The Chronicles of Early Melbourne/Volume 2/Chapter 65
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 north and north east by a straight line drawn from Cape Howe to the nearest source of the River Murray, and thence by the course of that river to the eastern boundary of the colony of South Australia," was separated from New South Wales and erected into a separate colony, "to be known and designated as the Colony of Victoria." It was to be governed by a Legislative Council, two-thirds of whose thirty members were to be elective, and the other third to be appointed by Her Majesty; but the elective number, and their appointment through the several electoral districts, the boundaries of which districts and other matters of detail were to be determined by a local Act, to be passed by the New South Wales Legislature. The qualifications of voters were: Every man twenty-one years of age, a natural born or naturalized subject of the Queen, or legally made a d denizen of New South Wales, having a freehold estate in possession in the district for which his vote was to be given, of the clear value of £100, above all charges and encumbrances, and of or to which he had been seised or entitled at law or in equity for six months prior to the date of the writ of election, or being a six months' resident occupier of a dwelling-house in the district, of the annual value of £10, or the holder at the date of the writ of a Government license to depasture lands in the district, or having a leasehold estate in possession in the district, valued £10 per annum, the lease of which had not less than three years to run, subject to the usual disabilities attending a conviction for treason, felony, or other infamous offence in any part of Her Majesty's dominions, etc.; and the non-payment of rates, taxes, and license charges, except such as had become due within the preceding three months, etc.
The qualification of members remained unaltered, viz., 21 years of age, a natural born or naturalized subject, and possessed of lands and tenements in New South Wales of the annual value of £100, or worth £2,000 unencumbered. Every candidate before capable of being elected, should, if required by any other candidate or elector, or Returning officer, make a declaration of qualification; but this requirement was not insisted on, and deferred until the taking of the seat. A false declaration involved the punishment of perjury. There are other provisions relative to the creation of an Executive, a Supreme Court, grants for Civil and Judicial services, Appropriations, Customs, etc., which it would only embarrass my narrative to particularize. It was also enacted that upon the issuing of the first writs for the first election of members of the colony of Victoria, such colony shall be deemed to be established, and the legislative authority of the Governor and Council of New South Wales, and the powers of such Governor over the new colony and its revenues should cease. The local Act fixed the 1st July as the period for doing so, and thus all further impediments were at length and for ever removed.
The Superintendent returned from Sydney on the 10th May by the steamer "Shamrock." About a thousand persons had assembled to give him an enthusiastic greeting, but as he had not yet obtained his Commission, he desired there should be no open demonstration, and the welcome home therefore consisted simply of a respectful silence. Despatches from the office of the Secretary of State were shortly after received, forwarding His Excellency's Commission of Lieutenant-Governor, and authorizing him to appoint his Executive Councillors and other officials necessary to administer the infant Government.
The Inauguration Ceremonies.
Though the Writs of Election which were to constitute the nativity of the new colony were issued on the 1st July, the official initiation did not take place until the 15th, which may therefore be deemed the veritable beginning of the system by which Port Phillip became a thing of the past. It was arranged that the installation of the Governor should be a public ceremony in the area fronting the Government Offices in William Street, since removed to make way for the New Law Courts. Eleven o'clock was the hour appointed, and the day was observed as a holiday. From an early hour of the morning the principal marts of business in the chief streets were closed. The people promenaded in groups, and there seemed to reign everywhere a feeling of deep satisfaction that the good time, so long coming, had at length come, mingled with a fervent hope that a fair share of the material and moral blessings so long anticipated, and so often foretold, would be realized. The military and police stationed in the city arrived about 10.30, and filed into the square, and some pieces of artillery were placed in position; whilst Hore's Saxhorn Band was in attendance. There were some two thousand persons of all ranks and conditions present, and the upper windows of the building were decorated with bevies of ladies in full dress. As the clock struck the specified hour the new Governor, C. J. Latrobe, Esq., appeared in the porch of the building, attended by the Resident Judge (Mr. W. A'Beckett), the newly-appointed Attorney General (Mr. W. F. Stawell), and all the principal officials; the Episcopalian Bishop (Dr. Perry), the Archdeacon of Geelong, and others of the Clergy, with various members of several deputations previously appointed to wait upon His Excellency with addresses of congratulation.
Mr. E. Bell, Private Secretary and Aide-de-camp, proceeded to read the Queen's Commission nominating Sir Charles Fitzroy, as Captain General and Governor-in-Chief of the Australasian Colonies; and next the Commission appointing Charles Joseph Latrobe, Esquire, Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria.
