Moreton Bay Courier (Brisbane, Qld. : 1846 - 1861), Tuesday 13 December 1859, page 2


ARRIVAL & RECEPTION

OF HIS EXCELLENCY

SIR G. F. BOWEN,

FIRST GOVERNOR OF QUEENSLAND.

——

THE great event of our history stands re-corded. A new epoch in the annals of Aus-tralia has come to pass ; " our era " has commenced ; and the delays and disappoint-ments of the past are amply compensated for by the triumphant successes of the pre-sent. We have, as a free and independent people, welcomed amongst us the first repre-sentative of royalty to whom the task of governing our young State has been allotted, and never was welcome given with heartier

zest.

December is an eventful month with us. It was on the 2nd December, 1823, that Mr. Oxley entered our noble river, and gave to it the appellation it now bears. It was on the 7th December, 1842, that the first sale of Moreton Bay lands in Sydney gave token of the birth of this locality as a free settle-ment ; and the 10th will henceforth be ob-served as the " anniversary " or " separation day " of this colony. We have been taunted and twitted about our juvenescence—our limited revenue-our scanty population, and our consequent inability to govern our-selves, but all such taunts may now be passed heedlessly by. We have attained the object of our wishes—the goal of our long-cherished hopes, and it will be for us to show that, although young, we are vigorous, —although wealthy, we are careful ; and that, although few in comparison with other colonies, we may yet become many by at-tracting the peasantry of Great Britain to our

shores.

But we will leave the consideration of all that is inimical, and treat of that which is joyous, since this is not the period for enter-ing into time-worn arguments with unrea-soning and unscrupulous opponents. The Governor is here, and it is our duty, as faith-ful chroniclers, to relate the particulars of his coming.

Yesterday week was the first day upon which the arrival of the Cordelia was looked for, and, upon that account, a series of holi-days, lasting over four days, was commenced. Steamers went down to the bay—visitors poured in from the country,—and bunting by day, and fireworks by night, gave a glimmering idea of the enthusiasm held in check until the actual landing. Some one or more of the river steamers, (which had been kindly placed at the disposal of the Reception Committee by the owners), went down to the bay each day, up to Thurs-day, expecting to hear or see something of tho Cordelia, but it was on Wednesday that the strongest muster of people took place— the Breadalbane, Brisbane, Bremer, and Hawk being each thronged with visitors, save and except the first-mentioned, which only carried a comparative few on account of her having been selected to convey his Excellency and Lady Bowen up the river. Much of the disappointment thus experienced might have been obviated, however, if a little more faith had been placed in the mes-senger stationed at Sandgate, and if the people had repressed their enthusiasm until the flag at the Government Resident's office was hoisted—it having been arranged that this signal should be made immediately on the receipt of news as to the arrival of the Cordelia in the bay. All sorts of specula-tions were indulged in as to the cause of the delay, and the encomiums bestowed upon the sailing qualities of the Cordelia were more unflattering than just. Our local contem-porary made the brilliant suggestion that his Excellency might have been carried off into the backwoods by Mr. Walsh and his troop of " alligators"—a joke the excrucia-ting effect of which will doubtless be fully appreciated by his Excellency, should he ever happen to see it. The cause of the delay was generally, however, ascribed to the prevalence of adverse winds, and the sequel has proved this conjecture to be cor-rect ; and another reason was that Capt. Vernon wished to avoid making " bad weather " as much as possible, out of consideration to Lady Bowen. On Friday evening, the troopers that had been upon the look-out at Sandgate rode with "hot haste" into the town and announced that the Cordelia was coming across the bay, and that there could be no mistake about it, as she had fired a gun by way of signal. Flags were every-where hoisted as the glad intelligence spread like wild-fire through the city, and other demonstrations of joy were also made. Ar-rangements were immediately effected by the Committee for bringing up his Excel-lency in the Breadalbane on the following morning, and also, for sending down the Bremer and Hawk, the other river steamers not being available.

DOWN TO THE BAY.

