If Social Media existed back then, what would our ancestors have been talking about? Taken from year books, Almanacs and newspapers, follows is a list of notable events that occurred in these years. Includes disasters, severe weather, notable people, milestones, construction, inaugurations and other significant events. Obviously, this list references recorded events only and is not exhaustive.

JANUARY 1872

• 1st – V.R.C. Midsummer races, day observed as a close holiday, V. The King Oscar arrived at Newcastle, N.S.W.; reports having been attacked by a whale, and compelled to put into port leaking.
• 2nd – At the execution of Kelly, the murderer, at Sydney, he attacked the hangman and priest, seriously injuring both. Third son of Rev. Waterhouse accidentally drowned at Beechworth, V. Races held on the old Adelaide course, S.A. Death of Mr. James Doyle, a well-known journalist. Accident to the North-Eastern Line, Victoria, one man killed and two injured.
• 3rd – Overland telegraph completed to Alice Springs station, 900 miles north of Port Augusta, S.A. Mersey and Deloraine Railway opened for traffic, T. Fatal boating accident, Hobart Town, three persons drowned. Instructions sent to the Agent General, New Zealand, to send out 8000 emigrants during 1872. Colonel Fielding, on behalf of the Emigration Corporation, purchases 100,000 acres of land at Manawatu, in New Zealand.
• 4th – Kereopee the murderer of Mr. Volckner, executed, N.Z. Extensive bush fires in New Zealand, working great destruction. Sale of the Marybyrnong yearlings, eleven lots realised 4030 guineas, V. Shock of earthquake at Beechworth, V. Earl Belmore and suite visit the Monaro district, N.S.W. Shock of earthquake at Cooma, NSW. Telegraph line between Normanton and Brisbane, Queensland, officially opened. Intercolonial chess match resulted in the defeat of Queensland. Notice iven to the civil servants of stoppage of salary till the estimates are passed, Q.
• 5th – The wheat harvest on the banks of the Murray, S.A., turning out well.
• 6th – Official inquiry into the wreck of the Sussex resulted in suspension of the captain’s certificate for six months. The gold exported from Victoria during 1871 amounted to 1,222,798 oz., the total yield being 1,393,192 oz. Great fire in Castlereagh-street, Sydney, Opera House and other buildings totally destroyed. Messrs. Mortlake, and Watts elected for Flinders, S.A.
• 7th – Riot on the Cloncurry diggings, two Europeans and several Chinamen dangerously wounded.
• 8th – Concert given by Madame A. States, 8000 attended, N.S.W.
• 10th – Patterson Melanesian Fund, N.S.W., amounted to £693. Meetings held for relief of sufferers by the late fatal and disastrous fire in Sydney. Mr. Geoffery Eagar appointed Under-Treasurer, N.S.W. Thermometer registers 105° in the shade, S.A. Tenders for Treasury Bills accepted to the amount of £20,300, principally at par. Van Dieman’s Land Bank declares a dividend of 10 per cent.
• 11th – Wine Show very successful in S.A., numerous prizes awarded.
• 12th – Great discoveries of tin at Tenterfield, N.S.W. Oidium very prevalent in the vineyards in the Riverine district, N.S.W.
• 14th – Sudden death of Mr. Buchan, Manager of the Gawler Branch Bank, S.A.
• 15th – The thermometer at Eltham, Victoria, registers 140° in the sun, and 106° under cover. Death of Mr. John King, sole survivor of the Burke and Wills Exploring Expedition.
• 16th – Several sunstrokes, S.A., one fatal. Great floods and heavy thunderstorm reported from the north. Eighteenth Annual Conference of the Wesleyan Society, Rev. B. Chapman appointed president. Five fatal cases of sunstroke at Murrurundi, N.S.W.
• 19th – Close of the Queensland Parliamentary Session.
• 20th – Fresh discoveries of gold in the Grenfell district, N.S.W. New Guinea Expedition started.
• 22nd – New Ministry formed in S.A., with Mr. Ayers as chief Secretary.
• 25th – New South Wales Government defeated on Border Duties question.
• 26th – Day observed as a general holiday, anniversary of the founding of the colony of N.S.W. Agricultural Show at Toowoomba, Queensland, very successful. Gunnery match between volunteers and Seamen from H.M.S. Clio, won by former, T. Ten thousand persons attended the Exhibition Fete, Sydney, for the Fire Relief Fund.
• 29th – Seven hundred tons of wheat shipped for England by the Paramatta from N.S.W. Sudden death of Captain Ray Boncaut, an old colonist of S.A., and of Mr. Fiveash, Manager of the Yudanamutana Mining Company. Anniversary of the colony of New Zealand duly celebrated.
• 30th – The Victorian Ministry feted at Creswick. Tasmanian Regatta, intercolonial amateur gig-race won by Sydney Rowing Club, beating a Geelong and two local crews.

