CHAPTER V.
INTRODUCTION OF CIVIL GOVERMENT: FORMATION AND GROWTH OF THE PUBLIC DEPARTMENTS.
SYNOPSIS:— Captain Lonsdale's Arrival. —Arrival of the Survey Staff. —Convict Prisoners from Sydney. —First Government brick Building. —Mr. Robert Hoddle's Arrival. —Arrival of Mr. Latrobe. —HisPanegyric, Prayer and Death. —Disappearance of his Private Secretary.—The Treasury. —Mac Vitie's Alleged Embezzlement. —First Colonial Secretaryship. —Belcher and Vaughan. —Mr. Robert Russell First Surveyor. —His Visit to Geelong. —First Commissioner of Crown Lands. —Mr. Russell's Return to Sydney. —His Deposition, and Acceptance of Clerk of Works. —Mr. Hoddle's Appointment. —Resignation, Resumption of Office, and Final Retirement. —Customs Department. —Formation of Market Street. —Removal of Mr. Webb. —Mr. J. H. N. Cassells. —His Successor. —The Harbor-Master's Department. —Public Works. —Mr. C. H. Leroux's Death. —Mr. Russell succeeded by Mr. James Rattenbury. —Mr. Ghinn's Appointment. — Yarra Bend Asylum. —The Medical Department. —Dr. Cussen. —Mrs. Lee. —Dr. Cussen's Narrow Escape. —His Death in 1849. —Dr. Sullivan his Successor. —Dr. McCrea. —Aborigines' Protectorate. —Crown Lands. —Commissioners Gisborne and Powlett. —The Scourgers.
CONSEQUENT on the report of Captain Stewart, and the memorial of the inhabitants, on the 29th September, 1836, the first civil functionary and Government representative arrived in Melbourne in the "Rattlesnake" from Sydney. This was Captain William Lonsdale, attached to the 4th Regiment stationed at Sydney, where he passed over to the public service as Police Magistrate. He was to act as Administrator of the Government, under very explict instructions from Head Quarters. His salary was £300 per annum, with £100 as outfit money; and he reigned here until the arrival of Mr. Latrobe. He was an officer with much more good in him than harm, who acted strictly up to the letter of his orders; and, with a natural calmness of temperament and equanimity, took matters easily enough. A man of unblemished character, and impartial in the conduct of affairs, in a season of absolute political quietude, he succeeded in giving general satisfaction, and on resigning the reins of government received a testimonial and address from the inhabitants. The presentation was made in January, 1840, and the following extract from his reply is worth transcribing:— "Having had the pleasure to see the colony advance from its cradle to its present state of strength and prosperity, I can bear witness that that prosperity is mainly attributable to your skill, persevering industry, and enterprise. In no part of the world, I am convinced, has there been a greater display of these qualities; nor can an instance, I am sure, be adduced in which they have been more successful in the same space of time." He then, for a time, officiated solely as Police Magistrate, was subsequently appointed Sub-Treasurer, and in the lapse of years was promoted to the Colonial-Secretaryship, in which capacity he will be again referred to. A few days after the arrival of Captain Lonsdale, the brig "Stirlingshire" brought from Sydney a Survey Staff, consisting of Messrs. Robert Russell (in charge) Frederick R. D'Arcy, and William W. Darke; the first at a salary of £220, and the others £200 each per annum. By the same vessel came Mr Robert S. Webb , as Chief Officer of Customs at £200, Mr. Skene Craig to manage the Commissariat, Ensign King with a detachment of the 4th Regiment, thirty convict prisoners, and a Mr. Joseph William Hooson as a senior constable. Though Captain Lonsdale was supposed to exercise the functions of an Administrator of the Government, he was, in reality, little more than a Police Magistrate, to which might be added the superintendence of a small penal settlement, which was formed at the western terminus of the town. The area, now bounded by Bourke, King, Collins, and Spencer Streets, was then about the nicest spot in all Melbourne. Cut up by no water-courses, and flat as a pancake, spread out at the foot of Batman's Hill, it was covered with a vendure green as a leek, and soft as a Turkey carpet. But Captain Lonsdale and his followers soon pounced upon it, hacking it up in such a manner as to change the whole aspect of the place, every year bringing further additions and alterations, every change for the worse. Mr. Russell has supplied
