the future Cemetery ofthe City." This was agreed to, and a communication embodying it transmitted to the proper quarter. O n the 23rd May, 1850, an answer was received from the Superintendent announcing that the Government had reserved forty acres of lane for a N e w Cemetery, distant about one mile from town on the left side of the Pentridge road. This is portion of the present Metropolitan burial ground. About the same time advices were received that Asiatic cholera was raging in England, and the Council resolved to urge upon the Government the appointment of a Health Officer for Hobson's Bay, and the adoption of precautionary measures on the arrival of ships from infected ports. In the course of the discussion that arose, Alderman Greeves announced " as the unanimous opinion of the ' Faculty' that cholera was not a contagious disease." "TAM" KISSOCK.
The honorary posts of the Auditor and Assessors of the Council were continued annually by election on each ist March, but were not objects of ambition. Occasionally, citizens w h o detested the Corporation were subjected to the practical joke of being elected without their knowledge or consent, and if they refused to serve they yvere liable to a smart penalty. There yvas a Mr. T h o m a s (or rather " T a m ") Kissock, a choleric Scotch cattle-seller, always wishing the Corporation anywhere, cold or hot did not matter, so long as it cleared out of this blessed world. There was also a vacancy in the Assessorship of Gipps Ward, and " T a m " had unconsciously the greatness thrust upon him of being returned, not only at the head ofthe poll, but without any poll at all, for he had a " walk over." W h e n " T a m " Kissock heard of this, he purchased a ponderous riding whip, and then started off in search of Alderman Johnston (who, some one told him, had been instrumental in making him an Assessor), swearing he would certainly half-murder him. Johnston, yvhether by accident or design, remained invisible to " T a m " until his wrath had cooled down. " T a m " vowed he would have nothing to do under any circumstances with " such a blackguard crew " as the Civic worthies, and sent in his resignation couched in curt and someyvhat offensive terms. In accepting it the Council were small-minded and spiteful enough to fine the honest, outspoken, sturdy Caledonian .£25, which, well Tor himself, he was able to pay. T h e riding-yvhip was not called into active service, but was reserved for the hides of tougher animals at the cattle yards. There was no other evidence than Kissock's supposition that Johnston was the instigator of the harmless joke, and the matter was undeserving the storm which it brewed in Kissock's mental tea-cup. In April, 1849, there were 3248 ratable tenements in the City of Melbourne, and the assessment amounted to ,£96,378, being an increase of 322 houses, and ,£22,750 value over the corresponding period of 1848. There was a slight decrease in Latrobe Ward, in consequence of the removal of a small colony of brickmakers from a corner of that district. T h e question of yvater supply had more than once been taken up by the Council, and the City Surveyor proposed a scheme for works at the Yarra. A gratuity of thirty guineas was n o w voted to that officer for a survey and report upon the same. In M a y a rate of one shilling in the £ was made, payable in two half-yearly instalments. T w o very laudable motions were carried in the Council, viz, one by Alderman Kerr, asking the Government to place on the Estimates a sum for the establishment of telegraphic communication between Melbourne and Shortland's Bluff, for the convenience of the port; the other, requesting His Excellency to set aside reserves for public recreation in any intended extension ofthe city Northwards (Carlton.) It yvas a long-standing grievance with the Council that the Superintendent steadfastly declined to recommend many of its members for the Commission of the Peace. T h e affix of J.P. had the same magical influence then as it has n o w ; but in modern times it is more easily obtained. T h e Council frequently and loudly remonstrated, but it was to closed ears, for the Superintendent was upon that point deaf as a doorpost. Though others were gazetted City Magistrates, Russell was the only Mayor who, as such, was placed in the Territorial Commission. It was now determined to carry the grievance to the foot of the Throne, and an Address to the Queen was adopted and transmitted.