At half-past 9 o'clock on Saturday morn-ing, the Breadalbane started for the bay, having on board Mr. Herbert (the Colonial Secretary), Captain Wickham, Mr. Justice Lutwyche, Colonel Gray, Mr. Pring (the Attorney-General elect), and several ladies and gentlemen-the latter being principally connected with the Committee. As the steamer proceeded down the river, the band on board playing enlivening strains, prepa-rations for the day were everywhere observ-able on the bank—-the director of the Botanic Gardens being especially busy, at the tem-porary landing-place where his Excellency was to disembark. On arriving at the mouth of the river, the Cordelia was dis tinctly discernible at the anchorage, and in

stantly became an object of attraction for all on board—the interest heightening as the progress of the steamer revealed the per-fect outline of thoa.snug little sloop. On coming abreast of the Cordelia, the Customs' boat left the Breadalbane with Mr. Herbert and Captain Wickham, who went on board to welcome His Excellency. The Breadal-bane then rounded the stern of the Cordelia, bringing up on her lee side, where she was rapidly made fast by the nimble seamen be-longing to that vessel.

ON BOARD THE CORDELIA—FIRST SIGHT OF

SIR GEORGE.

After having moored alongside, Captain Wickham appeared at the gangway and said that the commander of the vessel would be happy to see any one who wished to come on board. The invitation was no sooner

given than accepted by the majority of the Breadalbane's passengers,and we had scarcely reached the deck of the Cordelia when we were informed that his Excellency was de-sirous of being introduced to every one on board. Mr. Henry Buckley, who had pre-viously been presented to his Excellency by Mr. A. O. Moriarty, the acting private Secre-tary, acted as master of the ceremonies, and all who came forward had the honor of shak-ing hands with Sir George. It became evi-dent in the course of the improvised levee, that his Excellency had not failed to obtain information relative to the place previous to his arrival, for many of those who were in-troduced to him had already become known to him both by name and reputation. Her ladyship sat apart from the crowd, watching the proceedings with evident interest.

At any other time, the ship and her officers might have reasonably anticipated that a word of comment would be bestowed upon them, but, interesting as a man-of-war may be to unaccustomed eyes, generally speaking, there were two figures on the deck of the Cordelia that engrossed the interest, and ex-cited the attention of the Queenslanders. The one was the tall and portly form of Sir George Bowen, and the other the slender, but graceful, figure of his accomplished lady. In the happy face and smiling countenance of his Excellency was to be recognised the peaceful termination of all our struggles for independence-the assurance of better days to come, and the hope of a prosperous future. Her ladyship chatted pleasantly with those about her, and appeared to regard with in-terest those who were introduced to the Go-

vernor.

THE DISEMBARKATION.

After having been on board some fifteen minutes the passengers by the Breadalbane left the ship and returned to the steamer, and soon after the boatswain's whistle piped all hands to man the yards. Lady Bowen was then handed on to the Breadalbane, and was soon followed by his Excellency, the marines presenting arms, and those on board the river steamer giving him a hearty cheer. The guard of honor followed his Excellency on board the Breadalbane, and the ropes having been cast off, the steamer left the ship's side, and shaped her course for the mouth of the river. As she moved away, the Cordelia fired a salute of seventeen guns, and the im-migrant ship Shackamaxon also saluted his Excellency. At the mouth of the river, the Bremer and Hawk were overtaken, and those on board cheered Sir George and his lady to their hearts' content. The Customs'-station was decorated with flags and evergreens, and on the gable-end of the boat-house were placed the words " Welcome," and certain devices composed of the arms used by the

boatmen.

Off Bulimba, the yacht Lady Bowen (own-ed by Mr. Gaskarth) was passed, bearing swiftly along under canvass, with the Greek flag flying at the peak. Her ladyship imme-diately recognised the compliment, and called the attention of his Excellency to the boat. Various compliments were paid to the vessel on her passage up, which were all noticed and acknowledged by his Excellency, but it was not until the arrival of the steamer at the Gardens, that the grand expression of feeling was evinced. Upwards of 4000 peo-ple were congregated on the banks, notwith-standing the return to the country of several who had previously visited the town in ex-pectation of the Governor's arrival, and the cheers that were given were worthy of any company of loyal Britishers all the world

over.

THE LANDING AND PROCESSION.

