disposal of hay and corn. For market No. 1 two sites were approved, i.e. (a), what was then commonly called the Market Square (now Western Market), and (b), a portion of the vacant land between Swanston Street and Newtown (the now Eastern Market)—the first(or Western), to be immediately established, and the other (Eastern), to remain in abeyance.
The second meeting was held on the 11th November, at which was read a communication from the Superintendent, expressive of his willingness to recommend the reservation of the "Market Square," the Hay and Corn Market to be held on what was known as the Court-house reserve (now the site of St. Paul's Cathedral), and the Cattle Market in the northern part of the town, near the Sydney Road. At a subsequent meeting the following official staff was appointed:—
Counsel, the Hon. J. Erskine Murray; Solicitors, Messrs. Carrington and Clay; Inspector of General Market, Mr. Charles Vaughan; Inspector of Hay and Corn Market, Mr. J. Hawkey; Inspector of Cattle Market, Mr. Robert Ainslie; Market Keepers, Daniel Cummings and Thomas Manchester. Preparations were next made to put the Markets into something like working order. Three rude wooden sheds were hurriedly patched up in the (Western) Market Square, and on the 15th December, 1841, the General Market was opened there. Towards the end of February, 1842, the Cattle Market was commenced in a roughly enclosed yard at the top of Elizabeth Street, where it is now intersected by Victoria Street. This place was then quite ayvay in the wild bush. The Market reserve blocked up the street, and in after years the Corporation exchanged it for another site, when the Government had in contemplation the extension of the town northwards. About the same time the Hay and Corn Market started business in the north-east angle of the now Eastern Market (the junction of Bourke and Stephen Streets). This was only a temporary arrangement, and it was removed to the originally intended Market reserve at the north-east corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets. The proceedings of the Commission did not trouble the people much, but the Commissioners tried to do their duty conscientiously, and, if their reign was not merry, it was a short one, for, on the incorporation of Melbourne, they were officially devoured by the Town Council, and there was an end of them. Two of them (Fawkner and Stephen) afterwards made their mark in the corporate history of Melbourne. Arden had great opportunities, but either abused or misused them. McCrae was the first of the party to die, and Simpson subsequently held the offices of Warden of the County of Bourke, Commissioner of Crown Lands, and Sheriff. St. John's career and fate are narrated in other chapters; and Porter was a gentleman of much repute and wealth. Though last, and certainly not the least useful, there was Dobson, the publican. After his election he became the victim of a harmless vanity, the source of much amusement at his expense. No Mus. Doc., M.P., B.A, or LL.D. was ever half so proud of the abbreviated honours he yvas entitled to wear as Dobson was of his "M.C." which he tacked on to his autograph whether publicly or privately used; and as the mystic symbols might mean "Member of Council," "Member of Congress," "Market Constable," "Market Caretaker," "Master of Ceremonies," or "Market Commissioner," much chaff was showered upon him. Yet he took it all in good part. He either could not, or would not, see the point of the joke so often turned against him, and clung affectionately to his " M.C." affix. He was, nevertheless, an enterprising, well-meaning man, one of the earliest landlords of the now extensive Albion Hotel in Bourke Street, and in his hands it was a spruce-looking, natty, little two-storied tavern, where good grog was served with a cleanliness and civility not too common in the Melbourne "pubs" ofthe present day. He was also the projector of a wharf known by his name, and afterwards as "Raleigh's," which was a great convenience in the days of our early commerce.
The Original Code of Market Regulations
Is a document, not only out of memory, but almost out of print, and an abstract of it as showing how the first Markets in Melbourne were managed may not be uninteresting.
The General Market was to commence by ring of bell at 6 a.m., from 1st September to last day of February, and at 8 a.m. from 1st March to 31st August. The selling or offering for sale in the Market of any article before the bell-ringing, entailed a ten-shilling fine. The Market was to be closed at sunset throughout the year. The Market-Inspector and his assistants were sworn constables. They were required to preserve order and regularity, and to apprehend and "carry" before the Sitting Magistrate any person making
