The Chronicles of Early Melbourne/Volume 2/Chapter 54
CHAPTER LIV.
SPORTS AND PASTIMES (CONTINUED).
SYNOPSIS:— Mr. Robert Russell, Mr. F. A. Powlett, Mr. D. Gordon, and Mr. McArthur, first Cricketers. —Formation of the Melbourne Cricket Club. —The First Cricket Match. —Formation of the Melbourne Union Cricket Club. —First Printed Score. —The First Inter-colonial Match. —Aquatics: First Sailing Match. —The First Regatta. —Introduction of Billiards. —Athletics: The First Football Match. —The First Prize-fights. —Matters Piscatorial: The Waltonian Club. —The First Oysters.
Cricket.
WHATEVER doubt may surround the origin of horse-riding, there is little as to the fact of England being the cradle of cricket, though there is a singular omission of it as a game in the schedule of sports compiled by command of the first James. The term is derived from the Saxon word, Cricee or Creag, a crooked club, shaped like the original bat, and cricket is supposed to be a modification of the old English amusement of Club and Ball. It is, however, the national game of Englishmen, and as the sun is supposed never to set on the British Empire, cricket must be ever in a state of sunshine in some part or other of the globe, for the bat, ball and wicket, form an Institution wherever the "Meteor flag of England" floats on the breeze. Horse-racing nevertheless had the start of cricket in Port Phillip, though they were both inaugurated there in the same year (1838). The first race meeting commenced on the 6th March, and the first cricket match was played on the 22nd November, on the green velvety level near the foot of Batman's Hill, just off Spencer Street, on the site of the present Victorian Railway Station.
There is still surviving in Melbourne a gentleman who wielded the willow on this memorable occasion. He is Mr. Robert Russell, my antiquarian referee to whom I have already acknowledged my deep indebtedness for the valuable assistance cheerfully rendered in the most difficult branches of this work. Mr. Russell thus details the circumstances under which the Melbourne Cricket Club was formed:— "Mr. F. A. Powlett was the real originator. I remember well his proposal on Batman's Hill and a list was made at once. A copy being posted in the Pavilion of the M.C.C. The foundation-stone was thus laid by Mr. Powlett, probably the best cricketer of the time. It was Mr. D. Gordon M'Arthur (brother of D. C.) who purchased for the club the first bats, balls and stumps, the receipt for payment of which he handed to me as a memento."
Appended is a copy of the "list" referred to, which may be considered the Club's charter. The original is in Mr. Russell's possession:—
"It is proposed to form a Cricket Club with one guinea subscription.
"A. Powlett (paid), R. Russell (paid), A. M. Mundy (paid), C. F. N. Mundy (paid), Geo. B. Smyth (paid), Smith, Donald M'Arthur, P. Snodgrass, William Ryrie, Highett, Williams
Meek, Jamieson, Webster, Sams, Brock, Bacchus, Allen, Pitman, Hind, &c, &c."
The Donald M'Arthur here named, has been dead for some years; but, another well-known name-sake and brother of his, Mr. D. C. M'Arthur, the "Father" of all our bank managers, is still (1884) alive,[1] and he also did good service on the cricket ground in his day. Three days subsequent to the formation of the club the maiden match came off. No score or any detailed account of the play of such an historically interesting event is extant, but I find the following notice
of it in the Port Phillip Gazette of 1st December, 1838:— First Cricket Match.
"Pleasure and recreation are absolutely necessary to relieve our minds and bodies from too constant attention and labour. With truly gratified feelings therefore, did we witness the gentlemen of the district assemble last Saturday week, on the beautiful pleasure grounds around this fast rising town, to bring into practice one of the most elegant and manly sports that can be enjoyed. Yes, it was pleasurable to witness those whose mental and enterprising minds had turned this, but short time since, wilderness, into a busy emporium of traffic, relinquishing for a time their occupation, and uniting their efforts to establish sports such as these. During the week arrangements had been made by the Gentlemen Civilians of the district to play a match of cricket against the Military. Captain Smyth, with the enthusiasm natural to him, and desirous of forwarding everything, either really beneficial or of useful amusement, joined by many of those who had retired from the service, but whose hearts are still with it, mustered on the ground a company with which they would have attempted a more stirring contest. It was a heart-enlivening sight to witness from an adjacent hill the ground as it was laid out. Camps pitched, banners tastefully arranged, and the all-enlivening smiles of beauty that would have graced many a far-famed tournament of the olden times, formed a scene that we trust often again to witness. At twelve o'clock precisely, a signal called the players to their post, when the game commenced—the Military taking the first innings. We have not the particulars of the game before us, and can therefore, but briefly notice those who particularly distinguished themselves. After a duration of some hours it concluded by a triumph on the part of the Civilians. Mr. Powlett's and Mr. Donald Gordon M'Arthur's bowling, and Mr. Russell's batting, attracted universal applause. On the whole the game was played with an esprit de corps, a judgment, and an activity, that a first-rate club in England might not be ashamed to boast of."
To this, Mr. Russell supplies an addendum, viz.:—"As to the cricket match, I cannot say positively, but I feel sure it was played close beyond Batman's Hill, not far from the Officers' Quarters. A Captain Peppit, from Sydney, played on that occasion—a splendid point, very long in the reach. The Civilians won the match. I forget any special incidents—but I know I met Captain Peppit in the evening over a glass of grog at the Lamb Inn. No uniform or distinguishing dress was worn. The bats, stumps, &c., I have no doubt, were "O.K.," and probably were those purchased by D. G. M'Arthur for the club, the receipt for payment of which he gave me, and I still hold. I fancy Stubbs played on the side of the Military, but I may be wrong. The 'Stubbs' here referred to, was a once well-known Melbourne auctioneer, Mr. Thomas Stubbs, whose florid style of advertising and 'pushing' his wares, induced a belief that a shred of the puffing mantle of the whilom London George Robins had been blown over the seas to him."
Outside the M.C.C. there were some fair average cricketers, and prompted by the good example, they hastened to start another Association under the designation of the "Melbourne Union Cricket Club." This was mainly membered by persons in retail lines of business and tradesmen. On the 12th January, 1839, a match was played between two branches of the community known respectively as "The Gentlemen of the District," and "The Tradesmen of the Town," when the "Gents" were soundly drubbed; but, in a return match on the 19th, the tables were completely turned, mainly through the exertions of "Gentleman" Powlett, who got 120 runs. Mr. James Webster, an excellent player, met with an accident in the height of the game, which prevented his continuing in it. Mr. Thomas Halfpenny, now of Studley Park, then a stalwart, strapping publican, was a prominent figure in batting and wicket-keeping with the Traders.
The Second Cricket Match.
Benedick v. Bachelor.
The Married and Single residents of Port Phillip met in a field on the 30th March, 1839, in a well-played and highly interesting game. The Husbands won with five wickets to fall. A match in return was played between the Married and Single on 1st February, 1840, with the following result:—
| BACHELORS— | First Innings | 39 | BENEDICKS— | First Innings | 90 | |
| Second " | 180-219 | " | Second " | 52-142 |
The Bachelors winning by 77.
The play was at the old place at Batman's Hill, but as the weather was unfavourable, and it blew a gale throughout the day, the enjoyment was very much lessened by the high wet grass and the sticky soil.
The "Who shall," or conquering match, came off on the 7th March, and the following report is transcribed from an old '40 newspaper:—
"Cricket.—The third match between the Married Men and Bachelors of Melbourne ended in favour of the Single beating their opponents in one innings with 93 notches to spare. The bowling and batting of Mr. Powlett were beyond all praise; indeed, this gentleman's playing would do infinite credit to any cricket club in the world. The batting of Mr. T. F. Hamilton, too, was equally fine. "Tom" was the first to go in, and the last to come out, and was not idle during his innings. While the Single men can bring to the scratch such players as Messrs. Powlett and Hamilton, the Married folks have not the slightest chance with them. The fielding on both sides was inuch better than formerly, and here, if anything, the Benedicks had the advantage; but fielding well without good batting and bowling is of no use. The day was remarkably fine, and the players were honoured with the presence of several ladies."
