:

A HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE CAPITAL OF ; GIVING AN

OUTLINE OF OLD —TIME EVENTS, WITH A DESCRIPTION OF

BRISBANE OF THE PRESENT DAY,

—AND— A MUNICIPAL RETROSPECT

(ILLUSTRATED).

Written by Authority by J. J. KNIGHT (Author of "In the Early Days," etc.)

BRISBANE

PRINTED BY BIGGS & MORCOM, LTD., 21 EAGLE STREET.

JANUARY, 1897. ...

Brisbane of the Past. 5 N the early part of the now dying century, when , as Australia, was the veriest infant, an old cutter, with all sails set, might have been seen cruising Brisbane 0 aimlessly about in the vicinity of Amity Point. There was nothing particularly startling about the craft ; the oddity lay in the fact that a vessel should be found there at all. It was, at any rate, the first that had for a score or more years the Past. of disturbed those waters, and so far as human knowledge can decide, there had not A RETROSPECT. 1,>ii< been more than two ships there before. It was an early December morning, the sun, like a ball of fire, was just lifting, as it were, out of the illimitable expanse of water into an equally illimitable expanse of cloudless, blue Sky. Early though it was, a few forms were moving about the vessel's deck ; all were apparently interested, and deeply .so. A man wearing a long blue coat, epaulets and cocked hat, paced the deck with stately step. He was deep in thought. Bye and bye he stopped. Lifting a telescope to his eye he gazed intently for a few seconds at some object ; then conversed with a personage who too had been interested in the object and had been resting with his arms on the taffrail. "Let go the anchor," came the order—seemingly the result of the consultation. It was promptly obeyed. The craft had by this time entered a channel which one of the two previously visiting ships had designated Pumicestone River. Why, has not even yet been discovered. The lettering on the bows of the cutter was now quite visible from the shore. These letters betrayed the fact that the new arrival was no less a distinguished visitor than the Imperial service boat " Mermaid," bound from Port Curtis southward, she having been to the North on a voyage of discovery. So far she had, as regards the East coast of Australia at least, accomplished little beyond firicling " a rapid mountain stream," which the gentleman wearing the cocked hat had named the Boyne. But on this fine December morning " the lucky chance that oft decides the fate of mighty monarchs " made for ever famous Lieutenant Oxley, for it was he who directed the Mermaid expedition. The anchor chain was being paid out. A party of blacks, moved by a stronger magnet than curiosity, gathered on the beach and with strange 6 awe watched the proceedings. One of the Mermaid's company—the one to whom Oxley had spoken before deciding to anchor—was likewise curious. It was his business to search out novelties, which explained perhaps the intentness of his gaze at the fast gathering blacks. The personage so interested was John Uniacke. There was something about one of these dusky individuals which prompted him to suggest to Oxley that investigation was desirable. On the adoption of this suggestion rests Oxley's fame; for coincident with, and consequent upon the carrying of the proposal into effect was the foundation of Brisbane. A boat was sent ashore and it was then found that the object of Uniacke's curiosity was really a white man bronzed through exposure, who hailed the boat's company in the mother tongue and greeted them affectionately. The story of Pamphlet, Finnigan, and Parsons, the castaway timber-getters, has been so often told that its recital in detail here might be regarded as monotonous. At the same time brief reference to it becomes necessary when treating in even a small way of the discovery of this portion of Australia. These three, with a fourth named Thompson, left in March, 1823, for Illawarra in quest of cedar, but encountering one of the dangers of the deep—a gale—they were driven out to sea. Thompson died of exposure ; the others were eventually washed with their boat on to (then spelled Morton). They were in an exhausted and emaciated condition. The trio had a hazy idea as to their whereabouts. They seemed tolerably certain that they were in the mainland, for Finnigan and Parsons conceived the plan of walking to Sydney and actually set out. On the other hand, Pamphlet considered it wiser to remain with blacks who had treated them most hospitably. Indeed, the dispensation of hospitality seems to have been one of the strong characteristics of the natives of this continent until contaminated by a civilised race. Pamphlet was not destined to remain long without the company of a fellow countryman, for Finnigan and Parsons had gone but a short distance when they quarrelled and the former returned. What became of Parsons no one ever knew. The fate of the surviving two would have been equally obscure had it not been for Uniacke. Certain it is that Oxley left their rescue unrecorded. His reasons for doing so may presently be observed. Oxley introduces the discovery of the thus :—" Early on the 2nd December following, when examining , we Brisbane , from the Observatory-Looking East 9 had the satisfaction to find the tide sweeping us up a considerable inlet between the first mangrove island and the mainland The muddiness and the taste of the water, together with the abundance of fresh water molluscw, assured us we were entering a large river, and a few hours ended our anxiety on that point by the water becoming quite fresh, while no diminution had taken place in the size of the river after passing what I called Sea Reach." The real facts show that however clever Oxley's attempt at self-glorification may be, his statement is decidedly misleading. Unfortunately for Oxley, but fortunately for history, Uniacke had kept a diary, and in this he had taken both Pamphlet's and Finnigan's statements, and years afterwards he published them to the world. In this it is set forth that the rescued timber-getters concurred in a story they told Oxley " of a large river they had crossed, a river which fell into the south end of the Bay." This story it was that prompted Oxley to search the neighbourhood, which search ended in the "finding" of the Brisbane by himself. " Messrs. Oxley and Stirling " (Lieutenant Stirling of the Buffs) says Mr. Uniacke, " started next morning in a whaleboat, taking with them Finnigan and four days' provisions in order to explore it." THE FOUNDATION OF BRISBANE. But after all, the one fact which interests us most here is that the Brisbane was discovered and explored. Beyond its historic value it matters little by whom. Its discovery relieved Brisbane (after whom it was named) of a weight of trouble, inasmuch, as it gave him a much-wanted new dumping-ground for " thrice convicted felons " who were now a fairly numerous class. Sydney was getting either too respectable or too populous, and the opportunity afforded by Oxley's discovery to get rid of some of the cast-offs was eagerly embraced. It seems a trifle significant, however, that although Oxley pulled—according to himself—fifty miles up the river, had found it navigable 120 miles from its mouth and wrote of its indescribable richness and beauty, he failed to find on its banks a site immediately suited for the requirements of a new convict depot. He chose instead Redcliffe (named nearly a quarter of a century before by ), the difficult anchorage notwithstanding. Redcliffe, as we know, is now the centre of an extremely popular marine resort. I 0 Redcliffe was not destined to long remain the hotbed of cruelty and crime. It was said officially that the place was frightfully unhealthy ; that fresh water was scarce. The fact was the blacks were too troublesome to be pleasant and offered reprisals for the many questionable acts of the Imperial staff. Once more the services of Oxley were requisitioned. This time (1824) he fixed the site either at Petrie's Bight or at William Street:ipehind the present Museum—there is a doubt which. The weight of opinion fixes the camping ground at the latter spot. Shortly afterwards Governor Brisbane came and saw the new depot. Oxley conquered, and notwithstanding the audacity of the Chief Justice who accompanied the vice-regal party, and who had the assurance to name the site Eclinglassie, gave to the settlement the name of the river on which it was located—Brisbane. For may years, however, it was not so designated ; the name Moreton Bay was applied to both bay and depot, and it stuck to it well nigh up to the time of Separation. Thus will it be seen that in a single lifetime-1824 to 1897—Brisbane has been converted from primeval forest to cathedral city ; from the haunt of the felon to the home of the freeman. Truly three score years and ten have brought a remarkable transformation ! In its infantile days, brisbane was in common with other parts of Australia broad-arrowed with crime. The rattle of the convicts' gang chains and the constant whish ! whish ! of the lash co-mingling with the curses of the whippers and the prayers of the whipped was the doleful music played at its birth ! Convictism hung like a pall over Moreton Bay (or Brisbane) from 1824 to 1839, roughly speaking. During this period " the system " was administered by no fewer than eight commandants, starting with Captain Millar and concluding with Lieutenant Gorman. Of some of these little is known ; perhaps we are better because of the dearth of information. What few records we have show that we can ill afford to throw stones e'en did we desire to engage in such an occupation. Wisely, we deem it best to let sleeping dogs lie ; they are not going to be roused in this brochure. But this much may be said : the atrocities commited by the convicts were but the reflections of the official mirror. " The system " degraded the convict as slavery degraded the negro in America ; it cramped his mind and brutalized his spirit, it made devils of men instead of reforming them. Perhaps "the system " degraded Brisbane from the Observatory-Looking South

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13 the official more : for has it not been said " No man can put a chain about the ankle of his fellow man without at least finding the other end of it around his own neck ! " Practically all the convicts went with the dawn of the first day in July, 1839. Some thirty or forty required to finish up certain work alone were left. Still the place was not yet entirely free. The few pioneers attracted by the prospect of Brisbane Town being thrown open to settlement, were hemmed in and nearly strangled by the red tape of officialdom. Beyond withdrawing the prisoners, the nominee Government of N.S.W. could not be roused to action; indeed, as if regreting the initial step, attempts were made some years later first to resume transportation in its original form over the whole continent, and then to confine it to the northernmost parts of Australia, which meant Moreton Bay. But the valiant Dr. Lang and his sturdy emigrants had then to be reckoned with. Still, up to 1841 if a man wished to open a store at Moreton Bay governmental permission had to be obtained ere he dared venture within fifty miles of the place, and when he did get within the prescribed limits he had to conform to stringent regulations and fix his tent pegs on land which it was not his privilege to either beg, to borrow, or to steal. '4 THE EMANCIPATION. HE survey of Moreton Bay, commenced in 184o, was not sufficiently completed to allow of the first sale of, land being held before July, 1842. In the meantime, however, shops were opened in the old convict barracks which stood just above Grimes and Petty's corner in Queen street. Out of this small beginning have grown the great trading relations of the metropolis of northern Australia. The news of the decision to throw open Moreton Bay to settlers was carried to the residents here on sufferance by a steamer of the old Hunter River Steam Navigation Company—the forerunner of what subsequently became a regular service. Up to this (1842) the ocean carriers had been small schooners, the pioneer of that order being a craft sf some sixty tons burthen and bearing the by no means uncommon appellation of " John." Incidentally, too, it may be mentioned that Cunningham's Gap, discovered some thirteen years before, was first used for traffic the same month that the " John " arrived at Brisbane Town with her first trade. Unfortunately there are no data to show the extent of the trade during the first twelve months operations, but for one year 1843-44 the exports consisted of 150 tierces of beef, 450 hides, 1998i bales of wool, 296 casks of tallow, 3458 sheep skins and 3418 feet of pine timber. With a regard for Brisbane's welfare—if that were his sole object—that did him credit, 6overnor Gipps visited this new dependency just before the first sale of lands, which was conducted in Sydney. At this date, however, when one marks the inconvenient narrowness of our principal streets as well as the total absence of squares and is told that the cause of one and the non-appearance of the other may be laid at the door of his Excellency, one is led to speculate as to whether any thanks are really due to him. Those to- whom the survey was entrusted evidently knew their business. They had no acquaintanceship with the Governor, though. In their plans they allotted with a lavish hand squares, reserves and roads along the river banks, made each allotment a quarter-acre in area, and what was equally thoughtful on their part they surveyed the streets half as wide again as they were eventually permitted to be. But Governor Gipps had his own peculiar idea of surveys, and he manifested it on the occasion of his visit. He 113 J

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17 wiped out all the squares, reduced the allotments to 36 perches each, and, on the plea that in hot countries streets ought to be sufficiently narrow to exclude the sun, he ordered the thoroughfares to be reduced in width by one-third. The second sale of Brisbane lands took place in the township in August 1843, and, will it be believed, that offered was not enough to go round ! It comprised one section in North Brisbane—that included in the block boudded by Queen, Elizabeth, George and Albert streets—and a section in South Brisbane. The upset price was Z'roo per acre, but no less an amount than 1250 was obtained for one group of allotments aggregating an acre ; while eight lots fronting Queen street realised 11340. And, speaking of streets, the fact may here be chrdnicled that those running parallel with the bridge derived their names from royal notables in the female line, and some of those intersecting them after male monarchs. These prices were under the circumstances astonishingly satisfactory, for at that time the Cleveland star was in the ascendency and the toss of a coin could, as it were, almost be taken to decide the location of the metropolitan centre. But the trouble that visits in cycles, and which was recently summed up in the three words "Borrow! Boom! Burst!" for the first time in our history manifested itself. In going the length they did the majority of purchasers burnt their fingers, and badly too. A commercial crisis swooped down on Sydney shortly after the sale and revolutionised trade everywhere in Australia. Result : most of the lots bought so auspiciously in Brisbane were either at once forfeited or they changed hands at comparatively low prices. As an instance of this it need only be remarked that the lots referred to as fronting Queen street reverted to and on being again offered were knocked down at [26 !

ADMITTED TO THE COUNCILS OF THE COUNTRY. Coincident with this event Moreton Bay was given a voice in the Councils of the country. Since its representation was coupled with that of Port Macquarie and the Upper Hunter this " voice " may not be inaptly described as an almost inaudible squeak. Still, small recognition of a remote district was something. Perhaps it was as much as the people at that time could expect, for even up to 1846 the port had yielded revenue 18 amounting only to Z-20, and the collection of this £20 had cost upwards of L-875 ! The settlers, however, went on the principle, " Never ask, don't want ; never get." They certainly asked often and agitated for it, though experience duly impressed them with the fact that they were considered so insignificant as to warrant their requisitions being left un- answered. It was not until late in 1846 that they felt themselves in any way able to enforce their demands. The lever, which by common consent, admittedly moves the world—the Press—then began to move the wheels of the dust- clogged, tape-bound Sydney legislature. The Courier made its appearance on the 20th June, 1846. Thenceforward the change was marked. The journal like the residents started out fighting, and kept at it. Brisbane town soon became anything but an outcast community. The Courier had a valued ally in Dr. Lang. The population of the whole of what is now Queensland totalled at this time but 1599 souls, and 829 of these were domiciled in North and South Brisbane. . The spirit of agitation even pervaded the pastoral population. The Downs men began to cry out for labour. At first it mattered not whence that labour came. Bye and bye, however, those in the south breathed the magic words' " Revive transportation." Like a flash it was taken up by the squatters who at once bestirred themselves to give effect to the still smouldering idea of re-populating Moreton Bay with convicts. Then the Courier and pr. Lang drew themselves to their full height, and unceremoniously fought the would-be rivalists. They gave no quarter, they sought none. It was Liberty against License, and Liberty meant Right and Might. While the Courier held the fort on the spot Dr. Lang set out for England on an immigration crusade. Loth to allow the doctor to beat them the Government got in the first shipload of immigrants—these by the Artemisia—and meantime persecuted both the doctor and his people. Nevertheless Dr. Lang got away three shiploads in the Fortitude, Chasely, and Lima. These vessels arrived in quick succession bringing a class of colonist never before or since excelled. Between the Chasely and Lima the Government dovetailed in a small shipment of convicts who had been practically—nay almost forcibly—prevented from landing in Sydney owing to the demonstrative and war-like attitude of the anti-transportationists there. Later on a full shipment were dumped down at Moreton Bay, and it was gravely asserted that the Government, presumably 1 9 as a compromise, proposed to alternate the doses of convicts and free people until the district had sufficient labour. These convicts were to come as assigned servants to have their freedom after the lapse of a certain period, and then to be given a grant of land. When Earl Grey's despatch came to hand stating that in future a number of free immigrants equal to the number of male convicts shipped would be sent out, but that the wives and families of convicts would be counted as free emmigrants a great indignation meeting was called in Brisbane. The transportationist party, as a counter movement, demonstrated at Ipswich, the squatters' head quarters, but resolutions submitted in favour of the scheme were rejected and opposing ones carried. As a matter of fact the new arrivals by Dr. Langs ships were here in the nick of time ; th,:y were the last straw that broke the squatters' back. So persistently and, so hotly did they fight that the Government were compelled not only to abandon their proposal but also to withdraw those convicts who had been landed here. 'f his forever settled the transportation question, though in gaining the issue many warm and perhaps unseemly battles had to be fought. While this warfare was going on the development of trade had been proceeding apace. For instance, while in 1844 there were only 65o horses, 13,295 head of cattle and 184,651 sheep on the vast territory now comprising the there were at the beginning of 1847, 1429 horses, 38,248 head of cattle, 414 pigs, and 536,583 sheep. From this oilt, too, immigrants came thick and fast, and with this increased population, shops sprang up everywhere in Brisbane, and settlement in the interior progressed on an equally satisfactory ratio.

