The First Open-air Demonstration.
As an addendum to the greater monetary troubles of the time, the since hackneyed grievance of " T h e Unemployed " sprang up to drop its quota into the chaldron of discontent. It is a mistake to classify it as " a weed of modern growth," for it became acclimatized in the colony as early as 1842. There was plenty of employment, and fair wages for those able and willing to work, male or female, single or married, with or without families, if they would only go a few miles into the country to get them; but they would not. They loafed and prowled about the Immigrants' Depot, and at every tavern door the m e n sponged for a " nobbier" whenever they could get it, and after swallowing one, thirsted or re-sponged for another. They clamoured for Government employ, and the Superintendent directed some to be set to work on the streets; and others to form a road between Melbourne and Sandridge. O n e day in June it was announced that the wage was to be reduced from 20s. to 18s. per week, and there was a general strike instanter. Pitching aside wheel-barrows and shouldering picks and shovels, the m e n formed into line, and marched, about two hundred strong, upon the town. Preceded by a giant of a fellow with a large loaf of bread stuck on the top of a ti-tree, they crossed by the punt, and this, thefirstpopular demonstration that ever turned out in Melbourne, tramped through Collins Street and pulled up at the office of the Superintendent, failing an interview with with him, they grew m u c h excited, and muttering what they would and would not do, passed along William Street towards the Flagstaff Hill. Tidings of the menacing turn of the movement were conveyed to the police office, where Major St. John (the Police Magistrate) happened to be sitting. So he jumped up, pocketed the Riot Act (without which he never travelled), and, mounting his horse, galloped after the procession, which he soon overtook. T h e Major, w h o was as brave as a lion, and, unless when much irritated, gifted with a large quantum of good humour, rode in amongst the crowd, and by a clever admixture of bullying and palaver, obtained a respectful hearing. W h e n he hadfinished,a m a n armed with a big cudgel, exclaimed in a stentorian voice, that " it was better to fight and die than live and starve," and springing forward was aiming a tremendous blow at the magistrate, when the latter, wheeling his horse round, took the fellow near the butt end of the ear with the h a m m e r of his riding whip and "floored" him.
T h e pluck and promptitude of the act, and a few conciliatory words, well seasoned with promises, caused the assemblage to quietly disperse, and though St. John, on returning to his office, issued warrants for the apprehension of half-a-dozen of the ringleaders identifiable by the police, nothing further was heard of arrests or riots. T h e town population had increased to about ten thousand, and burglaries and other felonies abounded. Though there were no pawn shops where stolen booty could be readily put away, the thieves' want was supplied by the night auctions, which answered equally well. Several of these places were regular dens for the receipt and sale of improperly acquired property, and so m u c h the resort of the light-fingered fraternity, that whenever any particular scoundrel was in request, from sunset to midnight, there was little difficulty in citching him in one of those cribs. Horse and cattle stealing also prevailed so much than an Association was organised by the settlers for its suppression, and an Inspector or Ranger appointed at a liberal salary. Murders by whites and blacks were perpetrated in several places, and Melbourne beheld the first executions (in public) of black and white criminals. Three aboriginal w o m e n and a child'were barbarously shot by a party of white demons in the Western District; and though the Government offered a large reward, and three persons were tried the following year for the massacre, no conviction was obtained, and the blood-stained slayers, whoever they were, escaped " unwhipt of justice." Commercial distress andfinancialdifficulties so far from abating, went on increasing, and to such a pass had matters come, that on the n t h October a public meeting was held, on requisition to the DeputySheriff, to consider the steps advisable to be taken for the relief of the existing monetary depression. The admitted causes of the crisis were insufficient capital, over-trading, too m u c h credit, extravagant habits, reckless expenditure, excessive land speculation, and the excess of imports over exports turning the balance of trade against the Province. Atfirstit was thought that some Legislative interference should be asked for towards the introduction of a modification of the usury laws; but this idea was abandoned. T h e Banks allowed 7 per cent, upon deposits, and charged 10 per cent, for discounts, which with the ease with which credit was obtainable, was supposed to have occasioned the deplorable condition of affairs. T h e difficulty