His Excellency was received at the land-ing place by the Corporation and the members of the Committee appoint-ed to that office, and as he stepped on to the stage, a salute of twenty-one guns was fired. Passing under the triumphal arch his Excellency and Lady Bowen en-tered the vice-regal carriage, accompanied by Mr. Herbert, and Captain Wickham, and a procession was formed to escort him to Government House. Along the whole line of route his Excellency was cheered after the genuine English fashion, and the procession that followed was of very creditable length and appearance. The banners carried by the body of working men and cordwainers were especially noticeable for their appropriate-ness and applicability to the occasion, and the flag adopted as the Queensland ensign was frequently to be seen along the line of the cortege.

READING THE PROCLAMATION.

Arrived at Government House, her lady-ship affectionately embraced and kissed her infant, who had previously arrived in charge of the nurse, and who was now in waiting to welcome her ladyship to her new abode. His Excellency and her ladyship then as-cended to the balcony, where they were loudly cheered by the throng below, and soon afterwards his Excellency took the re-quisite oaths of office, which were adminis-tered by his Honor the Resident Judge. The Queen's commission, appointing his Excellency Governor of Queensland, was then read by Mr. Herbert from the balcony, which was immediately followed by the sub-joined proclamation, read by Mr. A. O. Mo-riarty, the acting private secretary :—

By His Excellency Sir George Ferguson Bowen,

Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Captain General and Governor-in-Chief of the Colony of Queensland and its Dependencies, and Vice Admiral of the same, &c., &c., &c.

Whereas her Majesty has been graciously pleased, by letters patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland bearing date at Westminster, the sixth day of June, in the twenty-second Year of her Majesty's Reign, to separate from the Colony of New South Wales the Colony described in the said Letters Patent, and to erect the Same into a separate Colony, to be called the Colony of Queensland, and has further been pleased to constitute and appoint me, Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Knight Commander of the most distinguished Order of St. Micheal and St. George, to be Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief, in and over the said Colony of Queensland and its dependencies: Now there-fore, I, the Captain-General and Governor-in Chief aforesaid, do hereby proclaim and declare that I have this day taken the prescribed oaths before His Honor Alfred James Peter Lutwyche, Esquire, Judge of the Supreme Court, and that I have accordingly assumed the said office of Captain General and Governor-in-Chief.

Given under my hand and seal at Government

House, Brisbane, this tenth day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty nine, and in the twenty-third year of Her Majesty's reign.

(L.S.) G. F. BOWEN.

The reading of this document concluded the formal proceedings, of the day, & His

Excellency then came forward and said :— " Gentlemen,—I thank you all for the warm and hearty reception you have this day given me, and I shall not fail to represent to our Sovereign the expressions of loyalty which you have this day manifested. I shall have the pleasure of seeing you again at the pavilion at 10 o'clock on Monday morn-ing, and, till then, I bid you all Goodbye." An enthusiastic outburst of cheers followed the delivery of these few words, and the large crowd quietly dispersed, leaving His Excellency to enjoy the peace and comfort of his own home, and the lovely scenery which his lady and himself had already frequently admired since their arrival.

MONDAY (YESTERDAY.)

YESTERDAY morning, at 8 o'clock, the Queensland ensign was hoisted at the pa-vilion in the Botanic Gardens, under a salute of twenty-one guns, and amid the cheers of those who had assembled to witness the ceremony. At ten o'clock, which was the hour appointed to receive the addresses, His Excellency arrived in his carriage, accom-panied by Lady Bowen and the officers of his staff, and took up his position on the dais prepared for his reception. At the back of the platform hung a banner bearing this inscription-" We hail,with triumphant joy, this Glorious Event;—Our National Birth. Aid the infant State with Wise Legislation ; let Industry-the mother of its existence feed the flame of its vitality ; and young Queensland will then become the Queen of Lands ;"—and the large tent was tastefully decorated with the leaves of the native palm and other evergreens, and a variety of flags. The band in attendance played a selection of enlivening airs.

The first address presented was that of the people of Queensland, as prepared by the general Committee. This was read by his Honor Mr. Justice Lutwyche, and was as

follows :—

To His Excellency Sir George Ferguson Bowen,

Governor of Queensland. May it please your Excellency,—

We whose names are hereunto subscribed, have

the honor to convey to your Excellency the con-gratulations of the inhabitants of Queensland on your arrival in the colony, and to welcome your Excellency to your seat of Government.