AN EPIDEMIC OF POLITICS. With this growth came an acute epidemic of politics. The transportation feud, could not be easily forgotten by either side. Neither would willingly bury the hatchet immediately. The townsfolk might have done so had not the pastoralists persistently dubbed them interlopers, and on every possible occasion treated them as such. " The country won't grow a cabbage and certainly ought not be made to sustain a set of common shopkeepers," they said. In a sense 20 it was Tory against Liberal, or to give it a local colour, squatter against townmen. The latter came to regard the Western men in the light of Calm thinking villains whom no faith could fix Of crooked councils and dark politics. Thus two distinct political parties were sustained. These controversies had, however, their useful side for they brought Brisbane into notoriety, and enabled the place to assume an air of importance which otherwise it might not have been warranted in doing. The second election in which the people of Moreton Bay exercised the franchise, took place in 1848. At this time the constituency was still part of an electorate extending beyond Port Macquarie. As time progressed, however, greater privileges were conceded. For instance, in 1851 Moreton Bay returned its own member, and in 1853 it was permitted to send two. Again the Constitution Act of i 855 increased the electorates to three and the members to four. The next concession came with the Electoral Act of 1858, which increased the representation still further and for the first time gave Brisbane a representative to itself. The following little table is of interest if only to show how full was the measure of representation given the Western men :—

Brisbane i Ipswich i Burnett i Leichhardt ... 1 Clarence ... i East Moreton ... i ... 2 W est Moreton ... 1 Queen Street --looking towards Petrie's Bight.

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23 THE PROGRESSIVE FIFTIES. 4HE fifties were, indeed, years of progression. First and foremost they witnessed the birth of the Separation agitation. It also saw the initial rushes to Bathurst and elsewhere, the effect of which was to well-nigh depopulate Brisbane. Brisbane was at a standstill. The auctioneers' bell was the most regular thing about it ; but the ringing of it was labour in vain—seldom could a buyer be found—all were sellers. Sailors deserted their ships for the diggings, and the mercantile interest was much in danger. The squatters were in a worse plight than ever. Even cast-iron agreements failed to keep one of the parties to the bargain. The time was opportune, however, for the revival of the old cry, which they actually raised, they offering to the townsfolk as a sort of compromise an alliance in the Separation agitation. The offer was scorned. Those few working men who remained in Brisbane demanded higher wages and got them. The movement actually extended to domestic servants, but on being told they could if they liked go fossiking as the men were doing, they acted like sensible girls and gave up the attempt. The finds in the South had certainly a marked effect on Moreton Bay interests. In the first place a local gold discovery reward fund was subscribed, as a result of which prospectors went out. Sensational repprts then became the order of the day, and undoubtedly induced many bent on emigrating to remain here. When the feeling of exasperation consequent upon the numerous "claims" which panned out duffers had subsided, many of those who had run South had returned wiser and poorer men, and many a hearty laugh was indulged in at the expense of the sensation mongers. No body of men had evet a busier time than the Brisbane Gold Committee of the early fifties. Perhaps one of the most enterprising prospectors was a local watchmaker who, after a series of mysterious visits some miles out of town, returned with two or three excellent quartz specimens. Naturally he refused to state the locality-Of his find. After lodging his application for reward with the Gold Committee, he made a further mysterous excursion. He was so long absent on this occasion, however, that it was thought necessary to make enquiries. These showed that he had gone for ever and left his many creditors to lament ! Then news of finds came from South Brisbane 'and One Tree Hill. With regard to the former, the find was reported by Dr. Swift, who conducted a few 24 of his most intimate friends to what is now River Terrace, but which was then regarded as being in the Never-Never. Here he pointed to a shallow hole -..here he said he had discovered the specimen he had displayed in the township. An hour or to afterwards the place was swarming with fossikers. Some cracked stones, others delved holes, while reinforcements bearing shovels, hammers, crowbars, and other implements could be seen trudging through South Brisbane on their way to " the new diggings." One man had a prospecting pan ; another was satisfied with a colander ; another had a legitimate cradle in which was stowed the necessary bedding for camping out, and the same provident person also carried a bucket of water for washing the sand ! Of course the "field" was a duffer— it was just a little joke, the emanation of the doctor—though no one would believe it until Dr. Swift's application for reward came up for consideration before Gold Committee, and there was an unexplained absence of both doctor and exhibit. It is recorded in history how the doctor disappeared for over a week, the explanation being that he deemed it unwise to be seen until excitement had abated somewhat and the befooled prospectors had calmed down. The population of Brisbane at this time had reached 2,543, which number during the next five years rose to 4,395. Perhaps no better indication of the growth of the metropolis could be found than in the extension of settlement in the intelior and along the coast, as shown by the villages which everywhere were just now springing up. The most northern point at which a township had been planted was Gladstone, which had a town population of 224 souls. The following figures, though not strictly speaking coming within the legitimate scope of this sketch may, however, not be regZrded as uninteresting :— 1851—ropuLATIoN---1856. 1851 -POPULATION —1856. Brisbane 2,543 4,395 Gayndah 92 152 Ipswich 932 2,459 Grafton (then considered Drayton 200 263 part of Moreton Bay) 319 655 Warwick 267 472 Gladstone 224 Dalby 109 Maryborough 229 353 Totals ••• 4,652 9,082 2 5

THE SEPARATION QUESTION.

EPARATION was a live question in the fifties. kll the energy, all the self-sacrifice, and likewise all the bitterness which manifests itself in regard to the later movement of to-day, was present in the battle of nearly S half a century ago. It was the success which had attended the efforts of the Port Philip folk that had started the Separation ball a-rolling in Moreton Bay. Their colony was proclaimed a separate one under the name of on 1 st July, 1851, the first legislature assembling in the November following. Dr. Lang, who had actively sided with the Victorians, was once more a dangerous bee in the state bonnet in regard to Moreton Bay. He paid a visit to Brisbane in January, 1851, and on the 8th of that month the first public demonstration in favour of Separation was made, the meeting being held in what was known as Dr. Lang's church, which building is now utilised as a residence for the Government Printer in William Street. Petitions to the Queen were got up by the advocates of Separation. The mother colony had to be fought, and, the principle having been conceded, the question of boundary had to be decided. And it was not decided easily. The Separatists desired to include in the new colony the Clarence, Richmond and Tweed River districts, and the difference which ensued on this proposition no doubt retarded the success which ultimately attended the movement. The history of the fight is a long one. Consulting an able article on the question written by Mr. Pugh prior to the fulfilment of the desires of the Moreton Bay people, it seems that during the time Sir William Molesworth and Mr. Labouchere were in office, the cause of Moreton Bay gained ground. Repeated petitions on the part of residents, and a steady plodding advocacy on the part of several influential gentlemen then resident in England, had the desired effect, and a despatch dated from Downing Street on the 21 July, 1856, conveyed the long-desired intelligence that Her Majesty's Government were of opinion that the time had arrived when the partition of the territory was desirable. In this despatch the boundary was alluded to as being not far to the South of the 3oth parallel, and it was stated by Mr. Labouchere that this line had been adopted in consequence of recommendations made in a minute drawn up by Mr. E. Deas-Thomson, who was then 26 on a visit to England, enjoying a very comfortable pension as an ex-official of N.S.W. The announcement as to the contemplated boundary created a tremendous sensation in N.S.W., and very soon after the receipt of the intelligence, the matter was brought before the Legislature, and the Queen was implored not to make the division recommended. The Home Government were open to argument and decided upon adopting the boundary line suggested some time previously by the Governor-General, commencing at Point Danger, a little to the South of the 28th parallel, and then south-westerly to Mount Lindsay, whence it travelled the range till it met 12gth parallel, running west from this point. This line lopped off the splendid district watered by the Clarence, Richmond and Tweed Rivers. The Government was also informed that the division of debt due to each colony would have to be regulated by an enactment of Colonial legislature, and Mr. Cowper accordingly introduced " The Moreton Bay Debt Bill " on December 2, 1857. The provisions of the measure were generally regarded as equitable, and the second reading was carried by a triumphant majority. But the Bill never got out of Committee, and eventually the Imperial Parliament had to intervene with trie result that on the loth July, 1859, the good news arrived that letters appointing Sir George Ferguson Bowen first had been approved on the t3th 1Vlay. Sir George -arrived in the gardens on the gth December from the small man-o-war " Clio " under a guard of honour comprised of her half-dozen marines, and the swearing in and other preliminaries having been gone through, the following day, loth December, was declared to be Separation Day. -Showing Observatory Tower

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2 9 LEGISLATIVE GOVERNMENT. E (EFORE entering on the new era it is necessary to record that on the 20th December, 1859, Sir William Denison 0 issued a proclamation by which he constituted sixteen electoral districts in Queensland, and allotted to them 26 members. In this North Brisbane was given three members, South Brisbane one and Fortitude Valley one, while Ipswich, with a population of only 8o6, was allotted three, West Moreton three, and East Moreton two. Other pastoral centres were similarly treated with the result that Sir William was openly charged with unfairness and inconsistency, and was stated to have purposely designed to give the pastoral and their dominant interest an overwhelming preponderance in the legislature, thus to strengthen the hold which their connection with the banks and agency houses of N.S.W. gave that Colony upon Queensland. The allotment of members certainly bore this complexion, though it is on record that a few months before, when deprecating Separation, he declared that he did so because " the pastoral interest had no fixed or abiding hold in the country." For this he was sharply criticised by the people, and rebuked by the Colonial Office, and as more than one writer has affirmed, forgiveness was not with Sir William Dennison a prominent virtue. The first Legislative Council was composed of the following gentlemen :— Sir Charles Nicholson Mr. John James Galloway Sir Maurice C. O'Connell Mr. James Laidley Mr. John Balfour Mr. John Frederick MacDougall Mr. Francis Edward Bigge Mr. Robert George Massie Mr. Alfred Edward Compaigne Mr. William Edward Yaldwyn Mr. George Fullerton If, the growth of " the Northern Settlement of N.S.W." had been rapid, that which characterised it under its new name of " Queensland " was even more marked. Each succeeding day brought its evidence of progression. 30 But all other important national questions were o'er-shadowed by the one absorbing topic—the Parliamentary Elections and the Opening of Parliament. As a preliminary to self-government the Queensland Civil Service was organised on the 23rd January. Then followed the elections which returned the following Parliament, the figures within parenthesis being the population in r86o :— Brisbane (3)—, Henry Jordan, Charles W. Blakeney (town, 1205) South Brisbane (0—Henry Richards (town, 176) Fortitude Valley (0— (town, 297) Ipswich (3)—Fred. A. Forbes, Patrick O'Sullivan, (town, 8o6) Drayton and Toowoomba (0—John Watts (town, 881) Warwick (1)—St. George R. Gore (town, 311) East Moreton (2)—George Edmonstone, Henry Buckley (country, 766) West Moreton (3)—, Alfred D. Broughton, Dr. W. L. Nelson (country, 1071) Western Downs (2)--Thomas De Lacy Moffat, James Taylor (pastoral, 278) Eastern Downs (0—Radcliff Pring (pastoral, 724) Northern Downs (0—Charles Coxen (pastoral, 588) Maranoa (0—John Ferrett (pastoral, 653) Burnett (2)---Robert R. Mackenzie, Charles R. Haly (country, 1075) Wide Bay (0—Gilbert Eliott (pastoral, 473) Port Curtis (0—Charles Fitzsimmons (country, 980) Leichhardt (2)—Robert G. W. Herbert, Charles J. Royds (pastoral, 751) The gentlemen to whom the reins of office were entrusted were :—R. G. W. Herbert, Colonial Secretary ; R. R. Mackenzie, Colonial Treasurer ; R. Pring, Attorney General ; St. G. R. Gore, Secretary for Lands and Works, while Dr. W. Hobbs, John Bramston and Sir Maurice C. O'Connell were included in the Cabinet without portfolios. Mr. t

Queensland Club from Gardens.

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33 G. Eliott was honoured with the position of first Speaker, and Mr. L. A. Bernays became Clerk of the House—an office that gentleman still holds. The opening was somewhat in the nature of a double event. Parliament was really opened by proclamation by Sir Charles Nicholson, Captain M. C. O'Connell and Mr. J. F. MacDougall (the commissioners appointed by the Governor) on the 22nd May, 186o, but the business opening did not take place until the 29th of the same month. The old court-house in Queen street, which had done duty as a military barracks during the convict times, had never been regarded more lovingly than when the struggling colonists assembled within its walls on Independence Day. That day must be one ever prominent in Queensland history. The event was one of transcendent interest ; perhaps the most important up to that time. The residents recognised this, and as Governor Bowen stepped from his carriage on that holiday and walked between lines formed of Mounted-police and members of the old Queensland Mounted Rifles, their feelings found vent in lusty cheering. The ceremony differed but slightly from that which now characterises the opening of Parliament each year, but its impressiveness when witnessed for the first time was such as produced an effect in many respects marked on the congregated populace. But with the responsibility of self-government came troubles for Queensland, and through it trouble for Brisbane. The first note was struck by the protestations of a large meeting held in St John's pro-Cathedral against the abolition of state aid to denominational schools—an act dealing with State Education being one of the measures passed by the new Legislature. How history does repeat itself to be sure ! Then came a constitutional bother in respect of Judge Lutwyche's status and salary, the action of the Government being described by the Courier at the time as " a directs_. complicity in a disgraceful intrigue that has long been on foot to oust Judge Lutwyche from his position." And this was not the end of it. At the instigation of the Legislative Council, the Attorney-General entered a prosecution against the Courier for commenting upon resolutions arrived at by the Council before they had been transmitted to the Assembly. This formed the first state trial in Queensland history, and occasioned tremendous interest and a storm of indignation. Public opinion was obviously against the Government for there was 34 a universalclamouring for the upholdingof the liberty of the Press. And notwithstandingthe awe-inspiring'array of authorative forcesand power, the Governmentwent down and had the mortificationof seeing the Courier to some degreecompensated by a public subscription promotedby the citizenson its behalf. Turning now to generalsubjects it may be said that the establishmentof telegraphiccommunication between Brisbaneand Sydney early in November, 1861, had a noticeable effectin local affairs,whi/e the tide of immigration inducedby the late Henry Jordan was beginning to make itself felt in the capital. Then in 1865 we find a modest effortbeing made to tap the interior through the mediumof the iron horse. On the i ith January the first locomotive ever run in the colonywas tried at Ipswich, though it was not until the succeedingJuly that the first sectionof line— Ipswichto Grandchester—wasopened. Ipswich tried mightilyto keep the locomotiveout of Brisbaneand as a fact succeededin doing so until 1874, which bears testimonyto the powerweilded by the westernmen in early Queensland politics. And touchingrailways, it is worth remarkingthat the financialcrisis which wrought such mischiefin 1866, and which was caused primarily by a rush on English banks, and ended in bringingdown the with the ruinationof many Brisbane people, as a sequel gave rise to numerous complications. The men on the railways, unable to get a settling up, rebelled,and seizing trains and indulging in other equally questionableand dangerousfreaks, marched on to Brisbane,where they occasionedsomewhat serious riots, and woundup by getting the revolutionaryleaders into gaol. They set out to " take " Government House, but were themselvescaptured. All railway works were stopped, and as a temporary salve to those who compriseda formidablearray of unemployed, instructions were cabled to England stopping immigrationand as soon as possible reliefworks were started. Then there followeda plethora of ,terrific storms and manyfires, some of the latter of which werenot an unmixedevil —thoughof questionable origin—sincethey removedmany of the rickerty, tumble-downtenements in Queen street, and what was perhaps better, furnishedwork for a number of peoplewho wereworkless. It is a peculiarcommentary on the daily recordsof distress though, to find the Courier, amid it all, protesting against the startling increase of public houses! Coincidentwith this trouble may be said to date the improvementin Queenstreet levels,for the fires The Law Courts.

