186 A HISTORY OF THE COLONY OF VICTORIA 



with, and willingly commence payment at the expiration of six 

 months from the arrival of such Commissioner and authorities on 

 the spot, always looking for a local expenditure of the quit -rent 

 for the benefit of the colony. Based on this principle, and reckoning 

 500,000 acres in the tract ceded in June last by the chiefs to the 

 Association, the quit-rent would amount to 937 10s. ; but as this 

 might not be deemed a sufficient sum for the proposed establishment, 

 were the tract to the east of the ceded territories to be included in 

 the grant or charter, as delineated on the accompanying map by 

 lines from C thirty-five miles due south to B, and from E thirty- 

 two miles about south-west to D at Good Water Creek on Port 

 Phillip the whole estimated to contain on a liberal scale 750,000 

 acres of land fit for tillage and pasturage, which can scarcely be 

 expected, the territory lying in one continuous tract the Association 

 would thus be placed on such grounds as to justify a payment of 

 1,406 5s. per annum quit-rent, equal to the support of adequate 

 public authorities, until the colony become, by population and 

 trade, of importance sufficient to require a larger establishment, to 

 be supported by a regular system of light duties on all imports, 

 except those of British manufacture. Taking this view of the 

 matter, the Association would become liable for an annual payment 

 as follows : 



s. D. 



" Tribute for present tract ceded 200 



,, proposed extended tract, say - 120 



" Total tribute to Native Chiefs 320 



" Quit-rent to the British Government - 1,406 5 

 " Salary to Dr. Thomson, now acting in the 



combined capacities of Catechist and 



Surgeon, on an allowance of - 180 



1,906 5 



" The associated body would naturally expect to be relieved from 

 the burden of Dr. Thomson's salary, who would become a Govern- 

 ment officer on the establishment, when payment of quit-rent 

 commenced. 