The Bachelors won in a single innings, in which they made 197, against 104, the product of the double effort of the Married. As the score upon this occasion is the first ever printed in the colony, it is worthy of preservation as a rare historical stray:—
| MARRIED—FIRST INNINGS. | BACHELORS—FIRST INNINGS. | |||||
| Maine, caught by Powlett | 0 | Hamilton, caught by Macarthur | 79 | |||
| Ledbeater, bowled by Hamilton | 2 | Chisholm, bowled by Macarthur | 1 | |||
| Russell, caught by Chisholm | 4 | Powlett, bowled by Macarthur | 55 | |||
| Smith, bowled by Powlett | 0 | Barry, bowled by Macarthur | 0 | |||
| Campbell, bowled by Powlett | 1 | Draine, bowled by Cavenagh | 2 | |||
| Capt. Bacchus, bowled by Hamilton | 0 | Browne, bowled by Macarthur | 2 | |||
| Lovell, bowled by Hamilton | 1 | Vignolles, caught by Macarthur | 2 | |||
| Cavenagh, caught by Chisholm | 28 | Hogue, bowled by Cavenagh | 10 | |||
| Macarthur, bowled by Hamilton | 4 | Pittman, bowled by Cavenagh | 1 | |||
| Mundy, bowled by Hamilton | 0 | Sams, not out | 18 | |||
| Yaldwyn, not out | 8 | Cormick, bowled by Cavenagh | 6 | |||
| Byes | 21 | Byes | 21 | |||
| Total | 69 | Total | 197 | |||
| MARRIED—SECOND INNINGS. | ||||||
| Russell, bowled by Powlett | 0 | Macarthur | 0 | |||
| Lovell, bowled by Hamilton | 2 | Yaldwyn, caught by Chisholm | 5 | |||
| Cavenagh, bowled by Powlett | 4 | Smith, bowled by Hamilton | 0 | |||
| Bacchus, bowled by Powlett | 0 | Byes | 12 | |||
| Maine, run out | 1 | Total | 35 | |||
| Campbell, bowled by Powlett | 0 | |||||
| Ledbeater, bowled by Powlett | 1 | |||||
| Mundy, bowled by Powlett | 28 | |||||
Of the above the only two now in the colony are Mr. Robert Russell, a Benedick, and the Hon. T. F. Hamilton, a bachelor on the day of the match; but the Hon. "Tom" soon after abandoned his state of "single blessedness," and passed along the risky sacra via by which pilgrims are admitted to the elysium of matrimony. On the 1st November, 1841, a meeting of the Melbourne Cricket Club was held at the Exchange Hotel room, in Collins Street, when an election of a Directory took place, and the following appointments were made, viz.:—President: Mr. F. A. Powlett; Vice-President: Mr. H. F. Gurner; Hon. Sec.: Mr. George Cavenagh; Treasurer: Mr. W. V. M'Vitie; Committee of Management: Messrs. D. S. Campbell, C. Thompson, Robert Russell, George Were, Edward Sewell, Redmond Barry, T. F. Hamilton, J. W. Stevens, and Alexander Orr. Office-bearers to be members of Committee.
Powlett, Hamilton, and others of the early cricketers, brought their bats with them from Home, and Stubbs secured a supply of bats and wickets from India. The Tradesmen's or Union Club continued its practice, and in 1842 a Brighton Club was formed, and shortly after a Geelong Club sprang into existence. Frequent matches used to be played at Batman's Hill, with an occasional move to the side of the Flagstaff Hill, and Brighton.
The Melbourne and Brighton Clubs
Had in contemplation a match which was long expected, and much talked about. It was at length played on the Easter Monday of 1845 (24th March) near Batman's Hill. There was a grand turn-out of the fashionable world there; and it received a solemn and "learned" imprimatur by the presence of the Superintendent (Latrobe), the Crown Prosecutor (Croke), the Deputy-Sheriff (M'Kenzie), the Crown Solicitor (Gurner), and a large admixture of both branches of the legal profession. The wickets were pitched at noon, and the play commenced with much spirit by the Melbournians going in and scoring 70 runs. The Brightonians then took their first innings, making 62. Both sides next "spelled" (it is not difficult to guess the "spelling-bee" operated upon for half-an-hour), and resumed, when the Melbournians were unable to cope with the terrible bowling of their opponents, and only scored 55. The Brightonians won with ease, and their bowling was figured at 70. It was of such a quality as, according to a cricketing authority, "to do honour to Kent at any time," but the Melbourne fielding was the better of the two. In connection with this match the following incident proves incontestably that there are times when, even in the cricket field, an outsider may score a large innings: A Mr. John Highett was amongst the players, and being a gentleman whose purse never ran below low water-mark, on this day he had £500 worth of bank notes in one of his coat pockets. Stripping for the game, he unthinkingly left the money where it was, and placed his coat where he could conveniently find it when the fun was over. As dressing time arrived, the garment was non est, and the batsman had to return home sans coat or cash. The thief was, however, so conscientious, that next day the habiliment was found done up as a parcel, and deposited near the door of the Police Court. Though un-noted, it was labelled, and addressed to the care of the Chief Constable. No tidings of the thief or money ever turned up, but there can be little doubt that the paper money was promptly placed in the melting-pot of the publicans, and thus into speedy liquidation.
The return match was disposed of near the Brighton Beach on the 5th April. There were a few changes in the individuality of the teams. Brighton took the palm for bowling, and Melbourne for fielding, whilst it was a drawn battle over the eatables and drinkables at a dinner served at Crosbie's Hotel in the evening. There was a large influx of visitors from Melbourne, who enjoyed themselves immensely.
The score was:—Melbourne.—First innings, 55; second innings, 91. Total, 146. Brighton.—First innings, 121; second innings, 13. Total, 134.
Melbourne was the arena of the conquering match on the 26th April, where the Brightonians carried off a crushing victory in one innings, in consequence of some of the best Melbourne bowlers being on the absentee list.
The scoring was:—Melbourne.—First innings, 57; second innings, 10. Total, 67. Brighton.―First innings, 74. Total, 74. Melbourne and Geelong.
On Easter Monday (5th April), 1847, the Melbourne and Geelong Clubs met on the Melbourne Ground, where there was an attendance both numerous and fashionable, the Superintendent (Latrobe) and the Resident Judge (A'Beckett) being the most imposing of the "big wigs." The bowling of Mr. Matson, and batting of Messrs. Thomson and Sladen (three Geelon-geese) was declared "to be unequalled in the colony, especially the bowling;" whilst on the Melbourne side, the batting of Messrs. George Turnbull, William Philpott, and Lieutenant Rush was "remarkable" (whatever that may mean); and in fielding Melbourne established its superiority.
The score was:-Melbourne.—First innings, 99; second innings, 101. Total, 200. Geelong.—First innings, 45; second innings, 63. Total, 108. Won by 92.
At 7 p.m. both Clubs dined together at the Shakspeare Hotel, corner of Collins and Market Streets.
A new Club was formed in Melbourne, and great doings were promised on its behalf. It was called the Albion, and it was crowingly announced that a superior supply of bats and balls had been ordered from England, but little or nothing was afterwards heard of the movement.
A New Cricket Ground.