FEBRUARY 1872

• 2nd – District meeting of the Primitive Methodists, held at Eaglehawk, A . Rev. Mr. Clarke, chosen President. Death of Capt. Hagley, of the Tararua, S.A., from sunstroke. Cyrus Healy apprehended on numerous charges of incendiarism in NZ said to be a member of the International.
• 3rd – Annual parade of Volunteers, N.Z, Kaipara Railway, N.Z., transferred to the General Government. Coal mines at the Bay of Islands, N.Z., swamped out. Thames gold returns for the month, 12,451 oz. from 7116 tons of stone, N.Z.
• 6th – A crushing of 368 tons of quartz at Gympie, Q., yielded 2000 ozs. of gold. Election for West Hobart, resulted in the return of Mr. Gray.
• 7th – Tasmanian Turf Club Races cup won by Misty Morn. Action for libel commenced against the Daily Telegraph, Melbourne. National Bank (Victoria) managerial settled; Mr. Young allowed to resign, receiving one year’s salary as compensation.
• 8th – The works of the Ballarat Meat Preserving Company in active operation, V. Death of Mr. Keene examiner of coal-fields, N.S.W. Vote passed in the S.A. Assembly of 100 guineas for a Queen’s Plate.
• 9th – Lawn party given at Phoenix Park, by Mr. Fenwick, Mayor of Melbourne. Overland telegraph charges published message of 20 words, Melbourne to London, £9 9s. New Co-operative Ironworks Company projected with capital of £3000, V. Numerous incendiary fires throughout V. Great meeting at Albury, N.S.W., to protest against the Border Duties and the Martin Ministry, Q. H.M.S. Rosario returns from her cruise in the South Seas. She visited and shelled the villages near which Bishop Patterson was killed.
• 10th – The yield of gold in N.S.W. for the past year estimated at 296,928 oz.
• 11th – Great fire at Sandridge, V.
• 12th – Death of Mr. G. H. Kogers, the well-known comedian, V. Paxton’s claims at Tambaroora, N.S.W., realized £25,000 for a fortnight’s work. Destructive hail storm in the Mudgee district, N.S.W.
• 13th – News from the Overland Telegraph more favourable. A factory for flannels and blanketing started at Hahndorf, S.A. At the East Sydney Election Ministers all defeated. H. Parkes head of the poll.
• 16th – Destructive fire in Smith Street, Collingwood.
• 19th – Banquet given to the Victoria Ministry at Stawell. Sudden death of Rev. Mr. Gunn, late of Greenock. P. and O. steamer Bangalore anchors off Glenelg, S.A. and delivers mails. Overland line completed to Burrows’ Creek, S.A.
• 20th – Day observed as a solemn holiday, in commemoration of the recovery of Prince of Wales, V. Elsmore Tin Company, N.S.W., floated with a capital of £60,000. New reefing country discovered at Charters Towers, about 100 miles from Townsville, Q. Floods in the north of Queensland gradually subsiding. Great floods at the Thames NZ. Bonus of £2500 offered by Government for first 100 tons of printing paper manufactured in the colony of N.Z.
• 21st – Arrival in Melbourne of s.s. Great Britain.
• 22nd – Geelong races Handicap won by Flying Scud. Mudgee mail “stuck up ” by bushrangers, mails and passengers robbed. Ellen, schooner, wrecked at Eden, N.S.W. Mr. E. C. Jones’ lectures in Sydney draw large audiences.
• 23rd – Anthony Trollope visits Woodspoint, V. Sir James Martin returned for East Macquarie, N.S.W. The Earl and Countess of Belmore sailed from Sydney in the Sobraon for London. Sir Alfred Stephen sworn in Acting Governor. Gulgong Escort brings 10,900 oz. of gold.
• 24th – 8000 attended the promenade concert at the new goods station, Melbourne. Dangerous illness of Dr. Shiel, R.C., Bishop of Adelaide.
• 26th – After four days’ trial, the Captain of the late Sussex found guilty of misdemeanour in endangering life, and sentenced to be imprisoned one calendar month.
• 27th – Day appointed for Thanksgiving for recovery of Prince of Wales, N.S.W. Great excitement in mining matters, N.S.W. In three weeks’ crushing by the Enterprise at Gympie, Q., 1038 tons of stone yielded 2265 ozs. of gold.
• 28th – Norman River again flooded communication interrupted. Several largo nuggets found at the Charter’s Towers diggings, one weighing 124 oz. S.S. Northumberland arrived at Melbourne, after a 54 days’ passage.

MARCH 1872

• 1st – Action for libel commenced by Dr. Lloyd against Australian Medical Journal, damages, £1000.
• 2nd – Death of Mr. George Baker, South Australia. Resignation of South Australian Ministry. Chief-Justiceship of Fiji offered to Mr. St. Julian, Law Reporter of Sydney Morning Herald.
• 4th – Destructive fire at Wellington Street, Collingwood; several buildings destroyed. Retirement of Sir James M‘Culloch from public life. Libel case, Clarson and Wife v. Blair, Melbourne; verdict for defendants. Mr. Ayers succeeds in forming a South Australian Ministry, himself Chief Secretary. Funeral of Bishop Shiel.
• 5th – News received of the total wreck of the Maria, of the New Guinea Expedition.
• 6th – Numerous bush-fires in the vicinity of Launceston.
• 7th – Bathurst (N.S.W.) Races; cup won by Lieutenant. Extensive bush-fires throughout South Australia.
• 8th – Victoria Racing Club Autumn Meeting; St. Leger won by Hamlet; Australian Cup by Saladin. Exhibition medal for best oil paintings awarded to Chester Earles, Sydney. Overland telegraph completed to Tennent’s Creek, 1100 miles north of Port Augusta, S.A. Return of the New Guinea Search Party; murder of the captain and two of the crew confirmed; forty-three of the passengers missing.
• 9th – Bushfires in the Coleraine district, Victoria. New South Wales Government decide to send a steamer to make a thorough search for the members of the New Guinea Expedition. Typhoid fever spreading among the inmates of Parramatta Gaol, N.S.W. Large fire at Hotham; estimated damage, £4000.
• 11th – Destructive fire at Chiltern, V.; five houses destroyed. Adelaide Paper-bag Manufactory destroyed. Large fire at Westbury, T., damages, £7000. Fire at Featherstone, N.Z.: Tenherenikau Hotel burnt; £1000.
• 13th – Incendiary fires throughout New England district, N.S.W. Plague of locusts throughout the colony of South Australia.
• 14th – Carcoar (N.S.W.) Race Meeting.
• 15th – New South Wales Government called for tenders for £334,600 Treasury Bills at £5 percent. Very favourable reports received of the new reefs of Tambaroora, N.S.W.
• 16th – Harvest returns for Victoria show a large increase over last year’s. Preliminary works of Glenelg Railway rapidly progressing.
• 18th – Kyneton Races, Victoria. Nicholls and Lester charged at Police-court, Sydney, with having decoyed and murdered the steward of H.M.S. Rosario.
• 19th – Total destruction by fire of Theatre Royal, Melbourne. Tenders advertised for by Government of South Australia for £25,000 at 5 per cent.
• 20th – Banquet given to the Victorian Ministry at Castlemaine. First sod turned of the Western Port Coal Mining Company’s shaft.
• 21st – Large fire at Miller and Co.’s Victoria Rope Works; estimated loss, £12,000. Banquet given by the Mayor at Town Hall, Melbourne, to Hon. Julius Vogel (Treasurer of New Zealand), captain, and officers of Russian man-of-war Izumoud.
• 22nd – Warrnambool Race Meeting, V.; Town- plate won by the Baron. Sudden death of Mr. James Daley, P.M. at Jericho, V. Fijian Government proposing for £5000 loan at £10 per cent., N.S.W. A crushing of 5 tons of quartz at Tambaroora yielded 1100 ozs. of gold. National Bank of Queensland likely to be successfully floated.
• 23rd – Bendigo Agricultural Society’s Autumn Show held. Melbourne Annual Regatta. Rowing Club Regatta held at Sydney; successful meeting. All the missing bodies of the New Guinea Expedition recovered.
• 24th – Destructive fire at Kew, V.; damages, £2500. Mr. Purves elected in the room of Sir J. M‘Culloch, for Mornington, V.
• 25th – Departure from Melbourne of Sir J. M‘Culloch in the Northumberland. Verdict of wilful murder returned against Nicholls and Lester. A valuable vein of plumbago struck in the New Cornwall Company’s mine, N.S.W. Ship Eugenie, from Hamburg, arrived; of the 198 emigrants, eleven deaths occurred on the passage.
• 27th – Bursting of the coffer-dam of the Prince Alfred Graving Dock at Williamstown, V. Victorian Woollen Company, Geelong, commenced the manufacture of superfine black and blue broadcloth.
• 28th – Mr. Windeyer resigns his appointment of Solicitor-General for New South Wales. Tenders for Treasury Bills opened: nearly 1 1/2 millions tendered for; £200,000 accepted at £4 1s. premium, and £50,000 at £4. Large fire at Dunedin; damages, £3000.
• 29th – Commencement of the Easter Volunteers’ Manoeuvres: forces present, 122 officers, 2309 privates, and 19 guns ; 20,000 spectators. Action brought by Mr. G. B. Barton against the Otago Daily Times, N.Z., for £1000, expenses incurred in the telegram libel case.
• 30th – Official report of the wreck of the Maria attributes the disaster to the captain’s ignorance of navigation.

