Fletcher (Managers of the Bank of Australasia and the Union Bank, respectively), Treasurers; and Mr. James Montgomery, Honorary Secretary.
The embryonic Charity was now beginning to make good headway. Sir George Gipps, to atone in some measure for the past, sent a cheque for £50. Mr. Latrobe in transmitting it, backed it with another “fifty-pounder,” from himself, and promised an annual refresher of £20. Judge Jeffcott subscribed £10, and Mr. J. P. Robinson, a Sydney merchant, who represented Melbourne in the New South Wales Legislature, £10 10s. whilst by way of a dead-weight, Dr. Wilmot (the coroner) presented £4 4s. deodands he had in hand. What was known as “The Old Hospital Fund” amounting to £215, was transferred to the new one. On the 5th March, 1845, a meeting of the benefactors and subscribers was held under the presidency of the Mayor. Mr. Edmund Westby and the Rev. A. C. Thomson were appointed Joint Treasurers vice the gentlemen selected at a prior meeting, whose official positions in the banks rendered it inconvenient for them to continue in office; and the following Committee were elected:— The Rev. A. C. Thomson; Drs. Greeves, Palmer, and Playne, Messrs. Edward Curr, J. R. Murphy, James Simpson, G. S. Brodie, W. Lonsdale, A. Cunninghame, John Duerdin, E. Westby, G. A. Gilbert, R. W. Pohlman, and J. W. Howey—Five to form a quorum.
There was a Gentlemen’s Amateur Philharmonic Society at this time in Melbourne, and the members resolved in getting up a grand concert in aid of the Hospital Fund. Mr. J. C. Smith, proprietor of the Queen’s Theatre, supplied the building and light without charge, whilst Mr. George Coppin supplied gratuitous music, and the free services of himself and the musical portion of his corps dramatique. The entertainment was under the direction of Mr. William Clark, a well-known professor of music, and it was a great success. The following notice of the event is transcribed from a newspaper of the time:—
“HospitaL Concert,—The concert for the benefit of the Melbourne Hospital, given by the gentlemen amateurs of the Philharmonic Association, strengthened by the very liberal assistance of the musical portion of Mr. Coppin’s Company, took place on Friday evening under the direction of Mr. Clark. The lovers of music, we presume, anticipated a treat, for, notwithstanding the very unfavourable state of the weather, not only the boxes but the approaches were, before the hour announced for the commencement, filled by the most distinguished portion of our community, including His Honor the Superintendent, His Honor the Judge, lady and family, His Worship the Mayor and lady, etc., etc.; the pit and gallery were less numerously but very respectably peopled. The selection contained several novelties, and, particularly among the vocal pieces, consisted of music of a higher class than has hitherto been adyentured on in Melbourne. The manner in which it was received shews that the good taste of the public had not been miscalculated, The overtures were performed with a brilliancy and taste that proved the performers felt and understood their parts, and with a precision and unity greatly to the credit of the director; a remark which will equally apply to the glees and concerted pieces. The gratification of the audience was unequivocally expressed by repeated encores of the songs, and by the general wish at the close of the performance that it had lasted “half-an-hour longer.” Mr. Clark played Kalkbrenner’s celebrated variation of “Rule Britannia” with great effect, and Mr. Coppin, with Mrs. Rogers, convulsed the house with laughter in the comic duet “When a Little Farm we Keep;” in alluding to which we must not omit Mrs. Rogers' "Wanted a Governess.” The Institution on behalf of which this very praiseworthy exertion has been made, will, we are happy to learn, benefit to the extent of fifty or sixty pounds after all expenses are paid."
There was much diversity of opinion as to where the Hospital should be built, and the Building Committee was so divided that the subject was referred to the general body of contributors, and a special meeting of Governors was held at the Royal Hotel on the 30th July, "to finally determine’ upon’ the selection of a site.” It was in the first instance decided that the most eligible spot was the "Haymarket Reserve” (St. Paul’s), and an application had been made to the Government for its reservation. After a time other localities found favour, some wishing it placed off the north-east intersection of Queen and Lonsdale Streets, others at the opposite corner, more in the now Carlton Gardens (then away in the wilderness), and the present site found many adherents. Finally, on the motion of Mr. Edward Curr, seconded by Mr. J. P. Fawkner, it was resolved that the Hospital should be erected where it now stands.
