MELBOURNE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 130, 2 July 1853, Page 9

MELBOURNE.

Mr. La Trobe,the Lieut.-Governor of Victoria, and hitherto a staid and quiet bachelor, has gained fthe appellation of a "fast" man, for having given a splendid ball on the Queen's birthday. The Argus gives the following account of the affair:— The grand ball given by His Excellency the Lieutenaut-Governor, is too important and too rare an event in the beau monde oi Australia, to be passed over without notice. We must, in the first place, do justice to the architects. It Avas only on the 16th that the Lieutenant Governor decided upon giving the ball, at which time there Avas no ball-room, so that the Government architects had only seven clear days in which to erect one, and it Avas required to be capable of accommodating 3 500 persons, besides the band, attendants, servants, &c. They, however, undertook the herculean task, and most successfully accomplished it. The suite of rooms erected by them cover an area of 6600 square feet. The framing and sides of the building are of wood and the roofs of corrugated iron; the rooms are sufficiently substantial to stand ten years without repair. The rooms were hung Avith tapestry, were decorated with festoons of flowers, and were illuminated in a manner at once brilliant, tasteful, and picturesque. Mr. Kemp, the architect, is preparing perspective views of the interior, to be forwarded to the Illustrated London Netos. The suite of rooms in connection with the ball room Avere—l. The reception-room, where the Governor received the company. 2. The ballroom, of noble-dimensions, and magnificent appearance, on one side of Avhich opposite the reception-room, Avas a space reserved, but not encroaching on the ball-room, for the band of the 40th Regiment. The roof of the ballroom was supported by rows of pillars, the space between which Avas occupied by the dancers. Along and outside the pillars Avere the spectators, and those Avho were either waiting their turn, or were treading their Avay among the moving multitude of exquisites, dignitaries, honorables, and pretty Avomen. At one end of the ball-room a space was railed off, Avhere refreshments were served out during the evening. There were comfortable cushioned seats rounded the Avhole room. 3. The banquetroom—This Avas a room of the same length as the ball-room, but not so Avide. The tables encircled the Avhole, and the supper was taken standing. A number of soldiers of the 40th Regiment were in attendance, guarding the entrance, and taking charge of cloaks, hats, &c, and a guard of mounted police were stationed in the street during the evening. We have recorded the bare facts regarding this splendid festival, but it would require the pen of a poet to describe the beaming smiles, the graceful movements, the handsome forms, the lovely faces, and the magnificent dresses of those who formed its chief attraction. No one, we firmly believe, could have the smallest conception previously of the wealth of Melbourne in this respect. Every one apparently had gone with the fullest intention to be agreeable and happy, and Aye can only say that the said intention was to all appearance fully accomplished. The Birthday Ball of 1853, it is certain, will long be remembered with pleasure by the fair ladies j and gallant men of Melbourne. j The Argus quotes from the Times the follow- j ing piece of intelligence, Avhich, though brief, is full of significance to the Australian colo- ] nies:— i " It is understood that despatches have been j sent to the Governor-General of New South j Wales, and the Lieut.-Governor of Victoria, ,

authorising the Legislative Councils," in both these colonies, to form themselves into a Parliament of an Upper and Lower House, it being at the same time intimated, that so soon as this arrangement shall have heen brought into operation, the Crown will concede to them the management of their own affairs, including the entire receipts from the public lands, so as to assimilate their position to that of Canada. These despatches are said, likewise, to have contained an assurance that Transportation shall positively cease Avithin a short period, which shall be named as soon as the necessary plans for a different disposal of the convicts can be completed." The Sydney papers state that the despatches here referred to, had been received. The concessions were, it is said, arranged by Sir John Pakington, in whose liberal plans the Duke of Newcastle, on his accession to office, fully concurred.