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37 having cleared many buildings, this necessary work both of levelling and straightening was greatly simplified. The crash affected everything and everybody. With it also started the Victoria Bridge troubles, the first brick of which had only just about a fortnight before the collapse of the bank (9th July) been laid by Mr. Macalister.

SALVATION BY GOLD. naj ,RISBANE'S one immediate hope lay in the discovery of a payable goldfield. Up to now the only thing which [C, prompted the presumption that such a field would be found was the unearthing of nuggets in various parts of the colony—Crocodile Creek, Mount Moonish, Calliope and elsewhere. Even these were notoriously scarce, and poor consolation ; but the people of Queensland were not of the stuff that constitutes despair. As an inducement to prospectors the. Government offered a reward of -30oo for the discovery of a goldfield, the main provisions stipulated being that it must be no nearer an existing field than 20 miles, and " that it shall have attracted and supported for six months a population of not less than 3000 persons." This did not long go a-begging for on the 20th October, 1867, sensational finds of gold were reported to have been made "somewhere near Maryborough." Nuggets weighing pounds were brought to Brisbane from the mysterious El Dorado, and to say that they created intense excitement is to state the case but mildly. Even the Courier trembled, and fearing lest the news be too good to be true, withheld the most extraordinary part of the information it had elicited concerning it. However, the fact that the gold could be seen with one's eyes and that the locality was vaguely hinted at, was sufficient for a populace who were, vulgarly speaking, " on their uppers." They rushed this " somewhere." Brisbane was deserted once more. So were the northern towns. But Brisbane this time reaped the reward, for the find was no further distant than , the richness of which eclipsed the expectations of the most sanguine. The field was first known as Nashville (after Nash, the discoverer) but the name, for some unexplained reason, was quickly changed to Gympy—as it was then spelled—and pronounced Jimpy. What the finding of Gympie meant to Queensland is familiar history ; it would 38 not be to the credit of the colony, which so benefitted, to dwell on the result to Nash. Queensland certainly boomed in the most healthy fashion—in such a way as has never since been known perhaps. People were kept on the tip-toe of excitement for months, for if there was not each week some report of fresh finds, there were records in the newspapers of sensational sticking-up cases and coach-robbing episodes.

A NEW ERA. Truly Brisbane's star of luck was in the ascendency. With the breaking out of Gympie came the breaking-up of the drought, and with this era of renewed prosperity' was imported dignity and prominence. Brisbane even attracted the eye of the Duke of who, while here, performed many functions which spoke of progress. And, by the way, he came near being assassinated in Sydney, for which attempt a lawyer's clerk named O'Farrell was hanged. Naturally, the incident threw the Brisbaneites into a fever of excitement, an attack that was not allayed until all the churches had carried through with monotonous persistency a round of thanksgiving services, and a locally committed crime had relegated the other to an obscure position. This latter was the attempted murder of Mr. A. W. Manning, Under Colonial Secretary, by F. S. Bowerman, who had been a police magistrate at Leyburn, but who for some alleged irregularity had been reduced in the public service. Rightly or wrongly, the cause of this degradation Bowerman laid at the door of his superior, and entering Mr. Manning's office one morning he struck his victim five times on the bead with a new tomahawk, which he had concealed on his person. Bowerman got life ; Mr. Manning a good fat pension. It was shortly after this that the crisis was precipitated in regard to the proposal to connect Brisbane with Ipswich by rail. There also followed a few exciting scenes in the Assembly which, by the way, had four years before (1869) got into the present premises. About the same time, too, Mr. Gordon Sandeman unwillingly brought himself into prominence ; or, to be more correct, the Legislative Council placed him in the position of prominence. The session of Parliament having come to a sudden termination after sitting two days—on which two days Mr. Sandeman Brisbane Town Hall.

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39 was absent—he was expelled from the House on the ground " that he had been absent without leave for one whole session !" Indeed this Parliament was a most remarkable one. It included , of English fame, whom the Kennedy folk elected as a protest against the neglect of their previous local representatives on the question of Separation ! Of course John Bright only attended the Queensland Legislature in spirit ; about that time he was too prominently engaged in the old world to be present in person.

INVESTIGATING THE INTERIOR. But politics are monotonous and not always profitable. Brisbane as a city was growing rapidly. This was largely caused by the manner in which the interior was being developed. In 1872 telegraphic communication had been extended to the Norman River— had been connected as far back as 1869. Settlement in the West, too, had been further promoted, while shipping between the metropolis and the northern ports was assuming definite and permanent shape. In Brisbane the Grammar School (present Railway offices) were completed (1869). New and pretentious examples of ecclesiastical architecture were raising their heads, while the steady stream of immigrants which, consequent upon the gold finds, again set in, led to an extension of suburban settlement. This in turn encouraged business folk to enlarge or erect new warehouses or stores. Then again on 21st October, 1872, Brisbane was brought into immediate touch with Great Britain, the first cable message being flashed under the oceans on the following day. Following came the rushes to the Etheridge, , the Palmer and other places, which to some extent, drained the metropolis of a great deal of its population, but, at the same time added to the commercial worth ef the city,—for everything came through Brisbane. St. Stephen's Cathedral was opened on 24th May, 1874, and Victoria Bridge—a structure having a varied, precarious and erratic history—was made available for traffic on the i5th June. Following in order of date came the opening of the railway to Oxley, and pursuing its policy of push, the Governinent offered a subsidy of ,(r000 for the establishment of coach communication with St George, and 40 accepted a tender of '61,968 for the construction of a dry dock. Coincident with this was the opening of the Nothern Railway to Duaringa, and a few months later the first sod of the Western Railway was turned at Da lby. Immigrants still came tumbling in ; so did Chinamen. Over z000 arrived in two months. As to these there are no reliable figures, but from the fact that several anti Chinese riots are recorded and that nearly every ship that left carried large quantities of Queensland gold for it is reasonable to suppose that they were becoming too numerous to be pleasant. On the 9th February, 1877, for instance, 135 Mongolians left Cooktown with z000 ozs. of Old in their possession, and on the succeeding day 8o others took their departure with over t000 ozs. among them. These are by no means record figures. The action of the Government in furthering trade extension and interior exploratifts was well seconded by private enterprise. N otably among these latter undertakings was that of the Queenslander, which fitted out and despached a transcontinental expedition, which explored the country between Blackall and Port Denison. By 1878 railway and other public works were everywhere in full swing and everybody appeared at any rate to be growing rich. The Brisbane people were liberal to lavishness when the call of charity made itself heard. One proof of this is found in the ready and liberal response made to an appeal which came from far-off India, then in a famine stricken state. Over 1:4000 was cabled in less than a week. Prosperity and penury seem to come in alternating cycles. Bye and bye the inevitable consequence of boom —burst—once more appeared. With the dawn of 1879 again came the command " Halt ! " Immigration was to be stopped (there was always something so satisfying and significant about this act !) Heavy dismissals from Government workshops and road gangs were made, which of course caused a storm of indignation to fall on the heads of a Government which but a few months before had been little short of angelic. A way out was discovered in a loan of L-1,700,000 which was floated at 921 and which it was proposed to apply to new railways. The Opposition, however, raised a stonewall sustaining it for three days at the end of which period they themselves went to the wall, being defeated by a trio (f votes. And while on politics it is worth recording that just at this time Mr. Pring, who represented Fortitude Valley, was appointed Attorney-General, but in going up for re-election consequent upon his acceptance of the portfolio 41 he was defeated by the late Mr. Beattie by no fewer than 227 votes. On the death of Judge Blake, however, he was mollified with the vacant position on the Judiciary. Incidentally, too, it may be stated that Mr. (now Sir) S. W. Griffith on the 27th June declined a Puisne Judgeship, which was eventually accepted by the late Mr. Justice Harding, and on the r5th July both he and Sir Charles Lilley were sworn in—the latter as Chief Justice.

RECENT YEARS. The Eighties formed an interesting and eventful decade in the . Progress was stamped on every year. Railways were being energetically pushed on right through the colony, and in connection therewith arose the great steel rails controversy in which Sir S. W. Griffith figured so prominently in the war he waged with Ii.is political opponent Sir Thomas McIlwraith. Communication direct with England through the medium of the B.I.S.N. Company's line of-mail steamers was regarded as a pleasing augury of the future. Electricity early in the decade was introduced by the Courier proprietary, who about the same time added to their publications the tirst eight-page paper ever published in the colony—the Evening Obseiver. British New Guinea was in 1884 added to our possessions by Sir Thomas Mcllwraith. The Hopeful cases and their attendant horrors, the anti-Chinese riots at the 1888 elections, the Constitutional crisis occasioned by th3 annexation of a pair of boots by one Ben Kitt, the appearance of Labor in Politics by the return of first one, then two, then seventeen, and then twenty-one Labor members, and the costly strikes with attendant crime and coniequent imprisonment and political Acrimony—all these are too familiar and of too recent date to necessitate lengthened reference thereto. There is no need to deal with them or the many other happenings which have brought the colony prominently under public gaze for good or evil. Brisbane has been the head centre of them all, and it is hoped that th3 position the city holds to-day in the world of comm_rce and its recognised importance among Australian towns make it well worthy of the title of THE CAPITAL OF SUNNY QUEENSLAND.

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... @ - Brisbane of the Present.

G . . - 7-i ,- • • '

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45 ODESTY is sometimes synonymous with misfortune. Were it not so the Brisbane0 • \/;(importance of the would be more widely known. Fewer English business houses would be found addressing their correspondence " Brisbane, South Australia," or worse still, " Brisbane, N.S.W., Tasmania. o f the Present. The ignorance which does prevail in some quarters as to the exact location of Queensland, would indeed be pardonable did we not remember how national modesty has prevented the youngest colony of the group from (to use a colloquialism) " blowing its own trumpet." The writer himself remembers that on the eve of his departure from England for Queensland a few years ago, he was presented with a pair of short leggings, which the donor said " would keep the snakes from biting him when walking through the bush at Brisbane !" And this by a man who could reasonably claim, to be endowed with a fair amount of intelligence ; he certainly was an educated man. Another friend had a request to make. " I have an uncle in Queensland," he said, " we havn't heard of him for more than 20 years. His name is N T— , when you get there I wish you would tell him we should like to hear from him." The devotion of the man was commendable, but his ignorance was truly awful. He simply gasped for breath when he was told that Queensland comprised 668,497 square miles only, with a coast-line of 2250 miles, and embraced but a few dozen large towns, excluding Brisbane, which itself had a population of something like 94,000.

BRISBAN E'S BONA FIDES. It will therefore be seen that Brisbane is the important metropolis of an important country. To prove our bonafides we may be pardoned for going briefly into details. Figures are always more or less dry ; nevertheless they sometimes speak with eloquence. At the time of Separation from N.S.W. (1859) the population of what is now the colony of Queensland was only 25,000, and the national and private worth was computed at something under one and a-half millions sterling, of which Brisbane was credited with about ‘800,000. The area under cultivation was less 46 than 2000 acres ; sheep numbered i,ooo,ooo, cattle 300.000 and horses 20,000. Queensland industries were represented by four saw-mills, two small coal mine, one insignificant soap and candle factory, and a bankrupt fishery. This was Queensland's stock in trade when she opened business for herself in the world of conlnlerce. There was not a mile of line throughout the length and breadth of the colony, nor was there forty miles of railway track laid even [2.000,000 ; and the in 1866. From 1859 god yield tots up to to now is but one about the sonic figure. generation yet the Human settlement has population of Queens- 3s extended of the im- land has increased to mense territory co rn- about 45o,000 ; sheep 1PIPUT I MEN I prising 427,83 8 ,080 now number up- " acres which are practi- -,vards of 22,000,000 ( ' 1 . = ?t cally covered by a and cattle 7,000,000. net vV01ic of several No less than 300,000 z_ thousands of miles of acres of land are under;, mill' ay and lines of cultivation ; the sugar telegraph. These de- output is valued at tails, as well as our [1,000,000 ; the wool Government House. worth, is eloquently clip is put down at summed up in these few words : A market place has been established for British goons representing 5,ooo,ooo sterling per annum ; while an export trade valued at [9,000,ooo a year has been created. It will thus be seen that Brisbane represents a colony of vast wealth, and one that has some-claims to be ranked as important. And not only this, but there is much more 47 wealth still to be secured than has yet been revealed—wealth which only awaits the advent of three or four millions of Great Britain's surplus population to be extracted.

BRISBANE OF TO-DAY. Brisbane has been variously described and located. Archibald Forbes was perhaps the most complimentary when he designated the Brisbane River, on the banks of which the city is built, as the most beautiful one in Australia. Forbes certainly knew what he was talking about, and the pity 'tis he did not go into detail if only to remove erroneous impressions created by so-called " fountains of knowledge." Here is a striking instance, which suggests ignorance in its worst form. " Brisbane, a county of Eastern Australia, , having Liverpool Plains on the North and on the other sides the counties Gloucester, Durham, Hunter, Phillip, and Bligh. The Hunter and Goulburn Rivers form its south boundary. The capital town of the same county is on the Brisbane River, ten miles from its mouth. It ceased to be a penal settlement in 1842." Then follows a description of " the Brisbane Downs on the south part of New South Wales," and similarly absurd statements, which are calculated to make present-day resident rub his eyes and wonder whether at some remote period an earthquake has not lifted Brisbane from its position in the Fifties and dropped it on its present site ! Such a description might be readily excused in a village pedagogue, but when it appeared in print (some years ago, it is true) under the authority of a " Geographer-in- Ordinary to Her Majesty" it was pardonable on the part of the people so grossly libelled to declare that the geography was very ordinary " and that the knowledge of the author (no other than Mr. Alexander Keith Johnston) would ,be considerably enlarged and extended in regard to Queensland, by a visit to his Royal patroness.

