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NEW COUNCIL CHAMBERS, GAWLER.
We are indebted to the editor of the Bunyip
for the following report of the laying of the
foundation-stone of the new Council Chambers
at Gawler, an event of which no intimation was
given to us: —
The interesting ceremony of laying the
foundation-stone of the new Town Hall,
Gawler, which has been looked forward to for
some time by the residents of that town, duly
took place on Tuesday afternoon, April 16, in
the presence of a large assemblage, not only of
the townsmen, but visitors from other localities.
Punctually at 4 o'clock His Worship the
Mayor (Mr. J. Martin), attended by the mem
bers of the Corporation, Messrs. Malcolm,
Pimlott, Bright, Dean, Sanderson, and Fer
guson, arrived at the platform which had been
erected in front of the foundations and in close
proximity to the Institute. Among the gentle
men present we observed the Hon. W. Duffield,
M.L.C., Mr. H. E. Bright, M.P., some of the ex
Mayors, and most of the public men of Gawler,
forming altogether a highly interesting asssem
blage. The Gawler band was in attendance and
discoursed sweet music.
All being ready Mr. J. Rudall, the Town Clerk,
stepped forward and stated that he had been
requested by a large number of his fellow
townsmen to present to Mr. Jas. Martin the
trowel, square, and mallet with which to perform
the ceremony. They did so as a mark of the
esteem in which he had been held for many
years as a public man. As Mayor he had been
found upright in his dealings, liberal in his
actions, and conscientious in every respect. He
looked on him as one of Gawler's worthies,
whose name and memory would be respected.
With these sentiments he would present him
with the tools just named, to perform the
ceremony. (Applause.)
Mr. Rudall then presented the handsome
silver trowel and square and the mallet, which
was of ebony and mounted with silver, to
His Worship, who on receiving them said
the handsome present was quite unexpected,
and he was much obliged to the towns
people for it. He was astonished when
he heard something of the kind was contem
plated, as he fully expected that he would have
been compelled to borrow a mallet and trowel
from the masons. (Cries of ' No, no,' and
laughter.) With such handsome tools as those
he ought to be able to perform the work well,
and would now proceed to lay the stone.
The Mayor then received a sealed bottle con
taining copies of the local and metropolitan
papers, various coins of the realm, and a docu
ment, which was read by Mr. Rudall, aad was as
follows : — ' The foundation-stone of this build
ing was laid on Tuesday, April 16, by James
Martin, Esq., Mayor of Gawler, in the 41st
year of the reign of Her Most Gracious
Majesty Queen Victoria, and the 21st year of
the incorporation of the town. Governor— Sir
William Francis Drummond Jervois, K.C.M.G. ;
Administrator of the Government — Samuel
James Way, Esq., Chief Justice ; Members of
Parliament for the District of Barossa— F.
Basedow, Esq., and J. W. Downer, Esq.;
Councillors of the Town — John King Sanderson,
Jas. Ferguson, Jno. Pimlott, Henry Edward
Bright, jun., William Malcolm, and Herbert
Dean ; Town Clerk— John Rudall ; Architect—
W. H. Abbot ; Builder— J. Peek. The tools used
in the ceremonial bore the following inscrip
tions : — ' Presented to His Worship the Mayor
(Jas. Martin, Esq., J.P.) by a number of his
fellow-townsmen on the occasion of his laying
the foundation-stone of the New Town Hall,
Gawler, April l6th, 1878.'
His Worship having gone through the cere
mony declared the stone to be well and truly
laid, and said that the building which would be
erected thereon would be an ornament to the
town. For a very long time the Corporation of
Gawler had felt the necessity of such a structure,
and had originally thought of putting up a
small place which would contain not merely
accommodation for the Council but also rooms
which might be let at a rental sufficient to
defray the outlay. When it was deemed ad
visable to have a memorial stone, himself and
others thought of asking the Acting-Governor
(Mr. Way) to perform the ceremony. A demon
stration, such as would have been necessary
to effect this object, and the expense attending
it was the sole reason why this suggestion
had not been carried out. The duty then de
volved on him, and it was somewhat significant
that he had been seven times Mayor of Gawler,
and was called upon to perform the ceremony
just as the Corporation had attained its
majority. (Applause.) He regretted that Mr.
