Category Archives: Port Phillip history

“Melbourne” the Port Phillip Gazette announced grandly at one stage “boils over like a bush cauldron with the scum of fierce disputes.”  Of course, the Port Phillip Herald was often completely complicit in adding to the fire of disputes, but during this week in May, and the following weeks in June, we see the small colonial outpost of Port Phillip at full boil.

As I described in an earlier post, the King’s or Queen’s Birth-Day was (and still is) celebrated across the empire on different days at different times. In 1841 Victoria was on the throne, and her birthday was 24 May. The length of her reign really embedded that date on the colonial calendar.

According to the Port Phillip Gazette (PPG 8/5/41 p.3) the idea of holding a Birth-Day ball for the first time in Melbourne was mooted at the Caledonian Hotel, where a number of squatters decided that there should be a Race Ball to close the race carnival.  The stewards, however, decided that it should be held on the Queen’s Birth-Day instead, and that it should be a Private Ball rather than a Public Ball. Expenditure of 500 pounds was approved and 180 tickets put aside.

However, as the Port Phillip Patriot reported, when Mr G. G. Sullivan R. N. approached Redmond Barry and asked to be put onto the list of subscribers, he was referred to one of the stewards, William Meek.  Meek, who did not want such people to lower the tone of the gathering,  told him that the list was already full, which Sullivan disputed as he named several people who were going whose names were not yet on the list. Meek agreed to put Mr Sullivan’s complaint before the Stewards, who noted his letter but said that there was no need to comment further on it.

In the resulting furore it was decided that ball planned for the 24th May at Yarra Yarra House  would be opened up to a more ‘general’ admission with new Stewards appointed (Messrs Abrahams, Langhorne, Kerr, Connolly, Sullivan and Urquhart). The original Stewards ( Messrs Simpson, Powlett, Meek, James McArthur, Lyon Campbell, Verner, Major St John) would conduct a Private Ball instead (sneeringly characterized by the Port Phillip Patriot as the ‘Dignity’ Ball) at Mr Davis’ Exchange Rooms at a later date.

Underpinning the clash of these two Balls lay the question of colonial respectability.  Quaint as it might seem to us today, it was a question of fundamental importance to a large social stratum within Port Phillip Society, as historians Kirsten McKenzie and Penny Russell have so clearly shown. As ‘Perpateicus’ wrote to the Port Phillip Patriot on May 17

It is impossible, indeed, that society should long exist without distinctions; a line must be drawn somewhere; where choice is afforded, men will be guided by some rule in their selection.  In the colonies more especially, circumspection is needful, from the obscurity which surrounds private individuals, not to mention that many came abroad expressly for the purpose of taking up new characters, alien alike to their birth and their former habits.  In this point of view, colonial life is a grand masquerade, in which some assume stations to which they have no pretensions, while others sink those to which they justly entitled.  In such a medley, who is to judge? The members of the Club very naturally conclude that all beyond their pale are unworthy of regard.  The country settler repudiates the friendship of the Melbourne merchant. The nouveau riche derides the pretensions of his less fortunate neighbour. Latterly we have seen even the Bench itself reviving obsolete statutes for the purpose of distinctions which might better have been left to the judgment of society….[For]any man to submit his pretensions to a clique of individual who, besides being self-constituted and blessed by Club notions, have committed themselves to the egregious sentiment that gold is the correlative of gentility, would be an act of sheer folly, and a downright dereliction of self-respect. Though favourable to the distinction of society, it is important that such distinctions should be founded on some merit real or presumable. (PPP 17/5/41)

Others, like George Arden in the Port Phillip Gazette (who was highly critical of the ‘Dignity’ Ball) embraced the opportunities to do things differently in a new land:

In a new world as we may term Australia, one of the first and most important steps to greatness, is to shake off the prejudices that have so long fettered society in the father land, and in assigning any member his relative position with the mass, to be guided by character, either past or present. Birth and rank if inherited are enhanced by merit, without it these possessions are desecrated.( PPG 8/5/41)

Of course, a ball was a good opportunity to frock up with new clothes and Michael Cashmore the grocer was quick to capitalize on it as this advertisement from the Port Phillip Herald of 14 May shows:

