Thanks for clarifying that. Yes, Peter Lalor, although not elected, was the first Prime Minister. George Reid in 1891-92, but the rest is correct in every respect.
Under the Southern Cross we Stand, a sprig of Wattle in our hand
- Thread starter johnboy
- Start date
21 June 1889, - Shipping developments
21 June 1889, Williamstown Dry Dock and Dockyard, Aurelia, Protectorate of Australasia
Herbert Edward Vosper had not regretted his move to Australasia. It had given him the chance to bring his wife and 6 children to a new land, but had also given him the chance to design, repair and build ships that he could never have dreamed of working on back in England.
One large and two smaller graving dock had been constructed at Williamstown, the first 698 feet long, the second 430 feet, the last 325. Australasia had to be held together by sea connections. For her trade, for her internal communications and for the maintenance of her immigration inflow. The government had used the revenue from her initial gold rushes and then later mineral booms to finance this. Whilst naval ships had been constructed at Williamstown, including the protected cruiser Raffaello Carboni, the shipyard was mainly earmarked for commercial vessels and light craft.
Vosper considered himself an expert in the later, yet he had designed and had either built, or was building, some innovative larger ships. The former SS Great Britain, then Australasia, had been over 40 years old when she grounded off Auckland in 1884. The damage, whilst not fatal, was bad enough considering the ship's age that it was deemed uneconomical to repair her. Replacement ships were badly needed and that same year the first of three sister ships of the Noumea Class were built to service the New Zealand and Fiji trades, plus passages to San Francisco America's West Coast. At just over 3,500 tons, they could carry as many as 120 passengers, but were mainly cargo carriers, being capable of 13 knots.
For 15 years, the former SS Great Eastern , latterly Australis, had been occupied almost exclusively in the transportation of immigrants from Europe, sailing from Hamburg to Southampton to Dublin and then on to Melbourne. She had, at times, carried in excess of 2,500 passengers, plus her crew. Whilst she was still the largest ship in the world, by 1888, she was no longer modern or fast, in addition to being unwieldy. Later in 1889, her replacement would be ready. The new Pacifica was due to enter service in October. Capable of 20 knots, she would be able to transport 150 First Class, 160 Second Class and 1,500 Third Class passengers on her 8,120 ton displacement. Australis would then be dry docked, rebuilt with screw, rather than paddle wheels, have her sailing masts removed and have fitted four 750-ton-capacity refrigerated holds and their refrigerating machinery to transport mutton and beef to Europe. Her passenger capacity would be reduced from 2,800 to 100 First Class, 500 Second Class and 600 Third Class passengers.
Other projects, of course, had presented themselves. perhaps the most bizarre being the construction of the 2,612 ton steel hulled 6 masted barque Apollo, originally designed to transport fruit to New Zealand from Capricornia. When the South Pacific Trading company went into liquidation in 1889, she had been brought by the Navy as a training ship at a knockdown price, never having fulfilled her original purpose and renamed Southern Cross.
Noumea Class Banana Boat
Pacifica Liner
Australis Rebuild
Barque Southern Cross
Herbert Edward Vosper had not regretted his move to Australasia. It had given him the chance to bring his wife and 6 children to a new land, but had also given him the chance to design, repair and build ships that he could never have dreamed of working on back in England.
One large and two smaller graving dock had been constructed at Williamstown, the first 698 feet long, the second 430 feet, the last 325. Australasia had to be held together by sea connections. For her trade, for her internal communications and for the maintenance of her immigration inflow. The government had used the revenue from her initial gold rushes and then later mineral booms to finance this. Whilst naval ships had been constructed at Williamstown, including the protected cruiser Raffaello Carboni, the shipyard was mainly earmarked for commercial vessels and light craft.
