This volume investigates the socio-political and economic development of Australia during the colonial era. The author, Frank Crowley, utilizes a comprehensive collection of primary source documents to construct a detailed chronological account of the period. The work serves as a reference framework for understanding the administrative and societal shifts that defined the Australian colonies during this specific timeframe.

Historians and researchers frequently cite this volume as a foundational reference for the study of Australian colonial administration. The text is noted for its high density of primary source material and its objective, scholarly approach to historical documentation.