Regarding Melbourne Volunteer Rifle Regiment
5 December 1854, The Argus (forerunner of the Melbourne Age)
PROTECTING MELBOURNE AGAINST UPHEAVAL IN BALLAARAT
DEFENCE OF THE CITY. - A public meeting, convened by the Mayor, takes place this day at one o'clock p.m. at the Mechanics' Institute. The object is to take measures for the protection of the city, and for the upholding the cause of law and order in the present unsettled state of the Ballaarat diggings. The requisition to the Mayor is signed by eight members of the Legislative Council, and by many other Citizens.
(note: The Eureka Stockade (3 December 1854) was led by a Canadian Captain Henry Ross! The Eureka Hotel was torched on the 17th Oct 1854. I'm not sure of this but I think it would be reasonable to assume that the Victorian Volunteer Corps Act may have had some of its beginnings in the troubles of the time (observe the different spelling of Ballarat.)
8 December 1854, The Argus (forerunner of the Melbourne Age)
THE PUBLIC PEACE
The Mayor announced that a large number of persons had enrolled themselves as special constables, and it was desirable that they should be placed under some regulations. If any disorder arose in the City, they would have a body of men who would show that they were determined to have peace. He believed that there were persons in the City who had no local habitations, who would be ready to take advantage of any tumult that might arise.
Alderman Hodgson, Councillor J. M. Smith, and other gentlemen, expressed sentiments in favour of peace, law and order.
The Mayor said it was not his duty to awake alarm, but rather to endeavour to restore confidence. He thought it was their duty, however, to unite for the purpose of keeping the peace. He moved
That the Council pledges itself to co-operate with the magistrates and other authorities in preserving the peace of the city.
The motion was carried unanimously.