The temporary play-ground at Batman's Hill was found to be in some respects not the best adapted for cricketing, and the club selected a more commodious and convenient spot on the south bank of the Yarra, between the river and Emerald Hill. It was a slice of the place that "Johnny Fawkner" turned into a cultivation paddock in 1835, and grew a crop of wheat there. Something like the beginning of the Flemington Racecourse, it was "jumped" by the Club, and an unauthorized occupation winked at by the authorities. In 1848, the Superintendent gave a formal permission to use ten acres of the area as a Cricket Ground, and the cricketers were so elated with their good luck that they proposed to work wonders there in the way of fencing and planting, and innumerable other important etceteras. The club happened to be at this time in a condition of comparative prosperity, and consequently it effected a good deal of what was so promised. There were 127 members, and they went to work with a will. The ten acres were soon enclosed with a strong four-rail fence, at a cost of £30 13s. 4d., and 1116 yards of the ground turfed for £24 13s. 6d. September saw them not only out of debt, but when the outstanding subscriptions were got in, they would be £120 in credit. In the beginning of 1849, the Melbourne Club was challenged to play a match against all Van Diemen's Land, but obstacles intervened to prevent its acceptance.
Europeans v. New Hollanders.
What might be termed almost an International match was got up in 1850. It was a trial of strength between eleven natives of Europe and eleven New Hollanders-or natives of New South Wales (including of course Port Phillip, not yet separated). It was played on the 18th November at Geelong, on the ground of the Corio Cricket Club. The wickets were pitched at 11 o'clock, and the play showed that although the New Hollanders were the best bowlers, their fielding was indifferent.
The score was:—Europeans.—First innings, 25; second innings, 75. Total, 100. New Hollanders.—First innings, 59; second innings, 42. Total, 101.
And so the Antipodeans "saved their bacon" by 1. The First Inter-colonial Match.
Towards the end of 1850, the Melbourne Cricket Club challenged the cricketers of Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania) to play a match of eleven gentlemen of Port Phillip (now Victoria) against as many Van Diemonians. After due negotiation it was accepted, and came off at Launceston on the 11th February, 1851. It is needless to say that for many weeks it was the incessantly-talked-of topic, and excited an intense degree of interest at both sides of Bass' Straits. The toss for innings was won by the Tasmanians; the Victorians were put in. Mr. Powlett, the best all-round cricketer in Victoria, was prevented from playing through having sprained his ancle a few days before. In him the Victorians had an irreparable loss, and had he been there there was small doubt that the result would have been reversed. The Van Diemonians won by 2 with 3 wickets to spare. In batting the latter were indifferent, but their fielding was remarkably good, and on something like good ground the Victorians would, it was thought, have little difficulty in winning. Considering the many Inter-colonial and Inter-national cricket matches which have since taken place, as this was the precursor of so many subsequently renowned cricket tournaments, I have deemed the scoring on such a memorable occasion a relic of sufficient interest to be presented in detail.
VICTORIA. | ||||||
| First Innings. | Second Innings. | |||||
| Cooper, b M'Dowell | 4 | Hamilton, lbw, b M'Dowell | 35 | |||
| W. Philpott, c Maddox, b M'Dowell | 17 | Brodie, c Tabart, b Henty | 5 | |||
| Hamilton, b M'Dowell | 10 | Hall, lbw, b M'Dowell | 6 | |||
| Lister, run out | 10 | Lister, c Maddox, b Field | 3 | |||
| Thomson, b M'Dowell | 1 | Thomson, b Henty | 0 | |||
| R. Philpott, Henty | 12 | W. Philpott, run out | 3 | |||
| Antill, st Marshall | 0 | Cooper, b Henty | 0 | |||
| Brodie, c Henty, b M'Dowell | 17 | R. Philpott, c Westbrooke, b Henty | 1 | |||
| Marsden, b Henty | 2 | Marsden, b M'Dowell | 2 | |||
| Hall, not out | 6 | Harvey, c M'Dowell, b Henty | 1 | |||
| Harvey, b Henty | 0 | Byes | 1 | |||
| Byes | 1 | 57 | ||||
| Leg Byes | 2 | First Innings | 82 | |||
| 82 | Total | 139 | ||||
| Time, 2h. 5m. | Time, 1h. 20m. | |||||
TASMANIANS. | ||||||
| First Innings. | Second Innings. | |||||
| Du Croz, b Antill | 27 | Du Croz, b Antill | 6 | |||
| Marshall, c Lister, b Antill | 13 | Giblin, b Antill | 1 | |||
| Field, b Antill | 0 | Westbrooke, c Cooper, b Antill | 4 | |||
| Maddox, b Antill | 1 | Tabart, not out | 15 | |||
| Gibson, b Hamilton | 8 | Field, c Thomson, b Brodie | 1 | |||
| Westbrooke, b Antill | 10 | Gibson, b Antill | 1 | |||
| Arthur, b Antill | 1 | Marshall, c Antill, b Antill | 0 | |||
| Tabart, b Hamilton | 2 | Arthur, c Harvey, b Antill | 0 | |||
| Giblin, not out | 7 | M'Dowell, not out | 4 | |||
| Henty, b Antill | 0 | Maddox | 0 | |||
| M'Dowell, c Antill, b Hamilton | 11 | Henty | 0 | |||
| Byes | 10 | Byes | 3 | |||
| Leg Byes | 6 | Wide Balls | 2 | |||
| Wide Balls | 8 | 37 | ||||
| 104 | First Innings | 104 | ||||
| Grand Total | 141 | |||||
| Time, 2h. 40m. | ||||||
Majority for Tasmanians 2 with 3 wickets to spare. As a mark of the kindness and good feeling of the Tasmanians towards the Port Phillipians, not the slightest breath of applause escaped from the multitude, numbering over fifteen hundred collected on the ground during the two days over which the match extended; but a marked silence ensued, as though they thought they had committed a breach of hospitality in thus defeating their guests. This generous and manly feeling will not soon be forgotten by those who witnessed it.
In referring to the match a Melbourne newspaper thus remarks:—"No sooner had the 'Shamrock' discharged her passengers in Launceston, than the whole town was in a buzz, each and every person trying to outstrip his neighbour in every kind attention which the most genuine hospitality could suggest. Everybody invited everybody, and the difficulty was how to contrive so as to partake of all that was offered. From the time of landing to the time of embarking, the same spirit continued—dinners, balls, musical parties, picnics, and every description of entertainment was got up to give a hearty welcome to the strangers from Port Phillip. On the morning of departure from Launceston, as an indication of the good fellowship and friendly feeling displayed, the Launceston Band volunteered their services to enliven the scene, and cheer the return of the cricketers. They accordingly formed opposite the Cornwall Hotel, the head quarters of the Victorians, and played several tunes in first rate style, amongst them 'Home Sweet Home.'"
The Tasmanian cricketers also met them there, and the opposite elevens, with their friends, walked arm-in-arm to the steamer, the band playing before them. On their arrival at the wharf, "God Save the Queen" was played, and Mr. Wm. Philpott, in a few brief remarks, thanked the assembled multitude, in the name of Victoria, for their unbounded kindness, and especially for this last pleasing demonstration at parting. 'The Victorians assembled on the deck of the "Shamrock" echoed the feelings uttered by Mr. Philpott with a thrice renewed explosion of cheers, a compliment as loudly reciprocated on shore.
Whiskers v. No Whiskers
Antecedent to the Victorian gold discoveries, towards the close of 1851, a bearded man was as much a rara avis in Melbourne as a bearded woman is in 1884. Whiskers of the patterns known in slangology as the "mutton chop," or the " Newgate fringe," were hirsute luxuries tolerated by the usages of city and suburban society, and though the bare faces were largely in the majority, whiskerandoes were to be frequently encountered. The M.C.C. included amongst its members individuals who wore whiskers and those who did not; and this is how it came about that a match was made between elevens of the Whiskered and Whiskerless. It was played on the 26th April, when there was a prime day's fun on the Trans-Yarra Cricket Ground. There was a very large attendance, the day was fine, and the work commenced at ten o'clock. The result was that the "hairy side" won by seven wickets to spare, and here is the scoring total:—
| NO WHISKERS.— | First Innings | 87 | WHISKERS.— | First Innings | 144 | |
| " | Second Innings | 90 | " | Second Innings | 36 | |
| 177 | 180 |
As an amusing reminiscence I append the names of the players of this remarkable occasion:—
WHISKERS.—Messrs. J. C. Brodie, T. F. Hamilton, W. Philpott, Geo. Cavenagh, —— Were, —— Sims, E. Bell, W. H. Hull, E. P. Sturt, W. H. Campbell, T. Thorpe.