Suffering as we have been from the evils con sequent upon a distant legislature, which, how-ever well disposed, could not, from the nature of the case, either understand or provide for our requirements with sufficient promptitude,—we hail the advent of separation, and your Excel-lency's arrival, with feelings of heartfelt gratitude to our beloved Queen.

We desire to convey through you, her repre-sentative, our love and devotion to our sovereign. We see in your Excellency's presence amongst us another instance of Her Majesty's earnest desire to promote the welfare and happiness of her sub-jects, and, keeping this steadily in view, it shall be our constant aim to prove ourselves worthy of the privileges ceded to us, and to render the colony of Queensland not alone prosperous and happy in itself, but at the same time worthy of its Queen and Mother Country.

We trust that you will have occasion to re-member with unalloyed satisfaction, the years of your residence in the colony ; and while congra-tulating ourselves that your Excellency is accom-panied by Lady Bowen, we indulge in the hope that she may regard her sojourn amongst us with similar feelings.

His Excellency made the subjoined reply :

Gentlemen,—

I have received with most sincere gratification your cordial welcome and your loyal address. I thank you with my whole heart for your good wishes, and for the assurance of your personal regard for myself and my family. Those good wishes and that personal regard we warmly re-turn. Like myself, Lady Bowen contemplates with unalloyed satisfaction, a residence of many years among you, in a country where the charm of the climate, and the beauty of the scenery vividly recal the land of her birth.

It will indeed be a pleasing and honorable duty for me to convey to the Queen, my August Mis-tress, your loyal expressions of heartfelt gratitude, love, and devotion. I know that our Sovereign will receive most graciously, and with cordial satisfaction, the many proofs which I shall be able to lay before Her of your growing welfare and happiness. And here, gentlemen, let me announce a fact which I know you will all hear with delight—Queensland, the name selected for the new colony, was entirely the happy thought and inspiration of Her Majesty herself. Other designations had been suggested to Her; but the Queen spontaneously deter-mined to confer Her own Royal Title on this new province of Her Empire. It should assuredly then be the constant aim of us all to show ourselves not undeserving of this signal mark of the favour and sympathy of our Sover-eign, and (to quote your own well chosen phrase) "to render the Colony of Queensland not only prosperous and happy in itself, but at the same time worthy of its Queen and Mother Country."

In your Address (as in other addresses which have been presented on my arrival among you), your kindness has assigned to me many gifts and qualities that I only wish I could more confidently appropriate. But it is only simple justice to at-tribute to me the most lively sympathy, and the most abiding interest, in all that concerns the welfare of the great and rising colony in which the Queen has been graciously pleased to name me Her Majesty's first Representative.

Supported and strengthened by the Legislature and population, as I am confident, from the warmth of your greeting, that I shall be, it would be unpardonable if I were ever to neglect the duties which I have undertaken to perform, or ever to spare the best exertions of which I am capable towards promoting your happiness and pros-perity.

I rejoice to witness around me the obvious pro-gress alike of material industry, of mental activity, and of moral and physical well-being. Everything may be expected from such signs as these. They are strong proofs to our Queen and countrymen at home, that the foundations of a mighty and flourishing province of the British Empire have already been laid in this part of

Australia.

Gentlemen, the destiny of this colony will be henceforward placed, under Providence, in the hands of its own inhabitants, acting by means of their constitutional representatives in Parliament.

Your Legislature will be convoked at the earliest period consistent with the public convenience. An arduous and responsible, but most important and interesting task awaits us—for the attain-ment of self-government is an epoch in the life of a State, resembling the attainment of his major-ity in the life of an individual. This great por-tion of the earth—for Queensland embraces a territory more than equal in extent to the aggre-gate area of two of the principal monarchies of Europe—this great portion of the earth, I say,

begins its politioal life with noble principles of freedom, order, and prosperity. I humbly pray that Almighty God may vouchsafe to direct our Councils, and that He may grant to all of us all that moderation, wisdom, and courage necessary to preserve and extend these inestimable blessings, and to hand them down hereafter to our childrens' children.