THE FRONT DOOR. For the benefit then of those who do not already know, it is here recorded that Brisbane, is on the east coast -of Australia, some 500 miles north of Sydney, and is situated on both banks of Archibald Forbes' " most beautiful 48 river in Australia." Before reaching the city, however, the traveller has to cross Moreton Bay and traverse some seventeen miles of a wide and deep waterway. is the northernmost point of Moreton Island,and is the first indication one gets of the approach to Brisbane. The summit of the cape is marked by a fine lighthouse, a white stone building 75 feet high, fitted with a catoptric apparatus of the first order, revolving at intervals of one minute. This light is at an elevation of 400 feet above the sea level, and being visible 27 miles gives the visitor timely-warning of the beginning of the end of his journey. There are really three front doors by which the stranger may enter ; the South passage which lessens the journey from the Southward by forty knots ; the North West Channel, and one known as the Northern Entrance. The first-named is of historical interest, for on the bar was wrecked the steamer Sovereign in March, 1847, and with it many lives. Up to this time the passage had, in spite of all the protests of the people, been recognised by the Government as the proper way into the Bay, but with the Sovereign fatality came a wide awakening and that via Cape M oreton substituted. This passage, too, was that by which the brig Amity bringing the first heirloom of convicts to Redcliffe approached, but it has rarely been used since the disaster referred to, although there is now a movement for deepening the passage and otherwise making it safe, for navigation. Generally speaking, it is felt that, in this case at least, the longest way round is the shortest. The north-west channel was, up to recently, only used in daytime being unlighted, but the advantages it possesses have since been recognised to some extent by the Harbour authorites. The northern entrance, however, is really the one most largely availed of by ship-masters.

THE ISLANDS OF '1HE BAY. Either of these passages once navigated, it is seen how fine and capacious Moreton Bay is. Furthermore, the many vati-shaped islands—some standing well out of the water, others simply low mangrove-covered flats— add a picturesqueness to the view which cannot fail to strike the visitor. Those of them that are inhabited are chiefly those which have been brought into requisition for State purposes. Thus on a

The Brisbane Hospital.

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51 we find the large State Benevolent Institution with its hundreds of old men and women, whose circumstances have forced them on to charity, and who find a fairly comfortable—certainly it is healthy—home in their last declining days. Close bye is , the Quarantine Grounds, fortunately rarely used, but nevertheless always kept in a state of preparedness for any emergency. . A third is St. Helena, the penal establishment, or, to be more correct, one of the penal establishments, for we have several. This island is certainly the most beautiful as well as the most prolific in the group, and it is not regarded as altogether improbable that before many years have passed the convicts will be domiciled somewhere on the mainland, and St. Helena converted into a marine resort.

OUR GREAT WATERWAY. As the steamer ploughs her way through the expanse of water, the eye looks in vain for the mouth of the Brisbane ; and it- is only when one is face to face with the task of locating the position of a river that is now known to exist, that he ceases to wonder at Flinders' failure to discover the same stream when its existance had only been conjectured by Cook twenty or more years before Flinders had set out on his mission to find it. Bye-and-bye, however, a strange-looking building, rising out of the water—on stilts, as it were—is seen. Its decoration of flags and tide-balls betrays its mission. It is known as the Pile Light, and marks the channel leading into the river. Then two light-houses are seen in line, and with these on the left-hand side and Luggage Point on the right, the traveller on reaching this position may consider himself well in the Brisbane River.

RIVER POINTS OF INTEREST. The river follows a serpentine course and is a singularly beautiful stream. Its many curves present to the traveller a kaleidoscopic view, and one which puzzles him not a little. For fifty miles the river is navigable, though it is true the Victoria Bridge at Brisbane and several small rocks make it impossible for vessels of heavy tonnage to get beyond the city. A few miles from the mouth is Lytton, with a fort that contains all that is supposedly 52 necessary to guard the city against invading nations, and with, what is more prominent still, a R eformitory for recalcitrant boys. More of the latter institution than the fortress can be seen, the large building being plainly visible to the eye, standing as it does on an eminence. The guns and other paraphernalia slumber except at encampment time in the invisible fort on the river bank. Lytton makes an eligible site in fine weather for military manoeuvres ; in very wet it might be mistaken for an aquatic Sports ground ! Here and there along the banks, meat works and factories have been planted, indicative of the fact that at no distant date the Brisbane will be a Thames in miniature. A few miles higher the Hamilton slopes dotted with pretentious suburban villas all beautified by profusely flowering semi-tropical plants and shrubs are passed ; and immediately opposite is portion of Bulimba, practically the first free agricultural settlement in Queensland, a large two-storied stone house marking the early home of Mr. D.C. M'Connel. Another historical landmark is " Newstead," a picturesque residence on a cape-like site running into the river at the turn out of the Hamilton reach. This was the " city " house of Patrick Leslie, the pioneer squatter on the Darling Downs and was afterwards the Bohemian house of George Harris, a genial city man. Now it is a wire-netting factory! The irony of it all ! From this point, the church spires, the store-houses of merchandise, the rigging of the ships at the wharves, and moored to buoys on the town reaches of the river, inform the visitor of his near approach to Australia's youngest capital, while the comfortable, snug, and by no means unpretentious suburban homes which, with their gardens, are dotted along the banks of the waterway, and over hill and dale for miles around speak unmistakably of the character of the city, with which he is about to become acquainted.

The river itself has not been altogether an object of pleasure to the mariner since the disastrous floods of 1893. Some of the channels at that time silted up somewhat and made navigation not perhaps dangerous, but highly inconvenient. However, the damage then wrought has been now almost wholly remedied, and latest appliances in the shape of rock-drilling and suction dredge plant has been added, which will in a very short time give a depth of water sufficient to accommodate the largest vessels trading in Australian waters. Even now vessels of s000 or 6000 53 tons , berth alongside the town wharves . The shallowest depth in the chann<

THE TRADE OF THE PORT. Since 1893 Brisbane has steadily increased in importance as an importing and distributing centre and has

It will be seen that the oversea trade of Brisbane in 1896 was [5,198,614, as against [4,930,047 in 1895, or an increase of 1268,597. The exports from Brisbane for 1896 exceed those for the previous year by [40,458. The total value of the imports for the last quarter of the year 1896 was [1,288,031, as against 11,210,704 for the last quarter of 1895. The exports amounted to [2,698,833, as against [3,166,307 in 1895 ; but included in the figures for 1896 is gold coin to the value of [5,088, whereas in the corresponding period of 1895 this item was only L-2,938. .

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57 OUR NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOUR. I cT is really excusable to find a visitor rubbing his eyes when told that, what he regards as the city of Brisbane is / really governed by two Municipal authorities and innumerable lesser local Government lights. He may perhaps, be pardoned for suggesting that Brisbane, like the northern part of the colony, is separation mad. Still, there is the fact, and so far as Brisbane proper (otherwise Brisbane North) is concerned she is well satisfied with it. In point of age North and South Brisbane start from scratch, but Municipally there is a very great difference; the north side is a venerable parent. Likewise is its import of marked superiority. When the city of Brisbane was incorporated it had included within its boundaries a large slice of what is now known as South Brisbane. And so it remained until a few years ago when somebody actuated either by a spirit of selfishness or of vanity—it matters little which—urged an extension of Municipal honours on the South side. As a result of the agitation, the river was made the boundary line between the " city " and the " borough." What the alteration meant to the new born authority is best known to those who are endeavouring to extricate it from its morass of liability which to some extent at least accompanied the honour of separation. It was rich in assets—of a non-convertible character. However, things have since 1895, taken a turn and South Brisbane gives promise of becoming a large commercial centre. The Dry Dock is there ; so are the extensive railway wharves and stores. The large chilling works, the joint owners of which are the Municipal Council and Messrs. Geddes, Birt and Co., have recently been opened, and having been tapped with a branch line to the South Coast railway system it may reasonably be anticipated that ere long other important industries will spring up along the route. Already a large flour mill is at work there, while in other parts of the borough jam, glass, meat preserving, clothing and other factories are springing into prominence. The Town Hall which commands a view of the Council's possessions is a prominent building of a novel order of architecture. It is likewise an uncompromising part of the load of debt. No one seems to know just why it was built, except it was to o'ershadow the North sid,a municipality. Its necessity, at any rate, may be doubted, though it must be confessed it lends an air of importance to the place. The interior, with its marble staircases, its stained-glass windows and Corinthian pillars is truly artistic. 58 The Borough has several parks, the largest—Dutton Park—having an area of 27 acres, the Musgrave Park being next in importance, with an area of 23 acres. Up to the present, however, little has been done to beautify these resorts ; indeed this neglect must strike the visitor as extraordinary. That which makes the individual mare to go also operates in respect of the Borough Council, and the wherewithal has been uncommcnly scarce of recent years. As a fact the Borough ran before it walked—hence its strength has to be carefully regarded. The great Sports reserve at , which is just on the Borough's boundary, has recently been opened. The Council contributed towards this, but its presence is due more to individual effort than to aldermanic activity.

Among the buildings which line the 68 miles of streets within the Borough there are some moderately fine structures. Still for architectural beauty the visitor will not look on the South side. The people there—more from necessity than for choice, but maybe wisely not the less—are content with humbler stores, less elegant hotels and even commoner churches than their neighbours over the river. So marked indeed has become the contrast between the two divisions of Brisbane, that the South side has ceased to aspire to the position of first importance it some years hankered after. As on the North side lines of tramway run along the principal thoroughfare. Those wfio desire to be accommodated beyond this service have at their command several lines of omnibuses. The Melbourne Street Railway Station is in extent many years ahead of requirement. It is the terminus of the South Coast, Beaudesert and Cleveland lines. In other words the tracks running out have their end at two waterside resorts—Cleveland and Southport—and a branch from the Southport line taps the farming centre of Beaudesert. After the 1893 and up to about the beginning of 1896, when by the completion of the Indooroopilly Bridge traffic on the south-western line was again taken to the heart of the city, it was practically the depot for that traffic. But this was only a temporary activity and Melbourne Street for the last twelve months has resumed its wonted serenity. South Brisbane has more than her fair share perhaps of public establishments. The Orphanage--an extensive institution—is there ; so are several schools, the gaol, and the Blind, Deaf and Dumb Asylum. 59 OVER RIVER COMMUN-CATION. The city and the Borough were, until 1''9 3 , connected by a substantial iron bridge, which carried in addition to ordinary traffic a double line of tramway, as well as gas and water pipes for the partial service of South Brisbane. The Floods experien- bane. The Victoria ced in February of the 1 Bridge has a his- year mentioned, how- tors- to itself and ever, proved too much therefore will be re- for the stability of the ferred to later on. structure and the Suffice it to say here, northern half was com- that it is one of the pletely swept away. finest pieces of bridge A temporary wooden architecture in the bridge restored com- colony. In addition munication for the to the Victoria Bridge time being , and after which is the only road some delay consequent traffic way spanning upon the divided civic the Brisbane, com- authority and many munication is main- conflicting interests, a tained between the contract was let for the two towns by several hands 'me bridge which New Railway Bridge at Indooroopilly. ferries. In this too, now spans the Bris- we find the enterprise of North Brisbane dominant, for while rowboats alone are used by the Borough, the 'city has two steam 6o services, one solely for passenger traffic ; the other taking both vehicular and passenger. These latter serve Kangaroo Point, an important ward of the city and fashionable residential suburb. For some years an agitation has been afoot for a high level bridge connecting the North side with Kangaroo Point at a point between the Bota nic gardens and the high lands opposite, and thus opening up direct communication for Cleveland and outlying districts with the heart of the city. This would undoubtedly prove a convenience to many hundreds of people, who now have to wind their way by a round-about road through South Brisbane, and -must in time come, but in the meantime, vested interests in the Borough have proved too powerful, and the Central Bridge lives still only in the future.

THE CITY PROPER. Having for the purpose of convenience reversed the order of precedence, we come to the city itself. Brisbane proper must impress the visitor. Its wharves with large steamers disgorging and taking in freight ; the continuous stream of traffic which meanders through the lines of buildings, which our American cousins would call " sky-climbers ; " the many chimney stacks, belching forth the blackest of black smoke ; the crowds of busy people— all speak of the activity of the place, and the importance of its trading relations. Here and there on the various eminences—for Brisbane is most picturesquely located—are to be seen the spires and towers of the " Houses of God," and if the moral welfare of the Brisbane folk may be judged by :their liberality in the matter of ecclesiasical architecture then all is well. Up the hill-sides nestle villa residences and humbler abodes, which tell with much eloquence of the extent of the population that is at the back of our trade. Upon mounting any of these eminences it becomes apparent that Brisbane does not end with the summits of the crescent of hills which partly surround it. As far as the eye can reach is one stretch of settlement ; the city is virtually hemmed in by thriving and ever-extending suburbs. As has been stated on the other side of the river lies South Brisbane backed up as Brisbane proper is backed up, with numerous hamlets, each with its local governing authority. Round about the city are the 61 important shires or divisions of Booroodabin, Ithaca, (each a town in itself) Hamilton, Windsor, Enoggera, and others. The population of Brisbane, including the South side and the suburbs within a five mile radius of the general post office is nearly ioo,ooo. only one that will strike the eye of That part of Brisbane defined by the the visitor. It can scarce do other- Municipal boundary is inhabited by wise, for the picturesque and strange about 27,000 people, and that looking building towers far above its w thin the borough of South Bris- 11 surroundings, and from its summit bane by 23.000, the suburbs giving as well as from the flag-staff within the balance. its grounds, float the signals-flags by day ; lights by night-which tell THE SIGNAL TO\VER. of the movements of shipping long The proclamation of Brisbane before the vessels themselves arrive. as a municipality was coincident As may he judged by its age it was with the erection of Queensland into one of the first building erected a separate colony, the date being during the convict era. It was at the 7th September , 1859. Here and the outset a windmill, and its interior there are still to be found reminders was fitted with treadmills tie horrors of the earlier times , chief among of which need not be dilated upon them the Colonial Stores in William here. When Queensland was born Street, and the old Observatory on it was put to a much better use- Wickham Terrace - both built about that for which we now find it utilised St. Paul's Presbyterian Church 1825 . This latter is, perhaps, the The old place is well worth a visit. There are lots of things to interest the curious ; while those who may desire 'to view the beautiful can do 62 nothing better than seek permission to mount the staircase and cast his eye over the panoramic picture which presents itself from its top.

