158 A HISTORY OF THE COLONY OF VICTORIA 



a chronic condition of grumbling and discontent. Every week 

 brought some additions to the population from Tasmania, but until 

 the Surveyors had completed their work they could not be allotted 

 permanent quarters. Tents were pitched, mud huts erected, and the 

 flimsiest of mia-mias fringed the banks of the river. Confusion and 

 discomfort grew out of the delay, and the temper of the settlers was 

 not improved by the allegations that the survey party were more 

 addicted to kangarooing and bush picnics than to their official duties. 

 And soon it began to be whispered about that when the survey was 

 complete, it would have to be sent to Sydney for the approval of the 

 authorities, advertised for three months in the Government Gazette 

 there, and that the sale would be conducted in Sydney. Remon- 

 strances against the unreasonable delay were now supplemented by 

 protests against the inconvenience and loss which intending purchasers 

 would suffer if compelled to take such a costly and tedious journey 

 to acquire the right of legal settlement. Petitions were addressed 

 locally through Captain Lonsdale and direct to Sir Eichard Bourke, 

 both by individuals and syndicates interested, urging that the sale 

 should be conducted on the spot. The Governor, though somewhat 

 imperative, was a reasonable man, and he was quick to see the 

 injustice. He determined to take an early opportunity of visiting 

 the Yarra, and deciding this and other important matters on the 

 spot. The rumour of his intention helped the people again to 

 patience, and they plodded on through the summer of 1836 as best 

 they could. On the 8th of November the first official census was 

 taken, and the population was returned at 224, of whom 186 

 were men and 38 women. On the 30th of that month the 

 settlers entertained their new Commandant and Captain Hobson at 

 the first public banquet celebrated on the Yarra. It was a solid 

 if not a very refined menu, and the feast, which was commenced at 

 four o'clock, was graced by the presence of the married ladies of 

 " the settlement ". The viands, we are told, " consisted of a splen- 

 did leg of mutton, a very fine shoulder of mutton, stewed mutton 

 chops, real Irish pork, pig's cheek and a variety of other delicacies. 

 The dessert was in keeping with the dinner." Probably the diffi- 

 culties connected with indoor illumination account for the festivities 

 being over at the sensible hour of six P.M. 