The Mayor and Corporation next presented their address, which was read by the Town

Clerk :—

To his Excellency Sir George Ferguson Bowen,

Governor of Queensland, &c, &c. May it please your Excellency —

We, the Mayor and oldermon of the city of Brisbane, would take the opportunity of your Ex-cellency's arrival to express our affection and loyalty to tho person and throne of our beloved

Sovereign.

It is with no small degree of pride and pleasure that we welcome your Excellency as the first Go-vernor of Queensland, to the future canital of this beautiful and rising province, and we sincerely trust that your Excellency may long be spared to exercise the august functions entrusted to you.

Wo feel that your Excellency's arrival amongst us will materially tend towards the improvement and prosperity of this city, and that we shall have the benefit of your Excellency's experience in carrying out those public works, the execution of which will mainly rest with your Exoellency's

government.

That your Excellency and family may enjoy health and happiness in this fertile and richly gifted land, the youngest offspring of Great Britain is the sincere prayer of your Excellency's obedient servants.

His Excellency made a suitable reply, but by some unaccountable mistake, we have not been enabled to procure a copy of it.

A deputation representing the clergy of the diocese of Brisbane, headed by the Rev. J. Mosely, addressed His Excellency as fol-

lows :—

To his Excellency Sir George Ferguson Bowen,

Governor of the colony of Queensland.

May it please your Excellency—

We, the undersigned, clergymen of the United Church of England and Ireland, resident in the Diocese of Brisbane, beg leave to offer to your Excellency our most cordial congratulations on the safe arrival of yourself and Lady Bowen at your seat of Government, in this our newly es-tablished colony of Queensland, and in so doing to humbly express our deep felt and unalterable

attachment to her most gracious Majesty the Queen, and our gratitude, not only for this signal mark of her favor, that she has been pleased to raise this portion of her dominions to the rank of a British colony, but especially that she has honored us by the nomination of your Excellency to reside amongst us as her first representative.

Believing that " righteousness exalteth a na-tion," we have a strong confidence that it will be your Excellency's endeavor, so long as you may dwell amongst us, to uphold puse religion and sound morals, and we sincerely trust that, when the time of your departure shall arrive, you may be able to look back upon your sojourn here with

satisfaction and pleasure. We are bold to antici-pate that, in the annals of tho colony of Queens-land, the government of Sir George Bowen will be ever referred to as at once a beginning of prosperity and a cause for gratitude.

That the Lord's best blessing, for the time pre-sent, and for eternity, may rest upon yourself, Lady Bowen, and all who are near and dear to you will ever be, as it now is, the prayer of your Ex-

cellency's humble and obedient servants.

His Excellency delivered the subjoined re-ply :—

Gentlemen,—I beg to return to the Clergymen of the Church of England and Ireland resident in the Diocese of Brisbane, my sincere and respect-ful thanks for the hearty welcome which they have accorded to me on my arrival in this colony.

A dutiful son of the University of Oxford, that old centre and stronghold of the English Church, I rejoice to find myself here amongst so many men formed by the same institutions and nurtured by the same influences.

I gladly remember, moreover, that many of the clergy now foremost in the ranks of the Colonial Church, were my own contemporaries at college. Among these I ara proud to reckon my Right Reverend friend, our Diocesan, Bishop Tuffnell, to whose arrival among us I confidently look forward, as to the inauguration of a liberal, ener-getic, and enlightened direotion of our commis-

sion in this colony.

Our gracious and beloved Sovereign will, I feel confident, receive with gratification the assurances which it will be my pleasing duty to convey to her Majesty, of the affectionate attachment to her person and government which distinguishes her faithful subjects in this rich and beautiful province of her empire, on which she has spon-taneously conferred her own Royal Title.

Gentlemen, you will find in me one who if not so eminently fitted as your too partial kindness hopes, is, at least, cordially disposed to appreciate and encourage the efforts of the religious com-munions of this country, to fulfil the ends of their formation by promoting true piety and virtue, by elevating the moral and intelleotual character of the people, and by diffusing, through as wide a sphere as possible, the blessings of a sound and

liberal education.

