the citizens could ill afford to lose his valuable services. Nicholson was popular, and his defeat was a surprise. Hodgson, though plausible and complaisant, carried but a small quantity of metal, whilst Greeves' unquestionable ability and acquirements were lost in the general unbelief in him. Captain Cole was too independent to canvass, and paid the penalty, though he could have stood no chance in such a race. Westgarth's lengthened services furnished him with an undeniably first claim, whilst Johnston had established himself as a fluent, pungent speaker, a thorough "hard-hitter" when he liked, a reputation he did not quite retain in after years. Westgarth and Nicholson obtained more of the general voting power than the others; but the Hibernian "plumpers" told effectually for O'Shanassy, as did the Caledonian contingent for Johnston. Though intense interest was manifested during the day, there was nothing like the acrimonious violence or riotous effervesences of the first town election in 1843, and the close of the poll showed:— For Westgarth, 1202; for O'Shanassy, 1168; for Johnston, 1128; for Nicholson, 1094; for Hodgson, 618; for Greeves, 257; for Cole, 219.
Through some unaccountable whim one vote each was recorded for Robert Hoddle, John Patterson, and William Stewart. Westgarth, O'Shanassy, and Johnston were returned, and much satisfaction was felt at the compliment paid to the gentleman who headed the list, who richly deserved it, as a return for a series of distinguished honorary exertions employed on behalf of the new-born colony.
The First Legislative Council Chamber.
There was not much difference of opinion as to the most eligible site whereon to erect a permanent Parliament House. The north of Spring Street had been years before suggested and ably advocated by Dr. Greeves. Others went in for the Public Library Reserve, but its proximity to both gaol and hospital put it aside. The corner of William and Latrobe Streets, opposite the Government offices (now the New Law Courts), had convenience and other advantages in its favour, but, finally, in February, 1851, the site subsequently built upon was chosen. There were only three buildings that could supply the room absolutely necessary, viz., the Mechanics' Institute, the Protestant Hall, and St. Patrick's Hall. The Colonial Architect (Mr. H . Ginn), selected the St. Patrick Hall as the most suitable, and the Directory of the St. Patrick Society was not unwilling to accept such a solvent tenant as the new Government; for, at the time, a fat slice of the public money, in the shape of a liberal rent, was not undesirable. The Milesians accordingly surrendered their stronghold upon handsome terms. It was little more than a large, cold-looking, two-warded barracks, but under Mr. Ginn's prompt operations it underwent a complete transformation. The upper compartment was converted into a Chamber for the senators, a reporters' gallery, and the strangers' gallery. The ground-floor was subdivided into four apartments, three of them to be used as clerical offices, and one as a Committee-room. The hall had originally but one staircase (in front), and this led to the Members' entrance. To provide a mode of ingress to the strangers' gallery, the Jews very obligingly lent a few feet of their Synagogue land, immediately westward, which was fenced in, and constituted a side avenue. The large upper apartment was thefinestthen in Melbourne. Primarily it was lighted by a row of windows in the eastern wall, but now a flood of illumination was admitted through the roof, in which was fixed "the first horizontal light introduced into the colonies."
The First Council Establishment
Was framed in accordance with the other small beginnings, and contrasts so amusingly with the state of things in 1888, that I transcribe in extenso the amounts provided for its maintenance in the first estimates:— Salaries per Annum.—Speaker, £400; Chairman of Committees, £200; Clerk of the Council, £400; Sergeant-at-Arms, £100; Shorthand Writer, £200; Clerk of 3rd Class and Reader, £200; Messenger at 2s. 6d. per day, £45 15s.; Housekeeper, £25; Doorkeeper at 2s. 6d. per day, £45 15s.; Additional assistance during the Session of the Council, £300. Total, £1916 10s.
