Stuart Alexander Donaldson - letters received from William Denison, 1856-1857
B 205
[Abstract of contents in first 24 pages not transcribed]
[page 1; letter no. 1]
Gov'nt. House
6 June 56
Dear Donaldson
Will you, if you please, collect your Colleagues and come down to Gov'nt House to take the necessary oaths of office and receive your Commissions - I shall then want your counter signature to some documents.
Yours truly
W.Denison
[Page 25]
[page 2; letter no. 1]
June 6th 1856
Govr. Genl. to take oaths of Office
[Page 26]
[page 3; letter no. 2]
Gov'nt. House
18 June 56
My dear Donaldson
I of course shall make no objections to any arrangement which you and your Colleagues may wish to carry out - and I shall be very glad to see Scott who is an old friend of mine of upwards of 30 years standing placed in a more comfortable position than that which he at present holds - but will the post of Private Secretary to yourself be an appointment of this kind - it is I know one to which a salary is attached in England, but you must
[Page 27]
[page 4; letter no. 2]
remember that it is an appointment of a purely personal character and that the Private Secretary, goes on with his principal as a matter of course.
I would have you think also whether you require a private Secretary - and whether it would be wise to ask the Council to vote a salary to such an officer - your business is so exclusively public that you have a right to the services of any number of Secretaries or Clerks, and you can arrange for the performance of their duties in such a way as you may think best.
[Page 28]
[page 5; letter no. 2]
I should almost doubt the wisdom of appointing a private Secretary to be paid by the public.
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 29]
[Blank page]
[Page 30]
[page 6; letter no. 3]
Gov House
19 June 56
My dear Donaldson
I quite agree with Thomson that some person will be required to perform the duties alluded to by him - the only difference between us is whether the man should be a Clerk on the strength of the Department or a personal friend & attache of the minister of the day - in the latter case he may be termed Private Secretary, & go out with his Patron - in the former he is a Clerk of the Department with particular duties allotted to him. I of course can have no possible objection to the adoption
[Page 31]
[page 7; letter no. 3]
of either scheme - and I only suggest for your consideration whether the permanent appointment to the Clerkship may not be the best scheme of the two both are likely in the first place to being more agreeable to Scott - and as in the second less likely to afford a peg upon which the opposition might hang objections -
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 32]
[Blank page]
[Page 33]
[Page 34]
[page 8; letter no. 4]
Gov House
20 June 56
My dear Donaldson
I send you the Book and you had better keep it in your office - for the future any applications which are made to me I will forward to you with such minutes, if any, which may seem to me necessary.
I think that a Gazette notice might be published directing all applicants for employment under the
[Page 35]
[page 9; letter no. 4]
Gov'nt. must to make their applications through to the Heads of the particular Departments who will submit them to the Gov'r. & Executive Council -
This however we can talk about hereafter
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 36]
[page 10; letter no. 4]
June 20th 1856
Govr. Genl. Forwarding books of applicants names for employment. [?]
[Page 37]
[page 11; letter no. 5]
Govt. House
July 12 / 56
My dear Sir
I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your note, having reference to Mr. McCarty.
I submitted the application to the Gov. Gen. and received his directions to refer to His Honor
Mr. Justice Therry
[Page 38]
[page 12; letter no. 5]
the matter to the Colonial Secretary, who with his Colleagues will dispense all the
patronage of the Gov. Gen.
Mr. MacCarly's name was down on His Excellency's List, when I handed over the Books to the Col. Sec.
[Page 39]
[page 13; letter no. 5]
with the recommendations attached, but the fact can only be taken quantum valeat, I cannot say it is of much importance. I wish I could do anything, but applications now must be Addressed to the Ministers, not to the Gov. Gen.
Believe me
Very truly yrs
Alfred Denison
[Page 40]
[Blank page]
[Page 41]
[page 14; letter no. 6]
I understand that there are two Black fellows are at Cockatoo who are inseparable friends, Black Peter & Stupid Tommy. Stupid Tommy does not wish to go out till his friend's term is over. If Black Peter has behaved well I would let him out to accompany his friend - let Stupid Tommy be kept in till I hear about Black Peter & they can then perhaps to out together.
W D 23 June 56
[Page 42]
[Blank page]
[Page 43]
[page 15; letter no. 7]
Gov't. House
27 June 56
Dear Donaldson
I send you a minute on the subject of Education which deals with the main points which will have to be brought under discussion when the question is mooted. Would it not be as well to have a proper "Precis" made in the first place of all the statistical facts connected with the subject - such as all those embodied in the report of the Board
[Page 44]
[page 16; letter no. 7]
secured - those which can be deduced from the Census returns - as to number of children, ages of do. - how distributed throughout this country -
Then sketches of measures proposed -
look to Victoria system - that as sketched out by Lord J. Russell in his resolutions - all these will be required to enable the Gov'nt. to deal with such a question or to enable the Ministry to speak in the House with authority upon the question - to put however a Clerk to
[Page 45]
[page 17; letter no. 7]
work upon such a precis would be useless - you must get a man who would work at it
..?.. - a Clerk might make abstracts of documents submitted - but would hardly deal with such documents as require a full appreciation of the importance of the subject to treat properly.
Yours truly.
W. Denison
[Page 46]
[page 18; letter no. 7]
Education
[Page 47]
[page 19; letter no. 8]
Gov House
29 June 56
Dear Donaldson
I think we ought to make arrangements for some expression of thankfulness for the good news of peace which we have just received. I have written to Bloomfield to have a grand firing of Salutes tomorrow - we ought to arrange an illumination somehow or other - this however will take some short time to arrange think over this we can settle times & seasons tomorrow - and have a public holiday.
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 48]
[page 20; letter no. 8]
June 29th 1856
Govr. Genl. On arrangements for salutes &con acct. of Peace
[Page 49]
[page 21; letter no. 9]
Gov House
30 June 56
Dear Donaldson
I think the best scheme for the Illumination & fire works would be to have them in the Inner domain where arrangements might be made to illuminate the front of Gov'nt. House in addition - if however there would not be space for all who might wish to see the fireworks ten or 15000 might I think easily be packed there - then arrangements might be made for the illumination of Gov'nt House as well the gas being laid on by a new Main as proposed at once - think of this &
[Page 50]
[page 22; letter no. 9]
let us decide upon some Place at once - I have just seen the Fireworks they were the best I have witnessed since I left England.
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 51]
[Blank page]
[Page 52]
[page 23; letter no. 9]
June 30th 1856
Govr. Genl. on Fire works
[Page 53]
[page 24; letter no. 10]
Government House
July 1 / 56
Gentlemen
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterdays date, in which you make application to the Gov. General for the use of the Outer Domain, in the event of any public demonstration
Messrs. Woolcott & Clarke
[Page 54]
[page 25; letter no. 10]
being made to celebrate the restoration of Peace.
I have submitted the same to His Excellency and have received his directions to refer your letter to the Colonial Secretary, to whom it is necessary application should be made.
[Page 55]
[page 26; letter no. 10]
I am
Gentlemen
Yr. Obed'nt. Servant
Alfred Denison
[Page 56]
[Blank page]
[Page 57]
[page 27; letter no. 11]
Gov. House
2 July 56
Dear Donaldson
I see some grumbling among the people on the Hunter as to the progress of the Harbour improvements - call for a report from Mr. Moriarty as to the steps taken to carry out the work which has been sanctioned namely the Breakwater and the works for deepening the shoals - we shall then
[Page 58]
[page 28; letter no. 11]
see what grounds of complaint they have, and may feel ourselves called upon to administer a spur to Moriarty.
Yours truly
W. Denison
I have not had any papers on the subject of the Water works yet
[Page 59]
[Blank page]
[Page 60]
[Blank page]
[Page 61]
[page 29; letter no. 12]
Gov. House
2 July 56
My dear Donaldson
I have had Mann & Hawkins with me on the subject of the Railroads - they want to be allowed to send home at once for Rails for the completion of the Line to Campbell Town, and for the Hunter River Line to a distance of some 6 or 7 Miles beyond Maitland, in fact to the crossing of the Wollombi Road - there can be no objection to this I imagine but the Gov'nt. must take upon itself the responsibility of authorising it, and must take a vote for the amount at the meeting of the Council, this money will not be wanted for
[Page 62]
[page 30; letter no. 12]
three months all that is wanted as authority to order the Rails. There are various other matters which require to be carefully considered by the Gov'nt. in connection with the Railways and you must allow me to press upon you, and through you upon your colleagues the utter impossibility of conducting a Gov'nt. upon the system or rather no system under which we are now suffering - it may be quite true that the arrangements for the distribution of the work among yourselves are not complete but that is no reason why certain among you should
[Page 63]
[page 31; letter no. 12]
not devote attention to certain classes of business - why, in short, you should not have some division of labour amongst you - unless this can be done and done soon, I see very clearly that you will not be in a state of preparation to meet the Council.