APRIL 1872

• 1^st –  Kilmore Races, Victoria. Meeting of Melbourne Meat Preserving Company; during the half year 1354 oxen and 133,117 sheep were slaughtered; prospects very favourable. Termination of the Intercolonial Cricket Match between Victoria and New South Wales, the former victorious in one innings and twenty-fave runs. Randwick, N.S.W., Race Meeting ; St. Leger won by Hamlet. Tender of the Savings’ Bank for £25,000 of Treasury Bonds accepted at 30s. premium, S.A. Day observed as a general holiday in South Australia.
• 2nd – Advices from Navigators Group states that a U.S. war steamer had taken possession of Tituala. Fine specimens of tin received from the Newstead Mine, N.S.W.
• 3rd – A splendid mass of copper received from the Cobar Mine in the Darling district, N.S.W. Byalong yearlings sold; prices ranged from 52 to 175 guineas. Discovery of a platinum mine near Bendemeer NSW.
• 8th – Death of Mr. Wilson, City Architect of Sydney.
• 9th – South Australian Parliament reassembled.
• 10th – New South Wales Exhibition preparations progressing satisfactorily. Last month’s yield of gold in New South Wales show a satisfactory increase on previous returns.
• 11th – Death of Mr. George Ormerod, a well-known merchant in Adelaide, Treasurer of South Australia brought in his Budget, estimated revenue for 1872, £696,641; expenditure, £791,269; deficit, £94,628 proposed to be met by Exchequer Bills. Opening of the North Eastern Railway to Seymour, a length of 56 ¾ miles, V.
• 12th – Yield of the New Chum Victoria Tribute, 588 oz. New lead of gold struck near Jamieson. More tin discoveries near Tenterfield, N S W.
• 14th – Solemn Consecration of Roman Catholic Church St Peter and Paul, Emerald Hill.
• 15^th –  The Fitzroy Iron Mines purchased by an English Company tor £60,000. Death of Mr. Bottomley, an old colonist of South Australia. A rare  and beautiful fish caught in St. Vincent’s Gulf, S.A.
• 16^th –  New Land Bill South Australia introduced. Queensland Parliament opened by the Governor.
• 17^th – Wheat statistics of South Australia show 692,508 acres yielding 3,967,097 bushels. 134 Gold Mining Companies formed in New South Wales during the past year. Death of Captain Weyney, late of the Anglesey.
• 18^th –  Gold discovered on the Macleay, near Kempsey, N.S.W. Fresh tin discoveries in New South Wales. Ballarat Steeplechases; fields and attendance small. Banquet given at Maryborough to the Victorian Ministry. Measures taken by the Melbourne Omnibus Company for the construction of Tramways in Melbourne. Mr. Henty appointed Chairman of the Board of Education, Melbourne. Action for libel commenced against the Advocate, Adelaide. Challenge Rifle Cup won by Mr. Ferguson, value £200; score, 224 points in 84 rounds; distances, 200 to 900 yards.
• 19^th –  Hunter River (NSW) Agricultural Exhibition; successful meeting. Asphalt pavements for Sydney experimented upon by the Corporation. Nugget weighing 391bs found by a Chinaman near Carisbrook, V.
• 20^th –  New Presbyterian Church at Fitzroy, Melbourne, opened.
• 22nd – Anniversary of the Eight Hours’ Movement celebrated by a fete in the Friendly Societies’ Gardens, Melbourne. Another section of the Western Railway, New South Wales opened. Sir W. Manning temporarily appointed Supreme Court Judge, New South Wales. Great Fire at Gulgong; N.S.W.; Damage £2500.
• 23rd – Overland wire completed to Daly’s Spring, S.A. News received of the loss of the Queen of the East.
• 24th – New Financial Measure introduced by Colonial Secretary of Queensland.
• 25^th –  Mr Lewis, of the Protestant Advocate, Adelaide, committed for trial for libel against the Sisters of St. Joseph. Gold found near Muswellbrook N.S.W.
• 26^th –  Most favorable reports of the richness of Krohman’s claim telegraphed from Tambaroora, N S W.
• 27^th  – Death of the Rev. Ralph Drummond, the oldest Presbyterian Minister South Wales. Owing to the non-completion of Overland line, the colony of South Australia has to pay 5 per cent, on nearly £600,000. News received in Tasmania that the negotiations in England for the main line of railway had been successfully completed. Large parcels of wheat sent from Christchurch, N.Z., to London Ship England arrived at Wellington, N.Z.; during the voyage several deaths occurred from smallpox. The Rifle Championship won by Mr. Wales, Otago, N.Z. The Governor of New Zealand travelled overland from Napier to Auckland.
• 30^th – Terang Agricultural Show very successful. Victorian Parliament opened. New Convent opened at Maitland, N.S.W. Mutual Provident Society, New South Wales Annual Report showed 2337 new policies had been issued during the year for £830,904. Twenty-eight tons of pearl shells recently imported, sold for £150 per ton, N.S.W.

