132 A HISTORY OF THE COLONY OF VICTORIA 



fluence to take an interest with them in the venture. If so, the 

 expectation was certainly not realised, for the steady opposition to 

 their claims, both in England and in the Colonies, prevented the 

 speculation ever rising into the region of a desirable investment. 



Batman alone was to be allowed to select his two " seventeenths," 

 the shares of the remaining partners were to be determined by lot. 

 No member of the Association was to be allowed to sell his interest 

 for the space of five years, except to one of his partners in the 

 venture, on pain of forfeiture of all right, title and interest. The 

 provisions for the maintenance of order and safety were admirable. 

 Batman was to have the sole management and arrangements with 

 the natives, and to pay the agreed tribute. He and Wedge jointly 

 were to engage all the servants and workmen, and to fix their wages 

 and duties. These were to be men of specially good character; 

 and married men, to whom preference would be given, were to 

 be accompanied by their wives and families. No liquors were to 

 be landed in the settlement for sale or distribution, except such as 

 were required for medical purposes. A missionary, or " catechist," 

 and a resident medical officer were to be maintained at the expense 

 of the estate, for promoting the morals and health both of the 

 whites and blacks. In case of any dispute, the community stood 

 pledged to accept the arbitration of three persons, one appointed 

 by each of the aggrieved parties, and the third by the arbitrators. 

 Finally, the deed wound up with a declaration that at the end of 

 twelve months the subscribers would agree to adopt such a code 

 of regulations for the government of the settlement as should after 

 this tentative experience be considered requisite by the majority 

 for the two principal objects of the Association, viz., successful 

 pastoral pursuits, and the civilisation of the aborigines. 



On the strength of this agreement, which also bound each 

 member to send over within a year 1,000 good sheep, Mr. J. H. 

 Wedge had been despatched to mark out the country for division 

 into seventeen lots, and his map roughly setting forth the small 

 principalities claimed by the adventurers is a production of much 

 historical interest. His work was accomplished during August and 

 September, 1835, finished indeed before Fawkner left Launceston, 

 and the subsequent pro forma distribution of the country amongst 



