brackishness of the water. O f thefirstcolonists to improve such an unsatisfactory state of affairs, was Mr. David Lyons, w h o purchased some land at Richmond, and commenced brickworks there. H e also, without protection or bonus, started thefirstcandle-making establishment in Melbourne. His chandlery, so early as 1840, stood at the corner of Market and Little Flinders Streets, the present site of the London Hotel, and the "Lyons mould candles" were thefirstlocally made. H e died in January, 1883. The first prosecution of an owner of scabby sheep (though found on Crown Lands), was dealt with at the Melbourne Police Court on 20th March, 1840, when the defendant was fined 40s. T h e first brick building erected in Geelong was in 1840 and the residence of Rev. M r . Love. T h e n o w well-known Mack's Hotel was originally a slab hut before the licensing era.
A LADIES' PICNIC.
The guests of the recent celebration were charmed with the chivalrous and generous conduct of the bachelors, and they decided to return the compliment in some becoming manner. This took the form of a picnic, and came off on the 22nd February at what was then somewhat vaguelydescribed as " the hill at the Salt Water River Racecourse." It is unnecessary to identify this as the now famed Flemington " Hill," whereon so many thousands perch themselves on a C u p d a y — a place in 1840 a wild scrub encircled, swamp-bound wilderness, and n o w the scene of a series of transformations as wonderful as any written of in Oriental fable. This was thefirstoccasion of its being pressed into the service of al fresco revellers, and was a grand success. Tents were borrowed in town, and conveyed to the field of action, where they were turned into an encampment, and the early chronicles declare "that at 3 o'clock 150 ladies and gentlemen 'sat d o w n ' to a dinner provided by Mr. Overton." This caterer was thefirstto start business as confectioner and pastry-cook in Melbourne ; and he is, in 1888, alive, and an active, bustling man. T h e T o w n Band was there, but did not skedaddle this time, probably through the limited supply of drinkable rations served to them. Though the weather was oppressively warm, dancing was kept up at " a killing pace " until sunset, when the joyous gathering found its way back to town without any sensational occurrence, or cause for a coroner's inquest. This Ladies' Return Picnic was the theme of pleasant gossip for many a day after, and it was estimated to have precipitated a score of honeymoons in the course of the current half-year. T w o other old festivities occurred, but were unconnected with any special association or party. In July, 1840, several adventurers arrived from Sydney, with cattle intended to be depastured on Port Phillip runs. They were so elated with the promising prospects before them that they gave a grand ball on the 21st at the Adelphi Hotel, Little Flinders Street. Though the room was 60 feet long, it was inconveniently crowded, for over 200 persons were present. M u c h disappointment was felt at the absence of Superintendent Latrobe, w h o promised to, but did not attend. In such importance was this entertainment held that business in several of the few shops then in the principal streets was suspended during the afternoon. THE LICENSED VICTUALLERS IN 1840.
What a contrast is presented by a comparison of the trade in 1840 with what it is in 1888 W h a t a sorry figure the then miserable little string of publicans, compared with the great grog-selling muster roll of to-day ! T h e following is extracted from the Port Philip Herald: — L I C E N S E S . — O n the 21st April, 1840, at the Court of Petty Sessions the following licensees were successful:— Flinders Lane—William Allingham, Ship fnn; Lewis Pedrana, Dundee Arms; John Shaw, Shaw's Hotel; Michael Pender, the Shamrock; T h o m a s Britton, Philadelphia Hotel. Collins Street—Thomas Halfpenny, William Tell; T h o m a s Anderson, Lamb Lnn; T h o m a s Graham,