The oaths of office were next read to His Excellency by the Attorney-General, and duly subscribed in the presence of the Resident Judge.
The newly-appointed Colonial Secretary (Captain Lonsdale) read a Proclamation nominating the Executive Council. As he commenced a discharge of artillery commenced also, and continued at intervals until thirteen guns were fired. The National Anthem by the band followed, the multitude remaining uncovered.
The Lieutenant-Governor then retired within the building to receive the several
Addresses of Congratulation.
The Mayor (Dr. Greeves), accompanied by Mr. William Kerr (Town Clerk), and several members of the City Council, presented the following:—
"To His Excellency C. J. Latrobe.
"May it Please Your Excellency,— "We, the Mayor, Aldermen, and Councillors of the City of Melbourne hail with welcome the arrival of the period when, in obedience to the commands of our beloved Sovereign, Your Excellency enters upon the Administration of the Government of the Colony of Victoria, and the final indication is given us of the consummation of our most anxious hopes the Colonial Independence of Port Phillip.
"We beg to assure Your Excellency of our devoted loyalty to our Sovereign, of our attachment to the Institutions of the United Empire, and of our high gratification that Her Majesty has been pleased to confer Her Royal name upon this young and flourishing colony. We hope that Ier Majesty will never suffer that name to be sullied, nor our adopted land to be polluted by associations with the outcast criminal population of the Mother-country, we confidently trust that Your Excellency will persevere in your endeavour to preserve this bright gem of the British Crown stainless and pure.
"We assure Your Excellency of our continued desire to promote, as far as lies in our power, all measures tending to the prosperity of this city and the public good.
"The distinguished mark of the Royal confidence which Her Majesty has been pleased to confer upon Your Excellency, in appointing you Her Representative, with the power and authority which are indispensable to good government, combined with Your Excellency's personal experience of the wants and wishes of the colonists of Victoria, lead us to hope that the future progress of this colony under Your Excellency's administration of the Government will be commensurate with the unexampled career of the past."
His Excellency delivered the following reply:—
"Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen,—
"The expression of loyalty to our Gracious Sovereign, and attachment to the British Constitution, which you are pleased to present to me on this occasion is the source of sincere gratification to me, and will, I am sure, be appreciated by Her Majesty.
"It is gratifying, I am sure, both to you and myself to reflect that the name by which this province will henceforth be designated is one which will ever remind us and our posterity of the love and duty which we owe to her and her children after her. I fully participate in your anxiety to watch over the moral character as well as the 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; Mr. Lydiard, Lieutenant of the Mounted Police, and Lieutenant Maxwell, of the 11th Regiment, in command of a guard of honour from the same corps.
After the levée, Captain Conran, the military Commandant, presented two medals to veterans whose services by "flood and field" warranted such distinction. His Excellency called for three cheers for the Queen, which were rapturously accorded, and followed by three more for himself.
Throughout the day there was a large concourse of people congregated in front of the Government Offices, and a general dispersion was not effected until a late hour. The finale was one of the most numerously-attended and successful balls that ever came off in the colony, particulars of which are included in the notice of the Benevolent Asylum given elsewhere[1], in which building (then finished but not occupied) it was held. On the evening of the 16th the members of the Melbourne Club entertained the Lieutenant-Governor at dinner, and on the 17th the heads of Departments dined with His Excellency.
Government Appointments.
A Government Gazette was issued on the same day as the official inauguration, containing the first Proclamation, in which Mr. Latrobe announced his appointment of Lieutenant-Governor under Royal Sign Manual and Signet, bearing date at Westminister, the 31st December, 1850, and declaring that he had taken the prescribed oath, and assumed office. He further intimated that Her Majesty had been pleased to appoint as members of the Executive Council of the Colony of Victoria, the Crown Prosecutor, or the Principal Law Officer of the Crown for the time being, the Colonial Secretary, the Sub-Treasurer, or Treasurer for the time being, and the Collector of Customs, or the Principal Officer of Customs for the time being.
Further official announcements were made, the principal being the appointment of Captain William Lonsdale as Colonial-Secretary and a member of the Executive Council.
Mr. J. H. N. Cassels, Collector of Customs.
Mr. Alastair MacKenzie, Colonial-Treasurer.
Mr. Charles Hotson Ebden, Auditor-General.
Mr. Robert Hoddle, Surveyor-General.
Mr. Alexander M'Crae, Postmaster-General.
