VICTORIA’S DAWN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 297, 13 November 1934, Page 7

VICTORIA’S DAWN

CENTENARY OF PORTLAND. THE HENTYS RECALLED. IMPORTANT LITTLE TOWN. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received November 13, 8.5 a.m. MELBOURNE, Nov. 13. Although the ceremonies relating to the Centenary have been in progress for several weeks in Melbourne, a series of events which began to-day in Portland, a small coastal town about 200 miles west of Melbourne, mark the real centenary of the dawn of Victoria’s history. These celebrations will continue till November 19, when the Duke of Gloucester will make a special visit in the Sussex to take . part in some of the elaborate pageantry upon the preparation of which the townsiolk of Portland have been engaged lor many months past. The history of Portland Bay goes back to 1800, when it was discovered by Lieutenant Grant, of the Lady Nelson, and duly charted. In 1802 another famous navigator, Matthew Flinders, passed by, but did not enter. Only a lew days before, however, a Frenchman anchored in the Bay and named it Trouville, but he did not hoist the tricolour; Portland thus missed being a French settlement. For some years before, sealers and whalers had used the bay as a headquarters, but they were never regarded as settlers. The actual story of the settlement began back in England, in the ancient village of West Tarring, in Sussex — the name strangely enough of the warship which has brought the King’s son to Victoria to the Centenary celebrations. In West Tarring lived the Henty family, who were destined to go down in history as the virtual founders of the State of Victoria. Thomas Henty was a breeder of Merino sheep from the famous stud of George 111. The Hentys were among the first to respond to the call of the Colonies, and in 1829 they arrived in Australia for the purpose of taking up land. After many unsuccessful attempts to obtain land to their liking, they eventually landed at Portland to settle, after having previously inspected and approved the surrounding country as suitable lor grazing. Thus, with four heifers, four working bullocks, five pigs, two turkeys, some fowls, and dogs, a plough, a fishing boat, a frame house, and tents, Portland, which they named after the Duke of Portland, came into being as Victoria’s first settlement on November 19, 1834. A portion of the pageant which will bo presented to the Duke of Gloucester when he attends at Portland this week will depict the. landing of the Hentys. Scenes of 100 years .ago will be re-enacted and spectators will dwell for a brief space among the pages of a living history. For months past all available accommodation in Portland has been booked for the period of the celebrations and the peaceful little town on its picturesque bay is crowded as it has never been before. THE ROYAL TOUR. DUKE IN TRAFFIC JAMB. MELBOURNE, Nov. 12. The Duke of Gloucester’s Victorian visit is now ending. To-day was spent on a country tour, including Bendigo, and Shepparton. He is returning this evening and boarding the Sussex for Tasmania. He will revisit Victoria next Monday for the celebrations at Portland, the oldest settlement in fhe State.

While en route to the air pageant at Laverton on Saturday, the Duke experienced the worst traffic jamb known on the Geelong Road. The Royal car was frequently forced off the road by the tangle of hundreds of cars. The police were powerless to relieve the congestion and the Royal car was forced to take a place in the general procession. , While staying at Ercildoune, the Duke was greatly interested in Australian terriers owned by Major Currie and expressed a desire to take some to England for breeding. On Saturday be visited the breeder and bought two pups. Explaining why he was late m arriving at the Soldiers’ League dinner, the Duke said he had been ‘to see a man about a dog.” FAREWELL TO DUKE. BY MELBOURNE CITIZENS. Received November 13, 12.5 p.m. MELBOURNE, Nov. 13. Standing bareheaded in the stern of the Sussex, the Duke of Gloucester waved a farewell to Melbourne last night when h-e left for Tasmania. The Royal Standard flew' at the masthead, a striking emblem picked out against the night sky by the ship s searchlight. It was a scene of striking simplicity and sincerity of affection for the King’s son at the end of the most strenuous Victorian tour ever undertaken by a member of the Royal House. Thousands lined the route to the port and a vast crowd assembled and cheeied the out-going cruiser lustily. Though revisiting Victoria, the bussex is going direct to Portland and is not visiting Melbourne.