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 this year. 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 1883

• 1st – Presentation of a gold watch and chain to Mr. G. Hemus of Auckland on the eve of his departure for England.
• 2nd – The Lyttelton Graving Dock opened.
• 3rd – The New South Wales Parliament opened and the Parkes Ministry resigned. Arrest of Mr. J. M. Massey late Town Clerk of Dunedin and his wife for embezzlement.
• 4th – Sir Wm. Clarke Bart. entertained the English and Australian cricketers at dinner at Scott’s Hotel Melbourne.
• 6th – Sir Wm. Jervois held a farewell levee at Government House Adelaide. Circular Quay Sydney first lighted by electricity.
• 7th – Serious fire at the Castlemaine woollen factory.
• 8th – Messrs. Augustus Morris and George Rankin appointed by the New South Wales Government to inquire into the state of the public lands and the operation of the land laws.
• 9th – Sir Wm. Jervois left Adelaide to take up his duties as Governor of New Zealand. Chief Justice Way sworn in as administrator of the Government of South Australia. Tenders opened in London for the new Victoria Loan of £4,000,000. Only £455,550 tendered.
• 11th – The New Zealand Loan of £1,000,000 successfully floated in London. Decided to form an Old Colonists’ Association in Adelaide to help those who had endeavoured to establish the colony in its present prosperous condition.
• 14th – The banner of the Salvation army unfurled at Brisbane by Captain Cairns. Consecration of the Anglican Church Roslyn New Zealand.
• 15th – Annual meeting of the Australian Jockey Club at Sydney.
• 16th – The Wesleyan Conference opened at Melbourne. The Agents General in London waited upon Lord Derby and congratulated his Lordship upon his appointment as Secretary of State for the Colonies.
• 17th – New South Wales Parliament opened. The tenth Conference of the South Australian Wesleyan Methodist Church opened. The Victorian Loan of £4,000,000 withdrawn from the London market.
• 18th – Presentation of a silver tray to Mr. Barker by the Victorian Yacht Club. Burns hanged at Adelaide for the murder of Loton on the high seas.
• 20th – Sir Wm. Jervois arrived at Wellington to take up his appointment as Governor of New Zealand.
• 21st – Lord and Lady Gifford left Fremantle enroute for Gibraltar.
• 22nd – The foundation stone of the Hotham Free Library laid.
• 23rd – East Sydney election resulted in the return of he Hon. Henry Copeland Minister for Works. The English team of cricketers left Melbourne for Sydney.
• 25th – Ernest Giles the explorer arrived at Port Augusta after his five months’ expedition in the far north-west.
• 26th – New South Wales regatta held. Flooding of the Wandiligong Deephead Company’s mine Victoria. Bishop Short’s resignation as Chancellor of the Adelaide University accepted by the Council.
• 27th – The Protection and Political Reform League of Sydney held its first public meeting at the Temperance hall.
• 28th – Constable Dwyer of Brisbane killed while attempting to arrest an aboriginal charged with murder at Taroom. Destructive bush fire on the Mount Lofty Ranges near Adelaide.
• 29th – Banquet to the Rev. Dr. Birmingham at the Town Hall Sydney. Lord Gifford arrived in Sydney from Melbourne.
• 30th – The concluding match between the Australian eleven and the Hon. Ivo Bligh’s cricketing team won by the Englishmen after which the team left for Brisbane.
• 31st – Destructive fire at the Roslyn Woollen Mill.