And so how did it go? According to the Port Phillip Gazette

Her Majesty’s Birth Day was celebrated on Monday by a Public Ball held at Yarra House, which had been given up to the Stewards by the proprietor for the occasion.  The rooms, which are admirably adapted for a large party of this description, were arranged with every consideration to the comforts and convenience of the assembly.  The two drawing rooms were set apart for dancing, and the band being placed in the hall, enabled the votaries of Terpsichore to form separate sets in each room, whilst the suite of apartments in the left wing of the building was retained for cards.  The large room in the rear was appropriated to refreshments, which were supplied in the profusion throughout the whole evening. The unfavourable state of the weather precluded a great number from attending, especially those in the country; a dark night and the almost impassable state of the roads and streets, being sufficient to deter any but the most loyal from making the sacrifice necessary to evidence those feelings of respect to Her Majesty. Those, however, who set those considerations at nought, seemed to meet a recompense in the general hilarity of the assembly nor suffered their spirits to droop until the approach of morning warned them of the period for departure. (PPG 26/5/41)

The pastoralist-oriented  Port Phillip Herald, which was derisive of the spurious and jumped-up ‘respectability’ of the Stewards of the Public Ball, did not describe the Ball in its columns (probably because they didn’t attend). Instead, it reported on the appearance of some worse-for-wear attendees in the Police Court.  The writing style with short phrases joined together with a dash was often used by all three papers in writing comedy. Unfortunately, it’s one of those narrative styles that doesn’t travel across time well: perhaps you just had to be there.

POLICE  INTELLIGENCE John Berry, a confoundedly rakish-looking youth, whiskers awry; hair matted with damp and brickdust; neckerchief disorganized and out of set; waistcoat denuded of primitive virginity and spotted with negus; Newmarket green coat, rent to the collar; pantaloons, “a world too wide for his shrunk shanks”; speckled socks cased in patent leather; an astounding display of Mosaic jewellery; and a crushed hat and opera cane, was ushered to the bar, charged with retiring to rest that morning in one of the lakes opposite Yarra House.

Bench- Were you drunk?

Berry- To be sure I was; but permit me to elucidate. But first let me invoke (here he turned up his eyes to the ceiling and ejaculated in a falsetto voice) “Muse of the many twinkling fee Terpsichore”. Now for the elucidation. Last evening, in honor of Victoria I did forty-two shillings’ worth of Yarra House, and found it a bad bargain.  Remarkably grand display- lights glittered- eyes flashed- [?] twinkled- soft music- strong negus- foolish- stewards- Health to the Queen- three cheers- one for piccaninny-Caterer “John” slaughtered ham and beef – no poultry- plenty cigars- plenty “FANCY FAIR”- Mohawks from bush – hobnailed boots – [?infutine?] elegance- young elephant – Tartan – highly approved – blacklegs chucked – dice rattled – cards shuffled – Goat in boots – talked Bob Short – devil of uproar – lady insulted – insulter floored- black eyes- bloody noses – tumble down stairs – evaporated – talk of duel – no apology – all smoke – negus operating – dancing unsteady – dozens in corners – napping – kissing &c – all up – room, lights, fiddlers, twist round – bid adieu- there I am – damn that Charley, too bed – score worse – tipped Traps, did it snug- “that’s ALL”.

Having finished his harangue, he was ordered to pay 5s. which having complied with, this sample of the Birthday Ball mob flourished his cane and departed, vowing it to be the dearest two guineas’ worth he had ever purchased.

AND THE WEATHER?