From no quarter with happier effect than from the various churches already established in this colony, can radiate over the whole surface of Queensland the advice and influences under which we shall coutinue to advance in the path of peace-ful progress, and daily become, under the bless-ings of Providence, a more united, prosperous, and happy people.

May those churches, and the pastors who guide and adorn them, be long favored and blessed as the instruments of transmitting and extending the benefits which they have already conferred on this population ; of kindling a yet higher love of virtue; of strengthening the foundations, and of deepening the influences of religion.

The address of the Cordwainers of Brisbane was next read by Mr. Thomas Gray:

To His Excellency Sir George Ferguson Bowen,

Knight of the Greek Order of St. Michael and St. George, Governor of Queensland,

&c,

May it please your Excellency,—

We the Cordwainers of Brisbane, in the Colony of Queensland, approach your Excellency with feelings of veneration and respect, not only as the Representative of our Sovereign Lady the Queen, for whom we retain the most devoted loyalty and attachment, but as the first Ruler of this our newborn colony.

We congratulate your Excellency upon your safe arrival and that of your Excellency's Lady, and respectfully assure you that your Excellency's person and family will have an abiding place in our affections, and that we shall never cease to uphold as loyal suhjects the cause of good govern-

ment and order.

We have as citizens the highest appreciation of the political privileges so graciously bestowed upon us, and hail your arrival as the advent of a new era in the history of this portion of Her Majesty's dominions, and anticipate that your rule will be productive of salutary results.

His Excellency replied in the following

terms :

Gentlemen,—I thank you in the name of the Queen for your cordial welcome, and for the loyal address which you have presented to me.

I rejoice to perceive that the ancient and laud-able custom of corporations or guilds of working mon, is duly maintained and honored in this thoroughly English portion of the Empire. We have all heard much of the division of labor, but experience teaches us that its true power lies in combination. I feel confident that you will prove yourselves worthy disciples and imitators of those great associations of industry and commerce, the companies of the city of London, which have contributed so much to the riches and prosperity of our mother country. Nor am I less confident that you will unite with me, and all the Queen's faithful subjects here, in one general combination to promote all that can further the welfare and happiness of the peoplo of this oolony.

Tho deputation of tho working classes then entered the pavilion at the head of a lengthy procession of that body, and accom-panied by a band of music. Their address,

which was listened to with marked attention and-honored with several expressive nods, by His Excellency, was read by Mr. John Murray, who headed the deputation, and

was as follows :

To His Excellency Sir George Ferguson Bowen,

Knight Commander of tho most distinguished Ordor of St. Miohael and St. George, Cap-tain-General and Governor-in-Chief of the Colony of Queensland.

May it please your Excellency,

We, the representatives of the Working Men of Brisbane, loyal subjects of the British Crown, would respectfully offer your Excellency our sin-cere congratulations on your safe arrival on those shores, as first Governor of Queensland. We feel thankful that a gracious Providence hath brought your Excellency, Lady Bowen, and family, in safety to this, the land of our adoption.

We desire to record our gratitude to our illus-trious Sovereign, Queen Victoria, who (with her Ministers) hath laid this young and rising com-munity under the deepest and most lasting obli-gations. When we reflect on the calm and deli-berate attention evinced by Her Majesty's Go-vernment during this movement in the Northern District, which has eventually ended in separa-tion from New South Wales-when we mark the unwearied assiduity, the strict and impartial jus-tic, the total disregard of all the sinister influ-ences brought to bear on the struggle by the neighbouring colony—it affords another evidence of that liberal and enlightened policy which has characterised Her Majesty's reign, and under the

shade of whioh the Anglo-Saxon race in this Southern Hemisphere may dwell contented and happy.

We now welcome your Excellency as the lawful representative of our Sovereign, and first Go-vernor of Queensland. We hail your arrival on our shores with the utmost satisfaction. We

look on this day as one of the brightest in the existence of the young colony, and take it as an earnest of good things to follow. Starting into existence as another of that belt of colonies, which at no distant day is yet destined to encircle this great Island Continent,there is much that ne-cessarily remains to be done-developing the vari-ous resources of the colony, opening up the interior working out the problem of Responsible Govern-ment, cultivating literature, science, and the arts —in short, everything calculated to raise a vir-tuous populace,

A happy bond,

To stand a wall of fire

Around our much-loved land.

