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TOWN ELECTION.
Tuesday last being the day appointed
for the nomination and return of a
Member to represent the Town of Mel-
bourne in the Legislative Council, about
one hundred persons assembled at the
hustings opposite the new Court House,
to witness the proceedings. The Mayor
presided, and the only members of the
Corporation present were, his Worship,
Aldermen Russell and Kerr.
The Mayor having explained the ob-
ject of the meeting,
Captain Cole, in proposing Mr. Jo-
seph Phelps Robinson, of Sydney, as a
fit and proper person to represent the
interests of the Town, addressed the
electors as follows : — Fellow Towns-
men, Electors of Melbourne — We have
met here this day to perform one of the
duties which we and our forefathers
have ever reckoned to be the most im-
portant to freemen, to elect a fit and
proper person to make known our
wishes, and defend our rights in the
Legislative Assembly of our country.
Our distance from the seat of govern-
ment, and the peculiar circumstances of
Australia Felix, unfortunately prevents
us at this time from having the advan-
tage of a talented and enlightened in-
habitant of this District to represent us
in the Legislative Assembly of New
South Wales. It therefore behoves us
to elect some competent person in Syd-
ney, having an interest in Port Phillip,
to perform this duty for us. I have,
therefore, gentlemen, the honor to pro-
pose Mr. Joseph Phelps Robinson as a
Member for the Town of Melbourne.
From the knowledge I have of him, and
from what I have ascertained from those
who have the pleasure of knowing him
better, I think it would be difficult to
find a candidate more eligible in every
point of view. He is a man of excellent
ability, enlightened mind, and of busi-
ness habits. He is also a partner in the
largest property as to land and stock in
the District of Port Phillip. I beg to
mention that circumstances have pre-
vented him from seeing you at this time.
But, gentlemen, the fact of our being
obliged to select Mr. Robinson, who
resides in Sydney, to represent the chief
town of Australia Felix, is only one of
the many reasons for our being sepa-
rated territorially and financially from
New South Wales. Till, however, this
auspicious event can be brought about,
it should be our bounden duty carefully
to select as representatives for this Town
and District such individuals only as
shall cordially advocate this vital ques-
tion, and it gives me great pleasure to
assure you that the candidate whom I
shall now propose for your suffrages is,
both from self-interest and enlightened
views, in politics heart and soul a
Separationist. Gentlemen, I shall not
add one word more, but have the honor
to propose Mr. Joseph Phelps Robinson
as representative of our good Town of
Melbourne in the Legislative Assembly
of New South Wales.
Slight symptoms of approval were
shewn by those on the platform ; by
the other attendant electors there was
no outward or visible sign of approval
or the contrary.
Mr. H. G. Ashhurst seconded the no-
mination of Mr. Robinson, whom the
Mayor at once declared to be duly
elected.
Mr. W. Gooper, Blacksmith, de-
manded the attention of the meeting be-
fore it broke up. Your Worship, does
this Mr. Robinson know that he is put
in nomination — does he agree to it ?
Mayor— Yes.
Mr. Cooper — Has he ever been in
Melbourne ?
Mayor — No.
Here the worthy Vulcan expressed
himself satisfied.
Mr. Robert Fennell returned thanks
on behalf of Mr. Robinson, who he
intimated would perform that office
shortly in propria persona.
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