NO WHISKERS.—Messrs. —— Lister, —— Hervey, —— Hart, D. S. Campbell, H. Creswick, Robt. Russell, M. A'Beckett, —— Locke, E. A'Beckett, V. Stephen, Fitz Stephen.
The wonderful progress in cricket for the last thirty years has been well and often described in book and newspaper, and, perhaps, there is no incident in the strange eventful history of Victoria more calculated to exemplify the extraordinary development of the colony, than a comparison of the first cricket match on Batman's Hill in 1838, and the cricketing feats recently witnessed in Melbourne; and the astonishment evolved cannot fail to be amplified when it is borne in mind that Russell, one of the founders of the M.C.C., and Halfpenny, of the Union, still (1888) live and move amongst us, and though not as lively as of yore, like two old crickets chirping about the city, and beholding, with just feelings of self exultation, the results of a movenient of which they were the originators, though, in the cricketing world of to-day their names, if not unknown, are probably never mentioned.
Aquatics.
Salt or fresh-water amusements were not held in much esteem by the early Port Phillipians, possibly in consequence of the distance of the Bay from the town, and it was some years before any regularily organized movement towards establishing marine sports were inaugurated. Through the kindness of Captain David Fermaner, a veteran tar, and a resident of the locality modernly designated Newport, I am enabled to supply a brief record of the First Sailing Match in the colony. Towards the close of 1838, Mr. George Arden, a co-proprietor and editor of the Port Phillip Gazette, imported from Sydney, a cutter, baptized "The Devil Afloat." A Captain Boden, still, or recently living in Horsham district, owned a schooner-rigged boat known as the "Eliza," and he and Arden agreed upon a water race for £25 aside, the course to be across the bay, from Point Gellibrand, at Williamstown, to the Red Bluff (Point Ormond), near the place subsequently named St. Kilda, and back. It was arranged that Fermaner, who had a smart little cutter of his own, should anchor off the Bluff, and the competing boats were to round him, and then home. The most important personage on the water was Mr. John Batman, in a boat rowed by four of his historical Sydney Aboriginals. "Eliza" and the "Devil" started on their competing trip, and succeeded in safely circum-sailing Fermaner. Their progress, however, was not anything like first-class time, Fermaner reaching Williamstown before them.
Towards the close of 1840, when the few colonists were prepared to attempt anything suggested for business or pleasure, there popped up a notion to celebrate the infancy of the ensuing year by a grand marine demonstration, and accordingly rapid preparations were made to render the project a success. Subscriptions were raised, an elaborate programme (on paper) was issued, and Messrs. W. H. Yaldwyn, F. A. Powlett, and James Simpson, were nominated as stewards of
The First Regatta,
Which was appointed to come off on the 12th January, 1841, in Hobson's Bay, accordingly. The attendance was by no means a popular gathering, for it was confined to such of the well-to do townsfolk as felt disposed for a brief change of air. There was no steamer accommodation; boating down the river was not much cared about; and as for an overland excursion to Williamstown, the swampy, rocky, circuitous bush track by which it could only be made, was not attractive to either pedestrians or equestrians. Several boat-loads put off from the North Beach (Sandridge). Superintendent Latrobe was there, and an indifferent town band, playing on the poop of the "Eagle" (flagship), contributed a noisy quota of discordant music.
There were six matches in all, with a general entrance payment of 2 sovs., viz.:—
| No. 1. A £40 Purse, for all Sailing Boats or Craft Trading in the Port. | |||||
| Won by Eagle (Willis), the second boat, the Fanny (Gilligan), receiving £10. | |||||
| No. 2.—Five-Oared Whale Boats (not exceeding 27 feet). | |||||
| 1st place (£30) | Nancy (Ward). | 2nd place (£10) | Hero (Stoney). | ||
| No. 3.—Ships' Cutters (Sailing). | |||||
| 1st place (£20) | The John (Cummins). | 2nd place (£10) | Midge (Fowler). | ||
| No. 4.—Four-oared Gigs. | |||||
| 1st place (£20) | Red Rover (Storey). | 2nd place (£10) | Eagle (Willis). | ||
There were on the card prizes for jolly-boats and dingies, but they eventuated in waste paper. A lunch was given on board the "Eagle" by Captain Buckley, and there was a regatta ball the following evening, at the Caledonian Hotel in Lonsdale Street.
Two of the widest-awake of the Melbourne "pubs" (Thomas Halfpenny and William Mortimer) were amusingly "sold" in this affair. Led to believe that Sandridge Beach would be the centre of attraction, they planted booths at the southern end of the present Bay Street. Halfpenny chartered a monster canvas over-all known as the "Sadi-Mahomet Tent," used by a loud-puffing auctioneer (Charles Williams) as a portable auction mart. Mortimer simply transported an ordinary tent from town, and fixed it on a convenient site. Everything was ready on the appointed morning, except the customers, who gave Sandridge the go-by, and went away to Williamstown, the side of the Bay where the regatta really came off. Whilst the two disconsolate tapsters were bemoaning their ill luck, intelligence arrived that there was to be a sort of steeplechase or hurdle race about a mile distant, in the direction of St. Kilda. Mortimer, being the lighter equipped of the two, decamped with his grog and a large tarpaulin, and on reaching the race-ground, near the present Beaconsfield Hotel, by means of a pole and a gum tree, quickly improvised a drinking saloon, and made well by it, for the day was excessively warm—porter, 3s. a bottle; other things in proportion—and he netted £120. Halfpenny was much embarassed by his elaborate impedimenta. However, he hastily packed a lot of drinking stuff, with two chairs, into a dray, and, under the foliage of a large she-oak, he soon got rid of not only what he brought with him, but a relay of drinkables sent for during the day. "All's well that ends well"; and so the evening's reflection of the two grog vendors wore a much more cheerful aspect than their ante-meridian meditations.
On the 1st January, 1844, there was to be a grand demonstration at Sandridge, and though there had been a deal of preparatory puffing, it ended in an amphibious fiasco. The thing had, no doubt, been got up as a New Year's ruse, by some enterprising publicans, who saw a chance of making something out of it. Induced by the displayed posters, a large number of persons repaired from Melbourne to Sandridge, and the so-called regatta was commenced by Mr. F. Liardet starting, with pistol-shot, the first race, viz.:—For Amateur Pulling Boats, £4 and £2 prizes for the first and second placed. The course was from Sandridge round the ship "Glentanner," anchored some way off Williamstown, and back. Three boats went into the contest, viz., the Naiad (whale-boat), pulled by Strode, Dunn, Young, Hodgson, M'Kay, and Stanway (steersman); the Lubra: Wilson, Tallan, White, Knight, and Kilburn (steerer); and The Peri: Carl, l'assmore, M'Farlane, Kell, and Ker (steerer). The whaler had not a chance from the beginning, and was three fourths of a mile rearward at the end. There was a spirited pull between the other two, and The Peri conquered.
The second event was a sailing match between the Spray, Shamrock, and Wave, for £10, and was won by the first-named.
Sir John Franklin, the Governor of Van Diemen's Land, and Lady Franklin, being on a private visit to the Superintendent of Port Phillip, were present, accompanied by the Resident Judge (Jeffcott), and at the sight, according to an old journal, pleasure beamed on every countenance." The managers of the "fête" immediately decided on a change of front, and started a Pony Race for a saddle and bridle, valued at £7, which was taken by the animal of a Mr. M'Vitie. This was followed by a Hack Race for a new silver-handled whip, and won by the grey horse of a Mr. Ross. A town band was in attendance, which, if report is to be credited, "contributed its share to the general jubilee," though the public found little for joyfulness in the day's proceedings.