BRISBANE'S ARCHITECTURAL BEAUTIES. UT to return. Brisbane has had its boom days. The result, unfortunately, has its impress in the many once wealthy men, who are now working out their salvation. In this respect the Brisbane folk are a courageous lot. a Perhaps the result referred to is the most noticeable in the ostentatious display of buildings which beautify and add grace and dignity to the thoroughfares. The city has, after all, something to thank boom times for. Private enterprise has certainly not been of a niggardly kind. The banks occupy palatial premises, while the hotels for elegance, cony enience, and general equipment, would be difficult to surpass anywhere. In both cases Brisbane can claim to be more than usually go-ahead. Wholesale merchants, too, have shown their practical belief in the stability of the place by running up four and five story warehouses, and retailers are only a short distance behind. Insurance companies occupy majestic buildings, the A.M.P. Society possessing offices which while strikingly imposing on the exterior are also high examples of art in their interior arrangements and decorations. These are on one ofthe corners of Queen and Edward street, and front the lofty and commanding pile occupied by the Brisbane Newspaper Company. This latter is a veritable beehive, for while the ground floor is utilised by retail traders and by the Company's clerical staff, the intermediate flats are the headquarters of sothe of the leading institutions of Queensland—such as the National Agricultural and Industrial Association, the Chamber of Commerce and the Pastoralist Association. On the top and in the basement floors, are the offices of the literary and mechanical branches of the Company's establishment, wherein are produced the three journals—Courier, Queenslanderand Observer. It is replete with modern typesetting and printing machinery, and is admittedly the largest and finest-equipped newspaper office in Australia. The Courier is the premier newspaper, having been established as far back as 1846. The other leading newspaper, the Telegraph, has its offices further up the street and on the opposite side. These too, are among the architectural features of the 63 thoroughfare, though their importance is to some extent detracted from, by the nature of the buildings on either side. They have the latest printing machinery with which they produce the Telegraph and the Iieek, but so far they have not like the Courier added the Linotype . I loth offices are well worth a visit. Her M ajesty 's Opera IIouse, with its 1t ,lian front, is an elaborate building and is close by the Courier block. There are two other theatres , the Royal and the Gaiety, each one remove from Queen street. Both are nevertheless well abreast with the advancement of the city. The churches are. for the most part, on commanding sites, and the majority of them are commodious and of handsome design. This will be the more readily seen from the accompanying pictures. The Town Hall may possibly be regarded as somewhat behind the times. But while there islittle architecturally to commend it, it is nevertheless roomy and well equipped. It must be remembered that it was built away back in the early sixties, before St. Ann 's Industrial Home. IFrisbane had, maybe, the right to call it- self a town, and when a building of the dimensions of the Town Hall was regarded as almost colossal. The day is 64 not far distant when a new building will be erected. The plans prepared some time ago show a structure of magnitude and much beauty. There are many who will regret the removal, for there is a halo of old-time memories about the present Council Chamber and mayoral and other apartments, which it will be little short of sacrilegious to disturb. The City Council some time ago generously handed over the use of the hall proper to the trustees of the National Art Gallery, who in the short time they have been in existence have done a really excellent work. Coincident with the appointment of the National Art Gallery trustees, was the election of another body of gentlemen entrusted with the duty of forming a Free Public Library. With a Government vote the nucleus of an excellent library has been secured, and before long it is confidently expected the institution will be opened in a Crown building most centrally situated—the Museum in William street, the Government having decided to take over the Exhibition Building and utilise it as a Museum. Apart from the Custom House, the Post and Telegraph offices, and the Treasury Buildings, all government establishments are out of the principal thoroughfare. The former is on the river side, at Petrie's Bight, where it commands an expansive view of the shipping. Its domed roof of copper is one of the first things that strike the eye of the new arrival. The Treasury Buildings which com- prise nearly all the offices for the public use, practically cover one whole block, being at the head of Queen street and one of its frontages overlooks the town reach of the river and Victoria Bridge. For beauty of design, and solidarity of workmanship, it would be difficult to find anything superior in Colonies. It is calculated that the building furnishes sufficient accomodation for the public service for the next century at least, The Law Courts with a double frontage—one to the river, the other to George street—contains all the superior branches of the Judiciary, the chambers of the Judges, and a comprehensive legal library. They are located within well-kept grounds and may be said to meet the demands of litigants admirably. Adjoining are the offices connected with the Department of Public Lands, including the Surveyor General's staff, and the office of the Minister. On the same line but in William street, and a little beyond the Treasury Building, is the Museum, which though extensive, is noticeably over-crowded with those exhibits which go to make such an institution interesting and valuable—hence the conteriplated change. 6D- Opposite is the Government Printing office, from which is issued Hansard, and the legislative lore which every country ha s necessarily to be afflicted with. Beyond again are the Houses of Parlia- r - ment.agreat stone pile commanding the river, Government I-louse and Domain South Brisbane,and the I->otanic Gardens or Oucen's Park. Close handy are the palatial Queensland Club. the sombre-looking Masonic Hall, each a characteristic feature of city architecture. Then there are scattered about in different parts of the town, but conveniently -el I situate( 1 nee ert 1 ]e ess, tie 1 Sc hoo 1 o f yrts any 1 T cc 1 In ca 1 C o 11 ege, hire Iri,ade Buildin s, the Trades IIall (the home of affiliated Lubor and its organ the ligorher)--the Normal School, Lady liovVen Hospital and Lady Alusgraye Lodge, the Centennial, Protestant and other public Balls. On the outskirts is the Exhibition Building. a very large block of novel red-brick design used for show purposes, and other great functions, and containing a fine concert hall in which is the finest organ in the colony. During the summer months this is used for Sunday afternoon organ recitals which are very largely attended. In the grounds is a fine sports ,,round enclosure-the battle-Held of international and intercolonial cricket, cycling, and other outdoor games and recreation. Next door are the Acclimatisation Gar- (lens, opposite which are the extensive General Hospital and Sick Child- ren's Hospital buildings. All are easily reached by either or'bus Her Majesty 's Opera House. and at special tim°s trains are run to the Exhibition gates. 66 THE LUNGS OF THE CITY—QUEEN'S PARK. EAVING Buildings, which are a true index of the go-ahead character of the people,and of the importance of the city generally, one cannot but be struck by the beauty and extent of its several parks. Chief among them are the Botanic Gardens or Queen's Park. The garCens, bounded on one side by a drive running along the bank of the river, are the home of many choice plants and tare tropical trees. Its hundreds of flower beds are a Wealth of colour and perfume, while its extensive tree-lined walks, ferneries, and shady nooks, afford rest to both eye and mind and comfort to body. The bush-houses, the trickling fountains, and the lily-clothed pools, are each in themselves sights worth seeing ; and the avarries and enclosures with their strange animals are not the least interesting feature of the parks. Nothing can be more soothing than the ceaseless rustle of the breeze-shaken bamboo clumps; nothing more cheering than a cup of tea and its concomitants, which thanks to a wise departmental act, is now obtainable at a kiosk, conducted in the most approved style. The rustic seats and tables, the out of door tete-a-tetes, social croquet and tennis, with the accompaniment of clatter from cups and saucers, ice glasses, and the like, smacks strikingly of the continental; and on such occasions when the military, naval, or police bands perform on the lawn opposite, the suggestion is heightened. The Gardens, which are only a few chains from Queen street, and may be entered from many points, are the haunt of the botanist as they are of the busy business man and the tired worker. The trees, plants and shrubs, are all legibly branded, and it is no uncommon thing to find groups of budding scientists and field naturalists—male and female—congregated round some object which to them is of the profoundest interest, but which to the lay mind may suggest nothing more valuable than a weed to be annihilated or an insect to be crushed under the heel. On holidays hundreds of children with their parents may be seen picnicing under the trees or in the vicinity of a sporting fountain, while cricketers and footballers enjoy a domain quite theirown, arid cyclists claim the greater part of the ashphalted walks. This latter is not so much objected to by the pedestrian since it gives him an excuse for infringing the injunction which proclaims at every turn that " visitors must keep off the grass borders ! " Imo.. T'V =TsT

Exhibition Buildings, Bowen Park.

Illiplu;,

One of the Walks in Gardens.

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69 THE ALBERT PARK. C The Albert Park is as it were on the other side of the town. It is an extensive recreation ground, and is fringed by the villa residences and the Observatory which surmount \Vickham-terrace. Part of this is under the direct control of the City Council who have done a great deal of work in the way of beautifying it. The bulk, however, is in the hands of trustees, who have not been altogether negligent of their trust. The grounds are nicely planted, and where the undulating nature of the country will permit, have been laid tennis courts and cricket pitches- Cultivation is confined to trees, and tropical and semi-tropical shrubs.

THE ACCLIMATISATION GARDENS. The Acclimatisation Gardens adjoin the Exhibition. Up to recently these were only second in point of beauty to the Queen's Park, but the trustees have decided to place the grounds more to their legitimate use-acclimatisation ; the propagation and distribution of plants of economic value is their chief function. Fruits, grains, fibres, and grasses, are being experimented with, with a view to assisting those desirous of settling on the land. Thus the expensive practice which often demands years of experiment on the part of the settler or horticulturist, and not infrequently failure, is to a large extent obviated; a man may know the value of his plants, his grasses, or his fruits, when he sets out. Central Fire Station. Seats are provided for visitors , and there are many palms and senli- tropical cultivated patches which furnish welcome shade from a summer sun. 70 VICTORIA PARK. Victoria Park is only across the way, as it were. It is a magnificent tract of country many acres in extent. but it is literally in a state of nature. Little has been done to it. It forms a large part of one of the city boundaries and is overlooked by Gregory terrace which is formed by a line of neatly kept and pretentious villas. On that part of Victoria Park nearest the city have been built the Grammar Schools for Boys and Girls, and the dormatoties for the boys. Both building are very large, and being architecturally of pleasing design, they present in their well-kept grounds an imposing picture to the visitor.

MOUNT COOTHA AND WHITE'S HILL. Persons with more leisure on their hands can spend a pleasant day or afternoon at Mount Cootha or White's Hill. The latter as the name suggests is kept by a private individual who supplies refreshments to patrons and offers many inducements. The drive out, which may be accomplished by bus, is an extremely pleasant one, while the mountain air is most exhilarating. The view commanded by White's Hill is very extensive, taking in the whole city and environs, and a large telescope placed at the command of visitors enables one to pick out the best known spots. Mount Cootha or One Tree Hill--so named from the one solitary historic tree on its summit—is part of the Taylor Range which backs up the city. It is approached by several means, by railway among the rest. The most convenient, however, is the 'bus service, which takes passengers to the foot of the hill. The by no means exhausting climb is more than adequately rewarded by the view which opens out. Much more extensive is it than that from White's Hill. The serpentine course of the river, and, on a fine day, the vessels at anchor in the bay, as well as the islands dotted about the expanse of water, are plainly discerned with the naked eye ; while on turning round a good deal of the productive district of West Moreton is seen. Indeed, if one wishes to form an adequate idea of the extent of the city he must get it from a point of vantage such as One Tree Hill. Water tanks have been fixed on the top of the hill, so 71 that picnicers may draw their supplies from these, and descending the fern gullies in the vicinity, boil their billies and partake of their repast in the most approved gipsy fashion.

THE MARINE RESORTS. But these by no means exhaust L-'risbane's pleasure nooks. If the city is wealthy in one thing more than another, it is in marine resorts and sports grounds. There are two race- courses-the principal one at Eagle Farm, the other Breakfast-creek-and several sports grounds. Referring, however, to health resorts the first and foremost in point both of age and convenience of access is Sandgate, a thriving borough on the northerly shore of Moreton Bay. Thus, it may of course be reached by water if a yachting excursion is considered desirable. But Sandgate is con- The Normal School. nected with Brisbane by rail, and is in fact regarded largely as a surburban residential locality, express trains occupying only half-an-hour in travelling the twelve miles which separate it from the city. About the same distance to the southward of the mouth of the river, but a somewhat greater distance from the city, are the townships of Wynnum: and Manly, which share almost equally with Sandgate in popular favour, and are 72 reached by road or rail. Further south again on the same line of railway, are Wellington Point, Cleveland, Red land Bay, and Southport. The railway terminus is Cleveland, Red land Bay being reached by coach from that point. Southport, however, is on the South Coast system, of which it is at present the terminus. This latter is situated on a narrow passage at the extreme southern end of Moreton Bay and enjoys the advantage of easy access to the Pacific Ocean. Its distance from the city—some forty-five miles by rail—restricts its sphere of attractiveness to the comparatively few favoured ones who can extend their stay over a few days or longer. The . majority of excursionists find their way either to Sandgate or Wynnum, although the advent of the bicycle as a means of travel is doing much to popularise the others. There are two other watering places, which in themselves possess great attractions, but are chiefly regarded in the light of places where a month or so of the summer may be the most conveniently spent. Humpybong (of historic interest since it was there the first convict settlement was established) comprises three settlements in close proximity to each other—Woody Point, Redcliffe, and Scarborough. Humpybong would undoubtedly be the most popular resort in Moreton Bay were the mode of reaching it more convenient. It can be reached by road, but there is no railway within twelve miles. Communication is chiefly by the small steamer Garnet, whiCh makes three or four trips a week and which is the model of regularity. The trip occupies from two and a half to three hours each way, and in fine weather is exceedingly pleasant. The other resort alluded to is which fronts the open sea at the north-end of the Bay, but it can only be reached by special boat or vehicle. It is, however, a favourite camping place for yachtsmen ; indeed one of the most enjoyable holidays that can be spent is in a cruise round the many islands set like emeralds in the expansive waters of Moreton Bay.

THE RAILWAY SYSTEM. And now having taken an imaginary excursion, let us return to the city, and avoiding too much detail gl ince at its commercial and industrial aspect. In a large measure this is affected by the railway system. Brisbane, indeed, is peculiarly interested in the operations of the iron-horse. The city is practically the terminus of the Southern and. 73

Central sy stems. thou„ h it is true that with regard to the latter there is still a missing link ." Mill this is now being supplied, and when it is a further ;aaa or roc) nude- ,f railway will be brought immediately into touch with the headquarters here. The southern system penetrates an im- mense tract of country, branching away at Toowoomba almost to Cunnannilla-a town in the 'I Wild and weary west," nearly boo miles from Brisbane, and also running to Wallangarra (233 miles from Bris- bane) connecting there with the \.S.A. line. Then there are in- numerble branches all converging as it were into the metropolis. On the North Coast, we have the track running as far as Gladstone 355 mile; from Brisbane, junctioning with and taking in at various points Gvmpie, \Iaryborough, Bundaberg, Mount Perry, Gayndah, Isis Scrub, and other large, populous and wealthy Albert Street Wesleyan Church . Salvation Army Temple. districts. Coming more immediately 74 home we find lines now run along the South Brisbane wharves and from the city side to the Eagle Farm Meat Works. It would of course be out of place to deal too lengthily here with the whole of the Queensland railways, but for general information a few particulars may be given to show their rapid development. Thirty years ago there were not fifty miles of rails laid throughout the length and breadth of the vast territory comprised in the colony of Queensland. To-day there are nearly 3000 miles available which during the past twelve months earned something like a million and a quarter of money. In this one statement alone is demonstrated the fact that in our railways is to be found the key to the general prosperity of the colony. The one is ultimately associated with the other. The ruthless invasion of the iron horse into the tropical jungles of the north ; its penetration into the undulating grass-clad plains which lie to the west of Drummond Range ; its piercing of the great Dividing Range which in the south separates the territory revealed to the white man by Allan Cunningham over half a century ago, and settled by pioneers of the Leslie type— this continuous pushing forward has in each case played an important part in the development of the resources of Queensland, and has assisted materially in raising Brisbane as the capital of the colony, to the important position it now occupies. How rapid this development has been may be eloquently explained in a few simple figures. The people of Queensland, who in 1880 numbered 226,077, had in 1896 multiplied to something like 460,000; the 120,881 acres of land, which in 1880 was the area under cultivation, has since run up to an area more than two and a half times greater ; horses and cattle have risen from 3,341,904 head in 1880, to about 8A-millions in 1896 ; sheep have jumped up from 9 millions to 20 millions, to say nothing of the wool clip they yield which is worth something like £3,000,000 a year, the meat and bi-products which give 34 millions a year, and the gold and sugar which return between them an amount approaching 5 millions, the -i,000,000 yielded by sugar exported, taking the place of ‘ro,000 imported in 1880. Considerably over 2,000,000 passengers are carried, and about roo,000 tons of goods are now transported annually as against 193,746 passengers and 137,839 tons of goods in 1880. These latter figures indicate unmistakably the influence of railway extension on general progress. 75 COLD STORAGE FACILITIES. Cr jjHE developments which have taken place in the perfecting of cold storage facilities , the consequent extension of the meat trade , and the f near possibility of the establishment of interior chilling works have necessitated improvements in the carriage of products so treated. By way of experiment large cold storage works have been erected in connection with the railway system at Brisbane. They have a capacity of 200 tons, and are used chiefly for the storage of farm and dairy produce waiting shipment or local sale, and for the manufacture of the commercial ice used in the cars. The pleat trade is of course accommodated by the three large works-the Queens- land Meat Export Agency Co's establishment at Eagle Farm (which has recently been connected with the main trunk railway by a branch line) the Graziers Butchering Company (which does an immense continental trade), located on the river at Queens- port, and Messrs. Geddes, Birt and Wickham =terrace Presby . Church. Co., who with the assistance of the South Brisbane Municipal Council, have just put up large works in the heart of the borough and to which a branch line has also been laid. All Saints ' Anglican Church. 76 TRAMWAYS, TRACTION, AND LIGHTING. Tramways in importance are perhaps only one remove from railways. This importance however, is more local than national. Brisbane is well supplied with these conveniences. It started with the horse- but this mode of traction has of recent years been developed, and now Brisbane may be said to have the latest and most improved electric installation. It is perhaps a misfortune that the system is in the hands of private enterprise instead of being controlled municipally ; all the same the wants of the citizens are well catered for. Anywhere almost within a few miles of the city centre can be reached by tram ; beyond that and even to these points, there are the 'buses and trains. It is believed that very shortly electric lighting will have almost wholly superseded gas in the city proper, where nearly all the business places and many government offices are illumined through the medium of " bottled lightning." The Courier office was with the Government printing establishment the first to intoduce it, now it is in the shops, in the theatres, in the Houses of Parliament, to some extent in the streets, and in a few private houses. Telephonic communication, too, is very thorough. " Sixpence for five minutes conversation," is becoming a familiar notice in the city and suburbs where the telephone is fast superceding the telegraph for immediate local requirements.

COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY. But to return to commerce and industry. Boot manufacturing has developed wonderfully of late in Brisbane, and now some of the many factories can boast of the latest labour-saving appliances. Jam and preserve manufactories are numerous, operating upon both local and imported fruits, and many of the large firms have entered upon the making or packing of articles of household use, such as tea, coffee, spices, vinegar, pickles, sauces and condiments. It may fairly be said, too, that all the common soap used in Queensland is now manufactured in Brisbane, and a fair proportion of the scented article also, although of course, England, America and the Continent still out-paces us in this matter. Brisbane is a thirsty place and its citizens are thirsty souls—a fact borne evidence to by the enormous quantities of beer, ale, and stout made and consumed. Colonial vinegar has almost shut the 77 imported article out of the market, and local candles have secured the bulk of the trade of the colony. Tanning and fellmongering, wood-working of every description, iron-founding, carriage making, the manufacture of agri- cultural and other implements, wool and cotton weaving, and to a limited extent ship-building are all numbered among the firmly established industries of Brisbane. Some of them largely depend for their existence upon the imposition of heavy duties, but the majority Queensland i"luseum. are natural to the country and re- quire no protection. Even sulphuric acid and other chemicals supplying the general requirements of the colony are now made here. Butter making and dairying generally has of late taken more permanent root, and with the aids science has given us, the remote parts of the colony can now be said to be supplied with butter in a condition bordering on that in which it is found in England on the coldest of cold days. Even more noteworthy has been the strides made in ham and bacon curing-an industry which has been carried to such perfection as to completely annihilate the English export trade. St. Stephen 's R.C. Cathedral. 78 THE WATER SUPPLY. The water supply of the city of Brisbane could be made to form the subject of an interesting work in itself. It was one of the most difficult and likewise one of the most expensive undertakings, yet its process of evolution as it were, from a mud-hole within the city haunts, to a modern-equipped water works fifty or sixty miles distant has been so rapid as to suggest praiseworthy energy on the part of those who have been entrusted with the undertaking. For years after Separation, the city supply was drawn from a chain of water-holes which started somewhere near the present site for the Town Hall in Upper Albert street, and ran very close to the Roma street Railway-station, the shops on the railway side of George street fairly accurately marking the position. As may be believed the water was not only of questionable quality, but it was likewise a very scarce commodity, and few as the number of residents then were they were often placed in sore straits. Shortly after the proclamation of the municipality the water was sold, but presently this scheme was substituted by another by which water-carriers were licensed. Later again the Board of Waterworks was constituted, and there followed the making of the Enoggera Reservoir, some ten miles distant by the damming of Ithaca Creek. Though much better than the old horse-pond water, the supply was still unsatisfactory and for years legends and adventures with what was disdainfully termed " pure Enoggera " were daily related. It is a fact that so bad was the water sometimes that it was positively unfit for use in baths. The supply, too, was erratic. Often in dry seasons it has really failed, and even in the best of times the extent of its distribution was limited. Then followed the building of Gold Creek. With it came a better service and likewise better water. But it was not until about 1891 that Brisbane really got a perfect, and abundant supply. In that year the extensive works at Mount Crosby at the head of the Brisbane River were opened. The pumps there raise 9,000,000 gallons a day from the river into the reservoir on the Mount, likewise with a capacity of f,000,000 gallons, and 450 feet above Brisbane highwater. From this point the water is carried to the city by gravitation. It can also be diverted to Gold Creek, Which reservoir is kept filled, and by a syphon laid under the river at Toowong, a large reservoir on Highgate Hill fitted with aerating apparatus :is likewise brought into connection. This latter supplies the higher levels in 79

South Brisbane; mains laid under Victoria Bridge furnish the other parts. Altogether the water supply is as perfect as it can be hoped to make it, and is sufficiently abundant to meet all probable requirements for many years to come. CLIMATIC AND OTHER CONDITIONS. The bearing of the water supply on the health of the community is necessarily important. Perhaps the truest index as to this is found in the vital statistics of the colony. These statistics also tell us that, all the libels uttered in the South notwithstanding, that our climate and our sanitation are among the most perfect of all the colonies comprising the great con-, tinent of Australia . In view of the ignorant and maliciously promoted aspersions against Brisbane , two short tables City Tabernacle (Baptist) compiled from the Registrar Generals returns, and from data supplied by the Government Meteorologist , may not be regarded as altogether uninteresting or unnecessary. VITAL STATISTICS. The first is as to the death rate . The latest official figures available regarding the five capitals are:- CITY D :ATII B.ATF. PER 100. Brisbane, 1895 on Cen.,us population) ... 1.63 do. 1396 do. .. 1.7.5 svdney. 15U. (on estimated population) ... 1.3° Melbourne, 1895 do...... 1.59 Lady Musgrave Lodge. Adelaide, 1895 do. ... 1.4S Perth, 1895 do. ... 2.30 8o TWELVE MONTHS WEATHER.

Brisbane Observatory, Wickham-terrace, Brisbane, 140 feet above mean sea level.

Highest Barometer recorded in period, 30.498 inches ; lowest barometer, 29.616 inches. Mean barometer recorded in period, 30.060. Total rainfall for year, 44.97 inches. Total number of wet days, 121. HISTORICAL SKETCH

OF The Brisbane Municipal Council.

@.- -- `•1/4 - - . , % 6 &,

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The late Mr. (first Mayor of Brisbane)

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83

SUPPLEMENT TO THE N.S.W. " GOVERNMENT GAZETTE " OF TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1859.

[PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY.]

No. 179. WEDNESDAY, 7714 SEPTEMBER 1859.

MUNICIPALITY OF BRISBANE.

TD Ri001-1-A-MA-r11101\T-

BY His Excellency Sir William Thomas Denison, Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Governor-General in and over all Her Majesty's Colonies of New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia, and Captain-General and Governor-in-chief of the territory of New South Wales and its dependencies and vice-Admiral of the same, dm, (.44c.,d‘c. Whereas by an Aet of Parliament of New South Wales passed in the 22nd year of the reign of her Majesty intitled, " An Act for Establishing Municipal Institutions," and commonly styled the " Municipalities Act of 1858," it was amongst other things enacted that any city, town, or hamlet, then or thereafter established ; or any rural district might as therein provided be constituted a Municipality ; and it was by the said Act enacted that the Governor with the advice of the Executive Council might on the receipt of a petition, signed by not fewer than fifty householders, resident within any such city, town, hamlet, or rural district, praying that the same might be declared a municipality under the said Act, and stating the number of inhabitants thereof, cause the substance and prayer of such petition to be published in the Government Gazette ; and unless a counter-petition, signed by a greater number of householders, residents aforesaid, should be received by the Colonial Secretary within three months from the date of such publication, the Governor, with the advice aforesaid, might by proclamation published in like manner, declare such city, town, or hamlet, or such rural district to be a Municipality by a name to be mentioned in such proclamation, and might also by the same or any other proclamation define the limits and boundaries thereof, and that upon such publication the municipality should be constituted accordingly. And whereas a petition signed by 420 householders resident within the , Moreton Bay, in the countY of Stanley, in the colony of New South Wales, praying that the same might be declared a municipality under the provisions of the said Act and stating that the number of the inhabitants of the said town and suburbs was 5000, was presented to the Governor, the substance and prayer of which petition were duly published in the Government Gazette in accordance with the provisions of the said Act. And whereas no counter petition, signed by a greater number of householders, resident within the said town of Brisbane, was received by the Colonial Secretary within three months from the date of such publication. And whereas the Governor with the advice of the Executive Council has in exercise of the powers conferred by the said Act determined to declare by proclamation such town of Brisbane to be a municipality by the name hereinafter mentioned, and to define the limits and boundaries thereof in the manner hereinafter defined. Now therefore I, Sir William Thomas Denison, the Governor-General and Governor-in-chief aforesaid, in pursuance of the provisions of the said Act, and with the advice of 84 the Executive Council, do by this my proclamation declare that the district hereinafter described and named shall be a municipality within the meaning of the said Act, and that the limits and boundaries thereof shall be as follows, that is to say : THE MUNICIPALITY OF BRISBANE. Embracing the town of Brisbane in the county of Stanley, commencing on the left bank of the Brisbane river at the southern extremity of the north-west side of the road dividing John McConnell's 13 acres, 1 rood, 2 perches and 21 acres, 3 roods, 4 perches, and bounded on part of the east by the north-west side of that road north-easterly to the south corner of J. C. Wickham's 30 acres ; thence on.the north by the south-west boundary of Wickham's 30 acres, and the south-west side of the road which forms the south west boundary of James Gibbon's 86 acres and 33 acres and T. Shannon's 13 acres, 19 perches to the new bridge on the Eagle Farm Road ; thence by lines north-westerly in all 37 chains and 24 links up to the north side of York's Hollow Swamp to a point west of the old road to Eagle Farm, and opposite to the ridge which divides York's and Spring Hollows ; thence by lines south-westerly to and along that ridge and the ridge fonning the southern watershed of York's Hollow to a point north by compass from the north-east corner of the Jews' burial ground for North Brisbane ; on the west by a line bearing south and forming the eastern boundaries of the Jews', Roman Catholics', Presbyterians', and Aborigines' burial grounds, to the north corner of D. R. Somersets 2 acres and 38 perches, by the south-west side of the road forming the north-east boundary of that land, to a small creek which forms its south boundary and by that creek to the Brisbane river, by a line south-easterly across the Brisbane river, to the north extremity of the west side of Boundary street, South Brisbane, being the north corner of John Croft's 2 acres, and by the west side of Boundary street, southerly to the south side of Vulture street ; on the south by the south side of Vulture street, and of the road in continuation theteof easterly to a point due south of the south-east corner of W. Kent's 6 acres, 1 rood, 13 perches, and on the remainder of the east by a line n-rth to that point to the west side of a road bounding Kent's land on the east, northerly to the Brisbane river, by its extension northerly across that river, and by the left bank of the river upwards to the point of commencement. And I do hereby with the advice aforesaid declare and erect that such Municipality shall be called by the name of " The Municipality of Brisbane." Given under my hand and seal of the Colony at Government House, Sydney, the sixth day of September, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fifty nine and in the 23rd year of Her Majesty's reign.

(L.s.) W. DENISON. By His Excellency's command, CHARLES COWPER.

[GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.]

