GRAFTON

grafton, a city of clarence county, new south wales, lying on both sides of the clarence river, at a distance of 45 m. from its mouth, 342 m. n.e. of sydney by sea. pop. (1901) 4174, south grafton, 976. the two sections, north grafton and south grafton, form separate municipalities. the river is navigable from the sea to the town for ships of moderate burden, and for small vessels to a point 35 m. beyond it. the entrance to the river has been artificially improved. grafton is the seat of the anglican joint-bishopric of grafton and armidale, and of a roman catholic bishopric created in 1888, both of which have fine cathedrals. dairy-farming and sugar-growing are important industries, and there are several sugar-mills in the neighbourhood; great numbers of horses, also, are bred for the indian and colonial markets. tobacco, cereals and fruits are also grown. grafton has a large shipping trade with sydney. there is rail-connexion with brisbane, &c. the city became a municipality in 1859.