MAY 1872  

• 1st – The machinery at the new Mint, Melbourne, tested on 8000 oz. of gold. Gold discovered at King’s Island. Arrangements made for a new opera-house, Melbourne, opposite the site of the late Theatre Royal. Geelong Meat Preserving Company report very satisfactorily; during four months, 40,197 sheep and 274 head of cattle had been slaughtered ; total receipts, £26,275. Sir J. Martin announces the resignation of the NSW Ministry. N.S.W. Exhibition attended by 10,000 visitors. Explosion of the Catherine Reef Company’s boiler; three men seriously injured, and much property destroyed. South Australian returns for the past quarter are imports, £931,607 ; exports £888,723rd –
• 2nd – Fire at Castlemaine, V.; damages, £1500. Endeavours made to float a local bank at Sandhurst, V. A small expedition organized to test the northern gold-fields of S.A.
• 3rd – Bacchus Marsh races, V. Congratulatory address voted to the Queen by the N.S.W. Assembly on the recovery of the Prince of Wales. Intelligence received of the arrival of the French transport Juara at Caledonia, with 700 Communist convicts.
• 4th – Arrival of Mr. G. Gordon, C.E., the chief engineer of water supply, V. Tichborne bonds £100, sold at 8s 4d. Shorthorn bull, Great Count, sold for 600 guineas. New gold discoveries at German Gully, S.A.
• 6th – Vein of mundic struck near Tuena, yielding 28 ozs of gold to the ton. New Post Office opened at Adelaide, S.A. Church Synod of SA. commenced its sittings.
• 7th – Mr. E. G. Smith’s appointment as manager of the National Bank confirmed Victoria. Steamer Examiner wrecked at Clarence Heads, NSW. The Paxton Gold Mining Company floated; capital, £160,000.
• 8th – Rev. Mr. Inglis of Ballarat, publicly censured by the Moderator for literary plagiarism. Mudgee race meeting N S.W.
• 9th – N.S.W. Assembly passed a motion to accord the remains of Mr Wentworth a public funeral. Great excitement in the mining market. Death of Mr. Phelan, under-sheriff N.S.W. A young man named Walter Young accidentally shot near the Volunteer range, N.Z.  
• 13th – Disastrous fire at Timaru, N.Z., destroying several buildings. Conflict between the Superintendent of Canterbury and the Executive, owing to the latter refusing to grant a dissolution.  Mr. James Smith, of Melbourne, delivers successful lectures at Dunedin, N.Z. £1000 offered for discovery of payable gold-field in the Taranaki district. George Peter Mutu, a Maori, ordained a deacon of the Church of England. Discovery of gold in the Waikato district, causing great excitement.
• 14th – Yield of gold for the last four months in N.S.W. shows an increase of 34,000oz. Mr Henry Parkes succeeds in forming a Cabinet, himself as Premier, NSW. Execution of Feeney, the murderer of Ward, V. Alfred Sandeman, squatter, filed his schedule; liabilities, £121,000; assets, £5, Q.
• 16^th – Monthly Customs returns of N.S W. shows an increase of £20,000 on last year’s corresponding month. Government of S A intimate their intention of introducing a clause into the Customs’ Act allowing, drawback on goods exported to the Northern Territory. Collins convicted of the murder of Mr. Tiemans, and sentenced to death; afterwards confessed the crime. The disputes between the Government of N.Z. and Messrs. Brogden, the contractors, amicably settled. A monster nugget found at Chinaman’s Flat, Berlin; weight 477 ozs; value £1953.
• 17^th – Great fire in Sussex Street, Sydney; Barkers cloth factory destroyed; loss, £30,000. Bonded debt of S. Australia estimated at £2,266,000.
• 18^th –  Death of Hon. John Baker, an old and prominent colonist of S.A.
• 20^th –  Mr. Jeffries elected chairman of the Evangelical Alliance, S.A
• 21st – S.A Houses of Parliament adjourned for a week as a mark of respect to Hon. J. Baker. Presentation to Captain King of the Calcutta, for bravery and skill displayed in navigating his ship safely to Melbourne, under circumstances of difficulty and danger. Diphtheria, in a malignant form prevalent at Smythesdale, V. Nicholls and Lester convicted of the Parramatta River murders, and sentenced to death. Death of Dr. Wardley, superintendent of Parramatta Lunatic Asylum.
• 22nd – Return of Mr. Parkes for East Sydney. Telegraph completed to 1400 miles from Adelaide.
• 24th – Murder of a squatter and stockman by blacks on the Barcoo creek, Q.  A parcel of gold, 24 ozs., obtained by Chinamen at Nine Miles Springs, Q.
• 28^th –  Death of Captain J. C. L. Caste, second superintendent of  Hawkes Bay, N.Z. Provincial Council of Otago voted bonuses of £1500 for paper factory, £300 for glass and bottle works, and £1000 for sack and woolpack factory.
• 31st – Great Western steeple-chases, V. Union College, S.A. formally inaugurated.