Thus runs the birth certificate of the Brisbane Municipality. Its phraseology is perplexingly official and formal, yet it awakens many memories—some pleasant, some sad—in the minds of those who lived at the christening, and whose own life is now drawing to a close. It carries them back to a time when they themselves were young ; when the feelings of patriotism stirred them into active participation in a movement whose impelling influence was to 85 cause them to strive to leave the place better than they found it. The fight demanded pluck and self-sacrifice. Both were willingly contributed and though victory was theirs it has been more a victory for those who followed than for those who fought. - Is the present generation duly appreciative of the advantages that have been born to them through the labour of others ? It is much to be feared they are not ; if they are, they are eminently successful in hiding their feelings of generosity. There is certainly nothing to inform the public that they are appreciative of the work of the pioneers ; not even a tablet conveys their thanks. We can, however, be generous to ourselves, and attribute the blame to the bustle of our daily life, which precludes our looking back into the past and insists on our focussing our vision on the future ! But as we were saying, what memories does the proclamation above quoted awaken in the minds of the pioneers ? After all it is only half a life-time. 1859—just thirty-eight years ago ! • Sir William Thomas Denison we are told, was "-Governor-General in and over all her Majesty's colonies of New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia," Captain-in-general, Governor-in-chief, vice-Admiral—in fact the king of all the Continent. Why, Queensland had not yet been born, though the agitation carried on for years previously was about to bear its fruit ! What a growth of the self-governing system does this first paragraph suggest ? What an obstacle does this result of years of struggle present to the present-day Federalist ! The next paragraph brings us nearer home, for besides summarising the municipal law of the fifties it tells us something of our own value based on population. " And whereas a petition signed by 420 householders resident within the town of Brisbane, Moreton Bay in the county of Stanley, in the colony of New South Wales . . . stating that the number of the inhabitants of the said town and suburbs was 5000, &c."—says the proclamation ! And then the boundaries, the geographical position of which could only be defined by such marks as " John McConnell's 13 acres, x rood, 2 perches," " James Gibbon's 86 acres," " T. Shannon's 13 acres, 19 perches," and ‘.‘W. Kent's 6 acres, i rcrod, 13 perches." " York's Hollow," " Spring Hollow," and other examples of old-time nomenclature—all unknown to us now but then all prominent land-marks in the little world of Moreton Bay ! It was indeed a proud moment for the pioneers when 86 with the Government Gazette in one hand and a pointer in the other they could trace on the rude map, through the medium of their neighbour's paddocks, the boundaries of their metropolis of a colony in embryo. The proclamation of Brisbane preceded that of Queensland by a little over three months, and one of the first public duties which devolved upon the aldermen was the reception of Governor Bowen. An attempt was made to throw this duty entirely on the shoulders of the Council, but the aldermen were not to be drawn. Money was not sufficiently plentiful to dispense with private enterprise. The aldermen forwarded a very diplomatic reply to those who made the suggestion. " The Council consider " said their letter " the arrangemens for receiving his Excellency should be of a general character, and that as any interference on its part would have the effect of giving them a local character, declines to interfere at present, but will be happy to co-operate in the arrangements for this city when such is required," So it did, but this is somewhat anticipatory. The first days of the Council as reflected through the misty, yellow-stained minute books furnish much interesting material for review. At the outset we find that " the following was the result of the election for aldermen to serve in the first Municipal Council for Brisbane, declared by the returning officer, James Gibbon Esq., on Thursday, the 13th October, 1859, at noon Votes John Petrie, Esq. 325 Patrick Mayne, Esq. ... 274 Thomas Blackett Stephens, Esq. 203 , Esq. ... 166 Albert John Hockings, Esq. 126 George Edmonstone, Esq.... 125 , Esq. . . 107 George Warren, Esq. ... 98 William Samuel Sutton, Esq. 95 87 What shall be said of the task which stared these civic fathers in the face ? The present day generation can know nothing of it. We can only hint at it. Brisbane was yet but a clearing, its streets so many eminences and depressions, with creeks intersecting at various points, and trees, and tree-stumps blocking the way to convenient locomotion—not three miles of road had been made. A very fair idea of the condition of Brisbane is obtained by a study of some of the motions which were tabled during the first year of its history. The approaching arrival of Governor Bowen suggested the first work. At the third meeting of the Council an alderman remarked that " he had been applied to by the Governor's Reception Committee, to bring to the notice of the Council the necessity of filling in some holes and removing trees in George street, which would interfere with the arrangements of the Committe if not attended to." Even Queen street was a menace to the public safety, judging by a discussion which ensued in February, 186o, which of course was a few months antecedent to the assembling of the first Parliament. Quoting from the Courier report of this particular meeting we find Alderman Sutton arguing in this fashion : " The times coming on would be productive of great excitement, and there would be in consequence of the meeting of the Legislative Assembly great traffic over that part of Queen street where the creek was bridged (intersection by Creek street). How could they tell what accident might occur from the excitement consequent upon the new times ? The Attorney-General might be driving home with Dr. Fullerton from the Legislative Chambers and becoming excited near the creek give the horses a stroke which might cause the carriage to swerve. The excitement might only be the effect of some discussion and not produced by any other stimulant, yet what a terrible thing it would be if Law and Physic and Latin and Greek lay jumbled in the ditch ! " But this pointed argument illustrated by the terrible picture did not carry conviction, and believing that if " Law and Physic and Latin and Greek lay jumbled in the ditch " it would be the result of discussion or some other stimulant not under the control of the Council, the aldermen shelved the motion. There were other places equally dangerous. For instance a petition was received asking that " the creek in Edward street " —which had its source in the Port Office yard and ended near the back of the Metropolitan Hotel—should be bridged. Then Alderman Mayne " presented a memorial signed by 29 inhabitants living near the junction of Albert and 88 Adelaide streets, praying that some steps might be taken for throwing a bridge across the creek—which ran through Warby's sale-yards to the present Town Hall Reserve and was a continuation of the watercourse which crossed Queen street at Creek street—as the passage was now dangerous to foot passenger at night." A similar request came from South Brisbane in respect of a creek which intersected Stanley street near where the Musgrave wharf now is. Indeed, creeks seem to have been as plentiful as mushrooms in November. We get an interesting item in January, 186o, at the instance of Alderman Mayne, " who desired to lay before the Improvement Committee the state of the road from Government House (Dr. Hobbs' old house on the summit of the cutting in Adelaide street) along Wickham-terrace." In impressing the matter on the notice of the Committee he said that " if the road round Wickham-terrace was stumped and cleared there would be safety for travellers on one of the most splendid drives, commanding one of the most beautiful prospects in the place. The road was much used at the present time and already there were a number of houses erected, and as carriages now began to roll about they should render it safe to travel in the prettiest part of the town." And yet another illustration. The first drainage scheme was initiated in March, 186o, when the -Improvement Committee recommended the following :—" The formation of a portion of the permanent drainage in Albert street by the construction of a stone barrel drain or culvert, egg-shaped and measuring 4 feet by 3 feet from above Charlotte street to Margaret street, the level at the former intersection being 21 feet and at the latter 2o1 feet above the datum line, with short branches in Elizabeth and Charlotte streets, and the ground to be raised on each side ; the drain to open into the present creek in Margaret Street, the levels of the streets to be raised sufficiently to protect the drain ; also the erection of a stone culvert across the intersections of Albert and Adelaide streets to be raised on each side to protect the culvert and the present drain there, from thence to the bridge in Queen street to be opened up." Yet we wonder that Brisbane is sometimes flooded ! The reservoir, which started at about the present Town Hall Reserve and ran along separating Roma street from George street was in a dreadful state and called for a vote of 1500, the first year of the council's existence. Other illustrations might be given, of .course, but sufficient is quoted to show the sort of place the first aldermen had to improve ; the raw material out of which has developed the great city of Brisbane. 89 The troubles and trials which disturbed aldermanic rest and tested the stuff of which the civic fathers were made, are now as interesting as they were then perplexing. Here was a settlement all hills and hollows—a forest— nevertheless the capital of a colony with nature to be wrestled with and everything to do. And ‘roo was the Government Grant which the city was asked to start house-keeping upon ! At a later period the Mayor (Mr. Petrie) so far from having an allowance, actually backed bills to the tune of a couple of thousand pounds ! That act represented patriotism of the truest type. But at the jump, money had to be found. The Council went about finding it in a business like way—they pledged the credit of the city at the bankers, and after the third meeting they found themselves the proud possessors of an overdraft. Then tenders were called for valuing city property, and that of Messrs. Thompson and Dowse for something like L.6o was accepted. Mr. Dowse, it may be mentioned was identical with " old Tom " of years afterwards, who combined with the duties of Town Clerk that of contributor of a series of articles to the CouYiei on the subject of old times. The modesty of the aldermen is well illustrated in the following " estimate of probable expenditure during the current year," the date of the report adopting it being November, 1859 :— Valuation and assessment 16o Taking city levels 150 Salaries roo Books 20 South Brisbane Reservoir roo North Brisbane Reservoir 300 Fortitude Valley Reservoir roo Drainage ... 150 Contingencies for advertising &c. 20 Total /moo 90 Under the circumstances it was a bold stroke on the part of Alderman Sutton, to at this time table a motion " for the consideration of the best means of building a wharf and market buildings! " However, the Council soon disposed of this by declaring that there were no funds available. Nor were there. As a matter of fact the rate had not yet been fixed. There was trouble when it was. Shortly afterwards it was decided that the rate be 1s. in the ,C, Alderman Cribb's proposition that it be 8d., lapsing for want of a seconder, and one by Alderman Mayne fixing it at rod. being lost. Judging' by a motion by Alderman Mayne, adopted on December 19, 1859, ratepayers were as lax then as they are now. Indeed it may even be pleaded that the little failing of not caring to come up to the scratch is an inheritance. The motion read : " That the Mayor be empowered to appoint a barrister and solicitor to assist in the valuation in upholding the assessment if necessary." The thorn in the flesh in those days was the late Mr. Cribb. A perusal of the early records suggests that he was a fearfully disturbing element in the otherwise placid proceedings. He had an utter abhorrence of the law—possibly from the fact that he thought everybody was by nature as law abiding as himself. He fought hard for his principles when Alderman Mayne moved his motion. First he tried an amendment, " That the Town Clerk and assessors attend the appeal court instead of a legal gentleman." But not even getting a seconder, and his amendment lapsing, he lodged the following elaborate protest :—" I hereby protest against the employment of legal gentlemen for the purpose of supporting the rates against those that have appealed for the following reasons :—(i) That the rate being a public matter should only be supported by equity and good conscience. (2) For the above purpose the attendance of the Town Clerk will be sufficient ; they can well support the Justice of any assessment. (3) The enforcement of unjust assessment is calculated to bring municipal institutes into disrepute and therefore should be avoided by the municipal officers. (4) As the present assessment in a large number of cases is manifestly unjust the attempt to enforce such injustice by legal trickery will be considered by our fellow townsmen as a moral evil and a squandering of public funds for the enforcement of public injustice." Human nature must have been very different where Mr. Cribb hailed from than the article usually found in Queensland ! However, the protest was duly minuted, but two meetings later it was ordered to be expunged as it was 9/ considered to be " a discredit to this Council." The estimate for the year as approximated in November, 1859, does not appear to haVe turned out right, for in March of the following year this is set forward as the likely expenditure :— Balance overdraft at bank, L-600 ; amount required for North Brisbane, South Brisbane and Fortitude Valley reservoirs, as already determined on, ,6500 ; salaries and contingencies, .4-300; employment of prison labour, L-250 ; permanent drainage at Frog's Hollow and Adelaide Street, ,C1200 ; permanent works and roads, L-1250. This totals ,-4000. The receipts for this year, however, quite justified the lavish expenditure, they being L'3834 ! Two years later found the Council with a regular millstone (relatively) in the shape of liabilities to the tune of Lio,000. A halt was then called and for ten years they were stationary. What the assets were there are no means of determining. Having shown what the beginnings of Brisbane city were, a few figures taken in conjunction with the pictures accompanying this brochure may not be regarded as altogether uninteresting. As a prelude, however, it should be mentioned that the city has several times been carved up, and at the present time its boundaries do not extend nearly so far as are sketched in the proclamation of 1859. , On the 6th December, 1864, it was divided into four wards and in the following year an act was passed dividing it into six wards, and the latest alteration was affected in February, 1888 when, as stated elsewhere, the South Ward became part of the new Borough of South Brisbane. There are now thus five wards—the East taking in the river side of Queen street ; the West stretching from the other side of the main thoroughfare towards Petrie-terrace ; the North comprising Spring Hill ; the Valley taking in the suburbs of that name, and Kangaroo Point located on the South side of the river. These wards are intersected by no fewer than 53i miles of streets, and cover an area of A square miles. All these streets are macadamised roadways, but wood-paving is now being laid in the principal thoroughfares, and a no inconsiderable area of tarred pavement will cover the intersecting streets. Over 6o miles of the water-channels are laid in concrete, and a loan has lately been floated for the purpose of continuing this excellent system of street sanitation. Then there are 25 miles of sewerage, and with all this:the liabilities do not exceed 1225,000, while its assets tot up to 1581,000. These few simple figures denote not only a remarkable growth, but an exceedingly healthy growth—such a one as no other Australian city can boast of. 92

Years Liabilities Assets Properties Years Liabilities Assets Properties £

RECEIPTS.

* Debenture indebtedness.

EXPENDITURE. Year Office Expenses Redemption Loans Public Works Other Expenses Totals f g 1887 5,660 3,021 112,366 17,851 138,900 1888 3,923 7,086 82,540 18,701 112,252 1889 4,365 7,702 •• • 87,766 25,827 •125.661 1890 4,138 7,530 •• • 86,023 17,220 114,912 1891 4,070 4,539 •• • 73,156 16,902 98.669 1892 3588 4,650 •• • 54,162 14,968 77,370 1893 3,651 2,788 58,087 12,383 76,911 1894 3,596 115,106 •• • 44,489 29,255 192,444 1895 3,648 36,573 43,809 13,322 97,353 94 THE ISSUE OF DEBENTURES. Perhaps one of the masterstrokesof the Councilwas performedin 1893, when a most profitablechange of policywas made in regard to city finances. Up to this year the Councilhad been paying the Government5 per cent for loans obtained from the State—nota heavy rate it will be admitted ; but for outside help or bank assistance the handicapwas most pronounced-7i per cent. It was found that this sort of thing could not go on, and a SChemewas devised, the results attending which have quite justified its initiation. Briefly, this scheme was to raise 225,000by the issue of debentures, the, prpeeedsof which would be utiliSed to liquidatethe indebtednessto both Government and bank, The Government were, fortunately,not adverse to allowing a local authority to go as a borrowerto anyonebtitAlle State, and no obstacleswere raised that could not be surmounted. This appearedall the more reasonablefrom the fact that since it had been demonstrated that a 4 per cent or 5 per cent issue would be readily absorbed, it wouldmean a very substantial saving to the Council. An Enabling Bill was passed and the debenturesissued. The worth of the city credit was evidencedby the ready way in which-these were taken up. So successfulwas the flotationthat it was decidedto reducethe rate on the secondissue—for the debentureswere offered in two series—from 5 per cent to 4 per cent. They were none the less eagerly sought for. The transactionnets a savingin interest to the Councilof Z3245 a year—a.no inconsiderableitem. Further than this the indebtednessis consolidated,and all that remains now to be done is to establish a sinking fund whereby the debentures at their maturity may be redeemed. During 1896 a second enabling Bill has been passed permitting the Council to further borrow on debentures an amount (4.8o,000), which will allow of a considerable extension of that excellent work of sanitation—cemented. water channelling—coveringcertain open drains and natural water- courses and of the laying of the principal thoroughfares with wood blocks, and of intersecting streets with tarred metal. Such work will not only add to the dignity and importance of Queensland's capital, but from a health point of view, to say nothing of convenienceand comfort,it should prove highly advantageous. There is not the least doubt that the new loan will sell readily at from 3 per cent to 3 per cent. The wisdomof the change { z.

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95 in the mode of financing cannot be doubted; and the departure made reflects to the credit of the civic fathers who first conceived it, as well as of those who in the second issue have followed an admirable and economical example. Had the old bank overdraft idea been retained there can be no question that the principal thoroughfares of the city would still have been the eyesore they were.