Billiards.
This game was introduced to Port Phillip in 1838. The first licensed table was owned by Mr. J. H. Umpleby, the landlord of the Angel Inn, at the north-eastern corner of Queen and Collins Streets, where the new English, Scottish, and Australian Chartered Bank is now erected (1888). The room was a one story store-like brick structure, and facing Queen Street. For years after the discontinuance of the "groggery," it was well known as the auction mart of Mr. T. H Power, anciently recognized as one of the "Twelve Apostles," and modernly as an honourable and independent member of the Legislative Council. Mr. William Smith, Melbourne's second publican, the keeper of the Lamb Inn, the biggest of the original hotels, which stood where is now Scott's Hotel, Collins Street West, was the next licensee, in 1839; and the third billiard-room was opened in 1840 by a Waterloo veteran named John Bullivant, in a small hostelry called by him the Waterloo Hotel, located at the north side of Little Collins Street, some twenty yards westward of Queen Street. One of the best early players was a Phil. Burgin, a confectioner, and singer of Irish comic songs at public entertainments; but his The second best was Melbourne's primal muffins were always more palatable than his melodies. barber, a notability in his day, and known as "Jack" Lamb. In course of time several spacious billiard rooms were erected as appendages to some of the principal hotels, and the game grew in popularity. Good players and good tables were not uncommon, and amongst the amateur workers of the cue the late Sir John O'Shanassy held a prominent position. It is on record that a very exciting game was played at the Royal Exchange Hotel, in Collins Street, on the 28th April, 1847, for £100 a-side, 500 up. It was looked upon as a champion match, for one of the players was a Mr. Dalgleesh, of high repute in Van Diemen's Land, and his competitor was Auguste Suchet, a Parisian, a well-known nobbler vendor in King Street. The interest in the issue was very brisk, and so was the betting—the odds being, in the beginning, in favour of the Hobartonian, and subsequently veering Port Phillip-ward. The contest lasted for three mortal hours and a half, when the skill and coolness of the Frenchman triumphed, and he won by 151. A newspaper of the day thus crows over the great conquest:—" "This achievement is only another wreath to entwine in the crown of victory which has declared for Port Phillip in almost every sporting engagement undertaken by her adopted sons."
The first bagatelle table (a metallic one) was started on the 1st December, 1849, by a Mr. Davis, in Elizabeth Street, one door from Bourke Street.
Golf.
Though the term is derived from the Dutch Kolf, a club or bat, golf is a Scotch game, played with an end-crooked club or bat and a small ball. On an occasion of Mr. William Westgarth visiting Europe, a few individuals subscribed two guineas each, and deputed him to purchase a number of golf clubs and balls. The consignment came to hand in May, 1849, and some golf matches were started. As the play season would commence when cricketing ceased, golf, it was thought, would succeed as a popular pastime, but it did not. It seems to have dropped into oblivion, and with it disappeared the Westgarthian importation, whither or where is more than I am able to say.
Skittles.
Practically this old English game of ten pins, with one knocked off to evade an interdiction at one time imposed by the Home Government, was introduced at an early period of our history in connection with a race of publichouses requiring aids of an occasionally questionable character to help them in their business. An old English writer thus describes the game:—"The pins are set up in an alley, and thrown (not bowled) at with a round piece of hard wood, shaped like a small flat cheese." A skittle-ground was a favourite resort of the shady element attending the old races at Flemington, and Collingwood used to be a great place for pitching at nine pins; but in those open-air dens of what often bordered on iniquity, the proverb, "Tisn't all beer and skittles," was verified, for worse practices prevailed, and beer was always in more abundance than skittles. Of course, especially in late years, what was virtually a rule had many unobjectionable exceptions, and even in 1850 skittles
was so far a recognized institution that a Society for its promotion was formed, and in October a prize-belt of the value of five guineas was offered to the best skittler. It was won by a confectioner named Pink, possibly from his skill in using a rolling-pin, and he was proclaimed the nine-pin champion of the Province. The First Ball-Court.
The hotel at the northern side of Little Bourke Street, between Elizabeth and Russell Streets, which has never changed its name from the Rising Sun, is a very old hostelry, and was founded by Mr. Michael Lynch, long since dead. In his day he was not only actively associated with the various charitable institutions, but he indulged in private benevolences of which few, save himself and the beneficiares, were cognizant. It was he who caused to be erected off the side of the street opposite the hotel the first ball-court in Melbourne. It was commenced in January, 1847, the walls of brick and flagging, with flagged floor, and a covering of net-work. It was placed in charge of a keeper, appositely named John Lyng, for a more nondescript looking old fish of a fellow could not be picked up anywhere. The place was opened on the 1st March (St. David's Day), when the first rubber of hand-ball in Victoria was played there. It was a match of two at a side-two soldiers and two civilians—the military representatives being Sergeant Simpson and Corporal M'Guinness of a detachment of the 58th Regiment, then quartered in Melbourne; and their opponents were Patrick Kennedy, a slightly eccentric bootmaker, and Daniel Wellesley O'Donovan. Lieutenant Rush, of the Regiment referred to, and Mr. John O'Shanassy were appointed scorers, and such was the interest felt as to the issue that 50 changed hands on the occasion. The rubber was three games, and the first was won by the Townsmen; the second, so well contested, that it ended in what is technically termed a "set": and the third bout, after a struggle sustained by infinite activity and skill, was carried by the Townies. Kennedy's "tossing" was immensely admired, and the on-lookers were unanimously of opinion that it would be difficult to beat it. This ball-alley was in great vogue, and the hitherto hidden prowess of some first-rate players was waked up there, amongst them being a Mr. Richard ("Dick") Foley, the best hand-ball player that ever exercised thews and sinews in Melbourne. After the gold revolution in 1852, "Dick" tramped off gold hunting, and to the regret of a large circle of friends no tidings of him ever after reached Melbourne. The ball-court too met with a tragical end, for one night in May, when it was fast rising in public estimation, a terrible storm rumbled over the town, and amongst the damage done one-half of the alley was carried away.
Athletics.
A fact not generally known by the present generation of Victorians, is that the first foot-racing in the colony was performed by the Aborigines, who also effected the first ascent of a greased pole here. In January, 1839, there arrived from Sydney what was known as the "Black" Protectorate, a Board of five gentlemen charged with the onerous duty of watching over the native race and providing, within certain limitations, for their temporal comfort and safety from European aggression. In the month of March, these delegates, wishful to ingratiate themselves with the tribes then hanging about the township, considered there was no more effectual way to produce a favourable impression on a blackfellow than through the œsophagus, and so invited some 400 or 500 dusky guests to a big feed of "tucker" on the afternoon of the 18th March. This gastronomic exhibition was held over the Yarra near the site of Government House, and the blacks cheerfully responded. Prior to the banquet, foot-racing was organized, and half-a-dozen matches were run for knives, tomahawks, and looking-glasses; but the distribution of prizes was not confined to the winners, for the donation was general. A ti-tree skinned and shaped into a smooth pole was well greased, and a cast-off bell-topper hoisted aloft. The novelty of trying to climb this, so unlike the ascent of unbarked trees, gave immense gratification to the clarkies, and one strapping young fellow in the third attempt succeeded in carrying away the coveted trophy. Boots, blue shirts, and some pairs of old trousers were successively At four o'clock the repast was exalted to the pride of place, manfully struggled for and secured. served, and to anyone acquainted with the Aboriginal appetite for viands cooked in the English style, it is unnecessary to say, that the eating ceased only with the strength to masticate or, rather, to swallow. The "ladies and gentlemen" kept on devouring until they were absolutely brimful, and even then it was with extreme reluctance they gave over. One huge fellow stowed away so much that he was only saved from bursting by a couple of his companions rolling him up and down the hill until the excessive food was subjected to a process of packing. The food provided consisted of heaps of bread and beef cut into junks, and two large boilers of strong, unmilked, yet well-sugared, tea; and though no knives nor forks were provided, the blacks easily dispensed with the latter, preferring Nature's fork, a good finger, to toys which, even in England in the middle of the seventeenth century, were sneered at as a piece of affectation.
