Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/131

 CHAPTER VII - THE LEGISLATORS 1848-57 Sir Henry Young, the New Governor — A progressive policy — Mineral royalties abolished — Representative government proclaimed — Federation — Democratic sentiment — First elections and legislators — State aid to religion abolished— Captain Sturt — The Victorian goldfields — Migration of settlers — Depression — Financial congestion — Bullion Act — Gold escort — Return of diggers and prosperity — Investments in land, and increase in agricultural, wool, and mineral production — Exports — Murray navigation — Wasted money — Responsible government desired — Constitution Bill passed — Opposition to nomineeism — Governor Young succeeded by Governor MacDonnell — Constitution .Bill returned, re-introduced, and passed — Proclamation of responsible government — First ministry — Elections and legislators — Improvements in city — City commissioners — Citizenship revived — -City Council elections — City improvements and difficulties — Bridges — Port and Gawler Railways — Telegraphic connection — Municipalities for Kensington and Norwood, Port Adelaide, Glenelg, and Gawler — District Councils. 'HERE was a hope in some minds that Colonel Gawler would be re-appointed Governor on the retirement of Governor Robe, but it was not gratified. On August i, 1848, Sir Henry lulward Fox Young, with Lady Young, arrived in the emigrant ship Forfarshire, and was sworn in on the following day. While Governor Robe was constitutionally conservative, inclined to be arrogant, and deficient in tact. Sir Henry Young was courteous, conciliatory, and capable. He recognised that the spirit of the British colonist is determined, ambitious, and somewhat impulsive, and seemed to immediately appreciate the vitality of the South Australian [)ulse. Governor Young was the right man to take the Province by the hand on its emergence from serious depression. "One of his highest qualities," said Bull, "was to know no party, and to be uninfiuenced by any section of the community bent on pushing their private interests to the injury of the community at large." He was anxious to ascertain the opinions of the people, and to give effect to them wherever and whenever such appeared to him to be wise. 105