Mr. Edward Bell, Private Secretary and acting Aide-de-Camp to the Lieutenant-Governor.
Mr. Edward Grimes, Clerk of the Executive Council.
Mr. Henry Ginn, Colonial Architect.
Mr. John Sullivan, Colonial Surgeon.
Mr. William Foster Stawell, Attorney-General.
Mr. Redmond Barry, Solicitor-General.
Mr. R. W. Pohlman, Master in Equity of the Supreme Court of New South Wales for the district of Port Phillip, and Chief Commissioner of Insolvent Estates for the Colony of Victoria.
Mr. James Simpson, Sheriff.
Mr. James D. Pinnock, Registrar of the Supreme Court of New South Wales for the district of Port Phillip.
Mr. Edward E. Williams, Commissioner of the Court of Requests for the City of Melbourne and County of Bourke.
Mr. Henry Field Gurner, Crown Solicitor.
The Executive Council consisted of Messrs Stawell (senior member), Lonsdale, M'Kenzie, and Cassels. Mr. James Croke, for several years Crown Prosecutor and Law Adviser, was relieved from duty, because, as was rumoured, the Lieutenant-Governor did not believe in him for an Attorney-General an appointment expected, and failing which he declined the second place of Solicitor-General.
One of His Excellency's first acts was to confer a long-coverted dignity on the Melbourne Corporation, which he did in the following terms:— "With reference to the notice published in the New South Wales Government Gazette, dated 22nd November, 1842, wherein the style and title of the Mayor and Council of the Town of Melbourne is notified as 'The Worshipful the Mayor,' or 'The Worshipful the Mayor and Council of the Town of Melbourne,' His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor is now pleased to intimate that until the pleasure of Her Majesty be known, the Mayor and Council of the City of Melbourne will in all official acts emanating from this Government, be addressed or designated as 'The Right Worshipful the Mayor' or 'The Right Worshipful the Mayor and Council of the City of Melbourne.'"
The First Public Departments.
The young colony had started business on its own account. The permanent heads of Departments were appointed, and the Departments themselves, as so many administrative workshops, had to be organized. As a curious contrast between past and present, a notice of the principal infantile establishments will not be uninteresting, and though in some slight degree an anachronism, it will be convenient at this stage to refer to them and their endowments as proposed on the Estimates for 1852.
| THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR. | |||||||
| His Excellency (special appropriation) | £2,000 0 0 | Contingencies, including £60 house rent allowance to Private Secretary, and £84 for purchase of four horses | 652 4 0 | ||||
| Private Secretary | £300 0 0 | ||||||
| Aide-de-Camp, 9s. 6d. per diem | 173 17 0 | ||||||
| Mounted Orderlies, viz., one Sergeant at 4s. 6d., and three Troopers at 3s. 6d. each per diem | 274 10 0 | Total | ... | £1,400 11 0 | |||
| COLONIAL (CHIEF) SECRETARY. | |||||||
| Colonial Secretary | £900 0 0 | Occasional Clerical Assistance | 100 0 0 | ||||
| Chief Clerk (first-class) | 265 0 0 | Messenger | 50 0 0 | ||||
| Three Clerks of third-class, at £140, £120, and £110 per annum | 370 0 0 | Housekeeper | 20 0 0 | ||||
| Incidentals | 295 0 0 | ||||||
| Total | ... | £2,000 0 0 | |||||
| COLONIAL TREASURY. | |||||||
| Treasurer | £500 0 0 | Messenger at (2s. 6. per diem) | 45 15 0 | ||||
| Chief Clerk (second-class) | 200 0 0 | Occasional Clerical Assistance | 50 0 0 | ||||
| Clerk of second-class | 173 17 0 | Incidentals | 114 5 0 | ||||
| Total | ... | £1,500 0 0 | |||||
| AUDIT OFFICE. | |||||||
| Auditor-General | £600 0 0 | Incidentals | 80 0 0 | ||||
| Chief Clerk (first-class) | 250 0 0 | Housekeeper | 20 0 0 | ||||
| Clerk (second-class) | 150 0 0 | ||||||
| Total | ... | £1,100 0 0 | |||||
| ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. | |||||||
| The Resident Judge (special appropriation) | £1,500 0 0 | Clerk to Attorney-General | 100 00 0 | ||||
| Attorney-General | 750 0 0 | Two Clerks to the Crown-Solicitor, i.e., one at £150, and one at £100 | 250 0 0 | ||||
| Solicitor-General | 500 0 0 | Crier and Court-keeper | 80 0 0 | ||||
| Crown-Solicitor | 400 0 0 | Two Messengers 2s. 6d. per day each | 91 10 0 | ||||
| Crown-Prosecutor | 400 0 0 | Sheriff | 450 0 0 | ||||
