CHAPTER LXV.
THE COLONY OF VICTORIA.
SYNOPSIS:— Victoria's First Constitution. —The Inauguration Ceremonies. —Addresses of Congratulation. —The First Levée. —The First Proclamation. —Government Appointments. —Style and Title of the Mayor and Council. —The First Public Departments and Salaries. —The Government Printing Office.
ANNUS DOMINI, 1851, broke upon the embryo colony with a burst of excited expectation. Separation was now a fait accompli, and hope was actively picturing in rainbow hues, the grand future to result from Colonial Independence. The long-patient, much-suffering Port Phillip was now on the threshold of emancipation, with its destinies in its hands, and it rested with the sagacity and patriotism of her colonists to weave them into a dark or brilliant future. As the year advanced public spirit quickened, and the first anxiety was respecting the Electoral Act to be passed by the Legislature of New South Wales, to give effect to the Imperial Statute, and provide the Executive and Electoral machinery necessary to set the Victorian autonomy going. Mr. Superintendent Latrobe proceeded to Sydney to personally attend the State consultations to be held there; and the provincial agitators were not idle. Much interest was felt as to the formation of the electoral districts and the distribution of the Members of the first Legislature. Several public meetings were held to advocate the fixing of representation upon the basis of population—a proposition strongly demurred to as likely to trench too much upon squatting influence. At one of these gatherings Dr. Palmer submitted statistical returns which showed that in March, 1851, Victoria had a population of 75,000, of which Melbourne could claim 23,143. Land had been sold of the value of £710,000; to which may be added for improvements at 100 per cent. or another £710,000; and there were 9,000 tenements worth at an average £250 each, or (say) £2,500,000, or a total of £3,920,000. He estimated the value of stock, i.e., sheep, cattle, horses, with stations and chattels, at £3,602,584. There were vehement discussions as to whether vote by ballot should, or should not be.
On the 28th March the New South Wales Legislature was opened by the Governor, and its purposes were thus stated in the Vice-Regal speech:—
"The object for which I have called you together is the consideration and enactment of the measures necessary for giving effect to the provisions of the Imperial Act 13 and 14 Victoria, chapter 59, for the better government of the Australian colonies, in the division of the colony into electoral districts on the Separation of Port Phillip from the Middle District, and of Port Phillip on its erection after such Separation into the colony of Victoria." His Excellency also officially communicated the fact that the Superintendent (Mr. Latrobe) had been appointed the first Lieutenant-Governor of the new colony, "as a reward for his long career of usefulness."
The Local Act (14 Vict. No. 47) "to provide for the division of the Colony of Victoria into electoral districts, and for the election of members to serve in the Legislative Council," was passed and assented to 2nd May, 1851, and thus the painter was cut at last.
Victoria's First Constitution.
The Imperial Statute, 13 and 14 Victoria, Chap. LIX. (5th August, 1850.)—an Act for the better government of the Australian Colonies—defined the principles upon which the new colony was to be built. The district of Port Phillip "including the Town of Melbourne, and bounded on the