FEBRUARY 1883

• 1st – Opening of the Armidale Railway.
• 2nd – Farewell ball at Perth in honour of Lady Robinson.
• 3rd – The Hon. J. Colton left Adelaide for England. The Victorian Parliament dissolved.
• 4th – Archbishop Gould’s annual pastoral letter read in all the Catholic churches in the diocese of Melbourne.
• 5th – The English cricketers entertained at a ball at Brisbane. Mr. J. E. Redmond M.P. delegate of the Irish National League and his brother arrived at Adelaide for England.
• 6th – The New South Wales Assembly decided to abolish all fees in public schools. The Tasmanian Industrial Exhibition opened by the Governor.
• 7th – The Treasurer of New South Wales delivered his financial statement.
• 8th – Accident in St. Vincent’s Gulf to the yacht Haidee. Sir Julius and Lady Vogelleft Melbourne for England in the Sorata.
• 9th – Mr. J. E. Redmond M.P. held his first meeting at the Adelaide Town Hall.
• 10th – The international cricket match at Sydney won by Victoria in one innings with 166 runs to spare.
• 11th – The Woollomai stranded on a reef between Flanders and Word Islands. Destructive fire at Beechworth Victoria.
• 13th – For the first time since the establishment of the British Indian service the mails via Torres Straits reached Brisbane earlier than those of the Peninsular and Oriental. General amnesty of the Maori prisoners signed by the Governor.
• 14th – Sir Wm. Robinson left Perth to take up his duties as Governor of South Australia. Dr. Kesteven resident surgeon of the Brisbane Hospital dismissed. Unveiling of the Dawson monument at Willaston cemetery Adelaide.
• 15th – The Hon. James Mac Bain M.L.C. Victoria left Melbourne for Europe.
• 16th – The Waimate Gorge Railway opened. Farewell banquet to Lieut. Col. Lovely at Adelaide.
• 17th – The Premier of Queensland banqueted at Nanango by a number of the leading residents.
• 19th – Mr. J. E. Redmond M.P. arrived in Sydney. Public reception of Sir William Robinson at Adelaide.
• 20th – Inaugural public meeting of the Old Colonists Association at Adelaide.
• 21st – The 50th anniversary of the Sydney Mechanics School of Arts celebrated by a conversazione. Sir Wm. Robinson held his first levee at Government House Adelaide.
• 22nd – General Election in Victoria.
• 23rd – Marriage of Lord Charles Scott and Miss Ada Mary Ryan at Sunbury Victoria.
• 27th – The Victorian Parliament opened. The trial of Thompson and Hunt for the manslaughter of W. C. Thomas at Melbourne resulted in an acquittal.
• 28th – Wreck of the Norwegian barque Notero at Flinders Island.

MARCH 1883

• 1st – The South Australian Government first issued reply post cards. The raising of the Austral successfully accomplished. .
• 2nd – Mr. J.H Finlayson J.P. of Adelaide entertained at dinner prior to his departure for Europe. Fire at the South Australian Club Hotel.
• 3rd – The autumn meeting of the Victorian Racing Club commenced. . .
• 6th – The O’Loghlen Government (Victoria) resigned.
• 7th – The Service Administration of Victoria sworn in. Enthronement of Bishop Kennion in St. Peter’s Cathedral Adelaide.
• 8th – The autumn show of the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia opened. Public welcome of Bishop Kennion at the Adelaide Town Hall.
• 10th – International Regatta at Melbourne. The Burrongong Gold Mining Company struck payable gold in their claim at O’Malley’s Flat.
• 12th – Banquet to Chief Justice Lilley of Queensland on his departure for Europe.
• 13th – Farewell banquet to the Hon. Ivo Bligh and the English cricketing team by the Melbourne Cricketing Club. Mr. A. G. Taylor took his seat in the New South Wales Assembly as member for Mudgee.
• 14th – The Nairne Railway between Adelaide and Aldgate opened for traffic.
• 15th – The English team of cricketers left Melbourne for England. Lord and Lady Charles Scott also left Melbourne for England. Complimentary dinner to Mr. G. D. Carter late Member for St. Hilda.
• 16th – Presentation to Mr. A. Von Truer at Adelaide on resigning the post of Consul to the German Empire. Opening of Warra Warra bridge.
• 19th – The Melbourne City Council accepted Sir Julius Vogel’s offer for the experimental lighting of Elizabeth Street Melbourne by electricity.
• 20th – The remains of Capt. Standish late Commissioner of Police Victoria interred in Melbourne cemetery. Dr. A. J. R. Lewellin appointed Medical Superintendent of Melbourne Hospital.
• 21st – Dr. Krauel Consul-General for Germany entertained at dinner by members of the Consular body at Sydney prior to his departure for Europe.
• 22nd – Mr. J. E. Redmond M.P. arrived at Brisbane.
• 23rd – The Rev. Dr. Turner, for 40 years a missionary at Samoa, left Sydney for England.
• 24th – The Navigator group of islands visited by a severe hurricane.
• 26th – International fair in aid of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Sydney opened in the Exhibition building.
• 29th – The complete plans for the great hall to be built in connection with the Sydney Town Hall approved by the General Committee of the Municipal Council and recommended for adoption.
• 30th – The Burrum Railway as far as the Burrum river opened by the Premier of Queensland.
• 31st – The Melbourne University commenced its business in the New Wilson Hall. Opening of the Tatiara and Border Town Hall.