Winter had really set in with gales and strong winds on 28th, 29th and 30th.  It rained on the 23rd (hence the wet roads on the night of the ball) and there were dense fogs on 24th, 25th and 26th.  The highest temperature for the period 22nd-31 May was 64 degrees (17C) and the lowest was 37 (2.7)

THEY’RE OFF TO GIPPSLAND

You’ll remember that while he was collecting the survivors from the wreck of the Clonmel the observant Captain Lewis noticed navigable access to what he hoped would be an inland sea. [link] This ongoing fantasy- the inland sea- reminds us that although there were established routes etched onto the Port Phillip District, there were still vast expanses ‘unexplored’- at least by white settlers.  They weren’t wasting any time: by the 3rd February the barque Singapore was heading back to investigate further, bearingDr Steward, Messrs Kinghorne, Orr, Rankin, Brodribb, McLeod, Kirsopp and McFarlane

A number of enterprising colonists are about to proceed by the barque Singapore ,to country discovered by Count Streslecki on his land route from Sydney and designated by him Gippsland. Captain Lewis has discovered an excellent approach by sea, and the Singapore will proceed to either this entrance or Corner Inlet.

Port Phillip Herald, 5 February 1841.

AN AMATEUR CONCERT

Meanwhile, those left at home could amuse themselves at the Caledonian Hotel, as part of the audience for the Amateur Concert. The Caledonian Hotel was located on the southwest corner of Swanston and Lonsdale Streets. Originally built by Rev. Clow it was quite large with 13 rooms, dormer windows, French doors, outhouses. The licence holder was Mr Robert Omond. See http://www.bayanne.info/Shetland/getperson.php?personID=I137530&tree=ID1   It was later a Temperance Hotel owned by the improbably named Mr Tankard in 1845.

But on 3rd February, the place was rocking:

On Wednesday evening the Amateur Concert came off at the Caledonian Hotel with great éclat. There were above 150 ladies and gentlemen present, composed of the wealth and fashion of Melbourne and its vicinity, amongst whom we noticed His Honor and lady, whose entrance was greeted by the orchestra striking up the national anthem. The room was well lighted, and the platform so elevated as to afford the audience, even at the furthest extremity, a full view of the performers. Madame and Monsieur Guatrot lent the aid of their brilliant talents to add additional effect to the pleasures excited by the Amateur band. The ladies and gentlemen were in ‘full dress’ and the tout ensemble presented an animated scene both “rich and rare”…although the performance was rather protracted, every soul seemed to enjoy the whole to the last with those enlivening and hallowed emotions which it is the special province of music to inspire… At eleven o clock the party rose simultaneously with buoyant and loyal hearts to respect by the echo of their feelings to Britain’s national air “God save the Queen!” This of course closed the evening’s enjoyments and the gay assemblage dispersed with reluctant hearts, but with fond hopes that the generous and gallant band of Amateurs would soon again repeat the attractions which had drawn them together, and which had so charmed their souls and so effectually secured their gratitude.

Port Phillip Herald 5 February 1841.

You’ll note the presence here of Superintendent La Trobe and Mrs La Trobe, ensuring that the concert was a respectable one.  The practice to sing the national anthem at the end of the performance might seem strange to those of us who can remember standing up for the national anthem at the cinema before the pictures started. However, this practice started in Drury Lane in 1745.The anthem was also played when royalty entered the theatre, but I don’t think that the designation ‘royalty’ quite stretched to Superintendent La Trobe at this stage.

WANTED- A PRINTER

When a low-level government position needed filling, it was not uncommon for the governor to look to the convict population. Although the ability to dispense patronage in the form of a job was an important aspect of power, it saved money if a convict could be found who had the skills, especially in the trades. And so:

Assignees of convicts in this District are required to furnish me with as little delay as possible the Names of any Men in their employ, who are either Compositors, Printers, Pressmen or Bookbinders, the Government requiring their services. Men will be assigned in lieu of those returned to the Government. James Simpson Police Magistrate 4^th Feb.

Port Phillip Herald 5 February 1841

The substitution of one convict for another reminds us that even though Port Phillip was not, ostensibly, a penal colony, the assignment of ‘servants’ was still a bureaucratized system.

THE STREETS

The boggy state of Elizabeth Street was often remarked upon by the newspapers.  As I’ve written about before, Williams Creek runs under Elizabeth Street, and in times of downpour it became very muddy. But the Port Phillip Herald was pleased to see that a gang (most probably of convict workers) were on the job:

We were glad to perceive on Wednesday that the Police Magistrate had placed a gang of twelve men to convert Williams River into a street to be called Elizabeth-street.

