physical development of the country, and am assured of your desire to promote, as far as may lie in your power, all measures tending to the prosperity of this city and the public good.
"I would take this occasion of offering to the City Council my testimony to the advantage which the community has reaped by the introduction of Municipal Institutions in the City of Melbourne, and to the general ability which has distinguished the labours of the Corporation for the last nine years.
"No one is better able than myself to appreciate and acknowledge the disadvantages under which from circumstances it had to enter upon its functions.
"Its claims upon the attention of Government are undeniable, and I shall always feel it a duty to attend to them whenever reasonably advanced and supported, so far as the general interest of the colony and my powers permit."
A deputation from the colonists of Victoria was next introduced, and Mr. Henry Moor (ex-Mayor and M.L.C.), as its spokesman, read thus:—
"To His Excellency Charles Joseph Latrobe, Esquire, Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria, &c.
"We, the undersigned inhabitants of the City of Melbourne and its vicinity, avail ourselves of the opportunity afforded by Your Excellency's arrival as the first Governor of Victoria to express, through you, our loyalty and affection to our most gracious Sovereign.
"We would congratulate Your Excellency upon assuming the Government of this colony, and assure you of the satisfaction we feel in reflecting that Her Majesty's choice has fallen upon one who, from his late official position, must have acquired that extensive and valuable local knowledge so essential to the efficient moulding of a new Government.
"We assure Your Excellency that we extend to the Representative of Her Majesty, sentiments of loyalty and respect befitting the dignity of so high an office; and trust that Your Excellency will be enabled so to administer the Government of this colony that the effect of your measures may be beneficially felt by all classes of this community.
"As the reward of your public services in this colony you have the satisfaction of feeling that your Sovereign has elevated you to the distinguished position you now hold, and we offer the assurance that our confidence in your government is enhanced by a sense of the uprightness of your intentions.
"The future advance and prosperity of this colony, untrammelled as it now is by a distant Government, must mainly depend on Your Excellency's measures. We shall, we trust, fairly appreciate them, and cheerfully co-operate in furthering all those which may tend to advance the social, moral, aud religious interests of this our adopted country."
To this document was appended 360 signatures, representing every section of the community. His Excellency thus responded:—
"Citizens and Gentlemen,—I receive this address from the inhabitants of Melbourne and its vicinity with great pleasure, assuring you of my perfect confidence in the affection and loyalty it evinces towards our most gracious Sovereign.
"I thank you for your general expression of goodwill towards myself, and for the trust you intimate that I shall be enabled to administer the government of the colony in such a manner as may tend to the public advantage.
"I am fully aware of the responsibility of the office which Her Majesty has been pleased to confer upon me, but I have good hope that with the sincere and hearty co-operation of all classes of the community, it may be in my power to discharge the trust reposed in me; and, in conjunction with them, to secure the steady progress of the noble province which it has pleased God to attach to the British Empire in this quarter of the world, in moral and physical prosperity.
"You will never doubt my personal attachment to the city and neighbourhood in which we live, and my desire to further its growth and advancement in every manner consistent with my public duty and the claims of the community at large."
Similar compliments were offered (1) From the Officers of the Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons; (2) Provincial Officers, on behalf of the Officers and Members of the Independent Orders of Oddfellows; (3) The Solicitors of the Supreme Court of the Colony; (4) the Officers in the Public Service; and (5) The Bishop of Melbourne and Clergy of the United Church of England and Ireland. To each of which His Excellency replied.
Levee.
The first levée of the first Governor of Victoria was held at 2 p.m., and attended by 450 persons. His Excellency's suite consisted of Mr. Edward Bell, Private Secretary and Aide-de-Camp; Mr. E. P. S. Suurt, the Superintendent of Police; Captain Dana, the Commandant;