Vosper considered himself an expert in the later, yet he had designed and had either built, or was building, some innovative larger ships. The former SS Great Britain, then Australasia, had been over 40 years old when she grounded off Auckland in 1884. The damage, whilst not fatal, was bad enough considering the ship's age that it was deemed uneconomical to repair her. Replacement ships were badly needed and that same year the first of three sister ships of the Noumea Class were built to service the New Zealand and Fiji trades, plus passages to San Francisco America's West Coast. At just over 3,500 tons, they could carry as many as 120 passengers, but were mainly cargo carriers, being capable of 13 knots.
For 15 years, the former SS Great Eastern , latterly Australis, had been occupied almost exclusively in the transportation of immigrants from Europe, sailing from Hamburg to Southampton to Dublin and then on to Melbourne. She had, at times, carried in excess of 2,500 passengers, plus her crew. Whilst she was still the largest ship in the world, by 1888, she was no longer modern or fast, in addition to being unwieldy. Later in 1889, her replacement would be ready. The new Pacifica was due to enter service in October. Capable of 20 knots, she would be able to transport 150 First Class, 160 Second Class and 1,500 Third Class passengers on her 8,120 ton displacement. Australis would then be dry docked, rebuilt with screw, rather than paddle wheels, have her sailing masts removed and have fitted four 750-ton-capacity refrigerated holds and their refrigerating machinery to transport mutton and beef to Europe. Her passenger capacity would be reduced from 2,800 to 100 First Class, 500 Second Class and 600 Third Class passengers.
Other projects, of course, had presented themselves. perhaps the most bizarre being the construction of the 2,612 ton steel hulled 6 masted barque Apollo, originally designed to transport fruit to New Zealand from Capricornia. When the South Pacific Trading company went into liquidation in 1889, she had been brought by the Navy as a training ship at a knockdown price, never having fulfilled her original purpose and renamed Southern Cross.
Noumea Class Banana Boat
Pacifica Liner
Australis Rebuild
Barque Southern Cross
I was wondering if there was any significant minority of Taiping Christian immigrants in Australasia, seeing as the years Chinese immigration was allowed overlapped with the tail end of the Taiping Rebellion.
If that is the case it may mean that Taiping Christianity could survive post-rebellion, just in exile.
If that is the case it may mean that Taiping Christianity could survive post-rebellion, just in exile.
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There would likely be some, I would think, but most immigration from China would have been in the 1850-1862 period. There is still quite a bit afterwards, but at a reduced pace.
26 August 1889, - A protectors death
26 August 1889, Lord Protector's Palace, Melbourne, Protectorate of Australasia
Caroline Plantagenet sat in her father's armchair, still stunned by the series of events. A week ago her father seemed in good health, yet now he was gone. The end had been very sudden, the doctors confident until 24 hours before he died that he would recover. Yet, he had not. They had the conversations they wanted to have on the day he died. She was there to kiss his cheeks and massage his forehead, to hold his hand and say goodbye; at his bedside when he took his last breath. Yet, nothing had prepared her for this loss.
Yet, her father had seemed to know. “So,” he had said at a function two months ago, “I want to make sure that I’ve told you how proud of you I am. I want to make sure you know.” It was the first time they had a conversation like that, yet the message seemed clear: I’m going to die sooner rather than later. This was likely the beginning of her father’s goodbye.
Her father had tried to prepare her for his loss when he talked about what he learned from grieving her mothers death. Caroline was well aware her parent's marriage was a political act, not a love match, yet genuine affection had grown. The lessons that grief was unavoidable, that she would likely grieve a loss forever, yet would and could recover. “I can’t make this less painful for you,” he had said the night before he died, when she had started crying over the idea, as yet still unthinkable, of his death. “But when you feel the pain, remember that it comes from a place of having loved and been loved deeply.” It came after I asked the most obvious question. "How will I live without you?"
On the last day he could barely talk. He was able to croak out. "Look after your sister. Help keep our dream alive. Latterly, all we could say to each other was “I love you” before he lost consciousness. He never said another word; Caroline and her sister sat vigil until he died on the 25th. He was almost the last of the major figures from Eureka.
