THE FIRST MELBOURNE NEWSPAPER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 170, 20 August 1879, Page 3

THE FIRST MELBOURNE NEWSPAPER.

Forty-one years ago journalism was represented in Melbourne by a small foolscap sheet issued weekly by Mr John Pascoe Fawknov,. one of the founders of that city. Wo have had the pleasure, of inspecting one of the carlist issues (No. *2) of'the Melbourne Advertiser, for by that name was the newspaper known, and its appearance is unique in the extreme. Three of its pages, which by the by are all in manuscript, arc occupied with advertisements, an evident sign that the earliest colonists were fully alive to the advantages to he gained by publicity through the press. Mr Fawknei monopolises itio largest share of the space with his announcements, which by their variety indicate that that gentleman must have been of a singularly enterprising turn of mind. For instance, that of his hotel, which was the first established, after setting forth the merits of the stock, which had been procured from the very best houses in Cornwall, Van Diemen’s Land, goes off to enumerate the “ mental ivcrcation of a high order” which was also provided for travellers. The

:-aul mental recreation consisted of seven English and five colonial weekly newspapers, seven Brilish moutlily magazines, ihroe (inarlerly British reviews \i]-> to duly and August, IbBT, and a choice selection of honks, including novels, poetry, theology and the sciences. These were (roe to lodgers, air J. awknov also seems to have kept a separate library

as in an..(li.?r part of the pa par w*‘ find a polite intimation t<> his suhscn'hers that it is usual to pay up ail arrears to the beginning of a new year. From other advertisements we also learn that Mr Fawkner bought and sold cattle and pigs, and kept an extensive stoeK of building material, which he was ready to dispose of on the most favorable terms. The little relic of the past, for the Advertiser has long since, like its owner, passed away is interesting, and compared with the mighty Argus ot the present clay, no more forcible evidence could be shown of the vast progress made by the Victorian capital since Mr Fawkner issued his tiny sheet. No doubt in those days it was as eagerly scanned as are its favored successors of to-day, and “ the particulars of the murder of Constable Tomkins” which the issue under notice contains, no doubt proved a fruital source of gossip amongst its readers.