There was a general turn-out of the townspeople to witness the day's doings, and such a sight has possibly not been since witnessed in Melbourne. The Aborigines, polite and grateful in their own way, gave a Corroboree for the gratification of the white fellows, with about 40 black performers.
Gymnastics.
In 1850 a movement was commenced for the initiation of an annual gathering, as a means of fostering a taste for the useful and salubrious exercises of the gymnasium. It was taken up with much favour, and it was announced as being "under the patronage of His Honor the Superintendent, His Honor the Resident Judge, and His Worship the Mayor." The meeting was to be held on the Melbourne Racecourse, commencing at 11 o'clock on Monday, 12th August.
Those games excited fully as much interest as the Annual Races, and nearly as many persons were assembled to witness them.
At the appointed hour a bugle sounded to prepare, and, according to the newspaper report, there must have been from five to six thousand persons on the course. The Stand was filled with ladies, and the carriages opposite gave brilliancy to the meeting; which, judging from the eager smiling faces, was one of very pleasurable excitement.
First Prize: Quoits, 21 yards. Entrance, 10s. 1st prize, £8; 2nd, £3. The competitors were Messrs. Hamilton, Sutcliffe, Cooper, Hervey, Wood, Swanston, and Rankin.
A Hundred Yards Level Race, £5. Entrance, 2s. 6d. The starters were Messrs. F. Stephen, Pinkerton, G. Meredith, J. Johnson, Davies, J. M'Lean, T. Butler, G. Barnes, J. Holmes, W. Richardson, J. Benstead, H. Manuel, C. Frazer, H. Stephen, G. Ross. Manuel passed at a winning pace, which he kept up to the winning-post, increasing his distance from the rest as he drew to the close. Pinkerton made a good second, and indeed the whole field made a capital run of it. The ground was covered in 11 seconds.
Jumping in Length, £5. Entrance, 2s. 6d. Competitors: Messrs. Toner, Lyall, Bruce, Ryan, and Clements. Ryan, who was an athletic, well-formed man of much elasticity, won, though not without great competition, by about two inches only. The jumps were very close, and the winning one was ten feet two inches.
Three Running Jumps in Length. £3. Entrance, 2s. 6d. Messrs. Patrick Ryan, George Meredith, W. Lyall, M. Keogh, Robert Fenton, and William Toner competed, and the winner was Ryan, who covered thirty two feet four inches in the three jumps.
Putting the Heavy Stone of 22 lb., £5. Entrance, 5s. Entries:—Messrs. Ritchie, M'Dougall, Toner, Grant, and Bell. A deal of interest was excited by this contest. The cast of M'Dougall, thirty feet in his first throw, tested the metal of the others, and no one could compete with him, until Bell, without divesting himself of his coat, very coolly pitched the stone two feet further. M'Dougall strained every nerve in his after throws, and although near the mark could not come up to Bell, who was declared the conqueror.
Putting the Light Stone of 14 lb., £2. Entrance 2s. 6d. Entries:—Messrs. Shumack, Bruce, Ebzer, Grant, Hogan, Crocker, Manuel, M'Kenzie, Mason, Ritchie, M'Dougall, Armstrong, M'Nabb, and Heffernan. This game was but indifferently contested; the throwing was inferior to that of the heavy stone, and the furthest throw, that of Mason, the winner, was little further than Bell's cast with the 22 lb. The winning cast was 33 ft. 4 in. Throwing the Heavy Hammer of 20 lb., £5. Entrance 2s. 6d., was contested by Messrs. Campbell, M'Dougall, Mason, and Ritchie. The issue lay between Campbell and M'Dougall, the other two being far behind. The pitches of these named were within a few lines of each other and delivered easily and scientifically. The prize was, after a hard contest awarded to M*Dougall, for a cast of 47 ft. 8 in.
Throwing the Light Hammer of 9 lbs., £3. Entrance 2s. 6d. There were nine entries, but in consequence of the first cast, made by a Mr. Armstrong, sending the hammer into the crowd who pressed into the ring, this game was postponed. The hammer, which was propelled with great force, struck a horse and gave it the staggers. Had it missed the horse, in all human probability it might have done something much worse and brought the games to a lamentable conclusion.
Hurdle Race of 400 yards, six leaps three feet six inches high. To the 1st, £8, 2nd £3. Entry 5s. This was essentially the event of the day, and the starters were Messrs. Weston, Hamilton, Henry Stevens, W. Pender, Smith, Murray, Evans, Quin, Holmes, Hayes, Pemberton, junr., Pool, O'Brien, and Thomas Clancy.
"Bellows to mend" was the order of the day at the fifth hurdle; and at the sixth the two leading runners, Hamilton and Pool, tipped the hurdle and came down, Holmes rushed in before they could regain their feet and was declared the winner. But one accident occurred on the course. Mr. Robinson, of Condell's brewery, in leaping his horse over the ropes, was thrown and received several severe contusions. No limbs, however, were broken, and he soon recovered.
Second Day.—Tuesday, 13th August.
Hop Step and Jump, £5. Entrance, 5s., for which four competed, viz, Messrs. John Ryan, William Pender, John Bell, and Joe Mason. Pender covered 33 feet, Ryan 35, Mason 36, and Bell 38 ft. 2 in., thus winning.
Standing High Jump, £5. Entrance 5s. Only two entries, viz., Messrs. John Ryan and Alexander Lyons. The standard was a bar working in grooves, one inch apart. It was placed at 3 ft. 6 in., and cleared by both, and also at 3 ft. 9 in. At 4 ft. Ryan cleared, had some two inches to spare, and won, as the other tipped it.
Running High Jump, £5. Entrance 5s. Only two entries, viz., Messrs. John Ryan and George Kerridge, when Ryan was again a winner. Both went over the bar at 4 ft. and 4 ft. 3 in.; at 4 ft. 6 in. both carried away the bar, but Ryan beat the other at 4 ft. 7 in.
Running Jump in Length, £5. Entrance 5s. Won also by Ryan beating Gilbert Meredith.
The First Football Match.
This now favourite pastime was not much practised by the Victorian ancients, possibly because they were either too bent on money making—which was only too often recklessly spent in dissipation—or that there was no native element sufficiently adolescent to take part in such a rough and ready mode of enjoyment. Occasional private matches used to come off, but no regularly advertised trial of "footing" was known until the 26th August 1850, when there was a numerous convention of "kickers" at Emerald Hill. It was intended that a football match should be run as an item of the gymnastic sports, at the racecourse a fortnight before, but it was then treated to a kick over. Messrs. Francis Stephen and Dalmahoy Campbell were, however, resolved that a football match there should be, and it was through their exertions the present one was worked. Two elevens were scratched by the gentlemen mentioned from two hundred persons, the first pick, or "scratch," being decided by a toss up. The following are the names:—
Messrs. F. Stephen (Captain), Mills, F. Warman, Colgin, Ewers, Wood, Butler, Clancy, Smith, W. Barry, Collins.