APRIL 1883

• 2nd – The Melbourne Court refused to grant a rule for a new trial in the Leader libel case.
• 3rd – The Victorian Parliament reassembled after the ministerial elections.
• 4th – The University of Adelaide conferred degrees on the graduates. The Victorian Budget introduced. Mr. Chester Police Magistrate of Thursday Island took formal possession in the Queen’s name of New Guinea by instruction of the Government of Queensland.
• 5th – Messrs. Morris and Ranken’s report on the public lands of New South Wales forwarded to the Minister of Lands.
• 7th – Large meeting at Temora to protest against the influx of Chinese on the Queensland gold fields.
• 9th – Mr. C. W. Lawson elected President of the newly formed Tattersall’s Racing Club at Mudgee.
• 11th – Payment of members confirmed by the Victorian Assembly. Opening of the Sandridge Town Hall.
• 13th – Deliberate but unsuccessful attempt to burn the Brunswick Pier Hotel, Sandridge. The Adelaide Rifles bade farewell to Major Fergusson.
• 16th – The Tasmanian Industrial Exhibition closed.
• 17th – The annual gathering in connection with the Presbytery of South Australia took place. Major Fergusson’s engagement to the South Australian Government as Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General expired.
• 19th – Archbishop Vaughan left Sydney for a tour through Europe. The Victorian Parliament closed.
• 20th – “Stone walling” in the New South Wales Assembly.
• 22nd – Sir W. J. Clarke’s stables at Sunbury destroyed by fire.
• 23rd – Presentation to Mr. T. Coterer J.P. of Adelaide.
• 24th – The Victorian Commission for the Calcutta Exhibition gazetted. The sittings of the Anglican Synod of South Australia commenced at Adelaide.
• 25th – The Rev. Canon Sandford consecrated Bishop of Tasmania in St. Paul’s Cathedral.
• 28th – Presentation to the Rev. Dr. Woolls of Richmond N.S.W. on his resigning the incumbency of St. Peter’s. The intercolonial boat race won by Victoria.
• 30th – The trustees of the Melbourne public library decided to open the museum and picture gallery on Sundays.

MAY 1883

• 2nd – Sir Arthur and Miss Kennedy left Brisbane for England. The New South Wales Parliament prorogued.
• 3rd – The Postal Conference opened at Sydney.
• 4th – The Queensland Leader published for the first time.
• 5th – The six days’ pedestrian conference at the Sydney Exhibition building terminated.
• 6th – The Melbourne Museum opened for the first time on Sundays.
• 7th – Funeral of Sir John O’Shanassy—public holiday in Melbourne. Archibald Forbes delivered his first lecture in Brisbane.
• 8th – The Hon. Ivo Bligh left Melbourne for England. The first session of the Synod of the Diocese of New- castle commenced.
• 9th – Deputation to the Commissioner of Public Works Adelaide to urge the Government to carry the Intercolonial railway along the line of route authorised by Parliament and to call for tenders for the construction of the third section without delay.
• 11th – The Presbyterian General Assembly concluded its sittings at Brisbane.
• 12th – Archibald Forbes entertained by the Johnsonian Club at Brisbane.
• 14th – Inaugural meeting of the Blue Ribbon Army at Melbourne.
• 15th – The Postal Conference at Sydney closed. The slander case of Dickens v. Murray concluded in the Supreme Court Brisbane. The Sandhurst election took place. The tramway extension from Kirkcaldy Beach (Adelaide) to Grange opened.
• 18th – Judgment given in the case of Toohey v. the Commissioners of Railways by the full Court at Sydney.
• 21st – Mrs. Hampson, Evangelist from England, held the first of a series of Evangelical meetings at the Town Hall Sydney.
• 22nd – The Auckland University College opened.
• 23rd – The Congregational jubilee brought to a close at Sydney.
• 24th – The new Zoological Gardens at Adelaide opened.
• 25th – Presentation of a handsome silver-plated tea and coffee service to the Postmistress at Minlaton (SA).
• 28th – The steamship Austral made a very successful trial trip outside Sydney Head. Glove fight in Sydney between Prof. Miller of Melbourne and Larry Foley of Sydney. Destructive fire in Molesworth (NSW) —13 buildings burned.
• 29th – The New South Wales Parliament opened. Presentation of a silver tea and coffee service to Dr Archibald Macdonald of Sale by the Governor of Victoria. Arrival of Mr. Redmond M.P. in Melbourne.
• 31st – The South Australian Parliament opened. The foundation stone of the Servants’ Training Institution East Melbourne laid by Bishop Moorhouse.

