manifested a strong desire that the coming guest should be accorded a welcome befitting his high position. The province had undergone great changes, materially and intellectually, since the visit of Sir George Gipps, in 1841; but in proportion to the increase of prosperity, was the accumulation of dissatisfaction at the worse than indifference displayed by the Executive coterie in Sydney, by which Port Phillip affairs were supposed to be managed. Political life also showed a state of much vitality, and the flame of agitation was kept burning vigorously, in consequence of the deferring of Separation, and the vacillation of the Home Government on the deeply absorbing Transportation question. On all hands it was conceded that, whilst the Vice-Regal visit could not possibly do harm, it might perchance effect something the other way. Many were the preparations made in anticipation of the event, and when it was known that the Governor and suite had started from Sydney in H.M.S. “Havannah,” the excitement increased. This was anterior to the era of telegraphic communication in Australia, and nothing could be then known of an incoming vessel until within a few miles of Williamstown, when she was signalled from the Flagstaff in West Melbourne. About 4.30 p.m, of the 12th March, it was announced at the Signal Station, that a ship-of-war was in sight, and soon after, when it was ascertained to be the “Havannah,” the man-of-war ensign was run up, and fluttered the news about everywhere. As the ship neared Williamstown she was saluted from a battery of four six-pounder guns, and in half-an-hour an answering salute thundered forth from the throats of the 68 and 32lb. carronades of the “Havannah,” by this time anchored. The Governor immediately left in the frigate’s barge, which was pulled towards a small pier at Sandridge, from which place the Superintendent had previously gone, intending to join His Excellency on board; but when he saw that the Governor was making for the shore, he ordered the boat to be “put about,” and did likewise. Sir Charles Fitzroy was accompanied by Mr. George Fitzroy (his son and private secretary), and Mr. Masters as Aide-de-camp. The Governor was received at Sandridge by Captain Conran, then commanding a detachment of the 11th Regiment stationed in Melbourne; Captain Dana (Chief of the Native Police), and two or three other officials. Mr. Latrobe joined them, and horses being in readiness, the cavalcade set forth for Melbourne, by what was known as the Beach Road, a scrubby, sandy, uncomfortable thoroughfare. There was then spanning the Yarra, a rickety old wooden bridge, and a nearly-finished new stone one—the Princes Bridge of yesterday—on approaching which His Excellency beheld an immense crowd of people. He was received with a volley more inspiriting than that of the “Havannah’s” carronades—a loud, ringing, prolonged peal of artillery from the distended fauces of thousands. The Governor was officially welcomed by the Mayor (Mr. W. M. Bell), the Town Clerk (Mr. J. C. King), and several Aldermen and City Councillors, flanked by the City Police in well-brushed uniform, and under arms. Apartments had been engaged at the Royal Hotel (now the Union Bank site), whither the Governor proceeded, and was tumultuously cheered. On the following day (the 13th) Sir Charles Fitzroy, accompanied by Mr. Latrobe and several officials, rode round the city and suburbs, en route visiting the Court-house, Gaol, Powder Magazine, Hospital, New Bridge, and other places of note; and in the evening His Excellency dined with the Superintendent at Jolimont, there being also present the principal officers of the “Havannah,” and some of the cream of Melbourne aristocracy. That night, after dinner, His Excellency met with an accident, and had what might be truly termed a
Miraculous Escape.
Accompanied by his son, and Captain Erskine, of the “Havannah,” the Governor was returning to town in Mr. Latrobe’s carriage, and whilst descending the Eastern Hill, near the Scotch Church in Collins Street, some ultra-loyalists were amusing themselves letting off squibs opposite the Mechanics’ Institute. The explosions, and the flashing of the fireworks, so frightened the horses that they dashed away at full speed, tearing along until they arrived at the Swanston Street intersection, across which they plunged, and ran into a heap of bricks and stones stacked as building materials on the side of the Street opposite the Club House (now the Bank of Victoria site), The carriage capsized, and its inmates were rolled out on the roadway, the Governor fortunately sustaining no injury whatever, Captain Erskine faring equally well, but Mr. George Fitzroy had a severe shaking, with no further damage than one of two slight abrasions, The coachman was propelled like a kicked football from his box some feet in
