Perth

Perth, the capital of Western Australia, occupies a picturesque site on the north bank of the Swan River, 12 miles from Fremantle, its port, at the mouth of the river. Perth is the headquarters of banking for the colony, and the centre of the principal railway lines, including the Great Southern Railway to Albany. The more important buildings are the town-hall, the Protestant (1888) and Roman Catholic cathedrals, churches, mechanics' institute and museum, and the governor's residence. Pop. (1881) 5044; (1890) 9617; (1895, estimated) 19,533, the rapid growth of late being accounted for by the gold discoveries in Western Australia (q.v.).