Take for instance all the questions connected with the Dep'nt. of Public works - these should at once be taken in hand and as I assume that Nicholls is to have be responsible for these he might as well put himself in immediate communication with the different heads of Departments – Railways, Gov Architect &c in order to enable him to be able to pronounce as to the eligibility of the different
[Page 64]
[page 32; letter no. 12]
proposals which will have to be submitted to the Gov'nt. he must be able to state what he thinks advisable & you must be to a certain extent guided by his judgment - if you are to discuss all these matters in the Ex've. Council your work will be useless and the whole machinery of Gov'nt. will come to a stand still.
I shall of course be too glad to give Nicholls any assistance to facilitate his work as far as possible - to cram him in fact with facts & opinions - but he must digest them and be able to reproduce them to the Council as his own offspring - something must be done and done at once.
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 65]
[page 33; letter no. 13]
Gov'nt. House
3 July 56
Dear Donaldson
The question as to the Light House Commission had better come on at once say on Tuesday. Will you tell Fitzpatrick to summon the Council for that day - and will you direct him to make a precis of the papers relating to it so that the Members of Council may know something of the subject - Nicholls has suggested the Immigration Agent Brown as a good man to be sent on our part and I
[Page 66]
[page 34; letter no. 13]
do not know a better man. The character of the instructions to be issued to him for his general guidance may come under discussion hereafter -
Sir R. MacDonnel wants to be furnished with any Reports & Statistics as to the New South Wales Railways - the cost per mile - cost of rolling stock - will you direct the Chief Comm'n. to draw up such a Report as may convey as much information on these matters
[Page 67]
[page 35; letter no. 13]
in as small a compass as possible you will be glad of it for your own use.
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 68]
[page 36; letter no. 13]
July 3d. 1856
Govr. Genl. Light House Commissioners & Railroad expenses for Adelaide
[Page 69]
[page 37; letter no. 14]
Gov'nt. House
4 July 56
My dear Donaldson
There is a subject of deep Interest to this & the adjoining colonies which has been thought of by me at different times & which has now been brought under my notice by the Gov. of South Australia who says;
"I am in hopes of soon hearing that your Gov'nt. has taken action in the matter of a court of Appeal for all these Colonies to be
[annotations in pencil at top: ‘Chief Justice. Darvall’s against it 8 Jul’]
[Page 70]
[page 38; letter no. 14]
composed of the Materials already existing on the Judicial Benches of Australia" -
I think this is a subject well deserving the earnest attention of the Gov'nr. It is one too in what it would be a point of practical wisdom for you to take the initiative - you might proceed at once to consider the question with the Law officers & the Judges and I could then at once enter into correspondence with
[Page 71]
[page 39; letter no. 14]
the Gov'rs. of the different Colonies that if Legislative action might take place in all during the present or forthcoming Session of the Legislature - all that I think is necessary to remark upon such a scheme is that in order to make it palatable to the different Colonies it should not contain a proposition to make any one Colony the permanent Seat of such a Court.
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 72]
[page 40; letter no. 14]
Court of Appeal
[Page 73]
[page 41; letter no. 15]
Gov'mt. House
7 July 56
My dear Donaldson
Allow me in the first place to congratulate you on the safety of Mrs Donaldson and the birth of your Boy, of which O'Brien has just informed me - I trust that everything may go on prosperously with both Mother & Son.
I send you the papers which Thomson has sent me
[Page 74]
[page 42; letter no. 15]
on the subject of the Administrative changes. I read it over with him & I think that it will answer as a whole. There are one or two matters which might admit of discussion but I am anxious to get your whole Team into work so that each man may have his fair share of the work of the [letter?] to make any trifling objection or to propose
[Page 75]
[page 37; letter no. 15]
any small amendments.
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 76]
[page 44; letter no. 15]
Forwarding Mr. Thomson’s Paper
[Page 77]
[page 45; letter no. 16-17]
Gov'nt. House
9 July 56
My dear Donaldson
I send you a book upon the education of the poor the work of Mr. Kay a travelling Bachelor of the University of Cambridge. Mr Kay made use of the opportunity afforded him of making himself thoroughly acquainted with the system of education in various Countries of Europe. I think the information contained in this book would be most useful to us here, and I should like you therefore to
[Page 78]
[page 46; letter no. 16-17]
look into it before you come to any definite conclusion on the subject of Education.
I gathered from what you said yesterday that your view and that of some at all events of your colleagues was that it would be better to leave the whole question to be considered by a Committee of the Legislative Assembly than to submit any scheme of your own.
There is one objection to this course which did not strike me yesterday, & which may not have occurred to you, & that is the probability that by such a course you might lay the foundation for
[Page 79]
[page 47; letter no. 16-17]
schism between the upper & the lower House. It is not at all likely that the Council will consent to have the decision on such an important subject handed over to the Assembly. At all events there will be a feeling of annoyance with the Gov'nt which may lead to disagreable consequences. You are aware that in my opinion the Gov'nt. abrogates it functions when it applies to the Legislature to dictate to it the course which it is right to pursue upon any great question - and with reference to this particular question you have already got all the information which a committee can
[Page 80]
[page 48; letter no. 16-17]
arrive at - all the facts connected with the present state of education are known, and it would be easier for you to get together parties when opinions differ & to ascertain whether they might not be brought to harmonize, than it would be for a committee.
By declining to bring forward any measure with a reference to education, or in fact to express any opinion upon it, you throw away the chance for obtaining credit for a good measure, while you do not escape the responsibility of adopting a bad one, if it be forced upon you, or rather adopted as
[Page 81]
[page 49; letter no. 16-17]
your own at the suggestion or advice of the Council. Do not imagine that I have any fancy for a particular scheme or that I wish you to adopt my Bill or any modification of it. I am anxious it is true that something should be done to remedy the enormous evils which now exist but I am also anxious that you should not leave to your opponents such a point of attack as the confession of your
[Page 82]
[page 50; letter no. 16-17]
inability to make up your mind upon such a subject would give them
believe me
Yours very truly
W. Denison
[Page 83]
[Blank page]
[Page 84]
[Page 85]
[page 51; letter no. 18]
Gov'nt. House
11 July 56
My dear Donaldson
I wish you would ascertain through what channel the Empire got possession of a copy of Thomsons letter to me on the subject of administrative changes - I of course do not care for the publication of these or any other similar communications - but it is most improper that any of the subordinates of the Gov'nt. should hand over to the newspapers, or to people unconnected with the Gov'nt. any papers of an official character which may come into their possession without having first obtained permission.
[Page 86]
[page 52; letter no. 18]
so to deal with them.
It is the less excusable in this case, as the letter was a communication [?] addressed to me, and had reference to matters still undetermined by the Gov'nt.
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 87]
[page 53; letter no. 18]
Note. List of distribution of 60 printed copies of letter illegible for transcription.
[Page 88]
[page 54; letter no. 18]
Denison. How Empire got possession of Mr. Thomson’s paper
[Page 89]
[page 55; letter no. 19]
Gov House
12 July 56
Dear Donaldson
My attention has been drawn to a letter professing to be written by Mr. Hunt (a Clerk in the Post office ) to the Editor of the Morning Herald claiming the credit of certain improvements which have been made in the management & working of the Dep'nt. and mentioning certain suggestions which he asserts that he has made but which have not been
[Page 90]
[page 56; letter no. 19]
carried into effect. Such a proceeding as this strikes at the Root of all official subordination and is directly opposed to the spirit of a circular order issued by me some time last year in which I warned all subordinates that comments & suggestions as to the working of Dep'nts. must be addressed to the head of the Department. If the Post office is within you province, you had better bring the matter before me in order that Mr. Hunt
[Page 91]
[page 57; letter no. 19]
may be officially reprimanded - unless indeed you think it a matter of sufficient consequence to bring under the notice of the Ex't. Council - the latter course would not be desirable unless you proposed to eject Mr. Hunt.