Her own grief seemed overwhelming, yet, for all that, she could not give into it. Her father had prepared her for what was to come and she could not let him down. Firstly, her sister. Jocelyn was four years her junior and was being courted by aspiring national cricketer Hugh Trumble. She had taken their father's death hard. Then , there was the protectorship. It was a role her father had trained her for, yet, there was no guarantee she would receive it. It was a title that was not strictly inherited. When the Protector died, a successor needed to be approved by Parliament. If she was a cynic, which exposure to the political process had indeed made her, she would state that if she was a male, such a confirmation would be a mere formality. As a female, it was more problematic, although the current Prime Minister Henry Parkes had assured her of his support. Yet another complication was the fact that she was 28 and unmarried. It was an issue the press made much of, yet, when one had had their heart broken, opening oneself up again was never an easy task. Yet, it was a task that must be undertaken, she supposed.
The protectorship was, ultimately, a reflection on what the original drafters of the constitution had wanted. They had not wanted an American style executive presidential type of system. Most preferred the Westminster style of government, yet the appointment of a King flew in the face of an egalitarian society that was espoused. Yet, a Westminster system had it's advantages. There was a delicate power balance between the head of state, parliament and the people, with neither arm allowed overwhelming power. It eliminated the need for the head of state to follow a specific ideology, allowed them to make decisions that were correct yet not popular. The head of state could act as a symbol of unity for all the citizens when looking for a common ground to relate themselves to. It allowed successors or potential successors to be trained from a young age on constitutional and political matters, more than the people’s elected representatives. Finally elections were not required for a successor. From the government’s perspective, the protectorship was actually more cost-effective than the recurring charges of frequent presidential elections.
In the finish, parliament was to confirm the protectorship on the 30th, despite some calls to offer the position to her cousin the Earl Temple of Stowe and even her mother's nephew Mahuta Tāwhiao.
Caroline Plantagenet sat in her father's armchair, still stunned by the series of events. A week ago her father seemed in good health, yet now he was gone. The end had been very sudden, the doctors confident until 24 hours before he died that he would recover. Yet, he had not. They had the conversations they wanted to have on the day he died. She was there to kiss his cheeks and massage his forehead, to hold his hand and say goodbye; at his bedside when he took his last breath. Yet, nothing had prepared her for this loss.
Yet, her father had seemed to know. “So,” he had said at a function two months ago, “I want to make sure that I’ve told you how proud of you I am. I want to make sure you know.” It was the first time they had a conversation like that, yet the message seemed clear: I’m going to die sooner rather than later. This was likely the beginning of her father’s goodbye.
Her father had tried to prepare her for his loss when he talked about what he learned from grieving her mothers death. Caroline was well aware her parent's marriage was a political act, not a love match, yet genuine affection had grown. The lessons that grief was unavoidable, that she would likely grieve a loss forever, yet would and could recover. “I can’t make this less painful for you,” he had said the night before he died, when she had started crying over the idea, as yet still unthinkable, of his death. “But when you feel the pain, remember that it comes from a place of having loved and been loved deeply.” It came after I asked the most obvious question. "How will I live without you?"
On the last day he could barely talk. He was able to croak out. "Look after your sister. Help keep our dream alive. Latterly, all we could say to each other was “I love you” before he lost consciousness. He never said another word; Caroline and her sister sat vigil until he died on the 25th. He was almost the last of the major figures from Eureka.
Her own grief seemed overwhelming, yet, for all that, she could not give into it. Her father had prepared her for what was to come and she could not let him down. Firstly, her sister. Jocelyn was four years her junior and was being courted by aspiring national cricketer Hugh Trumble. She had taken their father's death hard. Then , there was the protectorship. It was a role her father had trained her for, yet, there was no guarantee she would receive it. It was a title that was not strictly inherited. When the Protector died, a successor needed to be approved by Parliament. If she was a cynic, which exposure to the political process had indeed made her, she would state that if she was a male, such a confirmation would be a mere formality. As a female, it was more problematic, although the current Prime Minister Henry Parkes had assured her of his support. Yet another complication was the fact that she was 28 and unmarried. It was an issue the press made much of, yet, when one had had their heart broken, opening oneself up again was never an easy task. Yet, it was a task that must be undertaken, she supposed.