JUNE 1883

• 1st – The Royal Commission to arrange the details of the Adelaide Jubilee Exhibition held its first sitting. Deputation from the Royal Colonial Institute accompanied by three Agents-General to Lord Derby to urge upon the Government the advisability of annexing New Guinea.
• 2nd – Laying of the foundation stone of the new premises of the Equitable Co-operative Society in Collins Street Melbourne. Judge Paul entertained by the Johnsonian Club at Brisbane prior to his departure for England.
• 3rd – Sir Arthur Kennedy late Governor of Queensland died off Aden.
• 5th – Mr. Redmond M.P. delivered his first lecture in Melbourne in aid of the funds of the Irish National League.
• 6th – Important deputation to the Governor of Victoria urging him to do all in his power to induce the Imperial Government to extend its protection to the islands in the South Seas.
• 7th – Inauguration of the Liberal Club Adelaide.
• 8th – Stranding of the Investigator near Cape Dombey.
• 9th – The steamship Austral left Sydney for Glasgow. Statue of the late Mr. T. S. Mort unveiled by Lord Loftus at Sydney.
• 11th – The new State school in Sturt Street Adelaide opened by the Hon. J. L. Parsons.
• 12th – Inauguration of the “Remuera” chapter of Freemasons at Auckland.
• 14th – The New Zealand Parliament opened. Festivities at Albury to celebrate the joining of the Victorian and New South Wales Railway systems.
• 15th – The Burford case concluded at Adelaide.
• 16th – The Governor of Adelaide drove the first spike of the Glenelg and Brighton tramway.
• 18th – Annual meeting of the Auckland Society of Arts. Deputation to Lord Derby on State-aided emigration.
• 19th – The annual masonic ball held in the Exhibition building Sydney.
• 20th – The libel case of Anderson v. The Sydney Morning Herald terminated in a verdict for the plaintiff for £450.
• 21st – Railway from Eaglehawk to Mitiamo (Vic.) opened. Footrace between John Aplitt and Frank Robertson at Bourke – won by Robertson.
• 22nd – Collision in the English Channel between the Hurunui and the Waitara.
• 23rd – The first session of the Municipal Association of New South Wales terminated.
• 26th – The new Land Bill introduced into the South Australian Assembly and read a first time.
• 27th – The New Zealand Budget introduced. The Supreme Court of Victoria gave its decision in the test case brought by M’Lean Brothers and Rigg against the Liverpool Association for the Protection of Trade on the question of cost v. security for general average.
• 29th – Mr. Longridge M.L.A. Victoria opened the railway from Korong to Boort.
• 30th – Intercolonial football match at Melbourne. Extensive fire at Messrs. John Ash and Sons’ premises Melbourne.