Turner and Mr. Downer were absent, but
hoped the latter gentleman would be with
them before the close of their meeting. He
thought the building of the Council Chamber
would prove a profitable speculation, as in less
than 20 years the Corporation would be able
to pay off the loan for it by applying the rent
of the old Council Chamber and of the
offices in the building towards it. The Cor
poiation would derive a handsome revenue
from the basement and upper floors, so that in
that time he hoped they would be able to
present the building free to the town, which
would enable them afterwards to have funds in
hand to carry on other improvements. (Ap
plause.) He then called for three cheers for the
Queen, which were heartily given, the band,
under the leadership of Mr. John Riggs, playing
'God save the Queen.' Cheers were also given for
the Mayor, the Councillors, and the members for
the district, Mr. F. .Basedew, M.P., being
present.
The ceremonial over, the company at the invi
tation of the Mayor entered the Institute and
proceeded to the Hall, where refreshments were
provided, and to which all present, among
whom were. several ladies, sat down. His Wor
ship presided, and was supported on the right
by the Hon. W. Duffield, M.L.C., Mr. Rudall,
and Councillors Bright and Dean, and on the
left by Mr. Basedow, M.P., Mr. H. E. Bright,
M.P., Mr. J. Pile, and Mr. W.H. Abbot, the 'archi-
tect
The toast of u The Queen' having been drunk
with all the honours,
; Councillor Dean, in a neat speech, proposed
f'The Governor and Acting-Governor,' which
was also well received and drunk with the usual
honours.
? Councillor Malcolm, in proposing 'The
Ministry,' said that he believed the policy of
the present Government was universally en
dorsed, and its members had been returned,
some at the head of the poll and some
without opposition. He thought the policy of
the Government was one of advancement, and
he had always been in favour of what was called
the Boucaut policy. The Ministry evidently
bad the interests of the colony at heart, and he
trusted they would be successful in opening up
(he country and carrying out public works, such
is roads, bridges, railways, &c He did not
believe in the protection of Victoria, having
reen too clearly the evils to which that
country had been subjected from endeavours
to carry it out, and he would rather pro
mulgate a free-trade policy. (Hear, hear.)
Ee had strong belief in South Australia
md its progress,- and was enabled to say
from experience, having visited the neigh
bouring colonies, that it had all the elements of
jreatness in it. Its resources were only in their
infancy, and all that was now requisite was the
proper men to develop them. He .trusted there
would be no factious opposition to the present
Government ss it would be impossible to carry .
out any reform beneficial to the country if
members did not sink private differences and
prejudices, and agree to follow one able leader.
? Mr. H. E. Bbioht, M.P-, in responding on
behalf of the Ministry, said he regretted no
member of it was present to hear the compli-'
mentary remarks of the last speaker. He
hailed with satisfaction the advent of the
present Government to office, as the leaders of
the colony were once fast drifting into the un
enviable condition of Victorian politicians, and
he hoped that political parties wonld not
attempt to bring about such a state of things
in South Australia. What he most admired
in the Ministry : was their intelligence, honour,
and integrity, and he believed their desire was
to advance the' interest of the country.
(Applause.) Some of the measures they had in
troduced he could not agree with, and others be
was utterly opposed to ; still he would not give
a factious opposition to any Government, nor
?vould he on the other hand vote against aught
1 vhich would not conduce to the interests of the
colonyo (Applause.) He trusted that when -
he building the foundation of which had been
hat day laid was complete some of the
members of the Ministry would be there to
respond for themselves. He believed the
present Ministry would benefit the country, and
trusted their -measures might be such that he
rould consistently support them. (Applause.).
[ Councillor' H. E. Bbioht, jun., gave ' The
Members for the District.' 'He said he believed
iheir old member, Mr. Basedow, had always
Lroved himself one; who attended to the
Wants of the district and oft: service to the
fountry at large The other; Mr. J. .Downer,
w .s yet untried, but he considered that in re
turning him they had done a good thing, as if
lawyers were necessary in* Parliament, it was ad
visable to have the bestttf them: (Hear, hear.)
