the mistaken notion that when a man attains the age of three-score years he is only fit to be shelved; but a succeeding Government, scouting such an absurd fallacy, reinstated him, where he continues to discharge his onerous and responsible duties with unimpaired ability and undiminished integrity. There is no post in the Public Service of Victoria of more trustworthiness; more worrying in its manifold details; more difficult to hold because of the numerous interferences consequent upon the uncertain political system now prevalent; requiring more the faculty of organization, or technical knowledge; more trying to the human temperament, or needing more a cool head, and an inexhaustible stock of patience. Yet through all these tests the incumbent passed with a degree of success which certainly few other men could equal and none excel. For more than thirty years he was a part and parcel of a department whose rapid growth from an infant to a giant he daily witnessed; and the name of "John Ferres" can never be dissociated from the strange and eventful early history of the Victorian Government Printing Office.
Whilst engaged in collecting materials for the foregoing information, I was communicated with from more than one quarter to the effect that on Khull's exit the offer of Government Printer was made to, and declined by, Mr. Benjamin Lucas, a well-known printer still amongst us. For years he carried on business in premises in East Collins Street, next to The Argus office; and from his establishment was issued the "Separation Announcement" previously published and signed "Wm. Nicholson, Mayor." One thing is, however, certain, viz., that during the brief interregnum between the parting of Khull and the coming of Ferres, Mr. Lucas was placed in temporary charge of the Government shop. From memoranda supplied to me by him I thus extract:-"Mr. Gill (Clerk of Stores) waited upon me at my office, and requested me to see the Auditor-General (Mr. Ebden) on the following morning. I called and saw Mr. E., and, at his request, immediately took possession of the Government Printing Office (so called). I put up the 'press' (the first press), arranged the office, and then printed the Estimates... No 'press' was put up by Khall, or rollers' cast (the 'rollers' were cast in my private printing establishment, No. 72 Collins Street East); therefore no printing could have been executed without a 'press' or 'rollers' in the Government Printing Office up to the date of my entering the office."
On referring the vexata questio to Mr. Ferres for his report thereon, I was favoured with the following communication:—
4th January, 1883.
My Dear Sir,—You ask me to give you some circumstances attending my appointment as Government Printer.
As you well know, we were fellow-workers on the Herald, which paper supported the Government at the time. This brought me, as Manager, often into communication with several members of the Government, and also with Mr. Latrobe.
The first conversation I had upon the subject of the appointment was with Mr. Ebden, (the Auditor-General), who asked me if I would accept, but I declined, as I was well satisfied with my position on the Herald. I had several interviews after, and also with Messrs. Ebden and Cavenagh (the Herald proprietor) together. However, I finally accepted the office.
Mr. Ebden wished me leave the Herald at once, as some important work was urgently required, but this I could not do, so it was agreed that I should superintend both establishments for a fortnight, Mr. Ebden undertaking to obtain such help as may be required. It was, of course, necessary that I should make a formal application, so that the approval of the Lieutenant-Governor may be recorded.
Several friends called on me, urging me to accept the offer, some of whom are living, but most of them are dead.
Yours very truly,
J. Ferres,
After giving the conflicting testimony careful consideration I am disposed to accept the Ferres version as the correct one, a view strongly fortified by my personal recollection of what happened. The appointment of Mr. Ferres as Government Printer was approved by the Governor-in-Council on the 28th October, 1851 and the new officer entered upon his duties on the 10th of November following.
