construction of a new breakwater, but volunteered to prepare a specification for the same. Sir George, be it known, was a Captain of Royal Engineers. Though shortly after His Excellency's departure this projected breakwater was commenced, owing to the stinginess of the Government, or other unknown cause, the Vice-regal design was never worked up to, the thing was scamped, and turned out more than half a failure. The brackishness of the water was partly reduced, but the supply was noxious, and anything like good water was not to be procured until the Yan Yean advanced to working order. The boiling process worked off the saline insalubrity of the water to a great extent, and the river did not reek with the disgusting contributories which in a few years commenced that pollution which, increasing with time, at the present day has transformed the waterway into a cloaca maxima of festering impurities. The Town Council was subject to spasmodic fits towards abating the universal nuisance, but the "vested interests," and the absence of adequate legislative authority, completely paralysed intentions excellent in themselves. The only other natural breakwater within miles of Melbourne was the "Falls" at Studley Park, remarkable as a once favourite crossing-place for cattle, and a station for herring fishing, much affected by the ancient anglers.
Punts.
The primitive European mode of crossing an Australian river was a contrivance at once simple and easy of execution. A dray without wheels, made water-tight by tarpaulin, was launched through the agency of a small rope looped round the main rope across the river, and the requisite quantum of haulage, the transit was accomplished. The first punts were not unlike a couple of huge bullock-drays fastened together. The first man to experimentalise with a punt over the Yarra at Melbourne was a Mr. William Watts, and the crossing place was about half-way between Swanston and Russell Streets. He did so under license, by which he was authorized to charge puntage rates. Watts launched his punt on the 15th April, 1838, and it was christened "The Melbourne" by his daughter breaking a bottle of champagne against one of its sides, after which there was a plentiful distribution of grog on the spot. In honour of so important an event, however, there was a stiff jollification at the town taverns in the evening, when no such nonsensical stuff as "Sham-pain," but stiff fiery rum, and not the best of half-and-half, formed the bibations. Of all the merrymakers on that memorable though not very remote occasion, I know of but one now alive and well able to crack a bottle of champagne in Melbourne to-day, viz., the veteran Thomas Halfpenny, the Studley Park Ranger, whose good-humoured face has already peeped out in these Chronicles.
The first punt "spec." seems to have succeeded with Watts, for in 1839 he established another over the Saltwater River near Footscray, where he also purposed opening a public-house; but as a license would not be granted, he disbanded the punt, and the Saltwater remained unpunted for some time. The Melbourne punt continued at its work, and a second one was added; but on the formation of the Melbourne Bridge Company, the punts passed by purchase to that co-partnery, and remained in operation until superseded by a wooden bridge. Dr. (afterwards Sir J.) Palmer, who had early established himself at the now St. James' Park, on the Yarra, was the first to place a punt over the river at Richmond.
At the time when the Melbourne punt flourished there was a small settlement known as the Brickfields, south of the river on the flat, running from the Government House Reserve round by Emerald Hill, and this place was the resort of a drunken, bloodthirsty, thieving crew, by whom several nocturnal depredations were committed. One night in 1842, a policeman named Rody Monahan, whilst on duty near the place was set upon by some of the brickfielders, and pitched into the river, where his body was found after several days' search. It was thought that he had interposed to quell a drunken row, and lost his life in consequence. Three men were apprehended on suspicion of the crime, but were released through want of evidence; and though the Bridge Company offered a reward for information towards bringing the offenders to justice, nothing ever came of it.
Ferries.
Trans-riverine locomotion by boat was established contemporaneously with the punting. The first Charon that plied close to the "Falls," was an ancient Irish Celt, known as Paddy Byrne, who lived close by
