ordered, when signed, to be transmitted to the Rev. Dr. Lang, M.L.C., for presentation. A motion was also passed to solicit the co-operation of the residents in the Geelong District, and Messrs. A. M'Killop, D. Cameron, W. Kerr, F. Cooper, J. P. Fawkner, W . Highett, and J. Williamson were constituted a Committee to promote the purpose of the meeting. The Committee subsequently did, or pretended to do, a good deal of work in the matter, but beyond the transmission of the petition to Sydney, nothing further was for a long time heard of what was then considered by the majority of the colonists to be something not far removed from a chimerical craze.
THE
SQUATTERS' G R A N D
RALLY.
The greatest Squatting Demonstration ever witnessed in Old Melbourne, was on the ist Tune, 1844. The regulations affecting the tenure of the pastoral stations throughout the colony were in a very unsatisfactory condition, and liable at any moment to be rendered more so—a look-out the reverse of encouraging. To agitate for some improvement was the purpose of this gathering, for which elaborate and costly preparations were made, and much was expected from a becoming display of public spirit on the .occasion. The accessories of optical effects were considered, and the result was the introduction of certain novelties not resorted to in the public meeting line. The turn-out took the form of a Cavalry Review on Batman's Hill, and after a march through Melbourne with band playing and colours flying, the orating came off in the open-air on the hill side in Collins Street, between the Mechanics Institute and the Argus office. There was then in town a clever painter named Opie, and his services were secured to get up a banner worthy of the cause, a design for which was supplied him, and a really clever piece of canvassing was executed without loss of time. The flag ground was of deep crimson-coloured silk, and measured 7 feet by 5. In the centre werefivewhite stars, emblematic of the thenfiveAustralasian settlements. A sheep was suspended at the top over a crown, and under was a large gold-lettered scroll, legended "Squatters, Guard your Rights." On one side was a pillar based on a block, of Honour representing Commerce, and on the other a similar adornment springing from Truth, and symbolical of Agriculture, whilst on the apex of theflagstaffwas a gilt kangaroo. This artistic specimen was on show for a few days, and some ultra-loyalists professed to be so shocked with its treasonable tendencies that it was actually subjected to some slight modification. The day wasfine,the squatters assembled on horseback at their place of starting, where a mounted procession was formed, and set forth in this order of march :— A Highland Piper in full National Costume. Squatting Cavaliers, two deep. The Banner. The Town Band.
The townspeople took no further part in the proceedings than as spectators, and the procession moved on from west to east of Collins Street. Arriving on the Eastern Hill, Mr. A. F. Mollison was called on to preside, and determined speeches were delivered by the Chairman, Messrs. Edward Curr, Isaac Buchanan, W m . Hull, A. Cunninghame, Claud Farie, C. H. M'Knight, Dr. Kilgour, Captain Hepburn, and one or two more. Resolutions were passed (a) Affirming as remedies for the uncertain nature of things, the granting of leases, and a preferable right of future purchase to the squatter; and (b) An allowance for improvements, and the extension of the Electoral franchise. It was also emphatically declared that no settlement could be deemed satisfactory that was not based upon the separation of Port Phillip from the Middle District (New South Wales). On the nth October, 1845, a meeting was held at the Royal Hotel, "To consider the propriety of petitioning the Imperial Parliament for the admission of Australian grain into British ports upon the same terms as those on which the importation of Canadian grain is allowed." The Mayor (Mr. H. Moor) was appointed Chairman; resolutions approving the object in view were adopted; and a Committee nominated to give them effect in the preparation and transmission of a