The protectorship was, ultimately, a reflection on what the original drafters of the constitution had wanted. They had not wanted an American style executive presidential type of system. Most preferred the Westminster style of government, yet the appointment of a King flew in the face of an egalitarian society that was espoused. Yet, a Westminster system had it's advantages. There was a delicate power balance between the head of state, parliament and the people, with neither arm allowed overwhelming power. It eliminated the need for the head of state to follow a specific ideology, allowed them to make decisions that were correct yet not popular. The head of state could act as a symbol of unity for all the citizens when looking for a common ground to relate themselves to. It allowed successors or potential successors to be trained from a young age on constitutional and political matters, more than the people’s elected representatives. Finally elections were not required for a successor. From the government’s perspective, the protectorship was actually more cost-effective than the recurring charges of frequent presidential elections.
In the finish, parliament was to confirm the protectorship on the 30th, despite some calls to offer the position to her cousin the Earl Temple of Stowe and even her mother's nephew Mahuta Tāwhiao.
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Yes, I think that is a fair assumption. Just like in the U.S, where there is a lot of Washington this, Franklin that, Lincoln that and so on.
Gillies is still alive, but in retirement from 1886. It's likely he will pop up in an update soon.
Interesting, and glad to see they are over the first hurdle, The first change of head of state for a new nation is always a challenge. It is even harder for Caroline and her country because female heads of state were less common.
Regarding the Lord Protector, I don't remember if the name was deliberately chosen to poke the British in the eye, since the original British Lord Protector was Oliver Cromwell.
21 November 1889, - Quadraparte Convention
21 November 1889, Willard Hotel, Washington DC, United States of America
The Quadrapartite Convention they had called it. The Foreign Minister of Australasia, George Reid, would have a few days rest before heading back to Melbourne. Needless to say, when having powers with as divergent views as Germany, the United Kingdom, Australasia and the United States, fixed positions were hard to arrive at. Reid had left Melbourne in August for the start of the conference, which had taken a full nine weeks to come to a conclusion, during which time he had sent exactly 139 telegrams back and forth to Melbourne for clarification or acceptance.
It had all come about after the 1889 Samoan Crisis, when Germany and the United States had come to the brink of war, gunboats arrayed against each other in Apia harbour, before a massive tropical cyclone had passed over on the night of the 15/16 March, wrecking both fleets. It was generally agreed that the unclaimed territories in the central pacific needed to be divided and so, as a consequence of these events, the conference had followed.
Finally, a definitive position had emerged. It was as follows:
1) Germany had agreed to give up her interests on Samoa, in exchange for which she would have her interests in New Guinea confirmed and would annex all of the Eastern part of the Island, aside from the existing area claimed as part of Australasia Fly River Protectorate. She was also granted Nauru
2) The United Kingdom would also give up all her own interest in Samoa. In exchange, the Australasian Protectorate over the Solomon islands would be revoked and the islands would be annexed to the British Crown as a colony. In exchange for the agreement of British sovereignty over the Pitcairn Group of islands, the United Kingdom would cede Caroline Island to Australasia and confirmed Australasia's claims to part of the Gilbert Islands and the Phoenix Island chain
3) The United States would take possession of Western Samoa as an overseas territory, the Gilbert Island North of the equator, Jarvis island, Kingman's Reef, Howland and Baker Islands, Fanning Island, Christmas Island and Washington Island, all located North of the equator
4) Australasia would recognise German possession of New Guinea, aside from the Fly River protectorate. She was to transfer sovereignty for the Solomon islands to New Guinea. In exchange, she took possession of the islands South of the equator in the Gilbert's chain, Caroline Island, the Phoenix Islands and the remainder of Samoa not transferred to United States administration was confirmed as her Protectorate. For a payment of half a million Pounds, Christmas Island was to be transferred from the British Crown to the Protectorate, bearing in mind it's phosphate reserves.