Messrs. D. Campbell (Captain), C. Campbell, Barry, Dowling, W. Warman, Brodie, Pender, Wilson, Carew, Hinton, Cain. The entrance was 10s. cach, the £11 to be pocketed by the winners. For two and a half hours the match was contested with much spirit. Great good humour prevailed, and the Stephenites, after a stiff struggle, were proclaimed the conquerors. The captains, at either side, were gentlemen of the numerous colonial tribe of Stephen, so well-known as "Frank," and the other a member of the clan-Campbell, never called anything but "Dal." "Frank" is still amongst us, as the City Solicitor, the projector of a life-boat of alleged marvellous properties, and the inventor of the once popular political slang term, "Old Hat." "Dal" has long ago gone under; but while overground was universally esteemed as a stock and station salesman, and a genuine good fellow. In his day he was a City Councillor, an expert in judging the qualities of fat cattle, and testing samples of whisky; and though last, not least, one of the best hand-ball players in Port Phillip.
The Second Gymnastic Games.
First Day.—27th August, 1851.
This year's meeting was held at St. Kilda, immediately opposite the only hotel (the Union).
The first contest was the Foot Race—100 yards—for which fifteen entries were made, and the first prize was carried off by Mr. H. Manuel (the winner at last year's games), Mr. Davis being second, Mr. T. Pinkerton, third. Time 9 sec. (Very fast.)
Jumping in Length—This feat was performed to perfection by Mr. Patrick Ryan, who took no less than 11 ft. 4 in., standing.
Three Successive Jumps in Length.—Mr. Patrick Ryan again proved himself the victor by clearing 34 ft. 6 in. in three jumps, which was pronounced to be 68 tremendous."
Putting the Heavy Stone was accomplished by Mr. Dalmahoy Campbell, who placed it 26 ft. 10 in. Mr. Campbell generously awarded the prize to go to a foot race for next day.
Throwing the Heavy Hammer.—Mr. Alexander Campbell, the Harbour Master, defeated Mr. Dalmahoy Campbell. The distance attained was 45 ft. 7% in. At the second throw Mr. D. Campbell let the hammer slip through his fingers and fell flat on his back, when he was lifted from the ground by four strapping fellows and carried off amidst the loud cheers of the spectators.
Hurdle Race.—Ten competitors entered the list for this burst, and it was declared in favour of Mr. T. Pinkerton-Patrick O'Brien second.
Wrestling Match.—This was contended for by six individuals. Osborne and Healy first entered the lists, and the struggle was declared in favour of Healy. The next was between Ward and Hocking; the latter was the victor. The third pair were Keane and Murdoch, and the trial was won by the latter, who afterwards decided the contest by throwing Hocking.
Second Day.—28th August.
Although the weather was as unpropitious as could well be, the attendance was pretty fair. The first contest was for the Hop, Step and Jump Standing, for which there were two entries. Mr. John Ryan and Mr. Charles M'Carthy, who after three endeavours could not attain more than 31 feet 6 inches. Ryan then made 31 feet 10 inches, and was declared victor.
Hop, Step and Jump Running, with four entries, for a prize of £3, viz.—C. M'Carthy, Calloo, Ryan, Clancy. It was well contested, and it was difficult to distinguish between the merits of Calloo and M'Carthy; the latter, however, in the third spring covered 39 feet 3 inches, distancing his antagonist by 7 inches.
High Standing Jump.—Only two competitors appeared in the field, Patrick Ryan and John Miller; the latter endeavoured unavailingly to clear the rail at a height of 4 feet 2 inches, but Ryan easily cleared 4 feet 4 inches, and won.
Running High Jump.—Only two competitors, Clancy and Miller, the former of whom won by clearing 4 feet 8 inches, which his antagonist was not able to perform. Long Running Jump.—For which the following entries were made:—John Ryan, Chas. M'Carthy, and M. Calloo. The latter was nowhere, and the contest lay between Ryan and M'Carthy, when M'Carthy cleared the astonishing distance of 18 feet 2 inches.
Race of 200 Yards.—For which eight entries were made, viz.:—J. Pinkerton, P. Ryan, J. Gregory, W. Weston, J. M'Laren, W. Copeland, H. Hammond, and W. Baker. The whole made a fine start, but Pinkerton soon shot ahead and increased his distance from his rivals as he neared the flag; he was followed within two yards by Ryan, who could not overhaul him.
Football Match.—This was unfortunately left to the last, and amidst heavy rain and a pelting gale of wind did the adventurous lovers of field sports persist in the amusement. Two teams were chosen. Mr. Dalmahoy Campbell chose ten for his side, and Mr. Were an equal number. Sometimes the apple, or rather ball, of contention, was flopped into the middle of a pool of water, and the whole lot got a good ducking. The event was not concluded, owing to the bad weather, and the stakes were returned.
Prize-Fighting.
Fisticuffs, not the regular pugilism, which, when scientifically learned, constitutes as justifiable an acquirement as any of the other arts of self-defence, but the besotted and brutalizing inter-punching, known as prize-fighting, was an early coloniser of Port Phillip—though mostly indulged in by stealth, and apparently beyond the purview of the police—a protective corps disposed to wink at it oftener than not. Prize-fighting was, no doubt, introduced by the early expiree convicts and ticket-of-leave holders, for it was an accomplishment much cultivated by the prison portion of the population of New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land. One feature of it, however, must be recorded in its favour, when compared with the early duelling, for there was no such sham about it as blank-loaded pistols, firing in the air, or shivering with fear when on the ground. The prize-fighters set to work in sober seriousness, with fists, and they had before them the bad example of their supposed superiors, for the first duel came off in Port Phillip on the 2nd January, 1840. There was also more "claret" tapped in a pugilistic engagement than in an "affair of honour," for it is an amusingly remarkable fact, that in all the would-be pistollings of which anything is known, in no instance was blood drawn, except the first, when one of the principals shot a fragment off the top of one of his own toes. Public prize-fighting was a luxury not often indulged in—but, now and then a "mill" would be heard of after it was over, as having taken place at the Brighton Beach, the Saltwater River, beyond Williamstown, or at Keilor, when the newspapers would raise a hubbub, and inveigh against a demoralizing custom, and an inactive police. Sometimes the fighters, bottle-holders and backers would be bound in recognizances to answer any information that might be filed against them; but nothing was ever heard of any further prosecutions. I have no intention of scheduling the various engagements of this kind, and will present only two as samples:—
On the 16th August, 1847, there was a considerable turn-out of "The Fancy" at a place known as "The Springs," some ten miles from town, on the Keilor Road, to witness a "set-to" between a Scotchman named Lovet, and Whelan, an Irishman. Five hundred persons formed the ring, within which the two combatants pummelled each other unmercifully for two mortal hours, doing no less than fifty-six rounds, or about one per every two minutes. The conflict was at last terminated by what is known in pugilistic slang, as a "nose-ender" from the Paddy, which led Sandy to momentarily believe that not only his nose, but everything attached to it, was ended as far as this world went. The sponge was immediately thrown up for him, for he was unable to throw it himself, and the principals and bottle-holders having shaken hands, the motley crew returned to town. Whelan was the favourite, and (as so stated) £250 was won on him. The police heard nothing of it until hours after all was over.
