Dr. Palmer went in very strongly for the " Haymarket," whilst the Rev. James Forbes was as energetic in seeking to have it built on the Western Hill. In January 1846, tenders were invited, according to an estimate of ^ 1 3 0 0 , but they considerably exceeded this amount, the highest being ,£2021, and the lowest (Mr. Daniel Rooney's) ,-£1797, which was accepted after reducing it by alterations. According to the original plan the building was to be put up in the cheapest possible style, plain brick walls, hardwood flooring, and a roof of same material. This scheme subsequently underwent considerable alteration. Great efforts were now made to commence the undertaking ; and as the foundation of Princes Bridge was to be laid with all the honours of a grand spectacular display on the 20th March, the Hospital Committee thought it a good stroke of policy to avail themselves of the Bridge Procession; and as it was known that the Masonic and other Associated Brotherhoods had determined upon celebrating the commencement of the Bridge, they consented to co-operate at the Hospital ceremonial. T h e Bridge and the Hospital were, therefore, to be founded on the same d a y — a day to be for ever red-lettered in the early history of Melbourne. T h e founding of two such structures, pro bono publico, at the same time, seemed to make a deep impression upon the community; one, the establishment of an Asylum, in which, every person needing it, would have succour in the hour of illness ; the other, the first Government bridge that ever spanned the " flowing flowing " waters of the Yarra. T h e demonstrations fully satisfied the anticipations of all. It was a splendid public ceremonial, in which everybody appeared to vie in procuring its success. So large was the procession that it extended, almost from end to end of Collins Street, and a person viewing it from the Eastern Hill, could have the widest stretch of his imagination amply realised. T h e music of the Teetotal and T o w n Bands, the emerald banners of " O l d Ireland," the snowy streamers, emblematic of the then great Apostle of Temperance, Father Matthew, the splendid costumes of the Masons and Oddfellows, with all their gorgeous paraphernalia, and the green and gold decorations of the St. Patrick's Society, all had a most impressive effect. T h e following order of procession was observed :— The Chief Constable on horseback, Mounted and Border Police, Constabulary ; The Pupils of the various Melbourne Schools, six abreast, with appropriate banners ; The Brass Band of the Father Matthew Total Abstinence Society ; Father Matthew's Society in the following order :— Members of Committee with White Wands, Members two abreast—all wearing White Sashes and White Rosettes ; Melbourne Temperance Society—Members two abreast, Collingwood Temperance Society ; Junior Members with White W a n d s , Members two abreast. Several tasteful banners were displayed in this part of the procession, especially one painted with a life-like size of Father Matthew administering the Pledge to his Countrymen. The St. Patrick's Society of Australia Felix in the following order :— Union Jack, Junior Members, T h e Harp of Erin, Members of the Society, two deep, Original Banner of St. Patrick ; Members two deep, Banner of St. Patrick and the Provincial Monarchs of Hibernia, Borne on a platform, and supported by two Members of the Society with Green W a n d s ; Members of Commitlee bearing Wands, painted green, with gilt tops, the Auditors of the Society; The Secretary and Treasurer with Wands, the President with W a n d ; The Officers of the Corporation, the Members of the T o w n Council, in official costume, two abreast, His Worship the Mayor ; The following Clergymen : — T h e Rev. Mr. Thomson, the Rev. Mr. Forbes, the Rev. Mr. H a m , and the Rev. Mr. Sweetman ; The Crown Prosecutor, supported by the Deputy Sheriff and Mr. Shadforth, Judge's Secretary ; His Honor the Superintendent, on horseback, in vice-regal costume, adorned with a splendid flowing White Plume with Sword, the Military Officers ; The Ancient and Honourable Order of Oddfellows, M . U , the Conductors with Swords ; The Banner of the Order, the Wardens with their Axes, the J.G. with the Dispensations, Brothers two and two ; V.G.'s and Supporters with Wands, P.V.G.'s two and two, N.G.'s and Supporters with W a n d s ; P.G.'s two and two; the Grand Master of the District supported by the D.G.M. and C . S , the Inner Guardian. The Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons marshalled in the following order: — Tyler, Banner of Faith, Entered Apprentices, Fellow Crafts, Six Junior Masters ; Deacons with W a n d s , Secretaries with Rolls, Treasurers with Bags, Deacons, Corinthian Light; Junior Wardens, Master, Doric Light, Senior Warden, Banner of H o p e ; The Lodge, borne by four Masters, Cornucopia, Pitcher with Wine, Pitcher with Oil, Stewards ; Ionic Light, Book of Constitutions, Architect and Builder, Bible, Square, and Compasses, Banner of Charity Chaplain, Brother Stephen, Director-General of Ceremonies, Royal Arch-Masons ; W . Masters, Principals of the Royal Arch Chapter, Janitor.
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THE CHRONICLES OF EARLY MELBOURNE.
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