CHAPTER XVII.
THE THREE GOVERNORS, AND LADY FRANKLIN.
SYNOPSIS: —Arrival of Sir Richard Bourke. —The First Roast Goose. —The Governor's Visit to Geelong —His departure from Melbourne. —His Departure from Sydney. —His Death in 1855. -Visit of Sir George Gipps. —Presentation of an Address. —The Governor's Reply. —The Levée. —Presentation of Colonists. —The Ball. —Deputation from the "Fourth Estate." —Public Dinner to His Excellency. —The Press not Invited. —An Imposing Array of Toasts. —The Governor's Speech. —Mr. Latrobe playing "Second Fiddle." —His Excellency's Return to Sydney. —His Return to England. —His Death in 1847. —Arrival of Governor Fitzroy. —His Excellency's Miraculous Escape. —The Levée. —Presentation of Addresses. —Governor's Visit to Geelong. —His Return to Melbourne. —Anti-transportation Addresses. —A Ball to the Governor. —His Excellency's Departure from Melbourne. —His Departure from Sydney. —His Death in London. —Arrival of Lady Franklin. —Presentation of an Address. —An Amateur "feu de joie." —First Amputation in the Colony. —Lady Franklin's Departure for Sydney.
IT happened that, during the connection of Port Phillip and New South Wales, the Southern territory was thrice honoured with visits from the high officials administering Her Majesty's Government at Sydney.
The first event of this kind occurred in March, 1837, when
Sir Richard Bourke
Arrived in state in H.M.S. "Rattlesnake." Born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1778, Sir Richard joined the regiment of 1st Guards in 1798, and saw some service in Holland, where he received a wound. In 1806, he was present at the siege of Monte Video, subsequently serving in the Peninsula. He was Lieutenant-Governor of the Eastern District of the Cape of Good Hope for some time, and in 1831, received the honour of Knighthood, and an appointment to the Governorship of New South Wales, his administration of which colony was marked by much zeal and independence. He left Sydney in 1837, and died in his native city in 1855. On the 4th March, 1837, he made his entry into the then unnamed settlement.
The Governor came up the Yarra in one of the man-of-war's boats, and after a fashion, was accorded a queer, though cordial reception, for a small fleet of whale-boats and shaky dingies rowed down the river to receive him, and all the way back he was greeted with cheers, alternated with the frequent discharge of firearms from both boats and river banks. A detachment of the 4th Regiment, "The King's Own," was then stationed in the place, and from this a guard of honour was detailed to what is now the Queen's Wharf, to await his arrival. Buckley, "The Wild White Man," had a corps of his own in readiness, for marshalled a short distance off, there was drawn up, under his command, a small posse of Aborigines, who had been tutored like parrots to chatter the words "Gubernor, Gubernor." The principal European residents (not more than a score of persons) were also in readiness, and on the debarkation of His Excellency, a motley procession was formed, which proceeded through the scrub and bush—streets there were none—to the area at the western end of Bourke and Little Bourke Streets, near Spencer Street, where the Governor was to be temporarily quartered. Tents had been brought from Sydney for the accommodation of the Vice-Regal party, and the Governor went under canvas in preference to staying at Batman's house (the only comfortable residence to be found), which was courteously placed at his service. The Governor lost not a moment in entering upon business, for after receiving and returning the congratulations of the principal settler, and some conference with Mr. Hoddle, he rode out and indicated, in a general way, the boundaries of the embryo township. At 5 p.m., a somewhat unofficial hour, he received a deputation of the inhabitants, when the inevitable "loyal and dutiful Address" was presented to