| Master in Equity and Commissioner of Insolvent Estates | 500 0 0 | Clerk | 180 0 0 | ||||
| Registrar of Supreme Court and Curator Intestate Estates | 450 0 0 | Commissioner of Court of Requests | 300 0 0 | ||||
| Chief Clerk and Prothonotary | 300 0 0 | Registrar | 200 0 0 | ||||
| Four Clerks—one at £175, two at £110, and one at £100 | 495 0 0 | Contingencies | 2,170 00 0 | ||||
| Clerk to the Judge | 200 0 0 | Total | ... | £9,316 10 0 |
| CUSTOMS. | |||||||
| Collector | £600 0 0 | Landing Surveyor | £400 0 0 | ||||
| First Clerk | £260 0 0 | ||||||
| Four Clerks, viz., one at £210, one £160, one 130, and one at £110 | 610 0 0 | Total | ... | £1,870 0 0 | |||
| PUBLIC WORKS. | |||||||
| The Colonial Architect | £450 0 0 | Messenger at 2s. 6d. per day | 45 15 0 | ||||
| Clerk of Works | 180 0 0 | ||||||
| Draftsman at 8s. per day | 146 0 0 | ||||||
| Clerk of 3rd Class | 120 0 0 | Total | ... | £941 15 0 |
There was set apart for public buildings, including £800 as rent of temporary offices, a sum of £29,850.
A bridge branch was likewise provided for with the following staff:—
| Superintendent | £300 0 0 | Clerk 3rd Class | £130 0 0 | ||||
| Assistant Superintendent | 160 0 0 | ||||||
| Total | ... | £590 0 0 |
And it was proposed to expend £14,000 upon, "roads, bridges, and other public works."
There were six branch Customs establishments from Port Albert to Portland, and the total contingencies were put down at only £380. In addition to the Port expenditure there was that of the Harbour Masters, Pilot stations, lighthouse keepers, telegraph stations, etc., etc.
The first Audit Office was in a house rented for the purpose a few yards below William Street, at north side of Lonsdale Street. Mr. Ebden, the first Auditor-General, burst suddenly into light as a Master of Finance, but I believe I am correct in stating that the gentleman who practically put the new machine in motion was Mr. E. C. Symonds (until lately--1888-one of the Commissioners of Audit), who was detached from Sydney for that purpose.
The Government Printing Office.
Amongst the earliest appointments made was that of Government Printer, the first holder of the office being Mr. Edward Khull, who held the position only about three months, when he was succeeded by Mr. John Ferres, for some time overseer of the Herald. During Khull's régime little was done towards the formation of an office, except ordering some types and presses from England, and collecting a few miscellaneous articles in town. Khull picked up an old press, for all printing purposes worth about its weight in iron; and the first press secured by Ferres was a foolscap Albion, which lived and worked all through the vicissitudes of wear and tear, until it came to a tragic end by incremation in the fire at the Printing Office on Queen's Birthday (24th May, 1882.) Mr. Ferres lost no time in putting his little house in order, and a very small beginning it was. He opened shop in the month of November, 1851, on the ground floor of a small two-storey building in Lonsdale Street West. The number of hands at the commencement was half-a-dozen, with two presses. The Government Gazette commenced its issue from this place in January, 1852, and in February, 1853, a movement was made to a tenement still standing, though in a very so-so condition, in Lonsdale Street, next to the Law Courts site. In old times it was well known as the residence of Dr. Cussen, the first Colonial Surgeon. Ferres found much more elbow-room here, though the place soon became inadequate; but an unexpected stroke of good luck soon turned up. After the festivities occasioned by the Governor's Ball on the 24th May, 1853, Mr. Ferres conceived the happy notion that the best use to which the empty ball-room could be put would be to convert it into a printing office. Accordingly the subject so unceremoniously started was subsequently well considered, and orders were given to fit up the place for a printing office, wherein work was begun on the 14th July, 1853. The same Mr. John Ferres, who may be designated its accoucheur and wet nurse, and who subsequently dry nursed it with not only a nurse's but a mother's care, is still its faithful guardian (1886.) He was once separated from the object of his parental solicitude through 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.