JUNE 1872

• 1st – News reached Sydney of the murder of Rev. Mr. Gordon at Erromanga. Favourable reports received of the gold prospect of the Northern Territory, S.A. Ship Young Australia wrecked on Moreton Island, wreck sold for £7500.  
• 3rd – Arrival of Sir Hercules Robinson, the new Governor, at Sydney. Moonta Mine, S.A., dividend for distribution amounts to £32,000. Bank of Adelaide issue 50,000 £1 shares to shareholders at £1 premium. £4500 offered and refused for the thoroughbred horse Sir Amyas. Lewis, publisher of the Protestant Advocate, Adelaide, convicted of libel, fined £50, and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.
• 4th – Resignation of the Duffy Ministry, Mr. Francis sent for, and succeeds in forming a ministry for Victoria. Eleven light iron railway trucks constructed in Melbourne. Governor of N. S. Wales’ first levee largely attended. Damages of £1000 returned in the action Short v. Beattie, N.S.W. Murderer Conn executed at Bathurst, N.S.W., frightful scene.
• 5^th – Great flood in the valley of the Barwon. Large earthfall in the Old Lambton Coal Mine, N.S.W.
• 6th – Steamer Paterson sprang a leak and sank soon after getting into Newcastle port. Rich copper mine found near Braidwood. Past four months’ gold-yield in N.S.W. shows an increase of 75 per cent, upon corresponding period of last year.  
• 8th – Sim’s printing- office burned, £1300 damages, S.A.
• 10th – Libel action against Pally Telegraph, Melbourne, for £2000, resulted in discharge of jury without a verdict. Severe shock of earthquake at Farrell’s Flat, S.A. Several mining ventures projected at Wallaroo, S.A. 
• 11th – Iron Duke arrived at Sydney from London, after a six months’ passage. Sudden death of Mr. John Davies, proprietor of Hobart Town Mercury, from apoplexy. Notice given of the introduction of the Border Customs Bill. Great floods in the colony of Tasmania.
• 12th – Requiem high mass celebrated at Adelaide for Dr. Shiel.
• 13th – Extensive tin discoveries made in the Tumut district, N.S.W.
• 14th – Another copper mine found near Orange, N.S.W. Diphtheria prevalent at Port Lincoln, eight deaths in one family. A 20-oz. nugget found near Mount Pleasant, S.A. Arrangements proposed for a conference between the Chief Secretary and the leader of the Opposition, with a view of terminating the dead-lock.
• 15^th – Fire in Swanston-street, Melbourne, damage £400. Foundation stone laid of the new theatre, Melbourne.
• 16^th – Rev. Mr. Jefferies declines two calls from Melbourne churches.
• 17^th – Fire at Pentridge Stockade, damage £1000. New Bank, Melbourne, projected, the Provincial and Suburban. Krohman’s claim at Tambaroora reported to be yielding richer returns than ever. The Queensland parliamentary dead-lock terminated.
• 18^th – A purse of 630 sovs. presented to Mr. Badcock, Manager of the Bank of New South Wales. Recapture of Scott, the Egerton Bank robber. Execution of Nicholls and Lester, former confessed the day previous, N.S.W.
• 19^th – Absconding of Apfel, a Sandhurst stock-broker, captured onboard the mail steamer at Port Phillip Heads. The estimates of N.S.W. submitted; proposed expenditure £2,353,588, exclusive of supplementary items. The public debt of the colony stated at £10,606,030.  
• 20^th – The whole of the ’tween decks cargo of the Young Australian saved. Death of Mrs. Jane Vinson, a well-known actress, at Melbourne, better known as Kate Warde.
• 24th – Death of a man named Crawley at the Liverpool Asylum, N.S.W., reputed 106 years old.
• 25^th – Telegraphic communication opened with England by the wire and horse express.
• 27^th – Second reading of the Border Customs Bill carried by a large majority, N.S.W.
• 28^th – Customs Bill passed through Committee. Apfel committed for trial. Most favourable reports received of the Grunthal copper mines, S.A. A silver pastoral staff, studded with precious stones, presented to Dr. Short, in commemoration of his completing the twenty-fifth year of his episcopacy, Sydney.
• 29^th – Twenty-fifth anniversary of Bishop Perry’s episcopacy, V. Severe gale at Charleston, N.Z., much damage done. Large fire at Dunedin, four houses burned. Contract for the Mataura railway completed. New Insurance company projected at Auckland, N.Z., the South British Fire and Marine. Several cases of smallpox in New Zealand. A Pearl Fishing company formed, with a capital of £5000. A live moa reported to have been seen in the Wanganui district, N.Z.

