Frederick Palmer; Villiers and Heytesbury: William Rutledge; Ripon and Hampden, Grenville and Polwarth: Adolphus Goldsmith; Talbot, Dalhousie, and Anglesey: John Pascoe Fawkner; Gippsland: Robert Turnbull; The Murray: Francis Murphy; The Loddon: William Campbell; The Wimmera: William Francis Splatt; Melbourne: William Westgarth, John O'Shanassy, and James Stewart Johnston; Geelong: Robert Robinson, and James Ford Strachan; Portland: Thomas Wilkinson; Belfast and Warrnambool: Thomas Hamilton Osborne; Kilmore, Kyneton and Seymour: Peter Snodgrass.
This score was supplemented by a nominee element of one-half as many members appointed by the Governor, which was further subdivided into five official and as many non-official members. The official nominees were:— W. F. Stawell, Attorney-General; William Lonsdale, Colonial Secretary; Redmond Barry, Solicitor-General; C. H. Ebden, Auditor-general, and R. W. Pohlman, Master-in-Equity. The non-official contribution being:— A. C. W. Dunlop, Charles J. Griffiths, W. C. Haines, J. H. Ross, and Andrew Russell. Professionally, or avocationally, the thirty might be thus approximately classified:— Miller, 1; Financier, 1; Merchants, 6; Landholders, 4; Squatters, 7; Barristers, 3; Attorney, 1; Newspaper Proprietors, 2; Medical, 2; and Shopkeepers, 3.
The First Meeting.
On the 17th October, the Lieutenant-Governor issued a proclamation convening the new Legislature for the 11th November, an eventful day in the Parliamentary annals of the colony. Though the weather was unpromising, a crowd collected before noon in front of the Council Chamber (Bourke Street West), the strangers' gallery was well filled,though the lady segment was sadly deficient. The small area in the " House " outside the Bar, was occupied by members of the City Council, the Sheriff a few Magistrates, and others of the then large fry. Twenty-seven members were in their places, and as the three absentees joined them before the swearing-in ceremonial was over, there was a full House.
The Clerk having read the proclamation or summons, the Colonial Secretary produced a Commission from the Lieutenant-Governor authorizing himself and the Attorney-General "jointly and separately, to administer all oaths and affirmations to each other and the members," etc., etc., which was handed to the Clerk and by him read; after which the Attorney-General subjected himself to the testamentary ordeal, and all present followed through the same. The Letters Patent appointing the non-elective members, and the Writs returning the elective members, were produced as each individual presented himself to be sworn. The Colonial Secretary congratulated the House on its first assembling, and expressed a hope that the advantage to be expected from the system of self-government at length established would be fully realized.
Election of Speaker.
Mr. Westgarth moved, "That James Frederick Palmer, Esq., do take the Chair of this House as Speaker," which was seconded by Mr. Rutledge, and there being no other member proposed, Dr. Palmer was conducted to the Chair by his mover and seconder. The Colonial Secretary and Mr. Murphy offered their congratulations.
The pleasure of the Lieutenant Governor to receive the Speaker next day at Government House having been notified, the House adjourned.
At 11.30 on the 12th the Council met, and on motion to that effect, the members proceeded to the Government Offices to present their Speaker. Having done so, and returned, the Speaker formally reported "That the Lieutenant-Governor had not is allowed their choice, and had granted the usual privileges." It was also communicated that on the morrow, at 12 o'clock, the Lieutenant-Governor would in person "declare the purposes for which he had called the Council together, and open the Session thereof."
It was agreed to:— "That a suitable Chair be prepared for His Excellency on the occasion of his opening the Session, and that proper respect be shown to His Excellency by all the members standing," after which the Council adjourned.