JULY 1883

• 1st – Burning of the ferry boat Lily between Lane Cove river and Dowling harbour. The Criminal Law Consolidation Act came into force in Victoria.
• 2nd – Mr. A. C. Onslow sworn in as Chief Justice of Western Australia. The Colac and Camperdown Railway opened for traffic. Inauguration of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Victoria. The Ballarat City Council resolved to abolish the holiday usually kept to celebrate the separation of Victoria and New South Wales.
• 3rd – The Victorian Parliament opened. Judgment given in the Davies-Harris slander case at Sydney.
• 4th – Dr. T. P. Anderson Stuart appointed Dean of Faculty of Medicine Victoria in the room of the late Hon. Professor Smith.
• 5th – Collision in the Port Stream between the Karaweera and the dredger Wilonga.
• 6th – Speech day at St. Peter’s School Adelaide.
• 7th – An unusually violent shock of earthquake felt in Adelaide and suburbs.
• 9th – Mr. Jas. Allison the well-known entrepreneur presented with a testimonial on his leaving Sydney for Europe. Tenders for the 4 per cent Western Australian Loan opened in London. The Brisbane Daily Observer sold by auction for £1,010.
• 11th – Farewell lecture of Mr. Archibald Forbes in Sydney. The ex-chairman of the Melbourne Harbours Trust (Mr. Thos. Leader) presented by the Trust with an illuminated address. Sir Henry Parkes left Sydney for England via America. Judge Josephson left by the same steamer.
• 12th – The Rev. D. F. Stanford the newly-elected Bishop of Tasmania left England for his diocese The Bill to provide for the repeal of the Totalizator Act read a second time in the South Australian Assembly.
• 13th – Birthday ball at Government House Sydney.
• 14th – The annual sheep sales commenced at Bradley’s Head.
• 15th – Dedication of the Roman Catholic church of All Saints Port Augusta. The racecourse hotel at Marshalltown (Vic) destroyed by fire.
• 16th – The action by Mr. Hunt against Sir Arthur Gordon concluded at Wellington—verdict for plaintiff damages £100.
• 17th – Mort & Co opened their ninth annual sale of stud sheep at Sydney. Bill introduced into the South Australian Assembly for the construction of a railway from Palmerston to Pine Creek in the Northern territory.
• 18th – The Victorian Budget introduced. Ministerial banquet at Wollongong.
• 19th – The Rev. Thomas Lloyd of Adelaide presented with a purse of 250 sovereigns and an address prior to his departure for England. Stranding of the Lock Ken at the mouth of the Peako River N.Z.
• 20th – Annual distribution of prizes of the Royal Humane Society of Australia in the Melbourne Town Hall.
• 22nd – The barque Deutschland from London to Rockhampton went ashore at Masthead reef.
• 24th – The first despatch from Mr. Julian Thomas – sent by the proprietors of the Melbourne Argus and Australasian to report on New Guinea – published in the Argus. The Legislative Council of South Australia granted Sir Julius Vogel a concession to lay a cable between the North-West coast and Ceylon. The Tasmanian Parliament opened.
• 26th – Proclamation issued dissolving the Queensland Parliament. Serious floods in Adelaide.
• 27th – The South Australian Budget introduced. The Rev. W. Roby Fletcher M.A. elected Vice-Chancellor of the Adelaide University.
• 28th – Sculling match between Trickett and Beach on the Parramatta river – won by Trickett easily. The Brisbane Exchange opened.
• 30th – The Governor of South Australia opened the new town hall at Norwood. Death of the New Zealand Chief Henri Tantari.

AUGUST 1883

• 1st – The steamship Pathan arrived at the Semaphore with Irish informers on board – the Australian Governments refused to allow them to land.
• 2nd – The Mallee Land Bill introduced into the Victorian Assembly.
• 3rd – The new line from Ballarat to Scarsdale opened for traffic. The State school at Mangalore burnt to the ground.
• 4th – The remains of the Rev. Dr. Forrest interred in Petersham Cemetery. The first meeting of the Brisbane Stock Exchange held. Marriage of Mr CS M’Phillamy of Bathurst to Miss Halloran, daughter of the Hon H Halloran CMG of Ashfield.
• 6th – Annual meeting of the Victorian Racing Club held at Melbourne.
• 7th – Henry Williams sentenced to five years’ penal servitude for victimising a number of Brisbane tradespeople.
• 9th – The Native Land Laws Amendment Bill introduced into the New Zealand Parliament.
• 10th – The libel case of Elasser against the publisher of the Melbourne Bulletin resulted in a verdict for the plaintiff for £250.
• 11th – The Sydney Tattersall’s Club opened the flat racing season. Conclusion of the Dunedin Gaol inquiry.
• 14th – The Budget debate in the South Australian Assembly closed.
• 16th – Complimentary banquet to Councillor McMahon at Melbourne.
• 18th – The second international football match between New South Wales and Melbourne ended in a draw. Sir Henry Wrenfordsley left Sydney to take up his official duties in Fiji.
• 20th – The Melbourne Chamber of Manufactures unanimously rejected Mr. Twopenny’s scheme regarding a Colonial Exhibition in London.
• 21st – Complimentary banquet to Professor Badbam Dean of the Faulty of Arts at the Sydney University.
• 22nd – The Select Committee appointed to report on the proposed railway land grant system of Western Australia brought up their report to the Perth Assembly. Crowded meeting of Secularists held in Melbourne to take steps to build a secular hall in the colony.
• 23rd – The Married Woman’s Property Bill thrown out by the Perth Assembly.
• 24th – The libel case between the Hon. James Cowlishaw MLC and Messrs. Gordon and Gotch publishers of the Brisbane figaro withdrawn by mutual agreement.
• 26th – The steamer Melcebel arrived at Adelaide after having been out twenty days from Circular Head.
• 28th – Dr. Sandford the newly-appointed Bishop of Tasmania arrived at Melbourne.
• 29th – Serious shock of earthquake at Hobart. The full Court of Sydney gave judgment in the ecclesiastical appeal case of Browne and others v. McElharic and others.
• 30th – Great fire at the Te Kopuru saw mill – damage £10,000. Resignation of the Rev. Charles Strong of the Scotch church Melbourne.
• 31st – The Melbourne left Sydney with Joseph Smith the notorious Irish informer on board.