BRIDGING THE BRISBANE. 1HE bridging of the Brisbane river is a subject that has ever been before the Brisbane Municipal Council—if not i in one form then in another. If a flood has not forced it under the attention of the civic eye, the necessity for repairs and the responsibility therefor has been demonstrated, while the fickleness of Parliament has periodically raised a doubt as to whether the structure ought to be locally or nationally regarded. When neither of these aspects ha've immediately presented themselves then an agitation for a central bridge with all its concomitant troubles in the shape of vested interests or what not has been.revived. Thus in some way has the subject always been before the civic fathers. It was one of the first great works which disturbed the peace of mind of the aldermanic pioneers ; it is none the less in evidence at the present time when a new structure having superceded the old one—a necessity caused by an act of God—the question arises as to who shall pay the piper. The early history of the Victoria Bridge movement would form an interesting volume in itself. It might be related how the temporary staging in 1867 was attacked with repeated collapse leaving gaping chasms 70 feet long, and compelling the people to have recourse once more to ferries ; how one cylinder after another of the then-building permanent bridge were either toppled over or knocked out of plumb by the strong elements which appear to have been in a most undersirable and unfriendly mood in the late sixties ; how the design had several times to be altered to appease the mind of Ipswich, who like the little boy who wanted a brick from the top of the chimney cried till he got it ; how when everything else seemed favourable the Bank of Queensland had financial paralysis, and like the work on the bridge, stopped ; and how even sensational developments were at one time anxiously awaited by the citizens, consequent upon the 96 aldermanic differences and clever wire pulling which ensued over the question of naming the baby—whether the word " Bridge " should have the prefix " Brisbane," " Normanby," or " Victoria." But space is limited within the confines of these covers, and a brief historical outline must here suffice. First of all a bill was passed in the sixties granting permission to build a bridge over the Brisbane. The calling of tenders resulted in the acceptance of one for 1..53,000. Thus far things had been easy. The troubles were to come. The Government and with them Ipswich— indeed Ipswich really was the Government !—had sat idly by, and only woke up when everything was in readiness for a start with the work. The awakening took the form of an impression that the design of the Bridge was not exactly the right thing ; it must show a swing to allow steamers to pass through and thus allow Ipswich some semblance of an excuse to call itself the " head of navigation." The joke. of the thing was that no vessels larger than a good sized fishing smack had ever been to the " head of navigation," nor were they likely to in view of the obstacles Nature had been so unkind as to place in the middle of the river at several points! Of course the swing had to be provided since Ipswich had ordained it, and the citizens had to tind nearly L'foo,000 more than she had bargained for. And when it was finished it was seldom opened and years afterwards When it had been permanently closed a sawmiller took it into his head that he would like to get a schooner through to the other side of the structure, and as a consequence a costly lawsuit resulted. But this was not all. The interference in the plans kd to contractor's extras which are not altogether an unknown quantity. Some of these were naturally disputed, and it was not really until nearly a score of years had flown that a final settlement was arrived at—and all this greatly added to the original cost. All sorts of difficulties followed in the wake of the Bridge. Before it was completed the Bank of Queensland failed and the work was stuck up. Then when it was finished the tolls levelled were rebelled against, and in the end the Government took it over and made a free bridge of it. Funny though it may seem, the Government actually refused, after taking the Bridge from the Council against the Council's wishes, to maintain it and after a deal of bother, including an action at law brought by the Government against the Council, the corporotion decided to keep it in repair. This work was undertaken jointly when Separationists succeeded in splitting 97 the city into a municipality and a borough. The next trouble arose in 1893 when the disastrous floods swept the northern half of the bridge away The battle royals which took place between the conflicting interests--North and South Brisbane—after the appointment of the joint Bridge and Ferries Board, form some of the warmest encounters in the history of local Government in this colony at least. Nor was the fight confined to the Board ; it was taken up in the respective Councils, by public meetings and by Parliament.. The outcome of it all was that the joint Bridge and Ferries Board was disbanded and the Victoria Bridge Board formed, and as the outcome of the efforts of these two bodies, first the temporary bridge was erected and then the magnificent structure which now spans the noble Brisbane—although at one period it was threatened that the differences which arose would result in a central Bridge being constructed and an ancient agitation appeased. Even now things are in an upset, for the question yet to be decided is whether or not the Bridge is a national work or a local one. On the settlement of this of course rests the decision as to whether country or Council will pay the piper. In this Parliament has had a lot to say, and possibly will have much more for an opinion has found voice among country members that Brisbane gets too much consideration. It is the old trouble ; every town, village and hamlet in the country considers itself sufficiently important to warrant its being proclaimed the capital. They stop at nothing ; even the subdivisions of Queensland into three distinct colonies has been tried. But if they got this there would immediately spring up an agitation for carving up each of the three into three other, and so on ad infinitum. In the meantime the real owners of Victoria Bridge are obscured by the mists of unQertainty. The Government built the bridge without the remotest reference to the Council and it is not an unnatural conclusion that the Government should pay for it especially as they have made such a mess of the alignment. But Brisbane has the Bridge, which is after all one great point, and pedestrians have free excess to it. A small toll is levied for vehicular traffic. Nothing need be said of the Bridge itself ; the picture given is sufficiently explanatory of its importance and its dimensions. 98 SOUTH SIDE SEPARATION. The Separation of the old South Ward and its unity with the Woolloongabba Divisional Board—now forming the Borough Council of South Brisbane—was an important step with both city and borough. It satisfied a craving and a long simmering dissatisfaction on the other side of the river, and robbed the city of what was V. troublesome limb in the body politic. A Government Gazette dated 23rd December, 1889, notified that a settlement had been arrived at, although the division had really been made a few months before this. This settlement of accounts was really a big difficulty and eventually had to be performed by an officer of the Government, the various municipal properties having been valued by gentlemen appointed 14, the two Councils. At the outset it had been agreed that the City Council should take all the asets on the North side of the river, and the Borough those located on the South side. The whole of these were valued at [742,668, of which the City was entitled to 86.o8 per cent (L-639,289), and the Borough 13.92 per cent ([103,379). South Brisbane had in addition to allowing the City to take the assets within her boundaries fo allow her [74,016, and pay her [11,704, for works she had performed for the borough, and for interest and redemption paid to the Government for loans obtained and used on ihe latters' behalf during the period between separation and the adjustment of accounts. These figures sufficiently explain the city's delight at getting rid of the South ward. It had certainly been a most expensive one and although the borough indulged in a good deal of grumbling at the result of the adjustment, there can be no doubt as to its equity for it was made by thoroughly independent arbitrators. MAYORS 1892, 1894- 95, 1896.

fk1." dp `'FRnsenrt^•1'

Playors from 1859 t o 1897.

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99 THE MAYORAL L 1ST. The following is the list of successive mayors and the years during which they held office :—

1859 John Petrie 1872 E. J. Baines x 885 B. H. Babbidge 186o John Petrie 1873 James Swan 1886 James Hipwood 1861 John Petrie 1874 James Swan 1887 James Hipwood 1862 T. B. Stephens 1875 James Swan 1888 Robert Southall 1863 George Edmonstone 1876 R. A. Kingsford 1883 W. M. Galloway 1864 Joshua Jeays 1877 A. Hubbard 1890 John McMaster 1865 A. J. Hockings 1878 A. Hubbard 1891 J. A. Clark 1866 R. S. Warry 1879 J. D. Heal 1892 G. Watson 1867 A. J. Hocking 188o John Sinclair 1893 John McMaster 1868 John Hardgrave 1881 John Sinclair 1894 Robert Fraser 1869 John Hardgrave 1882 Robert Porter 1895 Robert Fraser 1870 W. Pettigrew 1883 A. R. Byram 1896 R. W. Thurlow 1871 Francis Murray 1884 John McMaster 1897 John McMaster 100 THE ALDERMANIC LIST. The following table gives a complete list of Aldermen since 1859 ; those names marked with an asterisk (*) being Mayor for the period :— 1859—Mayor : JOHN PETRIE. Aldermen : Patrick Mayne, , Joshua Jeays, Albert John Hockings, George Edmonstone, Robert Cribb, George Warren, William Samuel Sutton. r86o.—Mayor : JOHN PETRIE. Aldermen : Patrick Mayne, Thomas Blacket Stephens, Joshua Jeays, Albert John Hockings, George Edmonstone, Robert Cribb, George Warren, William Samuel Sutton. 1861.—Mayor : JOHN PETRIE. Aldermen : Patrick Mayne, Thomas Blacket Stephens, Joshua Jeays, George Edmonstone, Robert Cribb, George Warren, William Samuel Sutton, John Jones. 1862.—Mayor : THOMAS BLACKET STEPHENS. Aldermen : John Petrie, Joshua Jeays, George Edmonstone, Robert Cribb, William S. Sutton, George Warren, John Jones, Richard Symes Warry. 1863.—Mayor : GEORGE EDMONSTONE. Aldermen : John Petrie, Patrick Mayne, Thomas Blacket Stephens, Joshua Jeays, John Jones, Richard Symes Warry, , James Teevan. 1864.—Mayor : JOSHUA JEAYS. Aldermen : John Petrie, Patrick Mayne, Thomas Blacket Stephens, George Edmonstone, William Pettigrew, Albert John Hockings, William Brookes, Arthur Martin. NoTE.—Byan Order of Council under 28 Vict. No. 21, Clause 4, gazetted Dec. 6, 1864, the Municipality was divided into four wards, each ward returning three Aldermen. 1865.—East Ward—John Petrie, George Edmonstone, William Pettigrew ; West Ward—Joshua Jeays, Richard Symes Warry, John Markwell ; South Ward—*ALBERT JOHNHOCKINGS, Daniel Donovan, James Mooney ; Valley Ward—Thomas Fred. Merry, William Henry Marshall, George Dickens vice Patrick Mayne. NoTz.—An Act was passed during the Parliamentary Session of 1865 for the re-division of the 'cityinto six wards, returning two Aldermen each, instead of four wards returning three Aldermen each. This new arrangement necessitated the retirement of the whole Council in February, 1866. 101 ALDERMANIC LIST.—Continued.

EAST WARD. WEST WARD, NORTH WARD. SOUTH WARD VALLEY WARD. KANGAROO PT. WARD. cc> James Collins Joshua Jeays *Richard S. Warry. Daniel Donovan John Petrie Joseph Darragh George Edmonstone John Markwell James W. Thompson Albert John Hockings George Dickens Hugh W. Durietz

James Collins ) Joshua Jeays Louis Stamm *Albert J. Hockings Arthur Martin Joseph Darragh Francis Murray f John Hardgrave Benj. Backhouse ) Thomas Grenier William Draper Box Ernest A. M. Goertz Alex Brown Pritchard James Duncan .1 Robert Porter

A. Brown Pritchard J oh n Hardgrave Louis Stamm Thomas Grenier William Draper Box) Robert Porter

00 William Pettigrew f Benj. Backhouse Arthur Billett j J. William Thompson Francis Beattie ) William Ilenunant ) Francis MurraY J. Wallace Barnett' John Fenwick John Menzies Edward J. Baines J

Francis Murray *John Hardgrave John Fenwick ) J. William Thompson John Menzies Robert Porter William Pettigrew J. Wallace Barnett E. B. Southerden j Henry Richard Harley Francis Beattie Edward J. Baines Arthur Billitt

L. Francis Murray John Hardgrave Arthur Billett Henry Richard Harley Francis Beattie Robert Porter *Wi II lam Pettigrew David Pringle Milne E. B. Southerden John Cameron John Daniel Heal Edward J. Baines Reuben Oliver John Cameron *Francis Murray Reuben Oliver Arthur Billet J. W. Thompson J John Daniel Heal Edward J. Baines William Pettigrew David Pringle Milne E. B. Southerden Joseph Hogan) Francis Beattie ) John Sinclair John Graham John McMaster I Francis Murray 1 James Swan ) Reuben Oliver Arthur Billet James Mooney John Daniel Heal *Edward J. Baines William Pettigrew David Pringle Milne E. B. Southerden John Graham John McMaster John Sinclair

CYD*James Swan David Pringle Milne Arthur Billett ames Mooney ) John Daniel Real Edward J. Baines cc Francis Beattie James Spence George Reading John Nolan J John McMaster John Sinclair 102 ALDERMANIC LIST.—Continued.

T4 EAST WARD. WEST WARD. NORTH WARD. SOUTH WARD. VALLEY WARD. KANGAROO PT. WARD.

•t‘t- *James Swan David Pringle Milne Arthur Billett David Grayson John McMaster Edward J. Baines c13 Francis Beattie James Spence ) George Reading John Nolan ) Nathaniel Corrigan John Sinclair John Lloyd Bale John Graham _) 1 r-0 *James Swan David Pringle MiMe George Reading David Grayson ) Nathaniel Corrigan ) Edward J. Baines ,21), James Campbell John Lloyd Bale Alfred Hubbard R. Ash Kingsford J Richard Hutchings .) Herbert Everett ) John Graham John Daniel Heal Thomas Scanlon George Reading ) CO t- James Campbell David Pringle Milne John McKellar ) John Graham John Daniel Heal John Sinclair 00 John Hardgrave John Lloyd Bale Allred Hubbard *R. Ash Kingsford John McMaster Andrew Miller

John Hardgrave John Lloyd Bale *Alfred H u bbard John Graham John Daniel Heal John Sinclair CID William Pettigrew William Thorne John McKellar Duncan Sinclair John McMaster Andrew Miller Abram R. Byrani

C- John Hardgrave John Lloyd Bale *Alfred H u b bard John Graham John Daniel Heal John sinclair OO William Pettigrew William Thot ne A. Robertson Byrum Duncan Sinclair John McMaster Edward J. Baines

ci C- John Hardgrave John Lloyd Bale Abrmn R. Byram John Graham *John Daniel Heal John Sinclair OO r-I William Pettigrew William Thorne Benj H. Babbidge Alit ed Dooi ey John McMaster Edward J. Baines

William Pettigiew John Lloyd Bale Abram R. Byram John Graham John Daniel 11E0.1 *John Sinclair ??, John Richard Taylor William Thorne Benj. H. Babbidge Alfred Doorey ) John McMaster Edward J. Baines) R. C. Payne ) Robert Porter )

ci William Pettigrew John Lloyd Bale Abram R. Byrum John Graham John Daniel Heal *John Sinclair John Richard Taylor William Thorne Benj. H. Babbidge Robert C. Payne Johh McMaster Robert Porter

Cs ci William Pettigrew John 'Lloyd Bale Abram R. Byrom John Graham John Daniel Heal *Robert Porter CO John William Forth William Thorne Benj. H. Babbiclge Robert C. Payne John McMaster John Sinclair I John Henry Hooker 103 ALDERMANIC LIST.—Continued.

EAST WARD. WEST WARD. NORTR WARD. SOUTH WARD. VALLEY WARD. KANGAROO PT. WARD.

John Lloyd Bale CO CO William Pettigrew William Thorne ) *Abram R. Byram John Graham John Daniel Heal Robert Porter 00 1-4 John William Forth Richard S. Warry ) Benj. H. Babbidge Robert C. Payne John McMaster John Henry Hocker

1 William Pettigrew John Lloyd Bale Benj. H. Babbidge Robert C. Payne John Daniel Heal Robert Porter OD ,-. William M. Galloway Richard Symes Warry James Hipwood John M'K. Brydon *John McMaster John Henry Hocker al' Richard Southall Richard Symes Warry *Ben. H. Babbidge James K. Duncan John Daniel Heal Robert Porter ,--,cc William M. Galloway Thomas Forrester James Hipwood J. M'K. Brydon John McMaster John Henry Hooker 60 Richard Southall Richard Symes Warry Benj. H. Babbidge James K. Duncan John Daniel Heal John Henry Hocker ,-.at' William M. Galloway Thomas Forrester *James Hipwood Thomas Watson John McMaster John Sinclair i--. Richard Southall Richard Symes Warry *James Hipwood T homas Watson John Daniel Heal John Henry Rocker 88.-1 William M. Galloway Thomas Forrester Abram R. Byram William Stephens John McMaster John Sinclair ) Richard W Leftwich J aoC°*Richard Southall Richard Symes Warry James Hipwood [February 7, John Daniel Heal John Henry Hocker 4 William M. Galloway Thomas Forrester Abram R. Byram New Municipality.] John McMaster Richard W. Leftwich coc,*1AI. M. Galloway Thomas Forrester James Hipwood John Daniel Heal Richard W. Leftwich ..1,0 Lewis Phillips James W. Ayscough John Allworth Clark John McMaster John Henry Hooker} Thomas Burke 8 William M. Galloway James W. Ayscough James Hi pwood John Daniel Heal Thomas Burke 4 Lewis Phillips Lachlan McKinnon John Allworth Clark *John McMaster John Willard cm'-' William M. Galloway Lachlan McKinnon James Hipwood John Daniel Heal Thomas Burke ‘,10,George Watson, junr Alexander McLean *Joh n A. Clark John McMaster John Willard 104 ALDERMAN IC LIST.—Continued.

EAST WARD. WEST WARD. NORTE WARD. SOUTH WARD. VALLEY WARD. KANGAROO PT. WARD. P-1

g *G. Watson, junr. Alexander McLean James Hipwood John Daniel Heal Thomas Burke a° Robert Fraser Thos. Edward White John Allworth Clark John McMaster William Pearse p, George Watson Alexander McLean James Hipwood John Daniel Heal William Pearse r-t00 Robert Fraser Thos. Edward White John Allworth Clark John McMaster William Thorne George Watson Alexandei McLean JaiIies Hipwood John Daniel Heal William Thorne co *Robert Fraser Thos. Edward White John Allworth Clark John McMaster Alfred John Raymond

George Watson R. W. Thurlow John Allworth Clark John McMaster William Thorne r4 Robert Fraser Alexander McLean James HipWood John Daniel Heal Alfred John Raymond

C73 George Watson R. W. Thurlow John Allworth Clark John McMaster William Thorne 1-4 E. Gallagher S Thomas.Morrow James Hipwood Thomas Proe Alfred John Raymond Robert Fraser

CP Robert Fraser R. W. Thurlow John Allworth Clark *John McMaster William Thorne OC E. Gallagher Thomas Morrow James Hipwood W. A Seal Alfred John Raymond

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41 R1k

Brisbane from the Observatory-Looking West

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City Council 's Jubilee Address to the Queen.

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105 LIST OF TOWN CLERKS. William Martin Boyce ... --- 1859-61 Thomas Dowse ... 1862-9 William Ewing Orr 1869-73 W. Henry George Marshall... 1874-97

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PRESENT OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL.

The figures within parenthesis show the date of appointment.

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