On the 10th January, 1848, a morning's brisk work was gone through within three miles of Melbourne, on a skirt of swamp over the Saltwater River, and opposite the Flemington Racecourse. The following notice of the field-day is copied from a Melbourne newspaper of the 11th:—" A regular 'scene' took place yesterday morning, there having been no less than three prize-fights on the banks of the Saltwater River, about a mile and a half from Kellet's public-house. The six combatants, accompanied by their seconds and particular friends, started for the 'battle-field' on Sunday afternoon, and quambied near the spot that night. At an early hour yesterday morning nearly all the cabs in town were in requisition, proceeding with their cargoes to the scene of action, and at a few minutes past five o'clock the first fight commenced, between two fellows known as 'Deaf Dick' and Jem Edwards; stakes, £25 to £20 against the latter. Fifteen rounds were fought in twenty-one minutes, and after a hard push Edwards was proclaimed the conqueror. 'The second battle was between a bricklayer's labourer named Mahony, and a Pentonvillian named Roberts; twenty-four rounds in thirty minutes. This is represented as being a 'good stand up fight and hard hitting, Mahony beating. The stakes were £20 aside; the betting was in Mahony's favour, and as much as five to one was offered against 'the Penton,' but not taken. The third match was between Paddy Sinclair and a person known as 'Black Steve,' for £10 aside, but after three or four 'smashers' Steve gave up. There were no less than eight hundred persons present, and after the 'sports' commenced, Lieutenant Mair, Chief-Constable Brodie, and the mounted police were on the ground, when the former having called upon the persons present to disperse, was coolly informed that his order would not be complied with. The police then advanced towards the ropes, and the Commandant was proceeding to read the Riot Act, when some unequivocal symptoms of resistance exhibiting themselves, and there being only three mounted men available, it was deemed advisable to withdraw from the ground. Chief-Constable Brodie has, however, taken the names of many who were present, and intends filing informations against them."
The hitting herein described must have been both hard and fast, but as I am no authority in this particular branch of athletics, I must leave it to some expert to pronounce upon the probability of the time being correctly given.
Piscatorial.
The angler could often enjoy a rare day's amusement before the Yarra and the Saltwater River were poisoned by the foulness of local industries; and though the disciples of Izaak Walton were not then numerous, the water-side sport was by no means disregarded.
The Upper and Lower Yarra, the Saltwater River, and the Deep Creek were the favourite fishing stations. At the Studley Park Falls, at certain periods of the year, herring would come down the river in shoals, and bream and perch abounded in the Yarra and Saltwater rivers from Melbourne to the Racecourse, whilst the Deep Creek at times was well-stocked with delicious blackfish.
The following are a few of the notable incidents of the primitive days of the rod and line in Port Phillip:—
In August, 1847, the Upper Yarra was swarmed with herring, and they were so easily caught that at Prince's Bridge—then in course of erection—they were hooked with pins.
The Good Friday of 1848 (21st April) was something extraordinary in the way of herring fishing in the Yarra, and about 150 rod-men were out. A few blackfish were nabbed, one of them weighing 7 lb. Some Sandridge fishermen during the night of the 27th February, 1849, made a great haul of fish, between Sandridge and St. Kilda. They fell in with a shoal of salmon trout, netted over two hundred dozen, and experienced much difficulty in getting them ashore.
The 17th October witnessed an unusually large attendance of anglers at the Yarra, from the New Bridge to Studley Park. There were some large takes, and amongst them a herring in weight 3 lb., "which surprised every one."
On the 12th April, 1850, Henry Williams, a stonemason, was fishing at Batesford, beyond Geelong, when he captured the largest eel ever taken there up to that time. It measured 42 inches in length and 14 in girth. The most dexterous handlers of the rod were Messrs. Isaac Hinds, Thomas Halfpenny, John Stephen, William Kerr, and Michael M'Namara. The trading fishermen soon learned to resort to some of their unfair practices in which that fraternity has since become such adepts. The most reprehensible conduct was alleged against them, and they were known at night to lay down close nets from bank to bank of the two rivers, and sweep everything in the form of a fish, even to the spawn. Remonstrance against such foul play was so unavailing as to render it necessary to organize measures of co-operative resistance to such misdoings, and accordingly
The Waltonian Club
Was formed in 1850 for the preservation of the river fishery. A meeting was held on the 24th July at the Fitzroy Arms Hotel, corner of King and Little Lonsdale Streets. It was decided to start a Protection Society under the above designation, for the purpose of preventing poaching in the Yarra and the Saltwater River; and for promoting the healthful and invigorating old British sport of angling. The entrance fee for members was to be 2s. 6d., and is. per month as subscription. The officers chosen were — President : Mr. John Stephen; Vice-President: Mr. J. T. Smith; Hon. Secretary : Mr. William Stewart; Treasurer : Mr. John Cosgrave ; Committee : Messrs. Lewis Pedrana, M. Dent, Isaac Hinds, Charles Morgan, Frank Stephen, Henry Rankin, George Williams, James Hay, and J. Manton, with power to add, etc., etc A n address was adopted for presentation to Mr. James Simpson, the Commissioner of Crown Lands for the County of Bourke, soliciting his co-operation towards the conservancy of the Yarra and Saltwater River fishing within legitimate bounds. The Commissioner assisted the Society in every way in his power, and much good was done so long as it continued in existence.
The First Oysters.
Those bi-valves were first known as an esculent in Port Phillip in 1835. They were found by the sailors and bark-strippers from Launceston, whose operations at Western Port are described elsewhere. The best place for obtaining the shell-fish was off Signal Point, at the mouth of Sandy Creek, a short distance from Cowes (Phillip Island). The locality now known as Cowes was first named " Elizabeth Cove," after the schooner employed in the transport of bark from the mainland to Launceston. In the beginning, the oysters could be picked up like paving-stones at low-water; but, when the surface crop was disposed of, dredging was resorted to. Delicious oysters were afterwards procured without difficulty at Corner Inlet (Port Albert), on grounds known as Shallow Inlet, and a small island at the east side of Port Albert, named Clonmel, after the steamer wrecked there in December, 1840, on her passage from Sydney to Melbourne. Oysters were also gathered at the bar, near what was designated "Stumpy Jack," a rock marking the entrance of the old channel from Williamstown to Melbourne. It was an occasional recreation of John Batman to indulge a spell of oysterfishingwith two or three of his Sydney natives, when one of the blackfellows would roll overboard on a diving expedition after the other " natives." Thomas Halfpenny, the old Studley Park Ranger, before quoted, once took it into his head to turn oyster-fisherman, and had a peculiar instrument made for grappling with the capturing difficulty, which succeeded better than the Batman Aboriginal contrivance. The Halfpenny gear was a clumsy concern, which he called "the tongs." It was something in the shape of two poles, each 20 feet in length, having strong long-toothed iron rakes attached, and braced near the centre with iron, in such a manner that it worked like a scissors. This could be plied by two men in a boat, the oyster ground scraped, and the shell-fish hooked or scooped up. Oysters were also disinterred from reefs in Geelong Harbour, and though large and puffy, were never of much account. The Western Port oysters were for a time the regular market stock, but the famed Sydney Rock soon eclipsed them. As years rolled by, and the town with its population and trade increased, the oyster shop made its appearance. Amongst the oystermen themselves, especially the first two who opened shop in this way, a bitter enmity prevailed, and the manner in which the competition was pushed yielded no small amusement to the public. Their names were Peter Perkins and Henry Clegg. One of them lived in Bourke Street, near the first wooden theatre, on the site of Hosie's popular Pie-shop, and the other in Little Bourke Street, rearward of the Post Office.
Though the Aborigines of Port Phillip ate various kinds of the testacea and crustacea, such as fresh and salt water mussel, periwinkle, limpet, cockle, sea-cucumber, &c., &c., much doubt has been entertained as to oysters having formed any portion of their food, though the blacks in parts of Queensland were undoubtedly oyster eaters. Notwithstanding positive assertions to the contrary, I am disposed to think that the Port Phillipians fed on oysters—shells of which were found in abundance at the place now known as Greenwich, near Williamstown, on the shores of Corio Bay, and other coast localities. Heaps of them used to be dug out of the water-banks, and small vessels were employed to dredge for them, as material for lime. The lime employed in the original buildings was procured by piling a heap of such shells on large blazing logs, when they were speedily transfused into a lime as white and fine almost as flour. Captain Fermaner has assured me that he found oyster-shells in some native camps, and they were evidently not brought there as empty ornaments, but for a more necessary purpose. Some immense deposits of large coarse cockle-shells were also discovered, and it is difficult to believe that whilst the cockle-fish was swallowed, the other and more savoury edible was thrown away.
- ↑ Mr. D. C McArthur, died on the 15th November, 1887.