Port Phillip Herald 5 February 1841

The good people of Melbourne needed to be chided to keep their dogs – and other animals- off the streets:

Caution to Owners of Dogs &c. The Magistrates have given instructions to the Police to destroy all dogs found about the town without collars. This is as it should be, and if a similar order was extended towards unclaimed pigs it would be of infinite service to the public as the devastation committed by the animals is great, and the soon their destructive pursuits are got rid of the better

Port Phillip Herald 2 February 1841

HOW’S THE WEATHER?

According to the Government Gazette, it was “fine open weather, with fresh and strong winds, frequently clouded by Cumuli”. The maximum temperature for the period was 92 degrees (33 celsius) and the lowest minimum was 56 degrees (13).  There was no rain.

ANNIVERSARY DAY

Of course, to us today this week is dominated by Australia Day on January 26th.  As I’ve written about before, Australia Day as a national day is of relatively recent origin (1946, and on the day itself 1994) and until then was known as Anniversary Day. In Port Phillip in January 1841, where the Separation Movement was stirring and beginning to agitate for Port Phillip as a separate colony from New South Wales,there was some resentment at celebrating “their” Anniversary:

We have received too much injustice already from head quarters to make it at all palpable to the Port Phillipians to celebrate the foundation of their colony, with which we want nothing to do.

The Port Phillip Gazette and Port Phillip Herald offered two other dates for celebration that would be more acceptable for the colonists of Port Phillip:

We would, however, suggest that instead of taking the foundation of Port Phillip from the 29^th August 1835 as the Patriot recommends, that we should say the 1^st June 1836, the day on which the first sale of Port Phillip lands were held, and which gave the Port Phillipians the first legal title to property in our fine country.

Interestingly, the good burghers of our present-day Melbourne have lighted on 30 August as ‘Melbourne Day’, commemorating the day that those on board the Enterprize disembarked onto land.

Whichever way you look at it, it’s dispossession.

WAGES

During late 1840 and early 1841 landowners were pressuring the government to increase its intake of emigrants as a way of alleviating the shortage of farm and domestic labourers, thereby reducing what appeared to employers to be exorbitant wages.   A bounty scheme was established whereby the NSW government would pay for the emigrants’ passage, either through a government scheme, or by a privatized scheme. Under the private scheme, agents in Britain would select eligible applicants and provide their passage and on their arrival, the £19 fare would be refunded by the government.  The bounty scheme was being funded largely through the sale of land in the Port Phillip District.

The table below was drawn up by the Port Phillip Herald on 8th January to support the argument that bounty migrants (i.e. those that the NSW government paid to come here) should be directed to Port Phillip, rather than sent up to Sydney.  Wages were higher in Melbourne, they argued, because of the labour shortage.

As the Herald itself admits, the methodology is questionable: the Sydney wage rates were affirmed on oath before Magistrates, Commissioners of Requests, Chairmen of Quarter Sessions and Judges or from the lips of workmen. In Melbourne, the rates were not attested on oath but had been “obtained from some of the most respectable masters in Port Phillip” and may have even understated the wages given.  (‘per diem= per day’, There were 12 pence [d] to the shilling; and twenty shillings to the pound)

PRICES

So, if this is what people earned, then what did things cost?  The Port Phillip Herald of 29 January 1841 listed the following prices for local goods:

Imported goods (as you might expect) were more expensive again

TO MARKET, TO MARKET

Speaking of buying and selling, there was a meeting at the Police Court on Friday 29 January 1841 to discuss a new location for the market. There had been a site set aside for a market in- you guessed it- Market Street, but the market wasn’t yet formally established at this time, and people weren’t happy with the proposed location. They didn’t actually get round to deciding where the market should be at this meeting, just that another spot other than the present market reserve should be found.

HOW’S THE WEATHER?

The 19th January was the hottest day, with a maximum of 91 degrees (33 celsuis) but the rest of the week was pretty mild.

The Government Gazette reports that the week had “dry weather, generally clear of clouds, but very hazy; strong winds from the south continuing.”