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 92]
[page 58; letter no. 19]
Mr. Hunt’s letter on Post Office to Editor Mor’g. Herald
[Page 93]
[page 59; letter no. 20]
Gov't. House
14 July 56
Dear Donaldson
I have written to Mann to come to me on Wednesday at 11- to meet Dawson & Barney. Will you let Mann have the minute on the formation of a Board of Works he will send it with Dawson. Barney has already read it - I will talk the matter over with these men on Wednesday and if Nicholls will come here at 12- we can then go into
[Page 94]
[page 60; letter no. 20]
all that is necessary for the present.
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 95]
[Blank page]
[Page 96]
[page 61; letter no. 20]
Meeting on Board of Works
[Page 97]
[page 62; letter no. 21]
Gov't. House
19 July 56
Dear Donaldson
I have marked upon Brown's paper of queries my views upon the points raised by him.
They had better come before the Council on Monday, when they are decided they can be embodied in the Instructions.
You asked to see some of my Despatches - I have looked over the list of those written since Jan'y. last and the following are those which deal with matters other than purely formal business -
11. 19 Jan - Relative to proposal to reserve water frontage of Murray -
13. 24 Jan - Explanatory of mode adopted for raising money for Public works –
[Page 98]
[page 63; letter no. 21]
29. 19 Feb.- Relative to formation of Gov' t. under New Constitution -
44. 3 March - relative to appropriation of public building in George Street -
45. 17 March - relative to ..?.. Postal Communication
67. 24 April - renewed application for officer as Chief Comm'r. of Railways
81. 14 May - reporting course adopted for carrying out New Constitution
86. 27 May - relative to changes in order of procedures
87. 28 May - as to style of addressing President & members of Council & Speaker &c.
88. 2 June - Measures adopted for raising money for public works
92. 4 June - Opening Session of Legislature
97. 12 June - release from office of former Gov't. officials
98. 12 June - appointment of present ministry –
[Page 99]
[page 64;letter no. 21]
I forward the drafts of these with the exception of 44 which is with the Council - and from henceforward will send you as they are written such as are of any importance
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 100]
[Blank page]
[Page 101]
[page 65; letter no. 21]
William Livets - Port Curtis
Application through Merivale
wants to be made Comm. Of Crown Lands -
put his nomination for some app'nt
he is not entitled to ask for a Commissionership.
W.D. 21 July 56
[Page 102]
[Blank page]
[Page 103]
[page 66; letter no. 23]
Gov House
25 July 56
My dear Donaldson
I enclose a letter which I have just received from old Dr. Bland. I say nothing of the course pursued by him in writing to me on such a subject - but what I want to know is something of the position of Dr. & Mrs . Bland I of course can know nothing of the people here but through my Aid de Camp &c. - and as I do not want either to show discourtesy to any individual, or to shock the feelings of others by thrusting
[Page 104]
[page 67; letter no. 23]
into Society persons who are not admitted elsewhere I should be much obliged to you for any information on the subject of the worthy Dr or his wife which may be of assistance to me as answering this letter - I need hardly say that this must be "private & confidential"
Yours truly
W. Denison
I see that Fitzroy asked the Blands to dinner in 1850 but they have never been asked since. Was there not some row at this time. The party who met them
[Page 105]
[page 68; letter no. 23]
appears to have been made up for the purpose -
Wentworth
Witt
Owen Asstn. Comm'n. Gen.
Rogers - Ord. Store keeper
Hunter - of the 11th
Mrs. Barrow - (a loose fish) [?]
Mr. & Mrs. Reeve -
Dr. & Mrs. Robertson
Dr. Harcourt
Mr. Herriward
Mr. Horace Flower
Lt. Boyd - 11 th Reg.
Capt'n. Oliver of the Fly
22 July 50.
[Page 106]
[Blank page]
[Page 107]
[page 69; letter no. 24]
Gov't. House
25 July 56
Dear Donaldson
Will you let me have my book on Education if you have done with it - do you not think it possible, or at all events desirable, to induce the different religious Sects to consider the numerous points upon which they all agree, instead of fixing their attention upon those as to which they differ ? and would it not be a great triumph for your administration should you be able to scheme out a system in which all would join, that is all but the Jews and the Unitarians? I have been talking on this subject with several people &
[Page 108]
[Page 109]
[Page 110]
[page 70; letter no. 24]
it seems to meet the views of most - I do not wish to attempt such a scheme without your knowledge, but I should be quite willing to attempt to open negotiations with the influential people of every sort of Christianity should you think it advisable. Should I be successful yours will be the benefit - failure would not in any way affect you, nor indeed me, except by giving a guage of the minds & feelings of others.
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 111]
[page 71; letter no. 24]
[pencil annotation]
I agree that he should [?] but we are not purposed to vote any scheme which should upset present arrangements or involve any great outlay of money
[Page 112]
[Blank page]
[Page 113]
[page 72; letter no. 25]
Dear Donaldson
I send you a Petition from the Penrith people with reference to the extension of Railways in their direction. I have also a deputation from Windsor upon the same subject, but I have not as yet got a copy of their petition. My reply to this petition would be that I quite recognize the expediency of taking as soon as possible the necessary steps to facilitate the means of transport to the Westward - that I have
[Page 114]
[page 73; letter no. 25]
however given Instructions to the Surveyor General to detach tree parties to determine the best line for a Railway towards Bathurst & that these parties have been for some time at it. & that a party is now engaged in Surveying a line from Parramatta into the valley of the Hawkesbury - and that I shall be prepared to commend to the Legislature to provide the necessary Funds for this work as soon as the Survey is completed.
[Page 115]
[page 74; letter no. 25]
Will this suit your views
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 116]
[page 75; letter no. 26]
Gov'nt. House
July 29th 56
My dear Donaldson
I have thinking over the conversation which took place between us yesterday on the subject of the relation between the Gov'n. and the Ministry with reference to the replies to e given to the deputations waiting personally upon the Gov'n. The consideration of this special question has led me to investigate more closely the general question of the mode in which the different Responsibilities of the Governor to the Queen, and of the Ministry to the Legislature can be combined, so as to enable the Gov'nt, that is the Governor and his responsible advisers, to work harmoniously for the benefit of the community at large.
I may observe in the first place that the analogy between the position of the Sovereign in England, and the Governor in these Colonies is not so close as to justify an appeal to the
[Page 117]
[page 76; letter no. 26]
conduct of the Sovereign in every instance as a guide for that of the Governor. The latter is as before stated responsible for his conduct to the Queen who has appointed him, he is bound to act in accordance with certain specific Instructions which have been issued for his guidance - he must therefore necessarily have a more intimate acquaintance with the details of Gov'nt. business than can be necessary for the Sovereign. The Constitutional Act in fact recognizes this by enacting that certain matters shall be done by the Govn and the Executive Council. In fact the responsibility which formerly rested upon the Governor alone, is now divided between him and the members of the Executive Council - these latter being specially responsible to the Legislature for the measures which they may bring forward, and for the mode in which they perform their duty in the particular office to which they have been appointed,
[Page 118]
dup[Page 119]
dup[Page 120]
[page 77; letter no. 26]
while the former is responsible to the Queen that the measures which may be advised by the Ministry, and adopted by him, are in accordance with the Instructions under which he is acting. This joint responsibility makes it essential that the action of the Governor& the Ministry should be concurrent - that while, as in the instance of the Petitions alluded to, the reply given by the Governor should be in accordance with the advice of the Ministry; so, in the case of the measures which may be arranged by the latter at their private meetings or Cabinet councils, they should, so soon as it is proposed to bring them into active operation, and before they are, in the shape of Legislative enactments, submitted to Parliament, be brought before the Executive Council, there to receive the final approval of the only body authorized to decide upon such questions, of which decision & record is kept which can be referred to hereafter if necessary.
This appears to me to be the mode in which
[Page 121]
[page 78; letter no. 26]
the provision of the Constitutional act, and the directions contained in my Commission and Instructions can be worked out most effectively.
believe me
Yours very truly
W. Denison
[Page 122]
[page 79; letter no. 27]
Gov'nt. House
1 August 56
My dear Donaldson
I have looked over your scheme which I think will answer well enough at all events for a commencement - modifications can of course be made from time to time as it may be found advisable to concentrate on separate departments.
