There are four banks and a
bank for savings, three local and two English insurance companies, and
a company to establish steam communication with the adjoining colonies.
The educational establishments are the High School and Hutchins' School,
besides private schools. The public institutions are the Mechanics'
Institute, the Tasmanian Society of Natural Science, the Royal Society,
the Public Library, Gardeners' and Amateurs' Horticultural Society, St.
Mary's Hospital, Dispensary and Humane Society, Dorcas Society, Hebrew
Benevolent Institution, Asylum for the protection of destitute and
unfortunate females, Branch Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge
and for the Propagation of the Gospel, Auxiliary Bible Society, Wesleyan
Library and Tract Society, Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in
Foreign Parts, Auxiliary London Missionary Society, Wesleyan Missionary
Society, Colonial Missionary and Christian Instruction Society, Infant
School, Auxiliary of British and Foreign School Society, Wesleyan
Strangers' Friend Society, Sunday School Union (including eight
schools), three Masonic Lodges, Masonic Benevolent Fund, three
Odd-fellow's Lodges, with Widows' and Orphans' Funds attached,
Independent Order of Rechabites, Hibernian Benefit Society, four
Temperance Societies, Society of Licensed Victuallers, Choral Society,
Mercantile Assistants' Association, Turf Club, Bathing Association.
There are a wet dock and a patent slip, and 170 vessels belonging to the
port, their collective tonnage being 14,640. The population is 23,107,
and the number of houses 4,050; 2,932 of which are of stone or brick.
Five bi-weekly newspapers and a Government _Gazette_ are published in
Hobart. T. D. Chapman, Esq., and J. Dunn, jun., Esq., are the first
members of council for the city.

_Huon_--a river which falls into the sea about 30 miles below Hobart. At
its mouth there is a pretty island of 300 acres, also called Huon. On
the northern side of the river, about 5 miles from the entrance, there
is a beautiful bay, named by the French discoverers the Port of Swans.
The banks of the stream are finely wooded, and the timber, of which
immense quantities are cut, is of great value. Fine spars for
shipbuilding purposes are found here, as well as the mimosa bark. Ships
of considerable tonnage can ascend the river for a distance of many
miles. In the upper part of the river grows the valuable pine, to which
the name of the district has been given