Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/118

 92 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY The Husbandmen The Council declared in favor of obtaining an Act to settle the point, and deputed Mayor Wilson to wait upon Governor Grey on the subject. The latter i)romised the Mayor to do what he could, but declined to commit himself to any expression of opinion. He suggested that a petition to the Governor and Legislative Council should be drawn u[) ; this was forwarded in November, but no assurance was received that the wishes of the Corporation would be granted. Councilmen expostulated in January, 1843, and, after the receipt of a reply from the Colonial Secretary, resolved to appeal to the Supreme Court to test the validity of their proceedings, but, though a resolution authorising such a step was carried, no legal proceedings appear to have been taken. The functions of the Corjxiration were now practically suspended. In March, 1843, a Council meeting was held, and respectfully asked Governor Grey to amend the Municipal Act, but there was no reply. The end of citizenship had almost arrived. Indignity followed indignity. There were no funds, and the furniture owned by the Corporation was " seized for rent and publicly offered for sale." Members met again on June i, and authorised the City Treasurer to buy in the goods at the sale. Mayor Wilson and Alderman Peacock waited upon the Governor, and asked what he intended to do. Governor Grey informed them that he "was expecting despatches which would contain a disallowance of the Municipal Act." A meeting of the Council was called for August 17, but there was no quorum present. The opinions of the Advocate-General and Mr. Fisher were obtained by the Town Clerk, and they agreed that the Council was defunct, but disagreed again as to the validity of Mr. Fisher's resignation. Mr. Mann, a third barrister, co-incided with the Advocate-General concerning the illegality of the resignation, but held that the Council could go on with its duties if Mr. Fisher would resume the chair. A further meeting was convened on August 21, and again there was no quorum. The Corporation seemed to be abandoned ; the landlord took possession of the room used as a Council Chamber, and the furniture and records of the Corporation were removed. On September 21, one other meeting was held, and framed a memorial to the Governor and Legislative Council, asking them to pass some measure to enable the citizens to proceed to the election of Common Councilmen at the usual season of the year. There was no response, and this memorial was the expiring cry of the City Council. Adelaide was now in the position of a country village. Governor Grey took no steps to revive the Municipal Act, but his successor by Act of Parliament paid off the Corporation debts, excepting the salaries of certain municipal officials. City property reverted to the Crown, and a rate of 6d. in the pound was declared for purposes of improvement. In August, 1846, the City Corporation Act was repealed. In May, 1848, a petition praying for the re-establishment of a municipal institution was refused, on the ground that not one-third of the ratepayers had signed it. Various improvements to the streets and bridges were effected by the Government or by public subscription, although we read that in the winter of 1846 Adelaide streets were " like a ploughed field." With the return of prosperity, the general appearance of the city imj)rved. Unsuccessful attempts were made to build a railway to Port Adelaide, and to construct waterworks for Adelaide.