The following remarks occur to me on a hasty perusal
1. Principal Secretary -
you have given him the correspondence with the Naval & Military authorities - now these are under the Imperial Govnt. and it is possible that the comm'g. officers, acting under the Queen's Regulations, may insist upon corresponding direct with the Govr. who is Captn. Gen'l. & Vice Admiral &c., &c.
[Page 123]
[page 80; letter no. 27]
It would perhaps be as well therefore to leave this out of the catalogue
2. Secretary for Finance and Trade
No. 12 Registry of Deeds &c - might not this eventually be transferred to Registrar Gen'l
3. Secretary for Land & Public work -
Chief Comm'n. of Railroads - should he not also have charge of Roads - you will then get rid of Inspectors of Roads as a separate Dep'nt. - and the Reports of the Inspector of Roads must naturally be reported referred to Board of works for report.
9. Light Houses - see No 2 of Secretary for Finance & Trade - where the Light Houses and dues are placed under him -
see also 12 - where light Houses are again placed under Sec'y for public works.
What is the Under Secretary for Public works to do - he should be a member of the Board,
[Page 124]
[page 81; letter no. 27]
for unless he is cognizant of all the works going on he will hardly be able to gather up the Reins so as to hand them over to a new Secretary when a vacancy occurs - make him deputy Chairman.
I think the expression "to be the representative of this Cabinet minister in the event of a change of Gov'nt. or interregnum" is incorrect. In case of a change of Gov'nt. the Ministers will continue in office till their successors are appointed & will do all the ordinary routine business & will act as members of the Executive Council - they will want no representatives. What is an "interregnum" ? Should a minister die, or leave the Colony before the arrival of his successor the proper officer will perform the duties of head of the Gov'nt. and the Under Sec'y. will conduct the routine business, but that is all - he will not sit in the Executive Council, or act as a member of the Gov' nt.
[Page 125]
[page 82; letter no. 27]
Will the Judges like to correspond through the Attorney Gen'l. ?
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 126]
[page 83; letter no. 28]
Gov'nt. House
5 August 56
My dear Donaldson
I have been looking over the list of Members of Assembly for the purpose of placing them upon the Roster for parade at Gov'nt House at dinners.
I am aware that there are many who would consider an omission from my dinner or Evening list as an insult and would retaliate upon me by steady opposition to the Ministry. Now there are several new Men of whom I know nothing and whom I should be sorry to offend
[Page 127]
[page 84; letter no. 28]
causelessly. I forward you a list with a mark of Query against those of whom I am in doubt - & a no against those whom I do not think of asking - (I ask all the Upper House) Will you look it
over and put a "yes" against the names of those among the number as to whom a question is asked whom you think should be placed upon my list of dinner eaters, or
[Page 128]
[page 85; letter no. 28]
evening party attendants.
I will look over the Railway paper & this other which you left and give you an outline of my views upon them but this will be required to be filled in, and I must have detached information from the Comm'n. to enable me to do so. I hope the Board of Works will get into an active state as soon as possible for there are many matters which require to be carefully considered by the members individually & collectively. I hope you are not going to let Martin have his
[Page 129]
[page 86; letter no. 28]
Committee on the Survey. It is a gross absurdity to hand over an executive matter, as to which you have already a report from the best qualified persons, to a committee of ignorant persons like Martin & Co.
Yours truly
W. Denison
If you doubt the propriety of my (no) to the names on the list state your reasons
[?]
Lawley [?]
Flin [?]
[?]
Martin
[Page 130]
[page 87; letter no. 29]
Gov't. House
5 Aug. 56
Dear Donaldson
I have compared the Instructions under the two Commissions, one of which is, with the simple exception of the substitution in the latter Instructions of the word Colony for Territory a transcript of the other.
Now if the course followed heretofore was not illegal contrary to my Instructions any remission which I may have taken upon myself to give without consulting the Executive Council will not be contrary to them. I should
[Page 131]
[page 88; letter no. 29]
therefore were I in your place be cautious how I made a positive assertion that I had not remitted any punishment without consulting some officer of the Gov'nt. which it appears that I did in the case of the Black fellows at Cockatoo, but I should be content with a statement that the Instructions being the same as those formerly given the practise had continued the same. The general rule being that the pardons or remissions of sentence passed through
[Page 132]
[page 89; letter no. 29]
the hands of the proper head of Department, except in cases where a special case was brought under the notice of the Governor who took upon himself upon when a reference to the head of Department could not readily be made to release an offender at once.
If you make any question as to the Legal interpretation of the claim you will have Plunket taking a different view from Manning as he will or ought to maintain the correctness of the course which has hitherto been adopted under circumstances
[Page 133]
[page 90; letter no. 29]
precisely the same as those at present –
[Page 134]
[page 91; letter no. 30-31]
Gov't. House
14 August 56
I see that the idea of a Committee for considering the state of Gov'nt. House was not relished by the Assembly. The view that I take is that a standing Committee should be appointed, not a mere select Committee to report as to present wants, but one which should have a sort of general responsibility irrespective of that vested in the Gov'nt. of the day
[Page 135]
[page 92; letter no. 30-31]
over all the arrangements connected with the Establishment of the Gov'n. & this Committee should be composed of Members of both parties in order to show that it was a standing Committee for a permanent object which had no reference to party matters - however as the Council does not adopt the idea - we must do without it - and the question is, what is to
[Page 136]
[page 93; letter no. 30-31]
be done as to new Furniture? There is a report in your office as to the state of the furniture.
Had you not better put a sum into the Estimates for replacing all that is unfit for use? I should like to close the Arch in the Entrance so that people who come to my parties might not get wet through after leaving their carriages - it is rather late to form any Estimate of all this work though I believe that Dawson
[Page 137]
[page 94; letter no. 30-31]
has a sketch formed.
[Sketch]
Something like this would keep the entrance dry and give another room over the Porch, it would improve the look of the front of the House also
[Page 138]
[page 95; letter no. 30-31]
if we get a Gun boat from Home I shall always have a Boats Crew at command and nothing will be wanted for this.
What are you thinking of doing as regards the Orphan Schools, had you not better think of amalgamating these with the destitute children Asylum under one system of Management - making one good Institution instead of three bad ones. I have to attend the meeting of the Destitute children on Tuesday next could I allude to such a scheme as likely to be carried
[Page 139]
[page 96; letter no. 30-31]
out - you might sell the Protestant School with its 100 Acres of Land & apply the produce towards the Enlargement of the Destitute Asylum. The Catholic School might be as I showed in my former memorandum thrown into the Lunatic Asylum and made available for the better class of Lunatics.
Think of Prison discipline of appointing Inspectors of Prisons - &c. - for all these involve additions to Estimates.
[Page 140]
[page 97; letter no. 30-31]
Yours truly
W. Denison
B 205 - Denison Ltrs.
[Page 141]
[Blank page]
[Page 142]
[Page 98; letter no. 32]
Gov. House
14 August [56]
Dear Donaldson
There is no Earthly reason why the Tonnage Duties should not be levied - the work of improving the River & Harbour of Newcastle has commenced and will be well advanced by the beginning of 57. The Piles for the Wharf will have been send for to England, and unless the Gov'nt. is prepared to affirm the principle that all these sort of works for local improvements are to be paid for out of the general Revenue I see no
[Page 143]
[page 99; letter no. 32]
other mode of securing the Interest of the money than some such local duty as was imposed last Session.
Yours truly
W. Denison
It may perhaps be said that such works should be carried out by local Boards. I am favourable to this view as a principle in places where you can hope to get such boards to act, but in these Colonies it is hopeless, there is not sufficient account of Scientific knowledge
[Page 144]
[page 100; letter no. 32]
in the Colony to place brain & skill at the disposal of these boards, and I should hesitate [?] before I would entrust the expenditure of funds raised by charges of this kind which appeal only incidentally to men's pockets, to local boards whether elected or nominated - the members are irresponsible to all intents & purposes. If a rate in hand on property generally were levied, when the Tax gathers could brush up the Members of the board quarterly they would have some chance of administering the funds economically,
[Page 145]
[page 101; letter no. 32]
but they would thus probably suffer the Economy to overpower the sense of public duty.
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 146]
[Page 102; letter no. 33]
My dear Donaldson
We propose to leave by special Train at 10 oclock on Monday & there is no Earthly reason (the upsetting of the Train excepted) why we should not be back by 2 oclock or sooner. I shall be very glad to have you with us it will give us the opportunity of talking over the subject of Railways, as to which we are as yet in an unsatisfactory position. I have got Holt’s financial
[Page 147]
[page 103; letter no. 33]
Exposition & there are several points of very questionable propriety both as to the principle of the measure proposed & as to the grounds on which they are advocated. I am going to write to him now about them. I suppose he will lay the Estimates of Expenditure & Revenue before the Council on Tuesday I suppose when these matters may be discussed.