For now, at least, it appeared the colonisation of the Pacific had finally been resolved. Reid was glad of it, keen to return home to Australasia, where he had hardly been since the election in March, an election that had seen the government of Henry Parkes returned, but with a very slim majority, only 3 seats.
Pacific and Eastern Indian Oceans Political map 1889
(Key Grey-neutral, Orange- Australasia, light orange-Australasian protectorates, PInk-British, Crimson-Japan, Buff-Netherlands, Purple-France, Brown-Germany, Yellow-Spain, Lemon-Chile, Blue-USA
The Quadrapartite Convention they had called it. The Foreign Minister of Australasia, George Reid, would have a few days rest before heading back to Melbourne. Needless to say, when having powers with as divergent views as Germany, the United Kingdom, Australasia and the United States, fixed positions were hard to arrive at. Reid had left Melbourne in August for the start of the conference, which had taken a full nine weeks to come to a conclusion, during which time he had sent exactly 139 telegrams back and forth to Melbourne for clarification or acceptance.
It had all come about after the 1889 Samoan Crisis, when Germany and the United States had come to the brink of war, gunboats arrayed against each other in Apia harbour, before a massive tropical cyclone had passed over on the night of the 15/16 March, wrecking both fleets. It was generally agreed that the unclaimed territories in the central pacific needed to be divided and so, as a consequence of these events, the conference had followed.
Finally, a definitive position had emerged. It was as follows:
1) Germany had agreed to give up her interests on Samoa, in exchange for which she would have her interests in New Guinea confirmed and would annex all of the Eastern part of the Island, aside from the existing area claimed as part of Australasia Fly River Protectorate. She was also granted Nauru
2) The United Kingdom would also give up all her own interest in Samoa. In exchange, the Australasian Protectorate over the Solomon islands would be revoked and the islands would be annexed to the British Crown as a colony. In exchange for the agreement of British sovereignty over the Pitcairn Group of islands, the United Kingdom would cede Caroline Island to Australasia and confirmed Australasia's claims to part of the Gilbert Islands and the Phoenix Island chain
3) The United States would take possession of Western Samoa as an overseas territory, the Gilbert Island North of the equator, Jarvis island, Kingman's Reef, Howland and Baker Islands, Fanning Island, Christmas Island and Washington Island, all located North of the equator
4) Australasia would recognise German possession of New Guinea, aside from the Fly River protectorate. She was to transfer sovereignty for the Solomon islands to New Guinea. In exchange, she took possession of the islands South of the equator in the Gilbert's chain, Caroline Island, the Phoenix Islands and the remainder of Samoa not transferred to United States administration was confirmed as her Protectorate. For a payment of half a million Pounds, Christmas Island was to be transferred from the British Crown to the Protectorate, bearing in mind it's phosphate reserves.
For now, at least, it appeared the colonisation of the Pacific had finally been resolved. Reid was glad of it, keen to return home to Australasia, where he had hardly been since the election in March, an election that had seen the government of Henry Parkes returned, but with a very slim majority, only 3 seats.
Pacific and Eastern Indian Oceans Political map 1889
(Key Grey-neutral, Orange- Australasia, light orange-Australasian protectorates, PInk-British, Crimson-Japan, Buff-Netherlands, Purple-France, Brown-Germany, Yellow-Spain, Lemon-Chile, Blue-USA
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Well it looks like Australasia gave up a lot of territory for not much in return, as did Britain. The two biggest winners of this conference seem to be Germany and America, what with Germany getting pretty much all of Papua (that's not Dutch) even though they didn't have any actual presence there, and America getting everything they wanted with Samoa.
George Reid seems to be a pretty shit negotiator.
George Reid seems to be a pretty shit negotiator.
Britain had a large net gain of territory. Australasia gave up territory, this is true, but resolved things in the central pacific and thereby consolidated her ownerships of what she had so far claimed, whilst at the same time now being on the verge of creating the Polynesian confederation she had aspired to influence before. It had never been popular to have large protectorates under the governance of Australasia. Now, with the exception of the Fly River area, she can dispense with those.