These are works that require clear heads, strong hands, and, above all, honest hearts; and even beheld through the softening medium of distance, if we spur onward, earnest and eager, full of such vivid aspirations, though great the struggle, yet glorious will be the end. We now wish that your Excellency's connection with this new colony may be long and prosperous tran-quility in your Government, and happiness in your personal and family relations.

His Excellency made the following reply : Gentlemen,—I have already received so many addresses since my arrival in this colony that it is difficult for me to vary the es pression of my thanks for the loyal spirit in which they are all conceived towards our gracious and beloved Queen and for the kindly feeling which they all evince towards my family and myself.

Gentlemen—this work of self-government by a free people is, indeed, as you so well express it, "a work requiring clear heads, strong hands, and

above all, honest hearts." It is easy to see that you fully understand and appreciate the privilege, and I am confident that you will conscientiously perform the duty entrusted to you.

I perceive, gentlemen, that you characterise your address as proceeding from " working men." I feel certain, however, that you do not mean by that phrase to imply that you belong to any separate class, whose feelings and interests are adverse to, or even distinct from, the feelings and interests of any other class of the inhabi-tants of this colony. In a new and free country, like that in which we are living, where there are no paid idlers or sinecurists—every man, Gover-nor, Judge, Magistrate, Clergy, and all—every man, I repeat, is emphatically a " working man." Let us then, unite cordially in advancing our common interests. Capital is powerless without labor, and labor is unprofitable without the aid of capital. Without good government and good laws, impartially administered, and cheerfully obeyed, neither capital nor labor is safe. These are old, but they are true and wise maxims.

The whole life of every active man in a free coun-try, is necessarily a life of labor, and Competition, It is a life of competition with those who are running the same race, of struggle with circum-stances, often of fight against that adverse fortune which may now and then befall us all. But he who enters into the work with that dogged per-

severance which is the peculiar characteristic of the Anglo-Saxon race, is sure to bring out success-fully those talents with which nature may have endowed him. Whatever may be the amount of his abilities and opportunities, such a man will always be sure to improve those abilities and opportunities to the best advantage, and to ap-ply them as successfully as circumstances will permit.

Rest assured that I shall always remember with gratitude this flattering mark of your es-teem and respect, and that you will at all times find me your zealous fellow-workman, in all that may tend to promote the happiness and welfare of the people of Queensland.

Colonel Gray then advanced as the repre-sentative of tho Ipswich Committee, and read the address emanating from tho people

of their town as follows :

To his Excellency Sir George Ferguson Bowen,

Knight, Governor-in-Chief of the colony of Queensland, &c., &c.

The humble address of the inhabitants of Ipswich

in public meeting assembled.

May it please your Excellency

We, the inhabitants of the town of Ipswich, beg to congratulate your Excellency on your safe arrival in Queensland, and to express our continu-ous attachment to the person and government of her most gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, of whom your Excellency is the representative.

We view with great satisfaction the appoint-ment of a gentleman of your Excellency's high character and varied attainments to the impor-

tant office of our first Governor.

Your Excellency is doubtless aware that the inhabitants of Queensland have struggled many years to obtain that independence from the Go-vernment of New South Wales which they are now about to enjoy, and although the progress of the colony has been great its material prosperity has been much retarded by the systematio negli-gence of the Government of New South Wales.

Under such circumstances we hail with joy the advent of your Excellency to establish an inde-pendent government, and we feel confident that by a wise and liberal administration the great natural resources of tho colony will be developed and the advantages we have anticipated from Separation will be fully realised under your Ex-cellency's auspices.

In conclusion, we beg to assure your Excellency that the people of Ipswioh will always endeavour to strengthen your Excellency's government in matters tending to the welfare and advancement of the colony, and with a renewed expression of loyalty they wish your Excellency health and happiness.

His Excellency replied in the following

terms :

Gentlemen,—I thank you most cordially for your loyal address and for your hearty welcome,

I am gratified that you have chosen as your channel of communication with me, an officer of such highly distinguished services in three quarters of tho globe—in India, in the Peninsula, and at Waterloo—as those of the gallant Colonel (Gray)

whom I see before me.

