ast, where they have been planted, and the lightkeepers in the
neighbourhood have been instructed to protect the young plants as far as
possible. Tree culture, especially the cocoanut--for which the coral
islands form congenial homes--is important, not only commercially, but
as contributing to the safety of navigation, the existence of trees
rendering the outlying islands and reefs more conspicuous, and are more
serviceable than beacons. As an article of food, the cocoanuts would
prove invaluable to shipwrecked crews. Those planted on some of the
islands are thriving well, especially some 200 young plants on the
Lizard Islands. The trees that have been planted recently require
protection in some way, or they will disappear, as did the fully-matured
trees which existed some years ago on the Frankland Islands.

FISHERIES.

The revenue derived from the Oyster Fisheries has increased in a
substantial manner during the past year. This is owing to the large
number of banks which have been licensed in Rodd's Harbour, and also the
successful sale of dredge sections in Moreton Bay. Banks at the Flinders
Group, Princess Charlotte Bay, have also been licensed, the oysters
being sent to Normanton and Burketown. On my recent Northern trip I
visited Flinders Group, and saw indications of what may develop into a
large industry, not only in connection with edible oysters, but with
pearl oysters, several samples of which were shown to me. The quantity
and value of oysters exported from Brisbane and Maryborough up to 30th
June last were as per following table, viz.:--

BRISBANE.

Year No. of Bags. Value.
L
1870 4,523 1,644
1871 5,127 1,625
1872 4,060 1,427
1873 3,036 768
1874 3,912 1,704
1875 5,349 2,622
1876 6,648 2,792
1877 2,736 1,639
1878 1,790 1,227
1879 3,793 2,729
1880 5,293 3,475
1881 7,559 6,153
1882 9,953 9,074
1883 8,878 7,342
1884 8,256 8,475
1885 8,076 8,094
1886 7,512 8,533
1887 7,167 8,240
1888 6,191 7,616
1899 6,791 13,368
1890 12,9