competition,
and establish a fictitious value. Hence, these towns are each drained
of some thousands of pounds annually; while the streets are permitted,
by the powers that be, to remain in their primeval state, either to
become impassable, or dangerous to the limbs and lives of the
inhabitants."

"There certainly may be some little neglect on the part of the
government," replied William; "but surely a district, with so limited a
population as this, will with difficulty bear the expense of a separate
executive?"

"Not at all," said Mr. Lauray, "our income is perfectly adequate; in
fact it exceeds that of many an older state: besides we should have the
satisfaction of expending it ourselves, and should not require to be
continually demanding (but rarely receiving) money from the government
for such necessary works as bridges and roads. The present state of our
main lines of traffic is perfectly scandalous; and if we should remain a
portion of New South Wales until doomsday, I believe they wouldn't be
put into an efficient state."

"Well, but," replied William, "I imagine we can only expect the
expenditure of our share of public money; and if all the districts get
their proportions, what more can we desire?"

"But I deny," replied the other, "that we are getting anything like our
proportion, or any proportion at all. The public revenue is mainly
swallowed up in works that do not at all affect the country districts;
such as the public buildings in Sydney, and the harbour improvements
there. Notice the colonial debt of between two and three millions, and
say how was it contracted? Was it not in the construction of Sydney
sewers, Sydney water-works, and the Sydney railway? And for these, from
which we shall never receive the slightest benefit, we have not only had
our revenue appropriated for years, but have to sustain the impost of
higher duties, to provide for the interest of this fund."

"Still," replied William, "I think it is only just, we should contribute
our share of the public expenditure in the machinery of government."

"Granted!" said Lauray, "but city improvements do not in any way come
under that head. The improvement of the district is much, if not
altogether retarded, by the continual neglect at head quarters. There
are certain public works, the necessity for which is severely felt, and
even acknowledged by the government itself to be highly desirable; but
to every application of ours for the necessary