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115 ship from London, the Bryan, 500 tons, was advertised in 1839 as “ Affording settlers for this flourishing colony an opportunity of pro ceeding thence at once.” The monetary system of the colony was simple enough. There was no money. The system of orders upon Sydney, Launceston and Hobart Town houses prevailed. The discounting of such orders formed a very profitable trade. Hughes and Hoskings of Sydney had an Agent here with that object. The Sydney Colonist of June, 1837, has a quiet thrust at our neighbours over the water upon referring to this usage: “ The settlers complain of not being able to get re mittances in specie from the sister Colony, to pay for the purchase of allotments, and Government will not take cheques or bills ; but it is a very old complaint, with which our Van Demonian neighbours have long been chargeable.” All this naturally led to the institution of Banking interests. Capt. Swanston sent over Mr. Bucker to open a branch of his Derwent Bank. This was conducted in- a little store at the south east corner of Queen and Collins Streets ; it afterwards be came amalgamated with the Union Bank. Mr. McArthur, arrived here from Sydney at the close of 1837, to establish a branch of the Australasian Bank. It was opened in a little two roomed brick cottage, with a small garden in front, situated in Little Collins Street, near Elizabeth Street, at the back of Connell’s store. Upon removal to the new premises, adjoining the Wesleyan Chapel allotment, Collins Street, the little house became tenanted by Monsieur and Madame Gautrot, our first public musicians. The Union Branch Bank, esta blished about the same time as the Australasian, had Messrs. Rucker and Gardiner as Directors, and Mr. Highett as Manager. It was held in a two roomed weather-board place in Queen Street, until the erection of their premises at the corner of Queen Street and Flinders Lane, now known as the Woolpack Hotel. The Port Phillip Bank, a local one, was commenced under the management of Mr. John Gardiner in 1839. The Savings’Bank was by the Gazette of Dec. 17th, 1838, placed under Messrs. Lonsdale, Clow, Smith, Skene Craig, Grylls and Baxter, as Trustees. The Melbourne Fire and Marine Assurance arose under the care of Mr. James Smith, in April 1839 ; there were 1,000 shares of fifty pounds each. Wages for shepherds were at first about £20 and rations, though they rose to .£40 A written notice once appeared on the walls of I
