An Historic Document.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XXII, Issue 3876, 21 May 1906, Page 3

An Historic Document.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA'S CHARTER. PRESENTED TO THE STATE. An important historic document came into the hands of the Premier of South Australia on the 3rd inst., Bays the Sontb Australian Register. "When some reporters entered Mr Price's room at Victoria square they saw displayed a huge, artistically printed parchment, to which was attached a circular tin, almost as big as that nsed by bonse-wiveß for baking cakes. "There's something worth having, commented the Premier jubilantly, " given to me as the representative of tbe people of South Australia." Mr Price produced this letter: — "Napier, New Zealand, April 17, 1906. The Honourable the Premier of South Australia, Adelaide. Sir, — Since the death of my father in August, 1903, I have come into possession of certain documents connected with the early history of South Australia. I wish to present this document, with the accompanying seal, wbich'you will receive with this letter, to South Australia, the colony with which my grandfather was connected, where my father lived, in which I was born, and to which I hope some day to return. — I am, Sir, your obedient Bervant, John Hindmarsh." The letter was brought to the Premier by Miflß Hindmarsh, granddaughter of the first Governor of South Australia, in behalf of her brother, Mr John Hindmarsh, and Mr Price accepted it heartily. Miss Hindmarsh was en route to Belgium, and official letterß of thanks will be

sent to her and the thoughtful donci in Now Zealand. Mr Sholl, 1.5.0., Under Secretary, who made a rapid scrutiny of the excellently written lines—the caligraphy seems almost faultless in accuracy and grace of outline—says the document is the Governor's commission and the charter authorising the eatablish- ! raent of the province. The parchment ia bordered by symho'ieal figures and scroll design?, with sketches of William IV. and Quren Adelaide. On the top, in boid writing —the letters are inches long find wide—are the words:— " William the Fourth, by tbe Graoe of God," and (he document sets out that it is can Act to empower His Majesty to erect South Australia into a British province or provinces and to provide for the colonisation and government thereof." The ordinary seal is fixed in the top left-hand corner, and there is also a seal of beeswax, showing on the one side a representation of the King on his throne, and on the other a horseman in the typical dress of the time, probably the figure of William IV. himself. The beeswax seal, with its strings of red tape, is a particularly interesting souveuir— a huge brown penny it looks, measuring six in.-hes aoross and nearly an inch deep. The document was offered for purchase to the public library authorities some years ago, but the price named was regarded as too high. The gift by the successor to its original owner is graceful as well as valuable in itself. Miss Hindmarsh, who presented the document is a sister of Mrs 8. Bolton, of Oete.