mind as the would-be projector expected. H e was not, however, a m a n to be thrust off a hobby which he had once mounted, and he accordingly went to work with a requisition to the Mayor to convene a public meeting of the inhabitants for the ventilation of the question, and an event of this kind came off accordingly at the Mechanics' Institution at 1.30 p.m. of the 25th October, 1850, but it was very poorly attended. T h e specified purpose of the gathering was " to consider the expediency of establishing an Annual Fair for the sale of live stock, colonial produce, and general merchandise, in commemoration of the Separation of Port Phillip from N e w South Wales." T h e Mayor was voted to the Chair, and Dr. Palmer, in an address of some length, proposed a resolution declaring it to be conducive to the advancement and prosperity of the colony to establish an Annual Fair for the purposes set forth in the requisition. This was seconded by Mr. William Hull, when Mr. John Tankard appeared, as he said, on behalf of the working-class, to object to the holding of day meetings, which it was out of the power of artizans and other operatives to attend. H e moved an adjournment of the proceedings until seven p.m. -of the 28th instant, and on a division it was carried by 14 votes against 11. At the adjourned meeting Messrs. Hull and Palmer advocated the original proposition, from which they augured most substantial benefits to the community. T h e Rev. James Clow expressed his decided opinion against the project, which he considered would do m u c h more harm than good, a point of view strongly endorsed by Mr. W . M . Bell; whilst Mr. John Bear, a cattle salesman, was as emphatic on the other side. Mr. Tankard was vehement in denouncing any attempt to supply "grog" refreshments on the Fair Ground, and moved as a rider to the original motion:—"That it was highly expedient that no temporary licenses for the sale of fermented or spirituous liquors should be permitted where the Fair was to be held." This was lost, amidst some uproar, and the Fair-holding was affirmed. Resolutions of the following purport were also discussed and approved:—(1). That an address be presented to the City Council soliciting its concurrence, inasmuch as that body only had the legal power to establish markets, and receive market dues within the City boundaries. (2). That the Mayor, Messrs. J. F. Palmer, W . Hull, J. Bear, and A. Thorpe be commissioned to frame an Address for presentation to the Council. (3). That the most convenient season for holding the Fair would be on thefirstWednesday in December in each consecutive year, to be continued for two days, and be called " T h e Separation Fair." (4). That an Address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, asking his co-operation, and praying him to procure the necessary authorization, and a Charter from the Crown legalizing such an establishment. So far for stage No. 1, but it never reached No. 2, for the project collapsed in consequence of the Superintendent being of opinion " That the question can hardly with propriety be satisfactorily disposed of before the Executive Government of the n e w colony is in a position to entertain the proposal, and weigh the advantages and disadvantages to the colony which m a y result from its adoption."
THE VICTORIA FEMALE FRIENDLY SOCIETY.
Like Dr. Palmer's projected Melbourne Fair, this was another of the half-dozen notions generated at the period of the Separation rejoicings to eternize that event, and it shared something of a similar fate. It owed its paternity to Mr. (now Sir) W . F. Stawell, at whose instance a public meeting was held on the 20th November, 1850, at the Mechanics' Institute. T h e Chair was taken by the Right Reverend Dr. Perry, Anglican Bishop, and appropriate addresses were delivered by him, Messrs. W . F. Stawell, H . G. Ashurst, A. Mackenzie, G. Nicholson, John Lush, J. S. Johnston, and others. Several resolutions were adopted, by which it appeared that the Society was to be known as " T h e Victoria Female Friendly Society," and the building of the Society " T h e Victoria Friendly Home." Its objects were to be-(i). T o provide a H o m e for the reception of females of all ranks seeking employment, and to aid them in obtaining the situations most suitable to their views and position. (2). T o afford facilities for religious instruction and consolation to the inmates of the H o m e . (3). T o co-operate with kindred Societies in this country, and with Societies established in Great Britain, for
