"Confident in the force of the foregoing reasoning, your Petitioners submit that the only remedies for the grievances complained of consist in an entire separation of this Province from the territory of N e w South Wales, and the grant of a free Representative Government of its own. Your Petitioners therefore humbly trust that your Plonourable House will use your constitutional influence in obtaining for them—1st : — A responsible Government, entirely Separate from, and independent of, N e w South Wales. 2nd : — A free and extended Legislative Representation, corresponding with the extent and population of the district, and equal to the exigencies of a Free State."
The Petition was in due course forwarded to its destination, and its author left the colony ; but, though it m a d e a safe journey, he died at sea, cut off in full promise, at the early age of 26. " SEPARATION ASSOCIATION. (Established 1840). "If w e help ourselves, G o d will help u s ; but if w e sit d o w n and cross our arms sullenly and do nothing, it will be said that w e are unworthy of receiving greater privileges. It will be said, ' S h o w yourselves worthy of having greater privileges; show yourselves faithful in small things, and greater will be given to you.'"—(Speech of his Excellency Sir George Gipps, in Council, 4th June, 1840.)
To obtain signatures to the Petition, and to solicit subscriptions in aid of the objects set forth, viz., Jonathan Binns Were, Andrew Muirson M'Rae, and R e d m o n d Barry, Esqs. (2). London Committee to promote the views of the Petitioners with Her Majesty's Ministers, the Imperial Parliament, and the British public :—Messrs. J. S. Brownrigg, M.P., R. H . Browne, — Donaldson, Henry Fysche Gisborne, A. A. Gower, — Little, William and T h o m a s Walker, Robert Brooks, J. B. Montefiore, David Dunbar, W . H . Yaldwyn, Henry Buckle, Arthur Willisj John Hylder Wedge, Sir John R a e Reid, Major Mercer and Captain Bannister. (3). Permanent Colonial Committee to communicate with the Committee in England, and to keep the inhabitants of Australia Felix advised of its proceedings :—Rev. James Clow, Messrs. C. H . Ebden, A. F. Mollison, W . Verner, J. B. "Were, A. M . M'Crae, and W . Kerr. P A R L I A M E N T A R Y A G E N T . — J o h n Richardson, Esq., Fludyer Street, Westminster. S E C R E T A R Y . — M r . William Kerr. Little, however, was effected for the next four years, except that the continued injustice suffered under the Goverment of N e w South Wales pressed as an incubus, of which everyone was tired and were longing to shake off. In 1844 the abortive system of District Councils had been established, and the enormous powers of taxation with which such bodies were by law invested, so alarmed the property owners in and about Melbourne that on the 22nd of March an important meeting was held at the Royal Hotel, " to take the necessary steps to avoid the excessive taxation likely to be imposed on the settlers of the County of Bourke by the District Council." Several smart and pointed addresses were delivered, but the speech of the day was that of Mr. A. Cunninghame, Barrister, who treated the major question with force and eloquence. H e declared " that it was more than time that this fair province should have a Government and Governor of its own, with a Legislature empowered to frame laws suited to the circumstances of a free colony adapted to the exigencies of her o w n position, aiding in the development of her vast resources, and in spreading population over these fertile plains, which have given to this portion of Australia the envied appellation of ' Felix.' Till separation be obtained we can, at best, but float like a dismasted and deserted hulk on the surface of the water, without captain to direct, without sails to impel, without helmsman to guide us, floating, more or less easily, as the waters m a y be smooth or troubled, but, in either case, alike aimless and objectless. Separation will be to us at once, captain and helmsman, wind and sail." A memorial was adopted to the District Council, deprecating any taxation of the kind anticipated; and also a resolution affirming " That total Separation from the Middle District is an indispensable pre-requisite to the just or beneficial working of any scheme of taxation, which has for its object the improvement of this district." O n the 16th April the occurrence of a District Legislative Nomination was fixed for the holding of an important meeting to advance the Separation Cause. T h e Chair was taken by the Mayor (Mr. Henry Condell), and a remarkably able and convincing Report was submitted—the production of M r . Edward Curr, a
COMMITTEES APPOINTED.—(1).