JULY 1872

• 1st – Caulfield steeplechases, V. Destructive fire at North Melbourne. The revenue for the Victorian railways, for the year ending March 30, 1872, amounts to £637,605 12s. 6d. A number of new tin companies placed on the market, N.S.W. The purchase of the Fitzroy iron mines by an English company definitely concluded. Public dinner to Captain Munro. Greater portion of the village of Gerrijong, N.S.W., destroyed by fire.
• 2nd – First through telegram received in Melbourne, by the Overland Telegraph. Motion for payment of N.S.W. members negatived.
• 3rd – Captain of the Examiner adjudged guilty of negligence, and his certificate suspended for six months. Great alarm caused by spread of smallpox in New Zealand. Several railway tenders for Now Zealand from Mr. Brogden accepted. Customs returns at Dunedin, N.Z., for past financial year, £212,923.
• 4th – American anniversary celebrated at Hampton Court Gardens, N.S.W. Second reading of the Northern Territory Land Bill passed, S.A.
• 6th – Another extraordinarily rich vein of gold struck m Paxton claims, N.S.W.
• 8th – First issue of 40,000 sovereigns from the Victorian Mint. Stringent precautionary measures taken to prevent the introduction of smallpox. Death of Mr. Arthur Horrocks; an old colonist of South Australia. Supposed drowning of a boating party at Glenelg, S.A., who sailed on June 23rd, and not since heard of. Queensland Parliament passed the Appropriation Bill.
• 9th – Divorce Bill passed the N.S.W. Assembly. The discovery of a new rich reef at Armidale, N.S.W. reported. Past half-years yield shows an increase of 65,275 oz. in New South Wales. New copper discovery made near Grunthal, S.A. Break-up of the Young Australian during a gale. Fire in Mary Street, Brisbane; three houses destroyed.
• 11th – The Newcastle colliers intimate their intention of striking unless higher wages are given, N.S.W.
• 12th – Tin discovered near Singleton, N.S.W. Discovery made that a number of public documents at the Town Hall, Sydney, had been stolen or mutilated ; £150 reward offered.
• 13th – Death of Mr. John Collins at Geelong, better known as the “political shoemaker”. Action instituted against the Ballarat Evening Mail for alleged libel. New Zealand Assembly opened. Destructive fire at Shortland, Thames gold-field; property insured. Large deposit of moa bones, and some Saurian skeletons found in the Waipara district, N.Z. Sudden death of Mr. J. G. Witt, an old colonist of South Australia.
• 17th – Foundering of the steamer Saxonia, in Horseshoe Bend, Newcastle, N.S.W. Treasurer of Victoria made his financial statement; estimated revenue for the year was £3,611,920 , expenditure, £3,708,938. Grafton races, N.S.W.
• 18th – Vaccination Bill passed through all its stages, S.A. Rich reef reported to be found near Ballan, V.
• 19th – Mudgee, Agricultural Show; numerously attended. Cable still voiceless; defect supposed to be near Bangoewanji. Kadina and Wallaroo Company’s semi-annual report shows a profit of nearly £9000. Bill for abolishing days of grace thrown out in South Australia.
• 21st – Fire at Pyke’s Chambers, Sandhurst, V.; damages about £1200. Another case of small-pox reported at Sandhurst. Sudden death of Rev. S. Rabone, Wesleyan minister, Sydney.
• 22nd – Resignation of the Tasmanian Ministry. Another large nugget found at Berlin, value £1100. Dr. L. L. Smith withdraws his action against the Melbourne Age.
• 23rd – Treasurer of South Australia gives notice of the issue of Treasury Bills to the extent of £120,000. A fossil head of the gigantic wombat unearthed bv diggers at Ulaloo, S.A. Apfel, the absconding broker, sentenced to eight years imprisonment with hard labour.
• 24th – Presentation of an address and purse of sovereigns by the Horticultural Society of Victoria, to Mr. Clarson.
• 27th – South Australian Government revenue returns for past half-year show an increase of £15,000. Proposal made by the Balmain Regatta Committee for a gig race open to the world, for a prize of £500, £450 of which was subscribed in the room.
• 29th – Fine sample of tin ore received, from the Murray district, N.S.W. Fifteen tons of quartz from Krohmans claim yielded 7000 oz. of gold.
• 31st – Scott sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment. Death of Mr. Thomas Wills of Ballan, a well-known old colonist of Victoria. New Banking Company projected for Bendigo, V. Strike among the seamen at Sydney; 300 men out of employment. Valuable pearl oyster beds reported to exist in the Northern Territory of South Australia.

AUGUST 1872

• 1st – Libel action of Lloyd and the Australian Medical Journal, resulted in verdict for defendant. New quarry of freestone discovered in the Grampians, V. Considerable excitement in Kilmore, respecting new finds of gold ore, Sandy Creek, V. More tin companies floated in N.S.W. Death of Mr. James Gunn, an old colonist of S.A. Nuggets weighing in all 7 lbs., found at Mount Pleasant, S.A.
• 2nd – Rich discovery of copper at the Moonta mines, S.A. Victorian sheep prohibited from crossing into N.S.W. for six months.
• 3rd – Horse Estafette working well, but cable still speechless. Rumours very prevalent of gold-fields in the North, S.A. Gold discovered in the Macleay district, N.S.W.
• 4th – Attempted burglary under arms, at the N.S.W. Bank, Wodonga.
• 5th – The paper mills at Liverpool sold for £9600. N.S.W. Legislative Assembly rejected the vote of £4000 for a N.S.W. annexe, at the London Exhibition. Money afterwards subscribed privately.
• 6th – 12-carat diamond found in the Bathurst district, N.S.W. Sudden death of Mr. Cole, bookseller, Sydney. Large fire in East Street, Rockhampton, Q. Several houses destroyed.
• 7th – Appropriation Bill passed the Assembly, of N.S.W.
• 8th – Rev. Dr. Lang elected, next Moderator of Presbyterian Synod, N.S.W. £2000 voted by the S.A. Assembly for a Sailors Home.
• 9th – Divorce Bill shelved, N.S.W. Several diamonds found near Bathurst, N.S.W.
• 10th – Heaviest snowstorm known for years occurred within 30 miles of Sydney. Rich copper mine found at Burrowa, N.S.W. Heavy fall of snow on the Hills, S.A.
• 11th – Five more deaths occur from the Maryborough boiler explosion.
• 12th – Seventeenth annual meeting of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, V.
• 13th – N.S.W. Parliament prorogued. Tenders called for a mail service via Fiji.
• 15th – Hawkesbury Races, N.S.W. Hay Pastoral Show held, N.S.W. Company formed to grow sugar and spice in the Northern Territory, S.A. Importation of cattle from N.S.W. prohibited, Q. Carver, a bank-teller, committed for trial on a charge of serious embezzlement, Q. Influential public meeting held to have the colony of N.S.W. adequately represented at the International Exhibition at Vienna.
• 16th – Commissioners appointed to represent S.A. at the International Exhibition. Overland Telegraph opened to Burrow’s Creek, 1200 miles from Adelaide. Auriferous reef found at Yam Creek, about 100 miles from Port Darwin, S.A.
• 17th – Croxton Park Races, V.
• 18th – Great fire at the Marybyrnong stud-farm, three valuable thorough bred horses destroyed, V.
• 20th – Foundation-stone of New Oddfellows Hall and Almshouses laid, Melbourne. Steamer Saxonia successfully raised at Newcastle, N.S.W. Heavy fall of snow near Sydney.
• 22nd – Telegraphic communication established between Adelaide and Port Darwin.
• 27th – Great rush of miners to Charters Towers, Q. 3000 at work.
• 28th – Queensland Parliament prorogued. In libel case, Rotten v. Bathurst Times, damages laid at £5000, verdict was given for 1 ~ N.S.W.
• 30th – Quartz-reef discovered near Maitland, N.S.W.
• 31st – New reef near Oakwood reported of very favourably, N.S.W. Extensive fire in Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. Damages, £800. Great dissatisfaction in New Zealand at the unpunctuality of the Californian mail service. New Zealand Customs Revenue for quarter ending June 30, amounted to £262,899.