I have perfect confidence in your affeotionate attachment to the person and government of the Queen, whose representative among you I have

the honor to be.

Placed, as Ipswich is, at the head of the navi-gation of the rivers Brisbane and Bremer, and at the threshold, if I may so speak, of the vast pas-toral districts of the interior, she must always occupy a prominent and important position in this colony. It will be my pleasure, as well as my duty, to take a very early opportunity of visiting your town in person.

You allude in your address to your recent struggle for separation from New South Wales. In that struggle you are now victorious. In gracious compliance with your own wishes, the Queen has conferred upon you to the fullest ex-tent, the privilege of local self-government. Let all, then, forget henceforward any feeling of ill will engendered by the recent controversy, now happily terminated in your favor. I wish these words to apply, not only to those who now hear me, but throughout the length and breadth of Queensland. If any inhabitant of this colony cherishes any lingering jealousy towards the co-lony of New South Wales, let him convert that jealousy into emulation. Let us all unite in a generous rivalry with the neighbouring provinces. Let us emulate them, in reverence for our religion, in loyalty to our Queen, in obedience to the laws, in energy, in enterprise—in a word, in all those qualities which have made the British Empire what it is. Such are the arts which have enabled " us, the great English nation, to overrun the earth from one end of it to the other." It is thus that we have spread our race and language over the North American Continent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It is thus that we have conquered those Indian realms which eluded the grasp of Alexander. It is thus, finally, that we are fast peopling our own Australia, that " Great Southern Land" which lay beyond the chart of

Columbus.

I have now only to thank you, Gentlemen, once more, for the warm greeting which you have given me on my arrival among you, and to assure you that you will always find me a most willing fellow-labourer, in all that may conduce to the interests of your flourishing town, to the develop-ment of the rich resources of this beautiful coun-

try, and to the well-being and happiness of its people,

The Queensland Band of Hope, headed by their Secretary, Mr. J. P. Smith, then ad-vanced to the dais, to present their address, but His Excellency expressed his regret at not being able to receive it then, on account of his not having been furnished with a copy. He intimated his willingness, however, to receive it on a future occasion, and recom-mended that it should be presented on Wed-nesday (to-morrow) morning at the levee.

Three hearty cheers were then enthusias-tically given for His Excellency, and three for Lady Bowen, who, immediately there-after, took their departure from the grounds.

THE REGATTA.

One attractive feature of the programme prepared by the committee was the regatta, and as it was arranged that this should com-mence immediately after the presentation of the addresses, the crowd assembled on the bank of the river, and those who were so far favored made their way to the flag-ship, the steamer Breadalbane. Arrived on board, all the members of the committee adjourned to the cabin, where, in a few appropriate words, Mr. Justice Lutwyche (as chairman) called attention to the gratuitous and valua-ble services rendered by the owners of the steamboats—Messrs. Towns & Co. (repre-sented by Mr. H. Richards), the A.S.N. Co. (represented by Mr. Webb), and Captain Boyland—in placing their boats at the dis-posal of the committee at so much loss and inconvenience to themselves ; and also to Captain Teulon, of the Shackamaxon, for the interest shown by him in dressing his vessel, and furthering the views of the com-mittee. Mr. S. Smith proposed, and Dr. Cannan seconded, the healths of those gen-tlemen respectively, and a suitable replies were made by Captain Boyland, and Captain Teulon, who were present.

We regret that we shall not be able to give, in this issue, anything like a report of the regatta. We must here content our-selves with the mere mention of the winning boats, and the promise of a fuller account on Thursday. The winners were as follow:—

First Race.—Carry—L. Younger

Second Race.—Wanderer—L. Younger

and R. Garcia

Third Race.—Little Nell—E. Norris Fourth Race.—Carry—(the darkies)

Fifth Race.—Wanderer—J. Murphy and

J. Templeton Sixth Race.—Carry—L. Younger

Seventh Race.—Gig and dingy (won by

the gig.)

ILLUMINATION AND FIREWORKS.

We have just space to mention, by way of conclusion, that, notwithstanding the threat-ening and inclement aspect of the weather last evening, a partial illumination took place, and also a display of fireworks from tho Windmill Hill, and, in fact, from every other portion of the town. But more of this

in our next.