Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/64

 ?8 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY The Founders Diverse views, however, still prevailed concerning the advisability of establishing the city on the Torrens. Many colonists, and among them Mr. Gouger himself, were prepossessed in favor of Port Lincoln, because of the excellence of the harbor. Sir J. W. Jeffcott, the judge. biicked up by another jxirty, adxocated the claims of Encounter Bay ; but, singular to say, some time afterwards the judge lost his life in the " league-long " rollers which pour in from the Southern Ocean on that coast. It was difficult for the people to divest themselves of these preconceived notions. They were also naturally inconvenienced by having to wait so long lx;fore they could have their land allotted to them. They became critical and dissatisfied ; and already evidences of the spirit of democracy which promjits a demand for ejich individual to have a personal influence over the work of officials began to put in an ap|>earance. At the end of January, 1837, about i.ooo men, women, and children were waiting to take up their residence in the capital or on rural selections, and notwithstanding COMMEMOKATION IJ.W AT Gl.KNKI.G— THE J ETTY the decisive responsibility placed in the hands of Colonel Light, they took sides in the general dispute. It is to be assumed that they had a certain right to an expression of opinion. As late as February, 1837, the.se discussions were being carried on. On Friday, the lOth of that month, a public meeting was convened by the Governor at the request of several early purchasers of land, in the tent of Mr. Edward .Stephens, J. P., which was presided over by Mr. G. Stevenson, the Private Secretary. A resolution, proposed by Mr. T. B. Strangway.s, j.P., and seconded by Mr. John Hallett, "that the site selected for the chief city was not such as the meeting was led to expect," was amended, on the motion of Dr. !•:. Wright, seconded by Mr. G. S. Kingston, to read "that the selection was a good one." The voting counted 218 for the amendment, and 127 against it. After other