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 148]
[Blank page]
[Page 149]
[Blank page]
[Page 150]
[Page 104; letter no. 34]
Gov't. House
15 August 56
My dear Donaldson
With reference to Deputations wishing to present Petitions if they are anxious to see me I of course can have no objection, but as the reply to the Petition is always a written one no good object can be obtained by a personal interview, unless in the case of the Windsor Railway, the members of the deputation wish
[Page 151]
[page 105; letter no. 34]
to talk matters over with me.
By the way what are you going to do about Railways
What is Martins motion for?
I am going on Monday down the line to Liverpool and the Ex. Council must therefore be put off till Tuesday unless indeed there should be anything urgent in which case we can meet on
Saturday
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 152]
[Blank page]
[Page 153]
[Blank page]
[Page 154]
[Page 106; letter no. 35]
Gov. House
19 Aug't. 56
Dear Donaldson
I wish very much that something could be done for that poor man Biscoe - he was Clerk of petty Session at Gayndah and was obliged to resign from ill health - he could not stand the Climate - he has three dau children 2 daughters & a son to maintain & is really to the brink of Starvation. I wish He is a gentleman well connected and I believe an honourable & upright man could we not find something for him in the neighbourhood of Sydney - I say
B 205 - Ltr.35
[Page 155]
[page 107; letter no. 35]
the neighbourhood of Sydney for his finances are at too low an ebb to enable him to move his children to any distance pray see to this if you can
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 156]
[Blank page]
[Page 157]
[Blank page]
[Page 158]
[Page 108; letter no. 36]
Govt. House
June 25 / 56
My dear Donaldson
Will you allow me in my private capacity to recommend to your favorable consideration the bearer of this, Mr. Biscoe, who is anxious for employment
[Page 159]
[page 109; letter no. 36]
under Govt.
He brought to me strong letters of recommendation from my brother the late Bishop of Salisbury and I should feel much obliged if you are able at this juncture to do anything to further his views.
His name was on the Gov.
[Page 160]
[page 110; letter no. 36]
Gen'l list, marked A. he has already been in the Public Service at Gayndah, but had to leave that place after two years residence owing to ill health.
Believe me
Very truly yrs
Alfred Denison
[Page 161]
not transcribed[Page 162]
[Page 111; letter no. 37]
Govn. House
20 Aug'st 56
Dear Donaldson
Send me down the traffic returns which Mann furnished a few days ago. I will go into the question with Mann & Hawkins & then furnish you with a sort of precis which will enable the Gov'nt. to come to some definite understanding on the subject of Railways, so as to have some sort of ground on which to deal with the question in the Assembly
[Page 163]
[page 112; letter no. 37]
unless something of this sort is done we shall go on discussing crude propositions in a desultory manner from day to day without ever arriving at any conclusive state.
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 164]
[Blank page]
[Page 165]
[Blank page]
[Page 166]
[Page 113; letter no. 38]
Gov House
20 Aug't. 56
Dear Donaldson
Biscoe poor fellow is too willing to take anything and will gladly accept the office of the Clerkship under the Clerk of the Executive Council. He professes himself qualified, but of course he will have to undergo the usual trial - I have no idea of the Salary, will you make the necessary comm'n with him when the matter is settled in "Ex." Council - his direction is 5 Jameson Street
[Page 167]
[page 114; letter no. 38]
I am now drawing up a sort of precis of the Railway question for Holt, who will show it to you, and we can then discuss the question once & for all.
I have told the Comm'ee. to prepare a full report of all their proceedings up to the present time and to accompany it with any suggestions for the future management of the Railway, or for promotion of the benefits to accrue from it - including of course the question of the Branch to the Harbour
[Page 168]
[page 115; letter no. 38]
&c - you can thus state to the Council that this information will be given to them & that the Gov'nt. will be ready to give due consideration to propose some scheme.
I have told Barney to push forward his Survey to run a level along the Turnpike Roads to Bathurst, so as to enable us to see whether we might not as well lay down a Horse line on these Roads at once. Also to push forward the Survey from Goulburn to Albury & Maidens Point &c. &c. there is a party at work from Port Stephen to Armidale
[Page 169]
[page 116; letter no. 38]
and others at Brisbane - & along the Southern Road.
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 170]
[Page 117; letter no. 39]
Gov't. House
23 Aug't. 56
Dear Donaldson
I think we had better meet on Monday first to confirm the proceedings of the last meeting and second to carry out any more business matter which may come before us. I would also suggest to you the expediency of revising your Estimates and of modifying any Items which might appear to call for special remark & which might serve as a
[Page 171]
[page 118; letter no. 39]
handle for those who may [?] you
Yours truly
W, Denison
You can have a revise of the estimates & strike off a
few copies of them withdrawing the others.
[Page 172]
[Blank page]
[Page 173]
[Blank page]
[Page 174]
[Page 119; letter no. 40]
Gov. House
17 Oct. 56
Dear Donaldson
Your will find an application from the Trustees of the Museum accompanied with an Estimate amounting to 2000 & odd Pounds for work to be done at the Museum. This work is absolutely necessary for the safety of the building & the Treasures accumulated in it.
We have spent the vote of last year as it was intended on the internal fittings and these are now complete & I think well managed - and we should be in a position to admit the public to see our Collections which are improving and increasing daily. Could we arrange for the
[Page 175]
[page 120; letter no. 40]
staircase &c. for the lights in the ceilings &c. all of which are provided for in the present Estimate of £2000 - we want authority to commence upon the work as soon as possible, that is we want a resolution of the Assembly empowering the Gov'nt. to expend the £2000
at once - can you manage this, if you can do so we shall be able to get the Museum open by the end of November - with the cases well filled with Specimens.
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 176]
[Blank page]
[Page 177]
[Blank page]
[Page 178]
[Page 121; letter no. 41]
Gov'nt. House
5 Nov'r. 56
My dear Donaldson
I send you down sundry remarks upon the Estimates, they are such as have occurred to me in looking over the Estimates and may perhaps be of use to you in suggesting explanations &c. when the Items are under discussion.
I congratulate you on your quiet return for South Cumberland - now you are all well seated I trust that you wil not a allow a trifle to turn you out again
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 179]
[Blank page]
[Page 180]
[Page 122; letter no. 42]
Gov't. House
12 Nov ' 56
Dear Donaldson
Bloomfield was with me yesterday and among other things he told me that his officers were annoyed at the change made in the amount of the Colonial allowance. The Captains especially who had been cut down to 5/8 which is only 8d. more than is given to the Subaltern who has not been reduced at all but remains at 5/- - can anything be done on
[Page 181]
[page 123; letter no. 42]
this - it is desirable above all things to keep these men from grumbling because then grumbling works its way down to the men at last
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 182]
[Blank page]
[Page 183]
[Blank page]
[Page 184]
[Page 124; letter no. 43]
The circular Quay is well set -
& this is an encouragement
to us to perfect the Quay
Gov'nt. House
12 Dec'r. 56
My dear Donaldson
I send you back Wards & Grahams letters, and your proposed resolutions I have forwarded to the Clerk of the Council for circulation - I send you herewith the draft of a Despatch addressed by me to the Sec. of State, last year in which you will see that I have already pressed the matter upon the notice of the Gov'nt. - I therefore shall very gladly support any move in a direction which I feel certain is the right one.
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 185]
[Page 125; letter no. 44]
Gov'nt. House
19 Dec'r. 56
My dear Donaldson
Will you give directions to Moriarty to make the necessary soundings at the Sow & Pigs.
The Survey of the Harbour like most others of Sir T. Mitchells works was carelessly and incompetently performed. It has been found that he was 300 feet wrong in the positions of the principal objects in the Town itself such as the churches - and I have no faith of the correctness of any
[Page 186]
[page 126; letter no. 44]
of his work.
