Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/62

 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY The Founders mountetl a chair, and gave the toast of " The King." which was heartily responded to, and was followeil by the National Anthem. Next succeeded the toasts of " His Excellency," and -Mrs. Hindmarsh and the ladies." The Governor again exclaimed, "May the present unanimity continue as long as South Australia exists," and the plain rang with the hearty res|Kinses of the pioneers. At about 5 o'clock Captain Hindmarsh retired to the shi|). It had lx.'en an exceedin,,dy hot day, and the night was little better ; so that, instead of dis|)ersing. some of the company kept u|) a mild type of revelry until the light of the following day. The Province of South Australia was in this manner officially proclaimed on December 28, 1836, amid the rejoicings of the little band of hardy men and women, who were prepared and anxious to enter upon the work of its development. Each year, as the anniversary of that date comes round, the old gumtree at Glenelg is the focal point of a patriotic pilgrimage, the birth of the Province is com- memorated, and honor done to the men and women who inaugurated its career. Colonel Light was not present at the proclamation celebration. He had pitched his tent on the River Torrens, where he proposed to lay out the town, and each day he went to and fro inspecting the land. Mr. Kingston, the Deputy Surveyor-General, lived in an adjoining tent, and assisted in the work. On December 29. Governor Hindmarsh went inland and visited Colonel Light on the Torrens, and expressed his sens<; of the beauty of the locality, but considered that it was " too far from the harbor " for the purjKJses of the capital. He then inspected the harbor chosen by Colonel Light (Port Adelaide), and declared that there the city should be built. Colonel Light pointed out that the river overflowed its banks at the place indicated by the Governor, and a disagreement arose between the two authorities, for Colonel Light persisted in adhering to his own choice. In his instructions from the Colonising Commissioners the responsibility of deciding was cast upon the Colonel, although he was desired to pay respect to the Governor's opinion. As a compromise. Governor Hindmarsh next proposed that a site two miles nearer the harbor should be adopted, and Colonel Light at first agreed ; but when he found evidences that Historic Gumtree at Glenelg