CHAPTEE VI. 

 THE FIRST YEAR OP THE SETTLEMENT. 



UP to this point the annals of the fairest province of Australia had 

 little to record in the matter of colonisation properly so called. 

 There had been explorations and official surveys, and more than 

 one half-hearted attempt by Government to plant a penal estab- 

 lishment under conditions likely to repel the free settler. But the 

 tidings of the new venture on the banks of the Yarra, its prospective 

 advantages, fertile surroundings, and apparent immunity from 

 hostile attack by the natives, stimulated the emigration fever which 

 had seized upon the colonists of Van Diemen's Land. 



Fawkner, anticipating a rush of passengers, at once advertised 

 the early departure of the Enterprise on her second trip, and de- 

 termined this time to go over himself accompanied by his wife, 

 emphasising his intention to stay by taking with him the material 

 for a weather-board house, and other appliances of civilised com- 

 fort. The advertisement of the " fast sailing schooner" contained 

 the intimation that persons of moderate capital wishing to migrate 

 to a fertile, open country, possessing a most enviable climate and 

 immense plains, would find this a most desirable opportunity, 

 full particulars of which would be open to those who might desire 

 to settle these on application to John Fawkner, Junior. Whether 

 the community generally resented the idea of being under the 

 direction or patronage of Fawkner, or doubted his ability to pro- 

 tect them if they intruded on the domain claimed by Batman's 

 party, is not evident, but it is certain that the invitation was not 

 largely responded to. When the schooner finally cleared out from 

 Launceston on the 25th of September, she had only three pas- 

 sengers in addition to Mr. and Mrs. Fawkner and the wife and two 

 children of Captain Lancey. It was the 10th of October before 

 the Enterprise was again moored by the Yarra bank, and selecting 



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