As far as the Survey is concerned however all I want is a correct Plan on a large scale of the space between Georges head & Middle Head in fact of the space occupied by the Bar for the purpose of verifying the soundings we shall then be able to examine from time to time and ascertain whether there is any change in the depth of water
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 187]
[Blank page]
[Page 188]
[Blank page]
[Page 189]
[Page 127; letter no. 45]
Gov. House
26 Dec'r. 56
Dear Donaldson
In the Estimates for 56, a sum of £600 was taken for erection of buildings at 12 Meteorological stations & 240£ for purchase of Instruments - these latter are now in our possession, but we have no provision for Observers, except indeed a sum for £100 for completion of Meteorological Tables, & 50£ allowance of House Rent for Keeper of Station at South Head –
[Page 190]
[page 128; letter no. 45]
The completion of the Tables will be for the future performance by the Astronomer & as the South Head observer has [?] this 30£ will be available. we want however some fixed allowance to the persons employed in making observations, and as these will require to be made at stated periods, daily say 9am, 3 & 9 PM, according to certain forms we must pay people for making them.
My idea is to have a set at the Gaols at Goulburn, Bathurst, Paramatta,
[Page 191]
[page 129; letter no. 45]
Maitland & Brisbane, another set at the Lighthouse at Gabo Island, Cape Jervis (when erected) & Newcastle, one at Observatory at Sydney, one say at Albury, two somewhere to the Westward on the Downs - 12 in all - where the Gaolers & Lighthouse Keepers are permanent residents. a small addition to their pay will be quite a sufficient consideration for the work they will be called upon to perform, perhaps altogether 20£ per station will cover all charges
[Page 192]
[page 130; letter no. 45]
including Forms & Stationery 240£ should therefore placed upon the Supp'ry. Estimate for this Service.
Will you send this note to Parker when you have read it as this matter belongs to his
Dep'nt.
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 193]
[Page 131; letter no. 46]
Gov'nt. House
6 Jan'y. 57
My dear Donaldson
I send you £499. 17. 6 the whole of the Money Rent which I have received for the Domain at Parramatta since I arrived in the Colony, another Quarters Rent will be due in February which will run the amount up to £599. 17. 6 so that you may put down £600 in the Estimates as the amount to be expended on the repair of Fences and building.
The Address with my reply & all papers connected with this matter will be forwarded to the Sec. of State, and submitted
[Page 194]
[page 132; letter no. 46]
to Her Majesty to whom only it belongs to decide upon my conduct in this matter.
Should however the Assembly agree to the proposed appropriation I shall of course waive all claim to the amount so expended, although I shall have been deprived of the whole of the advantages which I had a right to expect from the use of the domain at Paramatta for two years.
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 195]
[Blank page]
[Page 196]
[Page 133; letter no. 47]
Gov'nt. House
16 - Jan'y 57
Dear Donaldson
I think you could give me from the Records in the Treasury, the amount received in each of the years from 51 to 56 inclusive the amount derived from leasing Crown Land, distinguishing the districts as thus
South of the parallel of 30° -
Clarence River - & land between 30° & 29°
North of 29° - will you see if this can be done
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 197]
[page 134; letter no. 47]
[Notes]
Urgent
Mr. Holbruck [?]
Can this be done?
A.D. 16th.
Not in the form required. I can only give it in Districts. I think however it might be done at the Survey Office, the Treasury affording all the information as to Rents &c. Such was the course adopted
[Page 198]
[page 135; letter no. 47]
in preparing the Land Return in the form pointed out by His Excellency.
E.W.H.
16 Jan'y.
[Page 199]
[Blank page]
[Page 200]
[Page 136; letter no. 48]
Gov't. House
21 Jan'y. 57
My dear Donaldson
I am by no means certain that South Australia would not be willing to enter into some understanding with Victoria & ourselves with regard to the duty to be paid upon those articles which are subject to duty in these two Colonies as well as in S. Australia. I do not see that it matters much whether the latter Colony in addition to duties upon the articles which we also Tax, should levy an ad valorem duty upon other articles. Could we not hope to come to some general
[Page 201]
[page 137; letter no. 48]
understanding with regard to the articles in our Tariff which for practical purposes is the same as that of Victoria, you would have no objection to lower the duty of Tobacco I presume - or to slightly modify your duties next Session in order to arrive at a result which everyone would allow to be most desirable.
I am writing privately to Sir Richard MacDonnell and am pointing out the different alternatives, and am pressing upon him this very point. What do you think.
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 202]
[page 138; letter no. 48]
I send you my letter to Sir Richard
[Page 203]
[Blank page]
[Page 204]
[Page 139; letter no. 49 - Draft of Donaldson's reply to Sir William Denison]
In the Assembly
21 Jany. 5 PM
My dear Sir William
I have read the letter to Sir Richard McDonnell & herewith return it with thanks for it perusal.
I do not entirely agree with the views which your Excellency expresses but I do
His Excellency Sir Wm Denison. K.C.B.
[Page 205]
[page 140; letter no. 49]not think it becoming to suggest any modification of what you please to say in a private letter to His Excellency the Governor of South Australia.
My reply to Mr Daybrugh which I will shew you tomorrow
[Page 206]
[page 141; letter no. 49]
if I can possibly find time to write it tonight will be guarded - I will not concede so much as your Excellency indicated in the outline letter that you would be willing to concede to Victoria.
The fact is Victoria
[Page 207]
[page 142; letter no. 49]
will be the greatest gainer - New South Wales the least - in the agreement for a Common Tariff between the three Governments.
I am My dear Sir
Yours very faithfully
Stuart A. Donaldson
[Page 208]
[Page 143; letter no. 50]
Gov't. House
25 Jan'y. 57
My dear Donaldson
I quite agree with you in the views stated in the letter which I return herewith. I think however that we might go a little further , and for the sake of establishing a uniform Tarif applicable to the three Colonies of NSWales Victoria & S Australia afford an opening to the South Australian Gov'nt. to propose such a modification of the duties upon these articles which are common
[Page 209]
[page 144; letter no. 50]
to each & all the Tarifs as would bring them to an identity with each other - I do not quite see the ground on which you propose to apportion the duties in the ratio of the population - S. Australia taking a share - and the division of duties between NSWales Victoria must be settled by ourselves, I mean it is a matter in which S Australia can have no claim to a voice.
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 210]
[Blank page]
[Page 211]
[Blank page]
[Page 212]
[Page 145; letter no. 51]
Gov't. House
3 Feb 57
Dear Donaldson
I send you back the Estimates for the Light Houses which seems likely to be as accurate as such a document can be. do you propose to insert [?] the sum 11262. 10. 0 for the 10000 already in the Estimate - I think it unnecessary - you will never spend the 10000 this year and the
[Page 213]
[page 146; letter no. 51]
fact of asking for a round sum may explain of itself that the amount asked for is but an instalment. Next year we shall know what the Light Houses in Victoria will cost & we can get an accurate Estimate of the cost of ours on Cape St. George.
Do you wish the Estimates to come down today particularly - if not I will send them down tomorrow
[Page 214]
[page 147; letter no. 51]
Yours truly
W. Denison
Send me down a copy to the Estimates for the Leg't. Assembly - that which I have is marked for me
[Page 215]
[Blank page]
[Page 216]
[Page 148; letter no. 52]
Care of Lt. L. Baren
next to Oriental Bank
York St.
Gov't. House
4 Feb 57
Dear Donaldson
Mr Paget the bearer of this was Master Mate on Board the Volcano which took me out to Bermuda in 42 he has been farming on the Manning River but unsuccessfully. He is fit, I should think for the situations named at the back of his card
[Page 217]
[page 149; letter no. 52]
Will you put him down on your list as a candidate for employment
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 218]
[Blank page]
[Page 219]
[Blank page]
[Page 220]
[Page 150; letter no. 53]
Gov'nt. House
17 Feb '57
My dear Donaldson
The minute in the referral Despatch relative to these Stores points out clearly the proper course to be adopted this to the effect that a Board should be appointed to determine the space required for Military & Naval purposes, after reserving this the remainder can be occupied by the Col. Gov'nt. Now to determine this the Queen must be consulted & also the Ordnance. I think therefore that the Board
[Page 221]
[page 151; letter no. 53]
should be composed of the Asst. Comm. Gen'l. , the Ordnance Storekeeper, the Col. Storekeeper & Capt. Ward who is better qualified to judge of the wants of the Military & Marine than any other person whom you could select.
I think Mr. Buchanan has slipped out of his way in offering advice to the Gov'nt. which was entirely uncalled for, and he should be warned for the future to confine himself to replying to the question which may be put to him.
[Page 222]
[page 152; letter no. 53]
The Board must, as it embraces officers over whom the local Gov'nt. has no control, be appointed by the Gov. & the Council - the matter had better be brought forward on Monday next.