SEPTEMBER 1883

• 1st – The tramway system from Adelaide to Hyde Park opened for traffic. Presentation to Mr. Seymour of the New Zealand Sugar Company.
• 2nd – Sunday trains first run on the Aldgate line Adelaide.
• 3rd – Severe shock of earthquake at Dubbo. Public holiday at Adelaide in connection with the anniversary of the eight hours’ system.
• 6th – Bishop Sandford arrived at Hobart from Europe.
• 7th – Mr. Edward Ross Fairfax one of the proprietors of the Sydney Morning Herald fined £250 for contempt of court.
• 8th – The exhibits for the Victorian Court at the Calcutta Exhibition shipped at Melbourne. The New Zealand Parliament prorogued. The Legislative Council of Western Australia prorogued.
• 10th – The Spring meeting of the Australian Jockey Club brought to a close at Rudwick (NSW). The foundation stone of the North Adelaide Institute laid by the Governor of South Australia.
• 11th – Mr. Andrew Harper re-elected warden by the Melbourne University Senate. Report of the Victorian Education Department presented to Parliament. Pillow’s Club Hotel Tewintin Queensland destroyed by fire. Mr. Redmond M.P. arrived at Auckland.
• 13th – The Melbourne Agricultural and Horticultural Society’s Show opened.
• 14th – The new public school at Wattle Flat N.S.W. opened.
• 15th – Mr. J. H. Turner manager of the Australian Joint Stock Bank at Cowra presented with a purse of 100 sovereigns on his leaving the town for Albury.
• 16th – The Doric, the first of the New Zealand Shipping Company’s direct line of steamers to New Zealand, arrived at Auckland.
• 17th – Funeral of Mr. William Wanders a prominent freethought advocate at Sydney.
• 18th – The divorce case of Horwitz r. Horwitz terminated at Sydney in a verdict for the petitioner – damages £5000.
• 19th – Presentation to Dr. McKellar of Auckland. Extensive robbery of gold at the Commercial Bank Melbourne.
• 21st – The railway from Charlton to Mount Wycheproof (Vic.) formally opened for traffic.
• 22nd – Mr. Moncure D. Conway arrived at Sydney.
• 24th – Public welcome to the new Bishop of Tasmania at Launceston.
• 26th – The £4,000,000 Loan Bill passed the Victorian Assembly.
• 27th – Defeat of the South Australian Government on their taxation proposals.
• 29th – The Rev. Dr. Abrahams preached his inaugural sermon before the Melbourne Hebrew congregation.

OCTOBER 1883

• 1st – Mr. Moncure D. Conway made his first appearance before an Australian audience at the Melbourne Athenaeum.
• 2nd – The fourth annual session of the Presbyterian Synod commenced in Hobart.
• 3rd – The Tasmanian Assembly decided to admit machinery free of duty from Jan. 1 1884.
• 5th – The Municipal Railway Bill vetoed by the Tasmanian Assembly.
• 6th – Walking match between Scott and Edwards at Dunedin – won by Scott. Inaugural meeting of the Savage Club Adelaide. Termination of the inquiry on the loss of the steamship Austral in London.
• 9th – The New South Wales Parliament opened. The annual meeting of the Congregational Union and Home Mission of Victoria commenced at Melbourne. The Emerald Hill (Vic) election resulted in the return of Mr. D. Gaunson.
• 11th – Opening of the Smithfield Institute South Australia. Bazaar in aid of the Melanesian Mission opened at Government House Sydney. Mr. Huntley superintendent of the Ottera station Armidale district committed suicide.
• 12th – The emigrants per Western Monarch to Brisbane released from quarantine. Captain Armit the Argus special returned to Cooktown from New Guinea. Mr. Parnell’s new Land Bill introduced into the Sydney Assembly.
• 14th – Archbishop Gould laid the foundation stone of a new Catholic school at Carlton (Vic).
• 15th – Foundation stone of a new model lodging house for Melbourne laid by the Mayor.
• 16th – The Executive Council of New South Wales approved of the proposed tramway to Bondi.
• 17th – The full Court at Adelaide refused to grant leave to appeal to the Privy Council in the case of Angus v. Cowan.
• 18th – Mr. Clement L. Wragge left England for Adelaide.
• 22nd – Lord Derby informed the Agent-General of Victoria in reply to his letter of Oct. 5 that there were obstacles to the annexation of some of the Pacific islands and that with regard to others the Government were not of opinion that their annexation with all its attendant expenses and responsibilities was necessary at the present time.
• 23rd – “Stonewalling” in the Victorian Assembly. Mr. Donaldson returned to serve in the Queensland Assembly for Warrego.
• 24th – Lord Derby informed General MacIver in London that his contemplated New Guinea Expedition could not be permitted.
• 25th – Terrific snow storm at Gympie.
• 26th – Opening of the Robinson swing bridge at Port Adelaide. The Pleasant Creek Hotel Stowell (Vic) destroyed by fire. Deputation to Mr. Service in favour of intercolonial free trade.
• 27th – Opening of the South Australian yachting season.