SEPTEMBER 1872

• 1st – North-Eastern line formally opened, V. Thames Industrial Exhibition a great success. Retirement of Dr. Lang from the N.S.W. Ministry. The gold returns from N.S.W. for August show an increase of 10,000 oz. Carver, bank- teller, found guilty and sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment, Q.
• 5th – Great fire at Geelong, V.; several buildings destroyed, estimated damage, £3500.
• 6th – All the Ministry re-elected in Tasmania. Death of Madame Sanderson, vocalist, at Sydney, through breaking a bloodvessel.
• 7th – First sod of Castlemaine and Maryborough Railway turned, V. 530 miners leave Melbourne for the Queensland diggings. Tenders called for a Government loan of £400,000, N.S.W. Favourable news received at Adelaide from the Port Darwin diggings; fresh reef discoveries made.
• 9th – Leak dis covered in the new reservoir, S.A. Defeat of the Vogel Ministry; new Cabinet formed under the leadership of Mr. Stafford, N.Z. Escort from Charters Towers and Ravenswood brings 11,060 oz. of gold; reports, generally, not favourable, Q. Seam of coal, four feet thick, found near Maryborough, Q.
• 12th – Verdict given against mail steamer Nevada, for colliding with the A. H. Badger; damages £1600 and costs, N.S.W.
• 14th – Successful casting of a large bevel mortice wheel, which weighed six tons, at Fulton’s foundry.
• 15th – Death of Mr. Morris, Manager of Bank of Australasia, at Geelong, V.
• 16th – Arrival of s.s. Northumberland, at Melbourne, after a passage of 52 days.
• 18th – Libel action, Ward v. Wallaroo Times, plaintiff nonsuited, S.A.
• 19th – Discovery of quicksilver mines at the Bay of Islands, N.Z. Numbers of miners leaving the Thames, N.Z., for the Queensland and Port Darwin diggings.
• 21st – Death at Sydney, N.S.W., of Dr. Nathan, a well-known practitioner. Three whales caught in Twofold Bay. Four hundred miners leave Sydney for Townsville.
• 24th – Treasury motion for a loan of £3,000,000, for consolidating loans into 4 per cent, bonds, carried.
• 25th – Two sperm whales killed off Jervis Bay.
• 26th – Treasurer of S.A. introduced his budget; expected deficit of £36,000.
• 28th – H. A. Scott, late accountant of Bank of Australasia, Ballarat, convicted of felony.
• 30th – New South Wales quarter’s revenue, £250,000; being the largest ever known.

OCTOBER 1872

• 3rd – More diamonds found at Oberon. N.S.W. Sudden death of Major Fitzsimmons. Miners in numbers returning from the Queensland diggings to N.S.W.
• 4th – Tenders accepted by the Victorian Government from local engineers for the construction of 15 engines and tenders, and 49 iron ballast-waggons.
• 5th – Suicide of John de Haga, formerly a well-known member of Lyster’s Opera Company. Locusts doing much damage to crops in S.A.
• 21st – Sir James M‘Culloch appointed Agent General of Victoria in the room of Mr. Childers (appointment was declined). Telegraphic communication established between Adelaide and South Australia.