He believed Mr. Downer would honestly en
deavour to carry out his promise to the electors,
while with regard to his colleague he considered
bo member possessed the good wishes and
esteem of 'his. constituents in a greater degree
than he did. (Hear, hear.) He was also glad
to see one present who in years past represented
Barossa ably and well, but who now occupied a
higher place in, another House. . Their worthy
Mayor had also ably represented the district in
years past. (Applause:) 'He1 then spoke of the
absence of Mr. Downer, and while regretting it
said he was glad' of the honour which Barossa
had conferred on that gentleman by returning
him without a contest. (Applause.)
' Mr. Basedow, M.P., rose amid great cheering,
md said he was thankful to those who had
given him an opportunity of addressing them,
especially at this early stage after the elections,
rad returned them his sincere thanks for the
hononr they had bestowed on him in again
returning Mm 'to Parliament. (Mr. Downer here ?
entered the room, and was received with loud
spplause and great cordiality.) Mr. Basedow
cpntinned by stating that when last before them
it was as a candidate, but now his position was
e-ery different — he was elected as their represen
tative, and all difficulties and troubles were
over. (Applause.) If hitherto he had rendered
satisfaction he trusted in the future to give
inure . On his first entry into Parliament he
was merely a political novice, but having made
aj proper study of the forms of the House, he
now, understood the requirements, of most of
the districts of the colony. _ His_ colleague, he
was happy to say, agreed with him on most of
the leading questions of the day, and though in
some matters they had once held contrary
views, at present they. were quite united in
opinion, and be therefore hoped conjointly
they might be able to benefit the town and
district. (Hear, hear.) On a previous occa
sion he was placed in the unfortunate position
of having frequently to- record his vote, in
direct opposition to his colleague, but heb«
heved in so doing he had only acted conscien
tiously. Iu conclusion, he returned them his
sincere thanks, and trusted both Gawler and
Barossa would have occasion to feel proud of
their members. (Applause.)
Mr. J. Downer, M.P., who was received with
cheers, proposed 'Prosperity to the Town and
Trade of Gawler.' He said he owed a debt of
gratitude to the town, as also the District of
Barossa, and sincerely thanked his constituents
for returning him so handsomely. He was not
present to speak of politics or himself, and
would therefore confine his remarks to the toast.
He thought there was no need to eulogize the
town of Gawler, which was now universally
known by name and fame as the 'Colonial
Athens,' and had every facility for maintaining
such a euphonious title. He did not think
there was any need for them to resolve
themselves into a Mutual Admiration Society
that he might tell them how much he admired
their town and people, but he could say con
seientionsly that he admired Gawler, which by
its picturesque situation and characteristics
deserved the title which had been applied to it
(Applause.) !
Mr. J. Mitchbix responded to the toast, and
stated that it was quite certain that the trade of
the Town of Gawler had been fostered and
improved to a large j extent by their excellent
Chairman. (Applause.) Mr. Martin had on all
occasions endeavoured to advance its best
interests in a handsome manner, and prosperity
had resulted therefrom. The great want there
now was the establishment of manufacturing
interests, which done, Gawler would not be far
behind Adelaide, with which it could now com*
pete for machinery, implements, &c. He did
not care much for lawyers in the House, bat ho
was nevertheless favourable to Mr. Downer, and
thought he might do much in his position there.
(Applause )
Mr. J. Thobjtley proposed ' The Mayor and
Corporation,' and said it was a very excellent
tiling that 21 years ago they had become &
Corporative body. Since that time the Corpo
ration had done a great deal ; they had made
the spot attractive aud well liked by all who
ever visited or settled in it (Applause.)
The Mayor said that like the rest of those re
ferred to he was compelled to admit that Gawler
was one of the prettiest, cleanest, and bast
situated towns in South Australia. As a resi
dent be waa proud of ths place, and pleased to
hear it well jpoken^ of. Lately some gentlemen
had been visiting it from Queensland and the
other colonies, and lie had heard nothing from
them but eulogistic remarks respecting it
(Applause.)
Councillor Pisilot proposed the toast of ' The
Councillors,' and said that although they
received a deal of abuse at times, they still
received a fair share of praise. He considered
it a good thing they were thus amalgamated, as
too much praise would be likely to make things
lopsided. (Laughter.)
The toasts of - The Architect' (Mr. Abbott)
coupled with ' Tho Builder' (Mr. Peek), ' The
Ladies,' and 'The Press,' concluded the core
monies.
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