NOVEMBER 1883

• 1st – Branch of the Bank of New Zealand opened in Adelaide. Foundation stone of the Adelaide Young Men’s Christian Association Hall laid by Mrs Hay.
• 2nd – Mr. David Lindsay and party arrived at Katherine after a successful trip in the Northern territory. The Victorian Derby won by the Hon. J. White’s Martini-Henry.
• 6th – The Melbourne Cup won by Martini-Henry. The New Zealand Cup won by Tasman. Sir Anthony Musgrave arrived at Brisbane and sworn in as Governor of Queensland. The new City Baths at Adelaide opened by the mayor. Suicide of Captain Mercer Mack marine surveyor at Echuca.
• 7th – The Irish-Australian Convention inaugurated at Melbourne. The Queensland Parliament opened – Mr. Groom elected Speaker.
• 9th – Sir Thomas McIlwraith tendered his resignation as Premier of Queensland and Mr. S. W. Griffith sent for to form a new ministry.
• 10th – Mr. Moncure D. Conway delivered his farewell lecture at Melbourne at the Opera House.
• 12th – Cyclone at Toowoomba.
• 13th – Mr. Wilfred Powell read a paper on “New Guinea and the Islands of the Western Pacific” at the opening meeting of the Royal Colonial Institute. Foundation stone of the new Grand Hall in connection with the Sydney Town Hall laid by Mrs J Harris
• 14th – Mr Julian Thomas (“The Vagabond”) left Cooktown for Thursday Island enroute for New Guinea as head of the Argus expedition vice Captain Armit.
• 20th – The Union Hotel New Norfolk destroyed by fire Opening of the Tallarook and Yea Railway.
• 21st – Inaugural banquet of the Northern Territory Association.
• 22nd – The South Australian Assembly prorogued.
• 28th – The Federation Congress at Sydney opened.