NOVEMBER 1872

• 1st – Princes Philip and Augustus of Saxe-Coburg visited Sandhurst.
• 2nd – 596,000 sovereigns coined at Melbourne Mint to date. 4,500 ounces gold raised in S.A. during last nine months.
• 3rd – Wilson Ministry resigned
• 3rd – T. Australian Derby won by Loup Garon, Victoria
• 4th – Resignation of Ministry, T.
• 5th – Large tire at Alexandra, £10,000 damage.
• 5th – Return ball to Mr. Mayor Fenwick; 700 present, Victoria
• 5th – National Bank declared a dividend of 10 per cent.
• 5th – Meat riot at Charters’ Towers, Q.
• 6th – International Exhibition opened, Victoria
• 6th – Mr. Driver appointed Chairman of Committees and Assembly, N.S.W.
• 6th – Thomas O’Grady elected Mayor of Melbourne.
• 6th – Tender for £20,000 accepted for erecting Scotch Church, Victoria.
• 6th – Paper mill established by Mr. Fieldhouse.
• 7th – Australian Cup won by Quack. Opening of the Exhibition at Melbourne, of articles intended for the Vienna Exhibition. New South Wales Parliament opened.
• 9th – Assembly decided that further collection of tolls is not desirable, Victoria
• 9th – The past ten months’ revenue from mineral leases amounts to £129,000, N.S.W.
• 9th – French transports Guerriere and Garonne, arrived at New Caledonia with 1,250 Communist prisoners.
• 14th – Large rush to new diggings, 18 miles from Berlin, Victoria
• 14th – Education Bill read a second time in Council, Victoria
• 14th – Government proposed to borrow £100,000 for telegraphic purposes, S.A.
• 15th – About 200 Presbyterian clergymen entertained at luncheon in the Town Hall, Rev. W. Henderson. Ballarat presiding
• 15th – A 6-ft. vein of coal found at Stock-yard Creek, near Foster, Victoria
• 15th – Destructive fire at Sale, Victoria
• 15th – Holiday in Sydney to celebrate the opening of through telegraph communication with Europe; also kept at Adelaide, S.A.
• 16th – Davis, a water-policeman, seized and destroyed by an alligator at Port Darwin.
• 18th – Shock of earthquake at Queanbeyan, N.S.W.
• 18th – P.S. ”Providence ” blew upon the Darling, near Kinchega, five men killed.
• 19th – Captain Armstrong and live of the crew of the brig “Curl ” convicted on the charge of kidnapping Polynesian natives; sentenced to death.
• 20th – Railway between Seymour and Longwood opened.
• 20th – Mr. Arnold, Speaker of N.S.W. Assembly, resigned his seat at the Council of Education.
• 21st – Mr. Piddington. N.S.W., treasurer, resigned.
• 21st – Professor Smith appointed member of the Council of Education, V.
• 21st – Government propose to abolish the infantry portion of the Defence force.
• 21st – Estimates provide £350,000 tor railway extension from Sydney to Wagga-Wagga, N.S.W.
• 21st – Day of humiliation and prayer suggested on account of the Locust Plague, S.A.
• 22nd – Messrs. Walker and Co., Townsville, Q., stopped payment; debts, £20,000.
• 22nd – S.A. Assembly voted £300 for the family of the late Mr. Keckwick, explorer; also a bonus of £2.000 for first 250 tons of paper manufactured in the colony.
• 22nd – Schooner “Mary Cumming wrecked off Cape Patten: no lives lost.
• 22nd – Funeral of Hon. B. Turnbull. M.L.C.
• 24th – St. Patrick’s, Albury, N.S.W., dedicated; cost of church. £8,000. New Ministry formed in New Zealand with Mr. Waterhouse as Premier.
• 25th – The barque Lanercost wrecked on a reef near Gabo.
• 25th – A cake of gold weighing 5,800 ounces received from Gympie produce of 739 tons of stone, Q.; afterwards sent to Sydney.
• 27th – Grasshoppers devastated large areas in S.A.
• 27th – Provincial and Suburban Bank opened in Smith Street, Collingwood. V.
• 27th – Great floods in the Western districts. Macquarie overflowed its banks; great damage done, N.S.W.
• 29th – Two additional imperial gunboats launched at Sydney to aid in the suppression of the Polynesian slave trade.
• 30th – Victorian festival of Auxiliary Sunday School Union, held in the Town Hall; 5,000 children present.

DECEMBER 1872

• 1st – Deaf and Blind Asylum established at Adelaide; £2.400 subscribed to the funds.
• 1st – Captain and mate of the “Carl” sentences of death commuted to imprisonment for life.
• 4th – Private O’Brien of Goulburn, won the National Association Medal.
• 4th – Farewell dinner given to Governor Sir James Fergusson, Adelaide; Chief Justice Sir. B. Hanson in the chair.
• 5th – Fete given by the Speaker of Assembly, at Brighton; attended by 250 gentlemen. Mr. Lloyd appointed treasurer, and Samuel Postmaster, N.S.W.
• 5th – Sir James Martin’s motion to retain permanent military forces negatived
• 6th – NSW Upper House rejected the bill for abolishing newspaper postage.
• 8th – Foundation-stone of St. Francis Xavier, Kew. laid by Right Rev. Dr. Goold, B.C. Bishop of Melbourne.
• 8th – Sir James Fergusson sailed for England.
• 9th – Mr. Newman elected Mayor of Sydney.
• 10th – New Education Act passed the Legislative Council.
• 10th – Large fire in Hunter Street. Newcastle, N.S.W.; damage, £7,000.
• 10th – Pearl shells sold in Sydney at £176 per ton
• 12th – Maid of Judah made the passage from Adelaide to Sydney in 150 hours
• 13th – The Argus prize at the Scotch College, Melbourne, gained by Master Mowling, V.
• 14th – The Supreme Court. N.S.W., decided that the Imperial Act winding up European Assurance Company is fatal to actions raised.
• 14th – Melbourne Woollen Company’s Works, Footscray, opened.
• 16th – Foundation stone at New Wesley Church, Hotham, laid. V.
• 16th – Great floods at Bathurst. N.S.W. Town of Kelso submerged, N.S.W.
• 17th – Large public meeting held in Sydney to celebrate the jubilee of Rev. Dr. Lang’s ministry
• 20th – Mr. Wilberforce Stephen, Attorney General, accepted the office of Minister of Education; Mr Fellows appointed puisne judge.
• 20th – 1,989 persons arrived in Victoria by sea during November.
• 20th – A Bill to legalise marriage with a deceased wife’s sister introduced into Parliament, Tasmania.
• 21st – Challenge shield and medals won at the Rifle Association meeting, presented by Lady Robinson, N.S.W.
• 21st – Bushman’s picnic at Adelaide, S.A.
• 23rd – Sudden flood partly submerged Inverell. N.S.W.
• 24th – The great railway case, Williams v. the Q Commissioners of Railways concluded; verdict for plaintiff. £13,386; plaintiff, a railway contractor sued for £30,000.
• 24th – Tasmanian Parliament reduced the governor’s salary to £3,509.
• 26th – On Boxing Day 13,000 persons travelled on the Sandridge line of railway; 12,000 St. Kilda line, and 31,000 on the Brighton line.
• 26th – Grand Musical Festival in the Town Hall, Melbourne.
• 26th – Intelligence of the sad fate of Captain Gray, of the “Great Britain,“ caused universal sorrow in the colonies.
• 29th – William Wyatt, son of the Chief Inspector of Schools, S.A, murdered by James Slape who afterwards hung himself in gaol.
• 30th – Mr. Venables appointed secretary of New Education Act department.
• 30th – Hon. James Henty resigned the Chairmanship of Commissioner of Savings Banks.
• 30th – Large finds of gold reunited at Turton Creek diggings, Gipps Land, S.
• 30th – A public holiday – Anniversary day.