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 223]
[Blank page]
[Page 224]
[Page 153; letter no. 54]
Govt. House
Dec'br. 19 / 56
Sir
I beg to enclose copies of Gov. Gen's Despatches relative to the Commissariat Buildings, to be laid before the Leg. Assembly with the others in the Col. Sec. Office
I am, Sir
Your obed'nt. Servant
Alfred Denison
[Page 225]
[page 154; letter no. 54]
[Notes]
Transmitted to the Sec'y to the Treasury
B.C, 20th Dec. 1856
W.G.
Has this matter been before the House or are the papers asked for
A.D.
[Page 226]
[Blank page]
[Page 227]
[Blank page]
[Page 228]
[Page 155; letter no. 55]
Gov'nt House
27 Feb. '57
Dear Donaldson
Refer this calculation of Dayles Pension back to the Auditor or to whoever calculated it - his service is stated to amount to 24 years & 127 days to 31st. Jan'y. 1857.
Whereas on the opposite side of the same paper we are told that he served in the Mounted Police from 1 October 1838 to 20 Nov 1849 or 11 years - 61 days. As Treasury Messenger from
[Page 229]
[page 156; letter no. 55]
from 15 April 1850 to 31 Jan'y. 1857 that is 6 years & 292 days making a total of
11 - 61
6 - 292
902
Years 17- 353
Will you cause the person who drew up the statement to be severely reprimanded and warned that any similar instance of negligence will be met with a severe punishment.
Had I not happened to lol look into the document as I was writing the Despatch
[Page 230]
[page 157; letter no. 55]
to the Sec'y. of State I should have forwarded a document claiming a pension upon grounds contradicted by the document itself.
I really think that we ought to devise some punishment for carelessness or negligence less severe than dismissal - but still adequate to mark the sense entertained by the Gov'nt. of the misconduct - say reduction to a lower class at a sacrifice of £50 per annum.
Yours truly
W. Denison
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[Page 158; letter no. 56]
Gov'nt. House
25 March '57
My dear Donaldson
I enclose Mr. Byrnes cheque for the last quarters Rent of Paramatta. Thank Heaven I am quit now of the whole affair - send me a receipt.
I propose to be present at the opening of the Newcastle Railway on Monday next you and Hay ought to be there as Comm'rs. I shall not be able to be absent from Home long, so I propose to go down by the Boat which leaves here on Sunday Night
[Page 233]
[page 159; letter no. 56]
and to come back by the Boat which leaves Newcastle at five oclock on Monday afternoon - this will give ample time for travelling, feasting, & speechifying - & being at home about 24 Hours after the time of starting.
Yours truly
W. Denison
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[Page 236]
[Page 160; letter no. 57]
Gov'nt. House
13 April 57
My dear Donaldson
I send you in the first place a note which I have just received from Sir R MacDonnell - you will see then the views entertained by the Legislature of South Australia, views which I cannot but think most shortsighted and erroneous. Shortsighted because I believe them to be dictated by an idea in the past of the Mercantile community that by means of the Murray they, by a reduction of duties, will get into their hands a great portion of the Trade of the Interior of the two Colonies of Victoria & N S Wales. Erroneous because they have not calculated upon the facility with which such smuggling Trade will be stopped by placing a Custom House on the
[Page 237]
[page 161; letter no. 57]
frontier - for should they land goods on their side of the frontier and attempt to smuggle them across the risk and cost of transport would very soon absorb all the profits.
However I do not think it will be necessary for us to take any further steps than we have done. I have written both to Sir H Barkly & Sir R MacDonnell expressing our willingness to accede to the proposition contained in Sir Richard's letter - or rather our unwillingness to throw any obstacle in the way of the adjustment of this question shu in the manner proposed should the Gov'nt of Victoria accede to it. I have at the same time expressed to both my Conviction that the only mode of avoiding
[Page 238]
[page 162; letter no. 57]
the difficulty altogether and of enabling us to permit an unlimited freedom of Trade between the Colonies is by the adoption of a uniform Scale of duties upon all the articles at all events which we and Victoria levy duties on. I do not think it necessary wither to compel S Australia to give up her advalorem duties or to adopt them ourselves - the only guarantee that would be required would be a mutual understanding not to levy duties except upon Articles arriving by Sea.
We may as well await the result of this communication to the Gov'r. but should none arrive anon we must then in self defense join with Victoria & establish our own Custom House however much it may hamper the Murray River Trade
[Page 239]
[page 163; letter no. 57]
I send you a Circular I have just received relative to the India Trade of these Colonies -
you may as well send an acknowledgement to the person Mackay & Co I suppose, who send it - and publish the whole if you think it worth while
Yours truly
W. Denison
Send me back MacDonnells letter when you have digested it - you can shew it of course to your colleagues
[Page 240]
[Page 164; letter no. 58]
Gov't. House
15 April 57
My dear Donaldson
I have seen [Clark ?], have made arrangements for a fatigue party to move the "Megoethen" from Lambs wharf to the Circular Quay this afternoon - will you give directions to have a portion of the Wool Shed cleared out for its reception.
Clark is having some fresh Wheels made by the means of which we can determine the value of Boydell's Patent by carefully conducted experiments - and when he has got his Locomotive
[Page 241]
[page 165; letter no. 58]
in order which will be about next Monday we shall be able to determine the comparative Cost of Horsepower and Strain as applied to the movement of Trucks provided with the moveable railways. I shall make arrangements also for exhibiting its powers as applied to Ploughing &c. and should any other kind of Experiment occur to me on talking over the subject with others I will arrange for carrying it out
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 242]
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[Page 243]
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[Page 244]
[Page 166; letter no. 59]
I should like to have before me a clear view of our financial position - there were outstanding balances for the years 1854 & 55 for which the Revenue of these years was not adequate. These should be cleared away if possible & such appropriations for roads & public works &c. as have not been already appropriated should be swept away and revoted next year if they are required.
What I want to arrive at is a clear idea of of our positive liabilities - with the means
[Page 245]
[page 167; letter no. 59]
at our disposal of meeting them. upon this must of course depend our financial exposË to the Council and the demands we must make upon the Colony -
WD 22 April 56
[Note]
Write to the Auditor Gen.
Immediate
Aud'r. Gen'l.
22nd April 1856
On 1st. May
[Page 246]
[page 168; letter no. 59]
[Notes]
Memorandum of the governor Gen. respecting revenue given out to be acted upon
yesterday 23 d.
Herewith 23d.
Resubmitted 8 May
Not answered 9 May
Mr. Merewether has promised to send this in tomorrow morning. 14
[Page 247]
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[Page 248]
[Page 169; letter no. 60]
My dear Donaldson
You have got the circular Despatch of 4 Aug 56 containing certain Queries as to the Light Houses, will you cause them to be filled up by your subordinates and sent to me as I want to reply the Despatch.
Yours truly
W. Denison
Govt. House
30 May 57
[Note]
Mr. Lane
Where are these -
& are steps being taken to obtain the information
SD
30 May
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[Page 250]
[Page 170; letter no. 61]
Gov House
30 May 57
My dear Donaldson
I send you back Moriartys return & letter - with a minute of mine upon it - call upon him for the explanation required it will give me an opportunity of bringing his conduct under the consideration of the Council & at all events of reprimanding him most severely.
The return is most slovenly.
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 251]
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[Page 252]
[Page 171; letter no. 62]
Dear Donaldson
I think that some reorganization of the Police System is very much called for - my own opinion is that the Police should be subjected to an Autocrat - the present scheme of independent Benches is the worst possible.
Yours truly
W, Dension
Gov House
24 June
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[Page 255]
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[Page 256]
[Page 172; letter no. 63]
Gov House
16 July 57
My dear Donaldson
Martindale has been with me on the subject of the papers relating to the Railway which you sent down to him, with a letter marked "private" he was afraid that he should commit himself with the head of his own Dep'nt. were he to act upon a private communication from you, and therefore returned the papers, and he has shown me your second letter to him postponing any further action on his part until the Ex. Council has decided
[Page 257]
[page 173; letter no. 63]
upon a certain course at its next meeting.
Is however the Council in a position to act without some knowledge of his views?
are the opinions of yourself and Hay sufficiently in union & sufficiently precise to enable the Gov'nt. to act at once upon them?