Germany gains, yes. The U.S gain s very little in terms of square km's, but the placements of many of these islands is the key.
So from that aspect, Reid has achieved a very good outcome.
22 January 1890 - Wedding
22 January 1890, St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne, Australian Protectorate
Well, she was doing her duty, but more than that she felt content. Since meeting Henry Wigg at a book discussion group, she had felt content with the fact that they shared many similar interests, not least of which was books. He was from a wealthy family, his father a major stationary and bookshop owner, but he was not his father's designated heir and had instead trained as a medical doctor.
Of course, there was the difficulty of her own position, which she had maneuvered around by asking him to marry her, a departure from the usual way such things were done, of course. When she had gotten up this morning, she was quite sure that the day would be a dog's breakfast, however, in contrast to her initial thoughts, things had gone smoothly, her sister, newly married herself, helping her to get ready.
She had elected to have no one give her away, coming down to aisle in conjunction with her sister as the music swelled. Fully made up, she had thought she was going to ugly cry due to being so emotional over the wedding, which had taken so long to plan and seemed like everyone wanted a piece of. It felt like she was floating, both happy and excited. She finally saw her future husband's face, not hearing the music after she started down the aisle, concentrating instead on not mis-stepping in front of so many prominent personages. Keep your head up, your flowers down by your waist, and smile, were her thoughts.
Then, just like that, she was a married woman. She woke up later in the night, her husband pressed against her. It had been a good start to married life. As she turned on the light in the adjacent bathroom, the bedroom gave the impression of an area hit by a snowstorm. Royal blue carpet and bed linens, with white scattered everywhere. Wedding dress, satin gloves, corset, stockings, intimates, even shoes.
It was just as well that things were serene here. Politically, it was hard not to think that turbulent waters were likely ahead, with the Prime Minister facing increasing disfavour and a margin of only a single seat in parliament, that in itself provided by minor party's and independents.
Well, she was doing her duty, but more than that she felt content. Since meeting Henry Wigg at a book discussion group, she had felt content with the fact that they shared many similar interests, not least of which was books. He was from a wealthy family, his father a major stationary and bookshop owner, but he was not his father's designated heir and had instead trained as a medical doctor.
Of course, there was the difficulty of her own position, which she had maneuvered around by asking him to marry her, a departure from the usual way such things were done, of course. When she had gotten up this morning, she was quite sure that the day would be a dog's breakfast, however, in contrast to her initial thoughts, things had gone smoothly, her sister, newly married herself, helping her to get ready.
She had elected to have no one give her away, coming down to aisle in conjunction with her sister as the music swelled. Fully made up, she had thought she was going to ugly cry due to being so emotional over the wedding, which had taken so long to plan and seemed like everyone wanted a piece of. It felt like she was floating, both happy and excited. She finally saw her future husband's face, not hearing the music after she started down the aisle, concentrating instead on not mis-stepping in front of so many prominent personages. Keep your head up, your flowers down by your waist, and smile, were her thoughts.
Then, just like that, she was a married woman. She woke up later in the night, her husband pressed against her. It had been a good start to married life. As she turned on the light in the adjacent bathroom, the bedroom gave the impression of an area hit by a snowstorm. Royal blue carpet and bed linens, with white scattered everywhere. Wedding dress, satin gloves, corset, stockings, intimates, even shoes.
It was just as well that things were serene here. Politically, it was hard not to think that turbulent waters were likely ahead, with the Prime Minister facing increasing disfavour and a margin of only a single seat in parliament, that in itself provided by minor party's and independents.
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Hot damn. Talk about one hell of a leap in women equality. She asked him to marry her and walked down the aisle with no one to "give" her away. And this is the Head of State doing this.
At least I think it's Caroline, seeing as she was the prior POV and the was no name mentioned.
At least I think it's Caroline, seeing as she was the prior POV and the was no name mentioned.
