"The public assemblage, which had been restrained by the police, was then permitted to cross the bounds at which they had so far been detained, and flocked to all parts of the bridge, cheers being given for the Minister of Public Works and the Mayor of Melbourne.
"The gentlemen who had taken an official part in the opening ceremony, then adjourned to the Town Hall, where they were entertained at luncheon by the Commissioner of Public Works.
The Luncheon.
"About 150 gentlemen were present, and Mr. Nimmo presided, having on his right the Mayor of Melbourne, Mr. William Westgarth, Mr. T. Bent, M.L.A.; Mr. David Munro, Mr. Munro, Sen., and Mr. E. G. Fitzgibbon. On the left of the Chairman were the Mayor of South Melbourne, Councillor T. Smith; the Mayor of St. Kilda, Councillor S. E. Jeans; the President of the Shire of Malvern, Councillor A. E. Clarke; and the President of the Shire of Caulfield, Councillor James Ballantyne. The remaining guests comprised members of the Municipal Councils contributing to the cost of erecting the bridge, and officers of the Public Works Department. The luncheon was excellently served by Mr. Skinner. The usual loyal toasts having been honoured, the Chairman proposed success to the new Prince's Bridge, and read an official précis of the history of the bridge as follows:—
"'On the 22nd July, 1878, the City Council of Melbourne passed a resolution, undertaking to be liable for one-third of the cost of a new bridge in the line of Swanston Street. On the 9th August, 1878, at a deputation to the Government on the subject, the City Council was informed that the Government would also contribute one-third, and provision was made on the Estimates for £350 for competitive designs of the new bridge. On the 12th February, 1879, the Inspector-General of Public Works recommended that the position, lines, and width of the river at the site of the bridge should be decided on before the plans of the bridge were prepared. On the 3rd April, 1879, at the urgent request of the Mayor of Melbourne, the Minister of Public Works decided that competitive designs be invited at once, leaving the width of river and the position of bridge to the judgment of the competitors. On the 8th April, 1879, competitive designs for a new bridge over the Yarra in line of Swanston Street were invited to be sent in by the 17th June, the author of the first approved design to receive a premium of £200, and the author of the second £100. In July, 1879, a Board was appointed to select the two best designs, consisting of Messrs. J. B. Patterson, M.L.A., Minister of Public Works (chairman); Joseph Storey, M.L.A., Mayor of Melbourne; John Holton, City Councillor of Melbourne; John Boyd, Mayor of Emerald Hill; W. H. Steele, Inspector-General of Public Works; and Edward Turner, Engineer of Roads and Bridges, Public Works department. On the 1st August, 1879, the Board awarded that the designs bearing the mottoes "Premier," and "Albert Edward" were the first and second respectively, and on opening the letters bearing the mottoes, the first bore the name of Messrs. Jenkins and Grainger, and the second those of Messrs. Temperley, Edwards, and A. M. Henderson. On the 21st July, 1879, the Inspector-General of Public Works represented that the measures for improving the River and removing the "Falls" reef so as to give relief from floods should precede or be included in the scheme for the new bridge, and it was decided to refer the question to a professional Board, so as to have the width, depth, and lines of the river, and also the site of the new bridge definitely fixed. This Board (usually termed the Bridge Board) was formed in May, 1880, and consisted of Messrs. W. H. Steele, Inspector-General of Public Works (chairman); T. Higinbotham, Engineer in Chief of Railways; W. Elsdon, Engineer, Railway Department; Joseph Brady, Engineer, Harbour Trust; John Nimmo, M.L.A.; A. K. Smith, M.L.A.; W. C. Watts, City Surveyor, Melbourne; and Sydney Smith, Town Surveyor, Emerald Hill; with Mr. E. G. Fitzgibbon as Hon. Secretary. On the 3rd September, 1880, the Board reported, giving the definite width, depth, and lines for the river, advised the removal of the reefs fixed the site of the new bridge, and recommended that the bridge be gone on with. On the 16th September, 1880, the Minister of Public Works directed that the bridge be proceeded with in accordance with the Report. On the 20th October, 1880, as the Engineer in Chief of Railways asked that additional width be given to Flinders Street Station ground over that afforded by the lines
