Page:The founding of South Australia.djvu/160



letter of Lord Aberdeen, of the 16th of February, 1835, relating to the functions of the proposed commissioners, and suggesting a consultation with His Majesty's Attorney and Solicitor-General, caused a long and irritating delay at a very critical time. Mr. Gouger was sent from pillar to post, day after day, one Department of the State referring him to another, and that other referring him back again, as the manner of officialism is, until he could bear it no longer. More than a month passed, every day full of such vexatious and wearisome circumlocution as would have taxed the patience of Job, and a record of which would undoubtedly have tried the patience of the reader if inserted here. At length came the following entries in the Journal.

"March 22nd.—Though Sunday, called on Torrens, and after a long search, found him. I then told him that unless he would move, I would. The procrastination was no longer bearable.

"March 27th.—Met Torrens and told him everything that had occurred since Monday last, and said that, although I saw the importance of our meeting daily, I would not waste time by waiting hours for him. He wishes me to meet him every day precisely at 1 o'clock,