12 March 1890- Australasian China developments
12 March 1890, Zhapho House, Hailing, Australasian China
Hugh Glass III looked out from the houses verandah, from which he could see clearly the waves cresting on four mile beach. Hailing Island was embraced by the sea, with clean water, sand and sea, seafood readily available from the local fisherman. It received year-round sunshine, with the annual average temperature of 23 degrees, sunny days for 310 days, very mild winters, summers without heat, four spring-like seasons, beaches that one could swim at year round.
The opium wars had started because the British were experiencing a problem with their trade with China, namely they bought more than they sold. Chinese goods such as silk, porcelain, especially tea, were very popular in the UK. However, Chinese merchants did not buy British goods in return. As a result, Britain had to pay silver for the goods that it was importing, risking a shortage. Australasia desired those same good, especially tea, with, up until 1880, had mainly been imported from Ceylon at high price.
His mother had provided 50% of the start up capital for Glass, Gotch and Greaves. It had allowed the company to purchase suitable shipping to transport Chinese goods back to Australasia. Right from the start, shipment of opium was prohibited by the company charter. However, partnerships with men such as Stanley Kidman, "The Cattle Barron", whose vast land and cattle holdings would, by the time of his death in 1935, eventually expanding to encompass 110,000 square miles, 176,000 head of cattle, 25,000 buffaloes and 245,000 head of sheep. However, it was mainly beef that was exported to China. That and munitions. Imperial China had been casting around for some time for a military ally of some reliability and it had been Australasia that they had settled on. It had resulted in the sale of four cruisers for the Beiyang Fleet and a quantity of small arms and artillery.
It was on that basis that increasing trade was being done through the port of Yangjiang, all located within the Australasian enclave on the mainland. Consequently, the population of Hailing had gone from 7,000 scattered fishermen to 55,000, most of those working for South China Lines, the companies shipping subsidiary or Glass, Gotch and Greaves large warehouse complexes. Trade had become so popular that American interests had expressed a desire to begin importing via Hailing. It remained to be seen if this was a good thing.
Hugh Glass III looked out from the houses verandah, from which he could see clearly the waves cresting on four mile beach. Hailing Island was embraced by the sea, with clean water, sand and sea, seafood readily available from the local fisherman. It received year-round sunshine, with the annual average temperature of 23 degrees, sunny days for 310 days, very mild winters, summers without heat, four spring-like seasons, beaches that one could swim at year round.
The opium wars had started because the British were experiencing a problem with their trade with China, namely they bought more than they sold. Chinese goods such as silk, porcelain, especially tea, were very popular in the UK. However, Chinese merchants did not buy British goods in return. As a result, Britain had to pay silver for the goods that it was importing, risking a shortage. Australasia desired those same good, especially tea, with, up until 1880, had mainly been imported from Ceylon at high price.
His mother had provided 50% of the start up capital for Glass, Gotch and Greaves. It had allowed the company to purchase suitable shipping to transport Chinese goods back to Australasia. Right from the start, shipment of opium was prohibited by the company charter. However, partnerships with men such as Stanley Kidman, "The Cattle Barron", whose vast land and cattle holdings would, by the time of his death in 1935, eventually expanding to encompass 110,000 square miles, 176,000 head of cattle, 25,000 buffaloes and 245,000 head of sheep. However, it was mainly beef that was exported to China. That and munitions. Imperial China had been casting around for some time for a military ally of some reliability and it had been Australasia that they had settled on. It had resulted in the sale of four cruisers for the Beiyang Fleet and a quantity of small arms and artillery.
It was on that basis that increasing trade was being done through the port of Yangjiang, all located within the Australasian enclave on the mainland. Consequently, the population of Hailing had gone from 7,000 scattered fishermen to 55,000, most of those working for South China Lines, the companies shipping subsidiary or Glass, Gotch and Greaves large warehouse complexes. Trade had become so popular that American interests had expressed a desire to begin importing via Hailing. It remained to be seen if this was a good thing.
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Yes, it is. I suppose it is a bit of a leap, now that you think of it. Makes a unique position really I suppose.
Tamworth, Armidale and Melbourne(parts of) only at this stage, with others planned to go ahead.