the Government possessed the power of resumption. The deed of grant yvas dated 4th November, 1846. This yvas technical straw-splitting of a superfluous kind, because the Council, though objecting to lend the place for a charitable purpose, afterwards rented it to a sailmaker named Graves, w h o held it for years yvithout hindrance from the Government. T h e residents south ofthe Yarra, laboured under many inconveniences, and the cattle breeders for miles complained much of having to pay bridge toll for crossing their stock on the way to the North side Markets. For this reason the Council applied to the Government for ten acres of land as a site for a Southern Cattle Market, but met yvith no favourable response. A n effort to borrow £ 4 0 0 0 from the newly-established Insurance C o m p a n y was made, and some progress towards completion effected, but it fell through in consequence of the Council having no other security to offer than debentures; and the Company required that the Corporate Revenues should be pledged by bond, which there was no legal power to do. EAST MELBOURNE, FITZROY CRESCENT,
Gave an opportunity for a flare-up in Council. The City Surveyor had prepared a plan of certain proposed streets, and this had been for some time under consideration by the Public Works Committee. An improved scheme of a very pretentious character was submitted to the Council on the 12th September. Where the Fitzroy Gardens are now, there was to be a grand Crescent, approached by an extension of Bourke Street; but this was strongly opposed by Alderman Greeves, w h o insisted that the area north of Spring Street should be kept open as a site for a Hall of Legislation, which, built there, would present a magnificent appearance—at the extremity of such a street as Bourke, and with two churches (St. Peter's and St. Patrick's) in its rear, whilst the angles at the ends of Collins and Lonsdale Streets should be reserved as sitesforpublic buildings. H e moved, as an amendment, the alteration of the report so as to embody his view, and after a lengthened debate it was carried. A n d so ended Fitzroy Crescent, and began Fitzroy Gardens. LATROBE UNDER A CLOUD.
The popularity of His Honor the Superintendent yvith the Council was of brief continuance, and their gushing over the Transportation question, yvas speedily transformed into complaint about the publication of a dispatch written by the Superintendent and transmitted to the Secretary of State. In this His Honor ventured an opinion that Port Phillip was not yet sufficiently ripe to be intrusted yvith the privilege of self-governing institutions; and seemed to favour the introduction of, for some time, a Nominee Legislature, similar to what prevailed in Neyv South Wales up to 1843. For his temerity in so doing, he yvas severely brought to book by the Press of the day; and had a hauling over the coals in the City Council where even bitterer things than ever yvere spoken of him, and a remonstrance against his unpardonable presumption placed on record. There yvas an overwhelming majority of the public against him on this point; and yet there were a few cool heads and active minds, disposed to believe that the unpopular opinion so expressed was not, by any means, so unjustified as the masses were disposed to think. The Water Question often welled up without any tangible conclusion being arrived at, and a small private company having started to supply the needful article, a row commenced through a jealousy between it and the water-carters, who vended water from pumps on the river's bank. T h e latter petitioned the Council, and an objection yvas made to the company charging i^d. a load for thefluid,id. being, in their opinion, sufficient. A conference yvas afterwards held with the company, which offered to keep six pumps constantly at yvork at id. per load, conditional upon the Council prohibiting the erection of fresh pumps. This was refused. THE CITY SURVEYOR,
Mr. C. Laing, was in good private practice as an architect, and this had been several times objected to by members of the Council. Mr. Laing at length, preferring his private to his public employers, resigned his office, and there was a professionalflutteras to w h o should have the billet. T h e Council, n o w that the
