, IL is.
according to competent authority.
regards rapidfty OF construction and
growth OF traffic. unique in compari-
son with other systems. As distin-
guished from previous conditions. when
the requirements and agricultural
products of the older settlements
formed the staple source OF railway
revenue. this more particularly applies
to the last decade, when the wonderful
gold discoveries IN new districts rapidly
developed large and profitable bust
ness. The first railway line of the col 8
-ony connecting GeraIdton with the
copper mining district OF Northampton
was opened in 1879. and since then
nearly 1000 miles Of rail have been
laid The standard gauge is three feet
six inches
The administration OF all Govern
ment railways open for traffic issin the
hands of the Commissioner of Rail-
ways Under parliamentary enact
ment of 1904 his responsibilities and
powers were fully defined, and the
practical operation of the department
was removed as far as possible from
the control of politicians. For the
purposes of ordinary organization and
operation the department is divided
into four divisions, namely. the admin
istra ton or general. the traffic the
locomotive and the ways and works 8,
the heads of which are practical rail-
way men and regarded as well
equipped for the positions. The aver
age number of men permanently en-
ployed is 5000.
The capital expended on the lines
now open amounts to approximately
$50, OO0,0 and the percentage of profit
on their operation is between 4.6 and
per cent on the money vested Acct
dents are infrequent and have rarely
resulted in loss of life. The telegraph
and telephone systems are also owned
by the Government and have steadily
grown in size and efficiency since their
establishment. In Western Australia
there are now approximately 175 tele-
graph stations and %. 900 miles of wire,
In connection with the telephone ex-
change over 5000 miles of wire are in
operation, while the railway telephone
lines operate nearly 5000 miles of wire
Under the constitution of Western
Australia the executive power Is in
vested in the Governor. who is ap-
pointed by the crown and who acts
under the advice of a Cabinet. The
officers of the Cabinet are the Min
lister for Lands Colonial Treasurer.
Minister for Agriculture. Minister for
Mines and Railways. Minister for Com
merce and Labor. Minister for Works
Attorney General and Colonial Secre-
tary The Premier. who forms the
Ministry. selects his own portfolio
Parliament is composed OF a Iegfs-
latfve council resembling the Senate
of an American State Legislature and
a legislative assembly. whose powers
are similar to those OF the lower house
Members of the State Cabinet receive
$4,000 a year and members of the State
are paid $1,000 a year.
The legislative council consists OF
thirty members and the legislative as
sembIy of fifty members. The cities
of Western Australia are governed by
a Mayor. Councillors and town officers
---- -----------f