§ MR. MARSHsaid, he wished to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Co- 1055 lonies, Whether any, and, if any, what Petitions have been received within the last three years at the Colonial Office, for presentation to Her Majesty, from different districts in Australia, praying for separation from the existing Colonies, and the formation of new Colonies?
§ MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUEsaid, that in 1861 two Petitions were received from the Clarence and Richmond districts of New South Wales, praying for a separation from the Colony and annexation to Queensland; and another was received in the same year from the New England district to the same effect. In 1862 a Petition was received from certain inhabitants of the Western portion of the Colony of Victoria, praying for separation from the Colony, for the purpose of forming, together with a portion of South Australia, a new and distinct Colony. These were the only Petitions which had been received on the subject.