The habit of kicking back over January was established by 1841, and it was all happening this week! On Tuesday 12 January there was the Regatta on the bay.

High indeed were the expectations of our fellow colonists of every rank and age and bustling the scene of general preparation to celebrate the first Regatta, but the pleasure of the reality and the fond reflection upon its varied and enchanting amusements have eclipsed the brightest anticipations of its most sanguine admirers and rich and abundant is the fund which Memory has [?] stored up for future enjoyment (Port Phillip Herald 15 January 1841]

There were four races in all for different crafts:four-oared gigs; first class boats and five-oared whale boats.  As is the case today, there was just as much interest in watching the spectators as watching the spectacle:

(Port Phillip Herald 15 January 1841)

Then on Wednesday 13th it was the Hurdle Race at 1.00 p.m. “The course marked out is selected on the other side of the river Yarra Yarra, near the beach, and about half a mile to the left of Mr Liardet’s hotel“. (PPH 12 January 1841) Mr Liardet’s hotel was at Port Melbourne.

A “ vast assemblage had collected to witness the sports” at the beach where a limited number of horses competed against each other in three heats.  The writer for the Port Phillip Herald became very excited about the whole thing but it really doesn’t bear repeating 175 years later.  More interesting was the ball that was held that evening:

The presence of Superintendent La Trobe and Mrs La Trobe is important because they conferred an aura of respectability to the proceedings. If they were there, then all the Port Phillip worthies would have wanted to be there too.  Just like our clubs today, these balls went until late at night (or rather, early the next morning), with this one breaking up at about 4.00 a.m.

The cricket match was held on Thursday 14th January, “on the usual ground” .This was, at this stage, at the foot of Batman’s Hill, near the site of the present day Southern Cross station.  However, the match was abandoned “owing to the boisterous state of the weather“, to be continued on the following Saturday.

WEATHER REPORT

So how was the weather?  How frustrating- it doesn’t go up to 14th January!

Port Phillip Herald 15 January 1841.

It was 92 degrees (33 celsius) on 7th January, followed by a 67 degree (19 celsius) on the 8th.  How Melbourne!

And according the report of the week from the Meteorological Journal for Port Phillip, published some two months later (19 March 1841)  in the Government Gazette,

Weather generally dull and cloudy; rain in small quantities 9th, 10th and 14th; strong winds and squalls from S continuing frequent; N. W. gale 14th.

The highest temperature for the period 8th-14th January was 89 degrees (31.7 celsius) on 7th January, and the lowest was 51 degrees (10.6 celsius).

COMING SOON….A RESIDENT JUDGE

Even though Superintendent La Trobe and the people of Port Phillip didn’t realize it, on 1 January 1841 Governor Gipps took up his pen to formally notify the Secretary of State at the Colonial Office in London that Justice John Walpole Willis had been appointed to Port Phillip as the first Resident Judge of the Supreme Court of NSW for the district. Gipps’ letter to La Trobe informing him of the appointment was actually written on 29th December, but it hadn’t arrived in Melbourne yet.  So, let the period of the Resident Judges begin!

THE WRECK OF THE CLONMEL.

The year started with a bang, literally, for the steam-ship Clonmel which ran aground on a sand spit at the entrance to Corner Inlet  200km south-east of Melbourne, at 5.00 a.m. on the misty morning of 2 January 1841.

See also: http://mapcarta.com/16688280

The five-year old Clonmel was a new addition to the shipping route   between Launceston, Port Phillip and Sydney, having only arrived in Sydney in October 1840. This importance of this intra-town communication through shipping at this time cannot be overstated.   A wooden-hulled, masted paddle steamer, it carried 75 passengers and crew, and this was only its second*  voyage on its circuit between the three ports.  Daybreak revealed that the beach was about half a mile away, and that a heavy surf was running. Several trips by whale boat initially, and then with the assistance of quarter boats, deposited every soul in safety on the beach by 2.00 p.m. that afternoon. Sail awnings were brought on shore and a camp of tents was established for the ladies.  Provisions sufficient for ten days were also brought from the boat, including livestock, hams, bread, flour, biscuit, rice, tea, sugar and wine.  A sketch by Robert Russell showing the huts of the Clomnel survivors can be seen here.  [Accession number: MS 9555]

Water was located, but found to be brackish.  Safely onshore, the Captain harangued the passengers about the need for discipline and the punctual obedience of orders. Two-hourly watches were posted and the provisions were securely stowed under a boat turned upside down to guard against petty depredations and the effect of the weather.