DECEMBER 1883

• 1st – The Mallee Bill came into operation in Victoria. Mr. G. V. Stewart’s fourth party left England for the Bay of Plenty in the Northumberland.
• 8th – The Federation Congress at Sydney closed after agreeing to the formation of a Federal Council for Australia.
• 10th – Dr. Barry the Bishop elect of Sydney entertained by the Worcester Chamber of Commerce prior to his departure for New South Wales.
• 11th – The Tongariro steamer arrived at New Zealand in 40 days 9 hours being the fastest passage on record. It was notified in the London Gazette that the Queen had been pleased to direct supplementary letters patent to be passed under the Great Seal granting and declaring that degrees granted by the University of New Zealand should take equal rank to those granted in the United Kingdom.
• 13th – The New South Wales Loan for £3,000,000 placed on the London market.
• 14th – Tasmanian Parliament opened. The Governor’s speech asked for power to raise a loan of £100,000. The Legislative Assembly of New South Wales passed the second reading of the Land Bill, by 76 votes to 16, after a sitting of 36 hours. Sydney Technical College opened in the New Institute, Sussex Street. The Earl and Countess of Rosebery visited the Melbourne University, the Law Courts, and the Telephone Exchange. The report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Management of the New Norfolk Asylum for the Insane condemns it in very strong terms.
• 15th – Technological Museum opened in the Agricultural Hall, Sydney. Annual match between the officers and non-commissioned officers and privates of the Victorian Volunteer Force fired, resulting in a victory for the non-commissioned officers by 22 points. The term for enrolment of Victorian Militia extended.
• 16th – The Bishop of Adelaide, in a sermon preached at St. Peter’s College Chapel, maintained that the colony had not resented as it should have done the proposal of the French Government to send criminals to the Islands of the Pacific. Marquis of Normanby left Adelaide for Melbourne, after a short visit to South Australia. Scots Church Pulpit preached vacant.
• 17th – The New Zealand Industrial Exhibition opened at Christchurch. City Council of Melbourne decided to plant trees opposite the Town Hall, Collins Street. The Annual Commemoration in connection with the Adelaide University, at which the Chief Justice presided. Pitman dismissed from the Government Service of Victoria.
• 18th – Terrible mine accident at the Duke Mine, Timor, Maryborough, 4 men killed. Scotch College Speech Day, at which Lord Rosebery delivered an interesting address. Annual Meeting of the Congregational College of Victoria. Dinner to Professor Strong prior to his departure for Europe. Shock of earthquake felt over a great part of the middle Island, New Zealand.
• 19th – Loan Bill for £800,000 passed all stages in the Legislative Council at Hobart, the money to be expended on Railway construction. Conference of the Board of Management of Scots Church, Collins Street, and a committee appointed by Presbyterian General Assembly for the purpose of discussing the contemplated separation of the Church from the Presbyterian Church of Victoria. Juvenile Exhibition at Parramatta, opened by His Excellency the Governor. Adelaide, Payneham, and Paradise Tramway opened. Opening of Hotham Free Library. News received of drought in New Caledonia.
• 20th – Opening of Engineers’ Industrial Exhibition at Melbourne. Hon. J. Bryce, Native Minister, New Zealand, concluded definite arrangements for the Triangulation Survey of the King Country, comprising nearly 400,000 acres. First sod of the Mackay Railway turned by His Excellency the Governor of Queensland. Anniversary of the Adelaide Bushman’s Club celebrated, the club visited by the Governor.
• 21st – Terrific thunderstorm at Benalla, considerable damage done. Extensive robbery at the General Post office, Sydney. 2,000 persons visited the Parramatta Exhibition. Sir Thomas Elder presented £10,000 to Adelaide University to found a medical school. The city council of Melbourne requested the Australian Electric Light and Storage Company to abstain from the further lighting of Elizabeth Street. Tasmanian Parliament opened. Two-thirds of the New South Wales Loan taken up by public tenderers.
• 22nd – Melbourne Annual Regatta held. Very successful trial of harvesters at Campania, Tasmania. Rev. Sydney Linton appointed first Bishop of Riverina.
• 23rd – Adelaide Rifle Volunteer Force resolved to send a team of 10 to England, to compete at Wimbledon, and the Rifle Matches in Great Britain. Earl of Rosebery visited the Sydney Morning Herald.
• 24th – Shock of earthquake felt at Perth, W.A
• 26th – Boxing Day. Traffic at the Flinders Street Station, Melbourne showed 39,869 passengers, and a revenue of £605 Bs. 7d., not including periodical tickets. Discovery of gold at Temora. 100 Kanakas on the Mackay Racecourse, Queensland, attacked Europeans, injuring 8 of them, one Kanaka was killed in the disturbance, and 210 wounded. Intercolonial Cricket match between Victoria and New South Wales, five days’ match, won by Victoria by 3 wickets. V.A.T.C. Summer Cup won by Guy Faux, A. J.C. Summer Cup won by Sloth by the Drummer.
• 27th – First Annual Meeting of the Old Colonists’ Association, Adelaide. Salvage, by Castaway, won Auckland (N.Z.) Cup, time, 4m ss.
• 28th – Majors Sargood, Templeton, Freeman and Sleep, of Victorian Militia, advanced to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Anniversary of Colony of South Australia.
• 29th – The report of the Western Pacific Committee, published in London, recommends that the labour trade be more carefully watched, and opposes the suggestion of giving the control of the native races to the Australian Colonies.
• 31st – Disastrous bush fires raging within 7 or 8 miles of Tatura. An address and gold chalice presented to the Right Rev. Monsignor Moore, Bishop-elect of Ballarat, in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of his ordination.