Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Friday 4 July 1930, page 2


Anniversary of the Week

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SEPARATION DAY.

On July 1, 1851, writs were issued for the election of the first Victorian legis-lative Council, and the absolute independ-ence of Victoria from New South Wales was established. Seven months previously the passage through the British Parliament of the bill that proposed, among other things, the separation of the colony of Port Phillip from New South Wales had been received with ecstatic excitement in Mel-bourne. It was not until July l5 that the final act of separation was celebrated. On that day the Superintendent (Mr. Latrobe) and the chief officials stood in front of an assemblage of about 2,000 persons outside tbo Government offices in William street and listened to the reading of the Queen's commission appointing him Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria. In the prescence of Judge a'Beckett he took the oath of office. There was a salute of 13 guns, tho onlookers cheered, and the National Anthem was sung.