[Printed act of the United Kingdom parliament.] Chapter 60. An Act to constitute a Federal Council of Australasia. [14th August 1885.]

9pp. [paginated ii+ 7], 8vo. Disbound. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with first leaf loose. Government stamp at head of first page: 'SUPPLIED FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE'. The first two pages (paginated i-ii) give an 'Arrangement of Sections'. An historic document, almost never found alone: no copies listed on COPAC. The passing of this act can be seen as the first step towards Australian Independence; as a result, a Federal Council of Australasia (not including New South Wales and New Zealand) was formed, to represent the affairs of the colonies in their relations with the South Pacific islands.