The next day,  two passengers Mr D.C. Simson and Mr Edwards and five unnamed seamen headed off to get help. First they inspected the wreck of the ship as they passed, and then headed towards Sealers Cove where they rested overnight. At 3.00 a.m. on 4th January, they awoke early to fill buckets with water to continue their journey when they observed “the natives coming down upon us.” They hurried on board and headed for Wilsons Promontory, which they sighted at about 10.00 a.m.  They arrived in a small bay at Westernport at 8.00 p.m. that night.  The following day they reached Port Phillip Heads by 2.00 p.m. but because there was a strong ebb tide, they needed to wait for a flood tide.  They were approached by a cutter The Sisters which towed them into Williamstown at 11.00 p.m. making a total of 65 hours since their departure from Corner Inlet.

All passengers were safe, although Mr Robinson lost the £3000 of Union Bank notes he had in his custody.  The newly-wed Mr and Mrs Cashmore lost a large quantity of goods that they were bringing for their new establishment to be opened on the corner of Collins and Elizabeth Street.  (Source: Port Phillip Herald 8 January 1841;  http://perdurabo10.tripod.com/ships/id296.html )

See the Victorian Heritage Database entry for the wreck of the Clonmel (which still lies on the ocean floor) here.

TICKETS OF LEAVE

Even though the people of Port Phillip prided themselves that they were not a ‘convict’ colony like Van Diemens Land or Sydney, there were convict gangs, ‘assigned servants’ and ticket-of-leave prisoners in Melbourne.

On New Years Day a general muster of the ticket of leave men of the district took place at the Police office. They presented the appearance of a clean and orderly set of men, and were each passed in review before the police magistrate; such of them as resided in the town were sworn in special constables, a very excellent and salutary arrangement (Port Phillip Herald 5 January 1841)

It’s hard to know what to make of the final sentence- sarcasm, most likely. Nonetheless, many of the early police in Melbourne were of convict background and many were quickly dismissed for drunkenness. Edmund Finn, writing as ‘Garryowen’ in his Chronicles of Early Melbourne describes the ordinary policemen of the first few years as “mostly convicts freed by servitude, with now and then a ticket-of-leave holder.” (p. 52)

A NEW CHURCH

On 1 January the new Independent Chapel was formally opened for Divine Worship. “The design of the Chapel is both neat and tasteful, and its internal fittings up render it extremely commodious.” Three sermons were preached on that day by Reverends Waterfield, Forbes and Orton.

A booklet called The Collins Street Independent Church (available here) shows a small brick church building 20 X 30 ft in size, erected at a cost of £231. It was later extended, but pulled down in 1866 to construct the current-day St Michael’s on the corner of Russell and Collins Streets.

HOW’S THE WEATHER?

According to the Port Phillip Herald, in the days between 29 December- 4th January, there was a fairly mild start to the year, with the first of January the warmest day with a top temperature of 86 degrees F (30 degrees C)

The Abstract of the Meteorological Journal kept at Melbourne, Port Phillip was reprinted in the Government Gazette at roughly monthly intervals. The January report is in Gazette 22, Friday March 19 1841.  It reports that in the week 1st-7th January, there was “dry weather, frequently cloudy” with “strong southerly winds”. The highest temperature recorded on this week was 92 degrees on the 7th.

Notes:

*The Victorian Heritage Database and other sources say that it was its third journey. I can only find two.  The plan was for the Clonmel to run a circuit between Sydney, Melbourne, Launceston then return.  The first journey from Sydney was planned to terminate at Melbourne, but was extended to Launceston after all (which might be where the confusion lies between two and three journeys). The wreck occurred on the second journey from Sydney.

References:

Port Phillip Herald 1, 5 and 8 January 1841