I so far agree with you that it would be wise to clear out incompetent persons and replace them with more efficient men, but according to the present state of the Law this must be done by the Commissioners, of course under present
[Page 258]
[page 174; letter no. 63]
circumstances the Comm'rs. are to looked upon as mere officers of the Gov'nt., but it is hardly possible to assure their existence altogether. I think the best plan would be to bring the papers before the Executive Council again & that action should be taken upon one or two more prominent points - such as the mode of keeping accounts &c. &c. and that then the whole of them should be officially handed to Martindale with directions to him to make a full & detailed Report upon each of the questions brought under consideration - so that the whole state of the Railway system should be brought
[Page 259]
[page 175; letter no. 63]
clearly & prominently under the review of the Gov'nt. upon such a report any necessary action can take place and it will be a document which can be laid before the Legislature as a reason for the adoption of any particular course.
Your truly
W. Denison
[Page 260]
[Page 176; letter no. 64]
Gov'nt. House
22 July 57
My dear Donaldson
I return you the papers relative to the Irrigation of the Basin of the Murray. The scheme is no doubt a good one, and one which will eventually be carried out, and the effect of it will I have no doubt be to render the districts of the Murrumbidgee, & I daresay of the Lachlan, or part of it, most productive, but Mr. Crawford couples his scheme with that of Railway Communication, and I am inclined to
[Page 261]
[page 177; letter no. 64]
say that the Railroads should be looked to first.
The real truth is the very existence of Sydney, situated as it is in a Miserable Country, and surrounded at no great distances by a belt of unproductive farming Land, must depend upon the improvement of it means of communicating with the interior. Should the people of Victoria set to work energetically with their Railroads, and cheapen their means of communication with Melbourne, an increasing portion of our territory will find its natural Capital in Melbourne, and the
[Page 262]
[page 178; letter no. 64]
people will naturally clamour for annexation to that country with which their Interests are most bound up. If we improve the valley of the Murray without enabling the people to get a ready access to Sydney, the only result will be that we shall be spending money for the purpose of increasing the exports & Trade generally to our Neighbour. I still therefore hold on by my original opinion that the Legislature should as soon as possible pledge itself to the continuance of the Railroad to Albury. I should be glad to see £ 300,000 spent in finishing the Road
[Page 263]
[page 179; letter no. 64]
to Goulburn - £150,000 in working the Westward & 180,000 in prolonging the Northern line with these sums you might construct 150 160 or 180 Miles of Railway and what is more you would find that the Interest of the Money would be paid at once by the traffic, besides the increase which would take place in the receipts of the Paramatta line.
Yours truly
W. Denison
[Page 264]
[Page 180; letter no. 65]
Gov'nt. House
4 August 57
My dear Donaldson
I send you back the Estimates & the Bill - with regard to the latter I have put a pencil memorandum star in the margin - the only one however of any importance relates to the last clause which must I should think have been copied verbatim from some ordinance of the Long Parliament as it so entirely ignores the Ex've. Gov'nt & the Upper House & makes the Speaker in fact the head of the Gov'nt.
[Page 265]
[page 181; letter no. 65]
I do not think that sufficient power is given to Trustees to enable them to invest trust property in Gov'n. Stock -
With regard to the Estimates all that I can say is that they are startling [?] -
I should like to see the schedule referred to as the extension of Railways as also that for the repair of Roads &c. - because unless there are proper Plans & Estimates to support these votes the Money ought not to be granted - and unless there are proper means provided of
[Page 266]
[page 182; letter no. 65]
superintending the Expenditure of this 80,000 you might as well throw the money into the Sea - the rule ought to be laid down that for every work proper Plans & Estimates should be submitted as vouchers and the sooner we fall into this Plan the better
Yours truly
W. Denison
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[Page 268]
[Page 183; letter no. 66]
Gov'nt. House
5 August [57]
My dear Donaldson
I send you back Moriartys letter! I do not think that there is anything in it to which I should not agree with perhaps the single exception of the remark as to the Political necessity of bringing all matters before the Executive Council - my idea is that it would be wise to make this a matter of rule in order to avoid any risk of collision. What I mean is that the Executive Council should be recognised as the Gov'ng. Body.
[Page 269]
[page 184; letter no. 66]
The position of the Gov'r. in the Council does not modify his powers: he has of course the right to say at any time "I insist upon such a course of proceeding" being followed by the Gov'nt. and the reply of the Ministers of course would be "if so we must resign" - but in all cases of the kind we must suppose that the Gov'r. is not a fool, and that, before he insists on any particular course of procedure, he has calculated his power & the means at his disposal of carrying his views into practise - he would in such a case never enter into any
[Page 270]
[page 185; letter no. 66]
contest with the Ministry except where he had a fair prospect of being supported either by the Parliament or the Country. Now were all the matters to upon which Legislature is required to come before the Executive Council (which I am still of opinion they ought of right to do), the Gov'r. in the council would have no more power to check the action of the Majority, than he has out of it - the course would be for him to submit to the Council a proposal from one or the other officer of the Gov'nt. that Legislation should take place on any
[Page 271]
[page 186; letter no. 66]
particular subject - the general principle of the Measure proposed being stated in the Minute submitted - if the Council is of the opinion that Legislature should take place the necessary authority will be issued to the person employed in drawing Bills, to embody these principles in an Act. I do not contemplate that the Council should have the act itself before it - unless there should be any question of principle involved in some particular clause, as to which any of the Ministry wish to have the opinion & authority of the Gov'nt. as a whole. I do not want the Gov'r. to interfere in details at all, neither do I
[Page 272]
[page 187; letter no. 66/67]
wish that his opinion should in any way override that of the Ministry, that I think it would be proper that the Ministry should be made aware of what his opinion is on any given matter, and the only legitimate mode in which this opinion can be made known, is by the expression of it in the Executive Council.
However I am only now restating what was said yesterday - when we will get our business into proper train everything will work smoothly & easily - at present we have a jolt here & a mud hole there
[Page 273]
[page 188; letter no. 66/67]
and we cannot get on as we ought. Each difficulty too gets magnified & those which are in fact mere questions of detail get magnified into principles.
I send you a Petition which it will be for you to answer.
I do not see that there will be any difference in practice at all events between us even on the question of the Prerogative of Mercy and I see not reason why we should trouble ourselves with legal & technical
[Page 274]
[page 189; letter no. 66/67]
interpretation of the words of my Instructions where we are agreed as to the mode in which I shall act in consequence of them.
I quite agree as to the absurdity of the limitation in the 20 Clause of the Instructions but there are several points as to which I shall have to write to the Sec'y. of State & we can talk them over.
Yours truly
W.Denison
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[Page 276]
[Page 190; letter no. 68]
Gov. House
10 Aug't. 57
My dear Donaldson
I am sorry to hear that your Gout ? has caught you by the leg & confined you to your Couch.
I send you a letter from the Bathurst people relative to their School of Arts - was money voted for this last year or what was done ? they appear not to have received any answer to their petition. Hoping that you may be on your legs again tomorrow believe me
Yours truly
W. Denison
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[Page 278]
[Page 191; letter no. 69]
Gov't. House
13 Aug't. 57
My dear Donaldson
I congratulate you on the success which attended you yesterday in the Assembly - if all your opponents speak like Robertson & Piddington you need not have much fear -
I hope your leg is better - you have no chance of a run at grass for some time -
I see that 50£ is put down for contingencies to my Establishment - Scott tells me that the orderlies require remounts and that 50£ is not enough to cover this. The orderlies are heavy men & they soon knock up a Horse especially
[Page 279]
[page 192; letter no. 69]
on Journeys, can you increase the amount, or could you in case of necessity supplement it or rather supply the Horses from any other Fund -
I have a letter from Sir H. Barkly asking us to put a tax of 10£ on the entrance of China men -
Yours truly
W. Denison
Are the papers relative to the Colonial Mercantile Agency in a state to admit of their being forwarded to the Sect. of State
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[Page 281]
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[Page 282]
[Page 193; letter no. 70]
Gov House
1 Sept'r. 57
My dear Donaldson
I have told the Chamber of Commerce that the Gov'nt. will carry out their views without delay.
Apropos to the Electric Telegraph, I do not see that one sixpence is placed on the Estimates for working that between Melbourne & Sydney during 1858 - you will want £12000 for it, I imagine at least -
I send you back the letter from the Navigation Board with a mem'm. on it
Yours truly
W. Denison
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[Transcribed by Jacqueline Lamprecht for the State Library of New South Wales]